Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Throttle quadrant

JDA_BTR

Well Known Member
Patron
I really like vernier prop and mixture controls. I've never used a throttle quadrant. I've read all the posts I can find about the left side console, verniers, and the throttle quadrant.

If I want to have a lock for the throttle, and a second for the prop/mix this most expensive option is available:

If I want a vernier setup for prop/mixture and a quadrant for throttle, this set of posts has good info:

So my questions are these:
1. With the verniers, is the hand position way forward and a pain to deal with, or not a big deal?
2. With the dual-lock quadrant, is any modification to the left panel needed, or is a drop-in?
3. With the single throttle quadrant, which is best and fits in without modification?

I like the pictures that have switches on that left side panel too, which I hadn't thought about before seeing them.
 
I think there are 2 considerations 1) individual friction locks for each control (MP, RPM, MIXTURE) and 2) ergonomics of using the quadrant versus verniers.
I have tried both and and did not like the quadrant, so opted for the way I like flying in an Extra 300 where you set RPM and Mixture on vernier controls and just work the throttle.
I modded my quadrant to this kind of prototype in my RV-8. (see photo attached)
The other big decision you need to make is the control CABLES. If you go with the Vans ones, they are made for marine boats, get very sticky after 100 hours, most need replacing after 200 hours and make the quadrant more difficult to use. I swapped my cables out for McFarlane and it made a world of difference to the ease of use and accuracy of the controls themselves.

Aircraft spruce has 2 types of quadrants- https://www.aircraftspruce.com/categories/aircraft_parts/ap/menus/ap/controls_vans.html
 

Attachments

  • quad.jpg
    quad.jpg
    2.2 MB · Views: 72
I really like vernier prop and mixture controls. I've never used a throttle quadrant. I've read all the posts I can find about the left side console, verniers, and the throttle quadrant.

If I want to have a lock for the throttle, and a second for the prop/mix this most expensive option is available:

If I want a vernier setup for prop/mixture and a quadrant for throttle, this set of posts has good info:

So my questions are these:
1. With the verniers, is the hand position way forward and a pain to deal with, or not a big deal?
2. With the dual-lock quadrant, is any modification to the left panel needed, or is a drop-in?
3. With the single throttle quadrant, which is best and fits in without modification?

I like the pictures that have switches on that left side panel too, which I hadn't thought about before seeing them.
1. There are some out there that have done what you are describing. The vernier do allow much finer adjustment. I don't think the ergonomics are any worse than the standard RV-8 quadrant location.
2. Drop-in
3. I should think four spacers for the mounting bolts and a mod to the cover would be about all that's needed.
 
Being able to run LOP is pretty nice and fine control of mixture is handy. You can see the mixture and throttle/prop quadrant on the left. It's exactly where my hand wants it to be.

25D7395C-BED1-4FF6-A001-A2E29EDB3D38_1_105_c.jpeg
 
Being able to run LOP is pretty nice and fine control of mixture is handy. You can see the mixture and throttle/prop quadrant on the left. It's exactly where my hand wants it to be.
That’s a great pic and I like the way you fabbed the bracket onto the cover. The other example has it much more forward. Do you find that the prop control moves much when left unlocked with throttle adjustments?
 
One consideration: If you ever intend to fly in formation, a Vernier Throttle is not permitted.

The good reason for that is, that during formation flight, it is not unusual to need relatively large, and quick throttle movements.

Just something else to consider...............
 
One consideration: If you ever intend to fly in formation, a Vernier Throttle is not permitted.

The good reason for that is, that during formation flight, it is not unusual to need relatively large, and quick throttle movements.

Just something else to consider...............
Interesting! Did not know that! Learned something new today!

I plan to do the standard throttle quadrant with Vernier for mix/prop for the very reason you mention, I don't want anything else in the way of the throttle movement. Plus the Vernier style controls in my experience are easier to work with and set up.
 
Being able to run LOP is pretty nice and fine control of mixture is handy. You can see the mixture and throttle/prop quadrant on the left. It's exactly where my hand wants it to be.

View attachment 68585
All the 2 levers I find are throttle and mixture. Yours appears to be marked High and Low for RPM. Where did you get the cover plate like that?
 
I think DJM would make one to your requirement.
I seem to remember someone on here had one made a while back.
 
All the 2 levers I find are throttle and mixture. Yours appears to be marked High and Low for RPM. Where did you get the cover plate like that?
It's the three lever control with the mixture "blacked out". Hardly noticeable unless you look hard. Think black paint or black electrical tape strategically placed. I do believe DJM sells a two lever. I had a three lever handy.
 
I have a two lever quadrant from DJM with throttle and prop only.
Did he by chance make you two lever formation model? I’m considering SDS fuel injection and wondered if he made a throttle/prop quadrant that you could independently adjust the tension on.
 
Did he by chance make you two lever formation model? I’m considering SDS fuel injection and wondered if he made a throttle/prop quadrant that you could independently adjust the tension on.
Yes, he made a two lever model. No it doesn't have individually adjustable tension but I haven't found a need for it...
 
1. With the verniers, is the hand position way forward and a pain to deal with, or not a big deal?
No. reach is natural.
2. With the dual-lock quadrant, is any modification to the left panel needed, or is a drop-in?

3. With the single throttle quadrant, which is best and fits in without modification?

The fly-boys-Accessories one is fine. No no-go-issues.
 

Attachments

  • 2920D87B-FEB1-4B74-BF31-AE4F731C73F7_1_201_a.jpeg
    2920D87B-FEB1-4B74-BF31-AE4F731C73F7_1_201_a.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 40
  • tempImageHyY6qo.png
    tempImageHyY6qo.png
    12.4 MB · Views: 40
Back
Top