Wow great results! Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Your videos are a well used resource for me on my Apex build. Really appreciate the extra time and effort to share all this invaluable info! I'm ordering an Eprop now after seeing this. Merry Christmas
It looks as though your test flight weather in Bend was about what we had west of the mountains in Salem recently. I got an E-prop for my (Rotax 912ULS) RV-12 last summer to replace the original 2-blade Sensenich. I was primarily interested in reducing vibration, since the E-prop blades, hub, and spinner are dynamically-balanced at the factory. The first thing I noticed was the smoothness and lower noise. The "initial pitch" setting from the factory is definitely for max cruise speed. I ended up dialing it back one degree for better-than-stock climb with a 7 kt increase in cruise. E-props offers a money-back guarantee, but I'm keeping the prop.
Great info, Bryan. I run an NR-116 two blade on a Rotax 912ul 110hp zipper big bore kitfox 5. I'm really happy with it, but it's picked up a few chips and nicks in 235 hours. E-Prop looks like a great choice! Enjoyed the video. Excellent content! All the best to you in the New Year
I switched from Kiev to E Props and love it. My friend just switched on his AR-1 also. We don't have it installed yet, but will next week. He's going to love it. Also much easier on the gearbox.
Good info on the comparison between prop combinations. I was already in contact with Jonas and in the process of ordering an E-Prop for my Rans S7S. Hoping for a similar increase in performance.
Bryan, did you know you can skip the heating and impact wrench for removing Loctited bolts (even the red stuff) by using chlorinated brake cleaner? Spray it on, let it sit for a bit, and they spin right off. Use proper ventilation precautions though, as is usual with that stuff.
I plan on playing around with the pitch some more, backing off a bit to see if I can match the NR fuel burn to RPM and compare the speeds, but the NR was not capable of being pitched out to these fuel burn amounts at these rpms and still maintain an acceptable takeoff rpm. The 18 degrees I have it set at now will be perfect for x-country flights, now to find the play around STOL setting that works good, then maybe a good compromise setting.
Bryan, when removing the NR prop you had the nose cone backing plate and 2nd plate behind it. What was that second one for? I have the APEX NR prop setup on my Highlander. Certainly not getting the cruise speeds as you are getting.
Ok just curious here, when you were testing the Eprop it was cold enough you had to turn the heater on. That means density altitude was considerably lower meaning the engine was making more power. Are you factoring that in when you give the performance numbers?
Additional blades are only needed if you have ground clearance issues and need to go shorter, or you have too much horse power for the long blade with only 3 blades. If I turbo the engine then 4 blades might be necessary.
In general, the longer the prop blade, better the performance, so I would prefer fewer longer blades to more short blades, if you have the clearance. If I was to go back to the spring gear and smaller tires, than this prop would be way too long and the 4 or even 5 blade would be a better option
My biggest problem with the e-props is they look stupid. It’s like flying with little toothpicks out there. I’m looking for good performance and a good looking prop.
I’m running an E-Prop on my Apex powered Cruiser and it performs great. I think the thin slim and light weight blade is elegant looking and it works which is most important.
Why people like you absolutely refuse to go with an electric constant speed prop is beyond me. Yeah yeah it adds a touch more weight out over the nose. Add 2 pounds of weight to the rear tail wheel and you’ll never notice the difference. 10-15 pounds of “balanced” added weight is negligible and unnoticeable in planes of this category.
If I could find one that would work with the Yamaha APEX and Skytrax gearbox, I absolutely would, interesting that you make the assumption that it is an option.
They do, but it is for the Sidewinder gearbox, they don’t make one for the APEX gearbox, I did know about this, I actually flew behind one in Teal’s RV9 that had the sidewinder with the constant speed Airmaster. It was awesome, but won’t work on the APEX gearbox.
Holy crap is what I said too! the E-prop is an incredible prop.
Great video, lots of information. Thanks for the shoutout
Wow great results! Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Your videos are a well used resource for me on my Apex build. Really appreciate the extra time and effort to share all this invaluable info! I'm ordering an Eprop now after seeing this. Merry Christmas
It looks as though your test flight weather in Bend was about what we had west of the mountains in Salem recently. I got an E-prop for my (Rotax 912ULS) RV-12 last summer to replace the original 2-blade Sensenich. I was primarily interested in reducing vibration, since the E-prop blades, hub, and spinner are dynamically-balanced at the factory. The first thing I noticed was the smoothness and lower noise. The "initial pitch" setting from the factory is definitely for max cruise speed. I ended up dialing it back one degree for better-than-stock climb with a 7 kt increase in cruise. E-props offers a money-back guarantee, but I'm keeping the prop.
Great info, Bryan.
I run an NR-116 two blade on a Rotax 912ul 110hp zipper big bore kitfox 5.
I'm really happy with it, but it's picked up a few chips and nicks in 235 hours. E-Prop looks like a great choice! Enjoyed the video. Excellent content!
