One of our customers kindly sent this video of a blade replacement underwater....
"...was from when we hit Great Barrier at 1am in the morning.
Lost both props, next morning, dived down and replaced all the blades, then was on way back to Auckland to sort out other damage."
Darrell..
We believe that having a spare set of blades and being able to change them quickly, is a huge benefit if the worst should happen.
We can also turn around blade orders very quickly with pre-set pitch (from our database settings of your installation) to get you back to sea.
Let me summarise:
Remove the threaded cap ex the pin.
It has a small hollow to indicate this is the threaded end.
Tap out the retaining pin by using a small nail that goes to the base of the thread and avoid damaging the thread.
Slide the blade off the pin. The above will not be necessary if a blade has ben lost totally.
Put Loctite™ into the female pin threads before going underwater.
Start the Ti pins into the side of the blade - but not protruding so as to allow the blade to mount over the pin
Insert about 10 ml of grease down the blade recess with a kitchen knife type tool.
Remove the small # 4 Pozi grease screw to allow any excess grease out and prevent the blade acting like a hydraulic ram
Make sure the white V Seal is in place at the base of the blade
Place the blade over the pin and force down to squeeze excess grease out
Tap the pin gently home with a gentle striking motion angled downwards towards the leading edge of the blade.
This tends to lift the nose of the pin and ensure a correct entry into the hole opposite despite the cutaway section inside.
If it doesn’t go easily - tap out with a nail and try again. The holes are 0.004” or 0.1 mm undersize by design for secure retention.
Once securely home - insert the Ti male threaded cap and nip up.
Wipe any excess Loctite™ from the blade.s
Insert the #4 Pozi grease blocking screw.
The pitch has been set prior so your now good to go after repeating for individual blades.