Sensenich Propeller

On my RV-4 with a 320-150hk, I'm about to change out my Swedish Wood 69 inch Samuelson AUB 150 2-2-FDH-43 68"x69" Cruise propeller to a Sensenich 70CM6S16-0(79), the standard suggestion from Vans. Is there anybody who has one for sale or is interested in my wood propeller?
My location is Evje, Norway, Europe.

Not so fast...

Per,

If you like aerobatics, no RPM restrictions, smooth running and no harmonics, stay away from the Sensenich. I bolted one on my RV4 and took it back off a week later. If you like cross country, straight and level (boring) flight at cruise RPM below 2600, go with it.
It is heavier and alot of flywheel effect with a MAX RPM of 2600. My 0-320 was balanced and was really smooth at 2700, rated RPM. One more reason not to buy one...

I ended up using an MT fixed pitch propeller on my RV4 instead, much better. I also used a Craig Catto composite for many years, also excellent. The MT has rain protection, a plus where I live.

Smokey
HR2
www.cattoprops.com
http://www.mt-propeller.com/

PS: Of the Nine props I tried over the 12 years/1300 hours I flew my RV4, the MT was the best overall...if you can only afford one, go with it!

sensenich prop

My first prop was a Sensenich metal on my RV-4 160 hp. I flew it with that prop for over 300 hours. At that time ( 2001) Sensenich had the 2600 RPM restriction but there was no mention of not doing aerobatics with the prop. I did all basic positive "G" manuevers with that prop and never once exceeded 2600 RPM. I replaced that prop with a Craig Catto 2 blade to get max cruise performance for cross country air racing. The Catto is a great prop but I wish I had kept the Sensenich to use when not competing in race events. The metal prop was more efficient at normal cruise power and very low maintenance. My metal prop ran pretty smooth too. I would not hesitate to use the metal prop but the Catto prop is a good one too. If you can live with the 2600 RPM limit I would use the metal prop.

Smokey boy,

We just finished a new RV3B with a new 160HP Lycoming from Aero-Sport Power.

As we are flying and checking on things we find that we easily exceed the Sensenich 2600RPM propeller limit in cruise.
2600RPM and approximately 23 to 23.5" MP @ (3000' msl and 52 degrees F OAT)

We will be getting our propeller repitched and we sure could use a SWAG, (scientific wild *** guess) on how much additional pitch we should try.

Our propeller is a brand new Sensenich from Van's:
70" Dia x 81" Pitch

My guess is to ask the prop shop to repitch it 84" which would ADD 3" of pitch to our propeller. What do you think?
too much pitch?
not enough pitch?

N313RV
Fred

Fred,

First, congratulations on the first flight! How about some details? And how about adding it here:

http://www.romeolima.com/RV3hq/Registry/registry.html

As to the rpm issue with your current prop, good luck. An RV-4 bud that does aerobatics on a regular basis had his 70CM prop repitched and ended up replacing it with a Catto. Flying aerobatics isn't much fun when your full attention is on the tach. My experience has been that the -3 is way too slippery to always keep the 70CM under 2600. This info is ten years old:

http://www2.sensenich.com/engineer/eng70cm.htm

If they haven't solved the problem yet, they most likely never will. Sensenich calculations are that it will take 50 hours of operation above 2600 rpm before the prop tip departs. But maybe not.

http://www2.sensenich.com/discuss/messages/77/179.html#POST292

Sensenich also recommends a prop overhaul at 1000 hours if the prop is used for aerobatics.

In any case, why not talk to the experts first?

http://www.sensenich.com/index.htm

Tony

repitching a Sensenich 70" dia x 81" pitch propeller

Tony,
We have run our 160 HP RV3B @ 8000' MSL and find 2600 RPM and 19.5" MP. When we advance the throttle to wide open we see 22.5" MP initially and then the RPM starts to increase. We stopped testing when we saw 2740 RPM (and it was still increasing).
We are contacting a prop shop to see about repitching the propeller so we can absorb the extra manifold pressure and we will get back with our results.