WTB: Prop for O-235 RV-3

[Snap]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a Prop for our RV-3B with 115 hp O-235 engine. We're currently running a 68x64 Ed Sterba Prop and are looking for options to get better overall performance.

Two blade preferred.

Please offer what you got.

[FireMedic_2009]

I’m posting my email conversion with Simone in hopes to have some input from the forum for Simon

Hi Simon
I have a Prince P-tip carbon fiber wrapped prop 68”x76”with about 100 hrs. The bolt holes are 3/8”. which should be the same as your prop/engine. I bought my RV3B with an O-320. The prop rpm with my 160hp engine turned at 2820 rpm at 6500 ft. With the hp of your engine this may be the correct pitch. Where do you live in the US? I’m in Tampa, Florida. If you are near me you can fly down and try the prop out
Daren

Hi Daren,
thank you for reaching out and the offer to try the prop! Actually my RV-3 is located in Germany - but I'll be in FL from 20th on. I'll think about the pitch for a bit but am quite sure it'll be too much for the engine. We're hardly getting 2800 with out 68x64 prop.

Simon

Hi Simon
Is the 2800 RPMs you mentioned full power when you’re in flight or is that static RPMs when you’re on the ground? If that is the static RPMs, when you’re in the ground, then the prop is way under pitched. If it is when you are at full power in flight, then you are a little under pitched. You should be looking to get around 2700 RPMs. Also, you can’t compare pitches on different brands of prop because they are completely different Prop designs. If you are getting those RPMs while you are in flight, then you would want your prop to have a pitch of 66” or 67” so when you are at full power, your rpm will max out at around 2700 RPMs. That would get you about an extra 8 kTAS or so

[EdH]

My 115hp O-235 -3B runs a UK-made Chris Lodge propeller. A CJL139 66.5" diameter, 67" pitch. It seems well matched for the aircraft/engine combination (737lbs empty), with around 1300fpm rate of climb, and 135kts easy cruise at 2450rpm

[FireMedic_2009]

Wow Ed, that is really lite. The empty wt of my plane is about 840 lbs. the O-320 is only 5-10 lbs heavier. I do have the B-wing so I don’t know how much more it weighs than the original wing.

I do have an AP with both servos and the panel as shown. The second pic is the latest showing the addition of the Garmin GPS175. I can cruise at over 160 kts and climb at over 2000 fpm