Wear Items
IF800 TOMCAT Batteries, Prop Replacement Guide, & Motor inspection.
The following list is of items that are considered normal to have reduced health over time. They will wear out and if not routinely inspected and replaced, when necessary, can cause an in-flight failure.
IB388 Batteries
IB388 Batteries are rated for 150 full cycles of use.
A full cycle is defined as being discharged to a state of charge (SOC) below 10% and charged to a SOC over 90%.
Because use varies, the battery can be expected to last anywhere between 150 to 300 cycles.
Batteries that show a state of health (SOH) below 80% should be retired.
Batteries that have visible damage to the case, including but not limited to: cracks, deformation, bend power connector pins, pieced housing, or swelling should be retired.
See Battery Health Section for additional recommendations on when and how to retire batteries.
IF800 Propellers
Propellers are rated for up to 400 hours of flight time.
Propeller life can vary greatly depending on storage conditions, handling during assembly/ disassembly, impacts with airborne debris, and propeller strikes.
Replace a propeller if:
A propeller's blade has any visible cracks or delamination.
A propeller blade has visible chips more than 1/4"' or 5mm.
Propeller blades on the same hub have large variance in hub tension between them.
Excessive vibration is observed.
Propeller Replacement - (Props)
The following section describes in detail how to safely remove and reinstall propellers on the IF800. In this section you will also find propeller orientations and directions definitions.
Each of the 4 propellers on the IF800 Tomcat has a unique orientation and direction. Failure to install a propeller on the correct arm or in the correct orientation will result in catastrophic flight failure or crash upon takeoff.
1
Verify that the IF800 Tomcat is powered OFF. If the IF800 Tomcat is still active, press the main power button until all system lights are off and remove the batteries.
2
Place aircraft on a clean, level work surface.
3
Identify propeller direction and rotation.
4
Using a 2.5mm hex screwdriver unscrew both of the center M3x10mm screws from each propeller. Collect screws to be used to secure replacement propellers.
NOTE: Each propeller will have a Screw Access Bar. The front propellers’ access bar faces upwards, and rear propellers’ access bar faces downwards.
WARNING: DO NOT remove, loosen, or tighten the outer propeller pivot screws.
5
Carefully dispose of old propellers.
WARNING: Broken propellers may have exposed carbon fiber splinters that can pierce skin.
6
Install replacement propellers on the correct arms using the previously-removed M3x10mm socket head cap screws. Apply blue loctite on the threads and securely tighten the screws to 1.2nM of force.
IF800 Tomcat Motors
Motors are rated for 1600 hours of flight time.
Motor life can vary greatly depending on storage conditions, exposure to harsh environments such as ocean spray or airborne chemicals, use with chipped or broken propeller blades, and impacts with the ground.
Replace a motor if:
It has bearings that feel rough, has noticeable play, or an audible abnormal sound emanating from it (i.e. bad bearings).
It has foreign debris inside that cannot be cleaned out or removed.
It has a noticeable burnt odor.
Has consistently higher throttle given to it during level flight.
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