Prop Balance

[KSMooniac]

3 hours ago, RescueMunchkin said:

Just put a new 2 blade scimitar on my plane about 30 tach hours ago to terminate the ECI AD. Don't really know what an unbalanced prop feels like vs a balanced one to tell whether it'd be worth it for me.

I'd recommend getting a dynamic balance done now that you've had that many hours put on the installation.  It is likely to be improved, even if you can't feel it in the seat.  A good balance will help everything on the airplane last longer and reduce human fatigue on long flights.

[kortopates]

Just put a new 2 blade scimitar on my plane about 30 tach hours ago to terminate the ECI AD. Don't really know what an unbalanced prop feels like vs a balanced one to tell whether it'd be worth it for me.

Some of the folks that do this work will tell you if your doesn’t need it they won’t charge you to check yet it will take at least 1/2 hour of their time. But those really good at it can always make a significant improvement which is worthwhile to the engine and airframe. And it should be easy to improve on a prop that had only been statically balanced so far (at the prop shop like a new prop) and never dynamically balanced yet. As mentioned, even if you can’t feel it your engine sure can. But odds are you’ll be able to feel it.

I installed a new MT composite prop and was delighted at how smoother and quieter it ran. Then after getting it dynamically balanced i was again pleasantly surprised that it was even smoother!

[RescueMunchkin]

5 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

 

 

4 hours ago, kortopates said:

 

Thanks for the info!  I'll try for absolute aero at KHWD when I'm next in the bay area unless you have similar recommendations in the PDX area

Edited May 19, 2025 by RescueMunchkin

[DavePage]

Jim just completed my propeller balancing about1 mo ago (Late Sept 25)  I noticed quite a bit smoother ride.  He's a real pro !!

 

[Jackk]

Prop balancing is one of the most underrated bangs for the buck in GA

[N201MKTurbo]

I had it done once. I didn’t notice much difference. It probably depends on how bad it was before the balance.

[kortopates]

There is no downside to prop balancing. Many folks that do it, if they can't improve on your balance, will not even charge to check.

But reducing vibration is good for the engine, your airframe and even the pilot will be less fatigued on longer flights!

Get Jim to do it if you can.

[jeremyc209]

Calaveras Airplane at KCPU just did mine. $600 flat rate

Started at 0.20 IPS @ 2400rpm

Ended at 0.01

I'll upload the sheet if anyone wants to see it. Added 9ish grams in one place. 

Oddly enough, after my first flight my prop stopped in different position, 2 and 8 o'clock. After my test run up a couple weeks ago it stopped at the normal 10 and 4 position. I don't remember it ever stopping like that before but I've only owned it since February 

Do your props always stop in the same spot without fail?