All the best to you in the New Year
Fantastic video, thank you for all the information. I have an NR on my Yamaha and think it’s time to make the switch
I switched from Kiev to E Props and love it. My friend just switched on his AR-1 also. We don't have it installed yet, but will next week. He's going to love it. Also much easier on the gearbox.
Good info on the comparison between prop combinations. I was already in contact with Jonas and in the process of ordering an E-Prop for my Rans S7S. Hoping for a similar increase in performance.
Another great video. Thank you! Happy New Year
Yeah!!!
I’ve tried the 2 and 3 blade NR 118 also on an apex (love them), but wanted to try the E Prop!!
Thanks for doing this!!
John in MN.
Very detailed and informative video. Cheers from Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Beach!
keep the videos comming buddy
What should be the normal static thrust of 100 horsepower?
Bryan, did you know you can skip the heating and impact wrench for removing Loctited bolts (even the red stuff) by using chlorinated brake cleaner? Spray it on, let it sit for a bit, and they spin right off. Use proper ventilation precautions though, as is usual with that stuff.
I did not know that, thank you.
Looks like similar speeds for similar fuel burns tho, however much slower RPM
I plan on playing around with the pitch some more, backing off a bit to see if I can match the NR fuel burn to RPM and compare the speeds, but the NR was not capable of being pitched out to these fuel burn amounts at these rpms and still maintain an acceptable takeoff rpm. The 18 degrees I have it set at now will be perfect for x-country flights, now to find the play around STOL setting that works good, then maybe a good compromise setting.
Bryan, when removing the NR prop you had the nose cone backing plate and 2nd plate behind it. What was that second one for? I have the APEX NR prop setup on my Highlander. Certainly not getting the cruise speeds as you are getting.
It is a prop balancer plate that has BB's in the outer rim. Hal Stockman sells them, they work real well.
I took my Rans S7S from 110mph down to 85mph. I love my NR Prop, but I think I'd like to get some speed back. LOL
Did you 3D print your holder for the digital angle finder?
It comes with the prop from E-props, but it is 3D printed.
Ok just curious here, when you were testing the Eprop it was cold enough you had to turn the heater on. That means density altitude was considerably lower meaning the engine was making more power. Are you factoring that in when you give the performance numbers?
Same temp as the NR prop flight
Hi cant find the link to your distributor.
Lyndon.
They are listed in the video description.
Me over here hemming and hawing over a $225 prop or a $350 S.S. prop for my boat.
In my RV-9A, fuel flow is thee primary power measurement. I always fly at 8 GPH, makes the fuel consumption math real easy.
Why not their four blade prop?
Additional blades are only needed if you have ground clearance issues and need to go shorter, or you have too much horse power for the long blade with only 3 blades. If I turbo the engine then 4 blades might be necessary.
@ I have a KFA Safari with a 914. I talk to the owner of KFA in SA and he swears by the 4 blade and recommends I get one.
In general, the longer the prop blade, better the performance, so I would prefer fewer longer blades to more short blades, if you have the clearance. If I was to go back to the spring gear and smaller tires, than this prop would be way too long and the 4 or even 5 blade would be a better option
It would be interesting if you could weigh how much thrust is in kilograms.
One day center point of gravity. Next with gravity and abrupt stop when sadness prevails.
need to have constant speed and potentially reversable for floats
I have not found a constant speed or in flight adjustable that will work with the Yamaha APEX and Skytrax gearbox.
My biggest problem with the e-props is they look stupid. It’s like flying with little toothpicks out there. I’m looking for good performance and a good looking prop.
Hard to see it when it's turning. I'll take the extra performance and lighter weight.
I’m running an E-Prop on my Apex powered Cruiser and it performs great. I think the thin slim and light weight blade is elegant looking and it works which is most important.
I want performance! Not the appearance of performance!! E prop is going on my bird when finances allow
The electric props are the way to go
Why people like you absolutely refuse to go with an electric constant speed prop is beyond me. Yeah yeah it adds a touch more weight out over the nose. Add 2 pounds of weight to the rear tail wheel and you’ll never notice the difference. 10-15 pounds of “balanced” added weight is negligible and unnoticeable in planes of this category.
If I could find one that would work with the Yamaha APEX and Skytrax gearbox, I absolutely would, interesting that you make the assumption that it is an option.
@ Airmaster makes a hub for the Apex Skytrax…. It’s on their website. It’s interesting you didn’t know about that.
They do, but it is for the Sidewinder gearbox, they don’t make one for the APEX gearbox, I did know about this, I actually flew behind one in Teal’s RV9 that had the sidewinder with the constant speed Airmaster. It was awesome, but won’t work on the APEX gearbox.
Ok so what aircraft, engine and electric prop setup are you flying?
@ S-21, 915 Airmaster cs