RBean

I took the 190 to the field and test flew the 17-10 Biela three blade prop. I put 1/8 turn rich on the high end because this prop is going to put more load on the engine. Turning up about 6,000 rpm at the field. It felt like enough thrust. A club member suggested a high speed taxi to see how it felt. So I did, but waited too long to throttle back and plane took off. Seemed to be enough power, then engine started sagging. I throttled back and it kept running so I put the gear down and didn't move the throttle until final. Landed ok. I put another 1/8 turn rich on the high end and 1/8 turn rich on the low needle. Ran ok until I pulled the nose up, sagged again. Landed ok. now 1/4 turn rich. Took off, too rich. 1/8 turn lean. Took off ok. Ran ok. aceleration after take off is slower but gets up to good speed and ran ok in level flight, but when I pulled up to do a loop the engine slowed and started four cycling. Not much verticle with this prop. Also the engine seems more sensitive to needle adjustments running this much prop.

Just confirmed what I thought. This is too much prop for the engine. Any prop shorter than 17" wouldn't look right on this plane with the big cowling. I think a 17-8 three blade is the way to go. I agree a 6 pitch wouldn't be enough. Now I need to find a 17-8 three blade prop.

iflywhenican

My Feedback: (1)

Try Troybuilt Models.
A three blade prop looks good on this model or any warbird for that matter, but a three blade is not as efficient as a two blade.

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

Agree with Iffy - everything I've read says the less prop blades the more efficient the prop. Though, if you've got an over-powered engine you can afford a little less prop efficiency, especially if you need the ground-clearance. Pretty sure why this setup works on the real-life warbirds.

I picked up an H9 P51 150 (80") with an MVVS 35 here on RCU. I'm putting a Xoar 2-blade 20x8 in it (recommended for this engine). Once I reinforce the retract area of the wings I'll fly it and let you know.

iflywhenican

My Feedback: (1)

Hey Don...Haven't heard from you in quite a while, hope all is well.
Congrats on getting the P-51, they are a lot of fun and also a bit tricky...so be carefull...

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

Iffy - thanks. On the DLE 30 I'm still impressed by this engine's power. I have mine on a CG Sukhoi (73") swinging an APC 18x10 and it's got great speed and unlimited vertical. Really impressive. Once I get some 3D practice on foamies I'll try a Xoar 20x8 on the Sukhoi and try some 3D with that.

With the P51 - yeah - I had one flight so far. The plane \ engine came with no muffler - only a header - so was loud as hell - 97db. They let me fly it anyway, but I was nervous and came in too slow. The plane dropped the last 3 feet and the gear grabbed in the grass runway, ripping them off, damaging the wings. But it's amazing how LITTLE reinforcement H9 designed into the retract area. So, reinforcing the wing is my next project. Am hoping the replacement stock retracts are strong enough on smooth landings (good retracts cost a fortune...)

iflywhenican

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah, I have the DLE 30 on a Goldwing Yak, swinging a Xoar 18-10 also...like you say, unlimited vertical, more power that you can believe from this engine.

On the P-51, you are right, they seem to think that toothpicks will be enough for the landing gear on these planes...NOT for a grass runway as I have found out...[X(]...unless you re-inforce it well.

drube

Thanks guys.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

WHEELPANTS and RETRACTS do not like GRASS!

Mikecam

Most efficient prop is a one blade.

maukaonyx

Flew my Sbach with the DLE-30 in it yesterday and today. Engine is running great at top speed, idles nice, and transitions smooth. My only issue is that it still spits black residue out on the bottom of the plane, via the JTec pitts style muffler. I've leaned the high needle in small increments and the residue is still there. I opened and closed the low needle in small increments and it did not seem to affect running, nor the black residue. I looked at my log and I have about 40 flights on it, btwn 5 and 10 minutes each, so if averaged, that is 7.5x40=300minutes=5hours. I started with Pennzoil (hard to find in my town) and now use Walmart's SuperTech. Still mixing at 32:1. Should I be concerned at all that the residue still occurs. Does it ever stop? Thanks. Jon

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

w8ye - are you saying that you should never land on grass with retracts? Even if the wing is enforced? (I DO plan on doing my initial flights at the 1,000 ft runway at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, but WOULD like to fly this bird at my other, grass-covered fields.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I've been around model airplanes for more years than I care to admit. Grass and it's irregularities has always been problematic for wheel pants and retracts.

