rwaltman
08-23-2012, 12:08 PM
... I was amazed how much smoother my engine was after dynamc balancing.
Checking the available options:
(a) RPX's Dynavive - $1495
http://www.rpxtech.com/rpxweb/default.asp
(b) DSS's Personal Microbalancer - No price information
(Asked and shall receive, but not yet - Reported to be ~$2700)
http://www.dssmicro.com/products/prod_mb_main.htm
[Added: received a quote - a full kit is $2694]
(c) Smart Avionics PB-3 - 495 British Pounds, ~$790 (plus Android device)
http://www.smartavionics.com/pb3/pb3.html
(d) Don Cheapote - $1
From a post in www.homebuiltairplanes.com (http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com)
"Hi guys:
Let me tell you how I dynamically balanced my prop for about $1.
First I painted the outer edge of my prop flange black.
Then I got a stiff rod (not from reading a magazine) that was about 5 ft long, and taped a piece of chalk at the end.
Then I tied the tail of the plane to a strong post, set the brakes, chocked the wheels and ran the engine up to 2000 rpm.
Then I stood next to the flange, a couple of feet behind the prop, and moved the chalk closer, and closer to the flange until it just barely touched the flange.
Then I shut down the engine, and looked at the flange. There were chalk marks on one side of the flange, so I figured they must be on the heavy side, and pulling the flange over to contact the chalk, thanks to the give of the engine mounts.
I added weight to the opposite side, and solved my vibration problem.
If you decide to try this method be very careful, and also remove the cowling, so you can stand farther back from the prop. Also it would be good to put a c-clamp in an area within 2 feet of the flange, that you can put the stick through, and it will brace the stick, otherwise the prop blast makes it hard to hold the stick steady.
I did this on a VW engine, so if you have a lot more power, it may be difficult to stand steady in the prop blast without some kind of brace.
Good luck.
StarJar"
Still looking for a DIY project. Any other thing I should consider?
Roberto.
Checking the available options:
(a) RPX's Dynavive - $1495
http://www.rpxtech.com/rpxweb/default.asp
(b) DSS's Personal Microbalancer - No price information
(Asked and shall receive, but not yet - Reported to be ~$2700)
http://www.dssmicro.com/products/prod_mb_main.htm
[Added: received a quote - a full kit is $2694]
(c) Smart Avionics PB-3 - 495 British Pounds, ~$790 (plus Android device)
http://www.smartavionics.com/pb3/pb3.html
(d) Don Cheapote - $1
From a post in www.homebuiltairplanes.com (http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com)
"Hi guys:
Let me tell you how I dynamically balanced my prop for about $1.
First I painted the outer edge of my prop flange black.
Then I got a stiff rod (not from reading a magazine) that was about 5 ft long, and taped a piece of chalk at the end.
Then I tied the tail of the plane to a strong post, set the brakes, chocked the wheels and ran the engine up to 2000 rpm.
Then I stood next to the flange, a couple of feet behind the prop, and moved the chalk closer, and closer to the flange until it just barely touched the flange.
Then I shut down the engine, and looked at the flange. There were chalk marks on one side of the flange, so I figured they must be on the heavy side, and pulling the flange over to contact the chalk, thanks to the give of the engine mounts.
I added weight to the opposite side, and solved my vibration problem.
If you decide to try this method be very careful, and also remove the cowling, so you can stand farther back from the prop. Also it would be good to put a c-clamp in an area within 2 feet of the flange, that you can put the stick through, and it will brace the stick, otherwise the prop blast makes it hard to hold the stick steady.
I did this on a VW engine, so if you have a lot more power, it may be difficult to stand steady in the prop blast without some kind of brace.
Good luck.
StarJar"
Still looking for a DIY project. Any other thing I should consider?
Roberto.