Well, it look like I may need to add some nose weight for CG. Since I'm new to gas, are there negative effects to using weighted prop washers? Does it ware on the engine with the extra weight that it has to swing, especially during tumbling maneuvers? Also, does it slow the throttle response any? With the weight right at rotation axis, I figured it would affect throttle response, but was worried about the weight damaging the bearing on the crankshaft during hard tumbles.

Lance

I believe that if you ran the numbers to compare the gyroscopic effects of a large diameter propeller compared to the small diameter weighted prop washer, you'd find the washer adds minimal effects to the rotational mass.

I use them on a couple of warbirds and have noticed minimal differences in how the engine performs with or without the heavy washer. Never needed one on an aerobatic plane.

Cool. Thanks for the info.

The boost tabs may be affected if the weighted prop washer is not in proportion to the gyroscopic radian

You might get a slightly more reliable idle with the added flywheel effect - and we all know that's a good thing!

Originally Posted by Truckracer

I believe that if you ran the numbers to compare the gyroscopic effects of a large diameter propeller compared to the small diameter weighted prop washer, you'd find the washer adds minimal effects to the rotational mass.

I use them on a couple of warbirds and have noticed minimal differences in how the engine performs with or without the heavy washer. Never needed one on an aerobatic plane.

Of course it all depends on the weight of the prop washer. I was considering one for my Aeroworks Ultimate that is quite tail heavy and a friend mentioned that he had tried one in the past and it was the only time he ever jacked a crankshaft. While he said he wasn't 100% certain the weighted prop washer was the cause, he never ruined one before trying the weight or after removing it.

If you look back at the DLE 222 threads, several guys were busting front crank case housings and the only ones that seemed to be having the problem were guys flying lots of highly gyroscopic aerobatics with 3 blade props..

You aren't going to hurt anything, as long as its not like a 3lb washer. Look at the difference in weight on the crankshaft from say a carbon prop/aluminum spinner and a wood prop/carbon spinner. That's a pretty significant weight difference, but generally the concern about weight out on the end of the crankshaft is non existent. And my guess is that throttle response will not be affected a measurable amount.

http://whiteroseeng.com/products/pw.html


Scott