VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #41  
Old 03-30-2015, 10:17 PM
Neal@F14's Avatar
Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 2,182
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Murphy View Post
Charlie at Sensenich was very helpful with this matter...
cant wait to install it and see how it performs...

Anyone have one on an Rv4 160HP that can share what pitch setting they are using?
Cm
Not an RV-4 but I'm running the #5 pitch pin setting on my RV-6 w/ 160hp and it's a good all-around pitch setting for me. The #6 setting was a bit too course pitched for me in the hot Texas summer heat.


EDIT: I've not been re-using the Nordlock washers more than 3 times. Without any provision for safety wire, I'm a bit leery of re-using the lockwashers more than that.

I've found about the cheapest place to buy them is Zoro Tools.

The Nordlock part number is #1531, sometimes also referred to as NL12SP.
Zoro's part number is #G4344672.

Webpage here, you have to search for them by part number, they do not show up when you just try to browse for Nordlocks on their website.
http://www.zoro.com/i/G4344672/

They used to be $14.97 for a package of 8, now they're $16.98, still not too bad. I try to keep 2 or 3 sets on hand just in case I get an urge to try a pitch change again.

Also, you might want to replace the #10 phillips screws that hold the front spinner bulkhead onto the hub with screws or AN3 bolts that have heads drilled for safety wire. The tiny Nordlocks for those will come loose. I switched to AN3 drilled head bolts, AN970 "fender" washers, safety wired the bolts, and used loctite blue on them. No further issues with the two front bulkhead bolts coming loose again :-)
__________________
Neal Howard
Airplaneless once again...

Last edited by Neal@F14 : 03-30-2015 at 10:42 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 03-31-2015, 10:07 AM
BillC BillC is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ramona, Ca
Posts: 259
Default

Update on lowest price for NORD NL12-SP/1531.

TANNER Fasteners & Industrial Supplies $10.76 pk of 8 + $6.50 shipping.

http://www.tannerbolt.com/default.as...NL12-SP%2F1531
__________________
Bill RV-9A Flying
FFI- Flight Lead
N99WC
Ramona, CA (KRNM)
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 03-31-2015, 08:20 PM
Neal@F14's Avatar
Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 2,182
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillC View Post
Update on lowest price for NORD NL12-SP/1531.

TANNER Fasteners & Industrial Supplies $10.76 pk of 8 + $6.50 shipping
Nice!

Thanks!
__________________
Neal Howard
Airplaneless once again...
Reply With Quote
  #44  
Old 04-02-2015, 08:50 AM
Christopher Murphy Christopher Murphy is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: colorado
Posts: 873
Default thanks

Thanks for the info

Cm
__________________
RV-4 "Mr. Twister"
Pitts S1S "Mexican Red" sold and missed
Mr. Twister Airshows
Rocky Mountain Renegades
the mission... have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 04-02-2015, 09:48 AM
smokyray's Avatar
smokyray smokyray is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
Default Catto vs Sensy Comp

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Murphy View Post
Charlie at Sensenich was very helpful with this matter...
cant wait to install it and see how it performs...

Anyone have one on an Rv4 160HP that can share what pitch setting they are using?
Cm
Chris,
First, congrats on the Sensy composite. I had a chance to fly one on Saint Aviation's RV9 and it really impressed me. Jesse had the 150HP 0-320 RV9 pitched at 4.

Catto props...
With one or two Catto hours (3000) behind me and having put the very first one on an RV4 (mine), I have a pretty good database of performance based on 4 different models of Craig's product over 20 years and 2 RV's. I always had an MP gauge and used the number 48 to judge performance. (first two digits of RPM/MP total=48 for 75% power at any altitude)

Pre-Gen3 Catto props generated their best performance at higher RPM's (above 2500). In fact, I pitched my first 0-320 Catto prop to allow rated RPM (2700) at 12,500. This in turn allowed the prop to spin up to 2900/WOT at S.L. No worries, Craig guarantees them up to 3200. As far as Catto props not working well above 10K, not true. They work well if your RPM can be maintained at rated RPM. Higher RPM at High and Low altitudes gave me better STOL performance and decent speed below 5K, and 170KTAS above 12,000. Slight excursions above 2700 to outrun higher HP RV's wasn't a problem and with balancing, turbine smooth! I always climbed above 10K to go long distance so it was the best of both worlds. Gen3 however changed everything.

Gen 3: The airfoil, blade design and pitch combined with a nickel leading edge protection optimize performance at lower RPM across the board. My RVX Gen3 comes into it's own at 2450 with a nice efficiency "sweet spot" at 2150. (4.5GPH/125KTAS) Between 2500 and 2700, the gain is slight at best and above 10K, 2500 is a sweet spot for performance. A much improved design combined with nickel leading edge protection is a home run overall. (They are FAA certified on the Carbon Cub.)