They are just nothing but trouble on grass. Seen it time and again.

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

In the situations where I do want to keep the wheelpants on (usually scale planes, bipes), I upgrade to larger wheels and dremel-out the pants opening. That seems to give me the 1/4" in additional elevations that the pants need to clear the grass.

iflywhenican

My Feedback: (1)

I have weaned my DLE 30 off of 32:1 and gone to 50:1...not as much black residue now, but as long as you see it, you know that it is receiving enough lubrication. I use Bel Ray MC-1 all synthetic. Before I did that, I was practically having to wash my plane down with gas to get the residue off. [>:]

OliverJacob

My Feedback: (12)

It's more likely a matter of the oil you use.
Using low quality oil and or leaner mixtures will shorten the life time of the engine.
There are lots of threads here about oil, you can order it online or go to an auto store, they might have
what you are looking for.
Some black spots are normal, the needles should be on the rich side.

johnfly

Standard rule of thumb when going to a 3 blade prop from a 2 blade is to drop an inch and stay with the same pitch. This will yield approximeatly the same rpm. A 19x8 "2 blade" xoar will turn 7200~7500 rpm. A good spot to be with the 30. If you want to go to a 3 blade. Try a 18x8
http://www.valleyviewrc.com/estore/x...ller-18x8.html

RBean

Johnfly, Thanks for the input. I checked out the Xoar three blade props at Valley View RC. They have a 17-8 and 18-8 three blade Xoar props. It looks like they will drill the 18-8 for the DLE 30 so it seems they believe it is a good prop for the DLE 30. You are correct, I'll looking for about 7,200 to 7,500 rpm static. The Master Airscrew 18-8 two blade turns up 8,450 rpm and the Biela 17-10 three blade 6,000 rpm. I'm leaning towards the 18-8. They are not cheap so I don't want to get the wrong one. I wish there was more data out there re props and max static rpm with the DLE 30.

Sbach342Guy

I've got a DLE-30 I want to get rid of but it needs a new ignition module. I'm converting to electric. Is the DLE-30 w/o the ignition worth much of anything?

cmptrguy

My Feedback: (19)

if it is in running condition I will give you a $100.00 for it.

Cmptrguy

donnspadbauer

My Feedback: (26)

I will give you $110.

Sbach342Guy

I'll have to think on it. It's cheap enough that I'm tempted to keep it just in case the electric conversion doesn't pan out.

donnspadbauer

My Feedback: (26)

I hear you there. You can find a 30 complete for $175 so by the time you get an ignition......
Good luck and fly safe.

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

SBach - those HobbyKing ignitions that are supposed to work fine are only $25. I have two - not tested them yet.

donnspadbauer

My Feedback: (26)

As long as they are RCEXL and for the DLE30, otherwise you are gambling.

RBean

Johnfly, I got the three blade 18-8 from Valley View. It was not cheap. It only turned about 6,500 rpm. Ran ok on the ground with good idle and transition, but in the air the engine started sagging, I guess the three blade put more load on it and it started leaning out too much. Then on landing I hit a gopher hole, broke a gear mount and broke the expensive prop. I've now replaced it with a 18-10 two blade and repaired the gear mount and wing. I got in there and found out it didn't have any glue in most of the joints. Well, that is what you get with an ARF sometimes. If I try another three blade it will probably be a 17-8, either Xoar or Zinger. Not sure yet.