Do you oil your motor pods? What oil do you use?

Maddog · Jun 23, 2016

muzz3256 said:
Hate to be that guy to dig up an old thread, but I can't seem to find how to actually do the lubrication. I have triflow, just need to know where to lubricate.

I don't have a video but here are some pics that should help:

Wayne · Jun 23, 2016

FYI Tri-flow is used on bike chains and can be found in many bicycle shops. At least in my neck of the woods.

SurfnSkate81 · Jun 23, 2016

Wayne said:
FYI Tri-flow is used on bike chains and can be found in many bicycle shops. At least in my neck of the woods.

If your looking for Tri-flow in Australia, Cell Bikes in Melbourne stocks it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lastduik · Jun 24, 2016

Maddog · Jun 24, 2016

Steve S. said:
Would powder graphite work? Or would White Lightning work too. It is a chain lubricant for mountain bikes and leaves a slick residue that is formulated to not pick up dirt or dust.

Graphite is good for door hinges, etc. I think it would act as an abrasive if applied to something spinning at high speed.
I drank white lightning once- wouldn't lube a motor with it.

FinniKris · Nov 19, 2016

Triflow - Tri-Flow Pin Point Lubricator

Looks like you can buy it direct from their website for $8

Maddog · Nov 19, 2016

FinniKris said:
Triflow - Tri-Flow Pin Point Lubricator

Looks like you can buy it direct from their website for $8

Or on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Flow-TFBC20027

Tamj · Nov 20, 2016

For those who have multiple Solos, it would be amazing if you posted a video comparison of one with and without oil.

I read that once you start oiling the motors you MUST forever continue oiling them so you're stuck on that route and can never back out. You're also more likely to attract dirt by oiling them. At least from my research...

On the other hand, 3DR claims to have kept the drone up in the air for 40 days straight with no problems so I'm torn on making the call on this.

n01kn0ws · Nov 20, 2016

Tamj said:
For those who have multiple Solos, it would be amazing if you posted a video comparison of one with and without oil.

I read that once you start oiling the motors you MUST forever continue oiling them so you're stuck on that route and can never back out. You're also more likely to attract dirt by oiling them. At least from my research...

On the other hand, 3DR claims to have kept the drone up in the air for 40 days straight with no problems so I'm torn on making the call on this.

I can spare my 20 minutes of work related to oiling afer my motors will reach 10 working hours to extend motors lifespan

Don't know for how long motor pods will be available as spare parts.

Maddog · Nov 21, 2016

Tamj said:
For those who have multiple Solos, it would be amazing if you posted a video comparison of one with and without oil.

I read that once you start oiling the motors you MUST forever continue oiling them so you're stuck on that route and can never back out. You're also more likely to attract dirt by oiling them. At least from my research...

On the other hand, 3DR claims to have kept the drone up in the air for 40 days straight with no problems so I'm torn on making the call on this.

3DR also claimed 25 minutes of flight time. You have 2 pieces of metal rubbing against each other at high speed- why wouldn't you lube them? Not much different than running your car's engine without oil.

novi81 · Dec 11, 2017

I'm new to Solo but been using this for ages on different birds and also on all types of fan for ages. It's not primary for bearings but works beautifully and not harmful to plastic, rubber etc

Brunox Epoxy, TurboSpray, Lubri-Food, IX-50, IX-100, BikeCare, Waffenpflege

9Franko9 · Dec 15, 2017

Seems like this would collect dirt? I was reading one of the oils listed and it said you should wipe down the bearings every time you add oil to collect the dirt that has attached to the bearings? Not sure which way to go on this

novi81 · Dec 16, 2017

Sooner or later dirt will go in anyway. They are not sealed hermetically

John Githens · Dec 16, 2017

Jake J said:
I have had my solo for a few months now. I haven't used any oil on these stock motor pods even once yet. I do notice that the pods get "warm" after a flight but certainly not hot. Do these motor pods come shipped with a long lasting motor grease that shouldn't be "washed" out with cheap oil product? The "mechanic" in me thinks I should be at least using some kind of durable oil at some sort of interval. What do you guys use if anything and how often?

Readers of this thread may want to read the comments on this thread on DIY Drones. Particularly the several comments by Gary McCray. Somewhere on this 3DRPilots site, there's probably a photo or two of the bearings on a Solo motor.

Michael Lione · Dec 17, 2017

I got wrapped up in the oil/don't oil debate a while back. The emphatic consensus by several very respected members was the motors were not designed to be oiled and more harm than good came from doing so. It would seem that there should be good professional guidence by motor manufactures as to any requirement to oil or not.

Maddog · Dec 17, 2017

Michael Lione said:
I got wrapped up in the oil/don't oil debate a while back. The emphatic consensus by several very respected members was the motors were not designed to be oiled and more harm than good came from doing so. It would seem that there should be good professional guidence by motor manufactures as to any requirement to oil or not.

Good point but I haven't seen anything on that yet.