Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #21866
From: Perry Mick <pjmick@mail.viclink.com>
Subject: Prop balancing?
Date: Sat, 14 May 2005 21:06:52 -0700
To: <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Rusty: I use an ACES dynamic balancer. I did have some trouble with it at first balancing after installing the PSRU.  But I found out it was operator error.
Finally got a beautiful balance that was glass smooth. Then I added a spinner that threw the thing out of balance again. Borrowed the balancer once more - now it's smooooth again! I absolutely have to have a dynamic balance everytime I change something because I have no shock mounts. But once it's balanced, it's smoother than any Lycoming with shock mounts.
I had previously balanced the ducted fan summer 2001, then didn't change anything for 3.5 years, until last December.

I'm not familiar with the Chadwick unit, but it probably operates on the same principle using a vibration sensor on the engine and an optical sensor to pick up reflective tape on one prop blade. No reason it shouldn't work.


Greetings,
 
There's an A&P at my airport that does prop balancing, and he just did a friends RV-7 this morning.  When he was done, I asked him to do mine.  He hooked everything up, got an rpm reading, but when he tried to actually take a measurement, it would only say "error".   We tried it several times, and it wouldn't work, so no balancing for me :-(
 
The instrument was a Chadwick Vibrex http://www.e-equipments.co.uk/vibrex2000.htm   and it sure looks like it should work.  The question I have is whether it can cope with a gear drive. 
 
Has anyone had their prop balance by the same folks that do Lycosaurs?  Did the instrument work for you?
 
Thanks,
Rusty
 
 
PS- Get your engine balanced David, so you won't be wondering if that vibration is the prop, or the engine.  I sure wish I had balanced my engine, because now I just don't know.
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