Overall, both are great props. I am obviously biased to the Catto since they have given me 3000 hours of great and safe performance. the Sensy obviously has an edge of being adjustable, a great option and probably the future of efficient, budgetary and flexible RV flying.

V/R
Smokey

Last edited by smokyray : 04-02-2015 at 10:20 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #46  
Old 04-02-2015, 01:49 PM
Christopher Murphy Christopher Murphy is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: colorado
Posts: 873
Default good info

Smokey,
I dont want to knock catto. My prop does exactly what I wanted it to do. My mission has changed and I wanted rain protection. I know my metal sensi was better at 2600rpm than this prop is and the sensenich people tell me this GA prop is even better. This catto really goes at 2700 or higher. Its high alt performance wasnt as good as I would like. I will hang on to this catto prop for awhile because one nener know when I might want to go really fast again...

I cant wait to try it out but I was shorted the spacer and bolts so Im waiting for those.
__________________
RV-4 "Mr. Twister"
Pitts S1S "Mexican Red" sold and missed
Mr. Twister Airshows
Rocky Mountain Renegades
the mission... have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old 04-02-2015, 03:27 PM
smokyray's Avatar
smokyray smokyray is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
Default Mucho Bueno GA...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Murphy View Post
Smokey,
I dont want to knock catto. My prop does exactly what I wanted it to do. My mission has changed and I wanted rain protection. I know my metal sensi was better at 2600rpm than this prop is and the sensenich people tell me this GA prop is even better. This catto really goes at 2700 or higher. Its high alt performance wasnt as good as I would like. I will hang on to this catto prop for awhile because one nener know when I might want to go really fast again...

I cant wait to try it out but I was shorted the spacer and bolts so Im waiting for those.
No worries Chris, I can totally relate.
My first 3 Catto props had no LEP and the old/original prototype airfoil. I spent many hours fixing rain damage or applying clear tape to the leading edge. The 1st was a test prop for Craig's data and didn't really get going until 2600. Then it really got going! They performed very well at high RPM's especially around 2800 where the 0-320 is really humming. As you said, rain really did a number on them.
The Gen 3 really is a different animal. I have been really pleased with it in 500 hours and the nickel leading edge and new finish are bulletproof.

BTW, I called my friend Jesse at Saint Aviation this morning to ask him questions about his Sensy GA. He uses a 4 pitch as he is always loaded with 2 big boys in FL heat. I really liked the power band when I flew it. 2100 static, 2300 climb, 2750 WOT. Very, very smooth...


V/R
Smokey
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 04-08-2015, 08:20 AM
Christopher Murphy Christopher Murphy is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: colorado
Posts: 873
Default Sensenich GA prop

Made first flight with the new GA prop

Pitch pin 6. Im impressed so far but its its still under pitched so going to try number 7 before i really test for numbers.

Its,smooth but I noticed a,little shudder when i aggressively pull the power back at speed. I want to fly it more to check that out.

Total wt of new prop and hardware 24,2lbs
weight of old prop and crush plate 37lbs.
we are goung to reweigh the airplane Friday for a new W&B.
Cm
__________________
RV-4 "Mr. Twister"
Pitts S1S "Mexican Red" sold and missed
Mr. Twister Airshows
Rocky Mountain Renegades
the mission... have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old 04-23-2015, 08:51 PM
Christopher Murphy Christopher Murphy is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: colorado
Posts: 873
Default W&B new prop

We weighed the airplane with the new prop. The empty weight cg moved 2 inches aft. I have flown some. Acro and it handles ok but I haven't spun it yet. I did do a number of stalls and the pitch break is almost negligible so I didn't put in the rudder to spin.

Takeoff acceleration is remarkably better. tas at about 8000da was 162kts at 2600 rpm. ( I'm sure I was seeing higher speeds at lower pitch setting 6 but I only made one flight at that setting)

I reclocked the prop as per sensenichs direction for the metal props and it eliminated the vibration band it had from about 1500 to 1800 rpm

Cm
__________________
RV-4 "Mr. Twister"
Pitts S1S "Mexican Red" sold and missed
Mr. Twister Airshows
Rocky Mountain Renegades
the mission... have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old 04-26-2015, 11:14 PM
skiandtom skiandtom is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: COlumbia, SC
Posts: 36
Default Senseniche Prop

My brother and I have the Senseniche ground adjustable prop on our 160 HP -4 and are very satisfied with it. It is fast and rain does not affect it. We had a few issues with the Hammer Head spinner Senseniche offers. But Senseniche took care of it. The plane is not quite as fast as our RV-7A with a 180 HP and a Hartzell, but cruise speeds are essentially the same. Rate of climb is excellent. The -4 has a tendency to a rearward CG, so we had to install the 11 pound ring on the flywheel/starter gear.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:47 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.