two blade prop for alpha
 

hello,

I was fidiling around with the idea of putting a two blade prop on my Alpha instead of the stock 3 blade on it come with. If I switch to a two blade can I get more power. If there are any alpha oners out there with two blade props what would you reccomend.

Thanks!

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I reviewed the evolution engine last summer for RCU Magazine:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=153

I soon replaced the 3-blade prop with an 11x7, and it was great. I am currently using it with a 10x6 and that works fine too

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I ran a 12X6,maybe still running one,i also have a 12X5 i'm excited about and then i got a 12X8,i'm gonna run all of them to see which ones i like best.
*i have the Alpha 60*

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

Hey i broke my 3 blade while taxin before i ever got to fly it the first time, and i put a 2 blade 10x6 on there and it flew great

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I started with an evo 46 with a 3 blades prop.

I was completely amazed at how much more power was available when I used a two bladed prop.

I wasn't expected that HUGE of a difference!

I had an LT 40. With the 3 bladed prop you kind of had to watch the attitude during take off. Had to keep it fairly level or it would want to stall. With the two bladed prop that was far from a problem! It would practically go up at a 45 degree angle no problem (if my memory serves me right, thats been almost a year ago).

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

what type of two blade prop did you use?

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I tried many sizes. I know religiously use an APC 11 x7 with my EVO 46's. I have two now, one in a Seagull Spacewalker and one in a Four star 40. I like the APC 11 x 7 the best.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I have the .45 Evo on my Xtra Easy 2. You should remove the weighted flywheel when going to a 2 bladed prop. The replacement is cheap. I have a Dubro 2 bladed spinner that has fitting problems with the back plate and it doesn't leave enough threads for the prop nut.

My XE2 is a completely different plane now. I'm currently using an APC 11x7 and did fly it with a same sized Zinger. It will fly out of sight if I don't back off. Of course, it lands differently now and ground clearance is less than 2 inches. I think my next project is to attach a disposable camera pod on the bottom and try aerial photos with it. The Evo has a lot of power to spare for something like this.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

Is there a 45 and a 46 size evo? Or are we refering to the same engine? Just curious, I have seen the 45 mentioned before.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

45 is the trainer system engine, the 46 is different. I use an 11X6 on the Alpha, and the Arrow (both use the 45) major improvement! I haven't removed the flywheel either.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I caught that but thought one reference was to the .45. This makes it more interesting since it's the .46. I haven't heard much on it.

RCM Magazine did a review on the .46NT. I think it was the Feb or Mar issue. Very good comments.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

Damn, can't get the edit function to work right to add this to my last post....

The plane may fly better without the weighted flywheel, Jetstar. The replacement is something like $3. The engine seems to run just as good. It idles just as before and never quits on me. I didn't tach the engine before replacing it, but I know that I'm getting more RPMs.

I'm very interested in the .46NT though. I'm sick and tired of a .46 FX that is almost impossible to set right.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

Well i got a two blade prop. After seeing the 11x7 i opted for the 10x7 APC. Pluse I got a red spinner to match my plane! (my mom is so proud of me)

here are some quick pics i took! (not the best of quality)

http://img9.photobucket.com/albums/v...Master_006.jpg

http://img9.photobucket.com/albums/v...Master_007.jpg
I don't know if you can read what i put in there. The top one is pointing to the origional flywheel. and the bottom one is pointing out how the flywheel sort of bent my new spinner a little when i tightend the bolt. is that ok?

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

This is the way to change the prop. Change the prop driver to a small one. part # EVO100219. Any two bladed spinner. I like a APC 10x7. Next remove the baffler from the muffler, and watch the power increase. You will also have to retune both needles. On the low end loosen the small set screw and adjust the low end with a srew driver, when you have it set tighten back the set screw. then reset the the high end. This wiill increase you tapend about 20
20mph. Dennis

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

i don't like messing with the tunning needle adjustments. Wouldn't removing the baffle increase the noise and by how much?

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

You probably won't notice any change in noise levels. I didn't have to retune the engine, but it is ridiculously easy if you have to retune. The engine is extremely forgiving if you don't hit it just right. A lot of people say you don't have to retune OS .46 FXs, but mine barely runs without the baffle. I guess it depends on each engine.

Dadstoysbg, are there 2 prop drivers for the Evo? I'm having the same spinner problems as Righty. The spinner back plate alignment ring is barely too small in diameter to fit over the driver. I didn't use it because I don't need any more vibration induced damage to the firewall area.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

damage in the firewall!

geeze....what should i do? i was gonna fly it for the first time with the 2 blade prop tonight....should i still go ahead and use it?

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I left the flywheel on, and use a Higley aluminum hub. Dubro also makes a "spinner nut" that works nicely.
You can also opt to just not use a spinner, put on the prop, then the washer, then the nut, and go fly.
No, I wouldn't fly it with the backplate warped, you're asking for trouble.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

alright i've loosened the prop nut a bit and now there is no bend in the backplate of the spinner ...the prop nut is still secure and cannot be undone. i usually overtighten the prop nut anyway.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I took mine out. It wasn't really that much louder, it just sounded different. Like it had more punch! You can hear each an every combustion sharply.

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

The firewall damage was done by bad landings by the first owner and me. Then, I landed with only 1 engine mount bolt screwed in one day. The other 3 had backed out due to those unbalanced 3 bladed Evo props. The damage went unseen for a while, I guess. The Xtra Easy 2 isn't fuel proofed and it got fuel soaked over time and that is probably what made some layers of the 1/4" ply develop cracks. I epoxied 1/8 ply over the entire front of the firewall as it looked like a major hack job to remove it. Before that, I clamped the original firewall with medium CA squirted in the cracks overnight. Finally, I put triangular stock in the corners on both sides, and fuel proofed it all. It flew well after that.

Hey Wings, you still mad at me over the RTF comments???

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

I never was mad at anyone.


Just debating. Its kinda hard to tell someone's intent by typed words alone. I was not mad. Just trying to put things in context from my point of view.

I think there is only one person from RCU that ever managed to really get me ticked off. He is no longer with us, lol. It is sad that me or anyone would allow someone on a forum to really bother ya. But that person had a knack.


Wings

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

Wings,

Got ya. I bet I don't have to guess who that person was.........

RE: two blade prop for alpha
 

Well after waiting five days for the wind to die down I finally went out his evening and had the field all to myself (it was perfectly mowed too). I instantly noticed the power increase upon take off. I had to decrease my power cause it was moving faster then normal. I tried a few practice landings to see how they were with the new prop. I was at idle and i had to point the nose down justto land. and then it took me the whole runway just to stop. This prop really keeps it going. but it's good for aerobatics.

By the way it a APC 10x7