plumbflyer
Member
Has any one used a whirlwind constant speed prop with a lycoming io-360; and if so, how does it work?
I have installed a 3 blade Whirlwind Prop using 3 RV200 blades. I cant report performance yet but will soon. Also planning to go to OSH. The new prop with spinner etc (complete) weighs 58 lbs. 3 blade version is 73" diam. because the 3 blade hub is a larger diam.
I had an old (1996) wood core Whirlwind on which the blades had to be replaced. The wood core shrunk under the carbon fiber outer sheathing. This caused delamination. The old prop weighed 61 lbs complete.
BTW the prop is on a Glasair 1 RG, with a modified IO360C1D6 (angle valve engine 200 HP stock) producing about 245 HP at 2700 rpm on dyno. balanced blueprinted, flowed, ported, cam modified, elect ign, etc.
Some high power RV's may want to consider this prop arrangement. It does not yet show up on the Whirlwind website. They call it a 400RV prop.
It's like they read my mind! How much power is it good for?
Hans
Some high power RV's may want to consider this prop arrangement. It does not yet show up on the Whirlwind website. They call it a 400RV prop.
Actually.....according to my paperwork...it's called the 400 Rocket Prop....not 'RV' Prop. As I understand....I have the 2nd one of the props that have been built.....the 1st one is on an IO-540 competition acro plane and is performing well (so I'm told).
The Whirlwind 400 Rocket Swept Tip prop is mounted on my newly minted F1 Rocket and will be flying in a couple weeks. I'll be sure to let folks know how it performs .
Can't say enough about Greg at Whirlwind!
rpm limitations
The newer -7497 BA Hartzell doesn't have an RPM limitations.
http://vansairforce.net/downloads/Hartzell_Engine-Prop_Approvals.xls
I just received my 200RV prop from Whirl Wind. It is beautiful. A real work of art.
But one thing that surprised me was a statement in the manual for it that says "avoid continuous operation between 2600-2700 rpm and 2050-2300 rpm"!!!
Everything I found prior to ordering the prop indicated there where no rpm restrictions on the 200RV prop. On the specification sheet on the website, it says "restrictions: none".
So whats the deal?
My understanding from WW is that the "avoid" statement is CYA type thing. It is not based on any testing specific to the WW prop - they adopted the statement based on testing Hartzell did on their props. I question whether that is really applicable at all, but Im no expert
I might add that it is really important to get the prop balanced. I did and it was balanced to a 0.00. This is a perfect balance. The guy said he has never had one before. It is smooth beyond works.
I've been meaning to mention this... Interesting isn't it? There ARE RPM restrictions on a 200RV prop. They need to either change the website or the manual...
Also, it says in the same manual that you should dynamically balance the prop before you fly it, has everyone seen that?
Hans