3 replies to this topic

[midiman007]

My problem with balancing small 3 bladed props is that I didn't have a process to follow that worked every time.

I found a version of this method, only they removed material to balance. This is great if you are balancing larger props. If you want to add tape to balance, let me tell you how it's done.

First you should only have to add weight to, at the most, two blades ... never all three. I was having trouble doing this. I'd end up with tape on all three before I was done.

Here's how you do it. Put the prop on the balancer, spin it and let it settle. Here's the typical case: all 3 blades are spread around. One is probably higher than the others and one is lower, but none are pointing straight up, or straight down. Number the highest one with 1 dot, the lowest one with 3 dots, and 2 dots on the other. Don't fudge on this marking, it's important to the process to get it right.

The first step is to balance 2 and 3. You do this by adding weight to 2, until 1 is pointing straight up (2 and 3 are now balanced). Now you add weight to 1 until the prop is balanced. Works every time it's tried. It's so simple but I was having lots of trouble. Only the number 1 and 2 blades should have any tape on them.

I've also had the case where one blade is pointing straight down. Put 3 dots on it, and 1 and 2 on the others. Now you add the same amount of weight to both 1 and 2 each time, until it's balanced. It's a little harder than the first case, because you're trying to get the same amount of weight added to two blades at a time.

The third case is one blade is pointing straight up. This is the easiest case. Mark it with 1 dot and the other two with 2 and 3. Now add weight to 1 until it's balanced.

Kenny

Edited by midiman007, 21 January 2012 - 07:58 AM.

[timbocan]

Nice bit of advice, since i've been playing with three blade props. any helping hints that i can try are great.
Tim

[Spydmobile]

Hey this is good stuff. This little tidbit should make its way into the wiki to help others! Kenny, would you mind contacting Berkley and asking about editing access to add this?
Franco

[midiman007]

Spydmobile, on 21 January 2012 - 12:40 AM, said:

Hey this is good stuff. This little tidbit should make its way into the wiki to help others! Kenny, would you mind contacting Berkley and asking about editing access to add this?
Franco

Done. Here is the link to the Wiki page.

Kenny

Edited by midiman007, 21 January 2012 - 07:57 AM.