Continuous Prop Balancing

[GraemeSmith]

Interesting solution to continuously and dynamically balancing props - using modified truck wheel balancers.

Though not yet on the market - it appears that the manufacturer is Experimenting with them:

https://www.centramatic.com/aviation-pl ... cers.rhtml

And a video showing how it works:

https://www.centramatic.com/how-centram ... work.rhtml

[vhhomer]

I first saw one of these for car wheels in the early 1950's so they have been around for a while. We just put one on a Jabiru 3300 and it seems to work. There's a guy in our EAA chapter with an electronic prop balancing instrument that we are going to try on the unit to see how it's actually doing at balancing the prop.

Vince Homer

[BRS]

That demo video is great. Basically, it's like installing beads in your tire instead of putting static lead weights on the rim. I've seen a device like this on an RV-4 once. Seems they were made for a bit then discontinued. Glad someone is reviving the device.

[Area 51%]

There is something similar going on inside the drum of our front-loading washing machine. Turn the drum by hand and you can hear the media moving.

If they can keep wet towels from destroying a washing machine, seems a simple task to balance a tire or prop.

[142YX]

I first saw one of these for car wheels in the early 1950's so they have been around for a while. We just put one on a Jabiru 3300 and it seems to work. There's a guy in our EAA chapter with an electronic prop balancing instrument that we are going to try on the unit to see how it's actually doing at balancing the prop.

Vince Homer

Any idea what the part number was for the one used on the Jabiru 3300? would like to try that myself..

[Skippydiesel]

"Balance Master" has been around for years:

http://www.balancemasters.com/aircraft.html

The people who use them, tend toward those who are "anal" about static/dynamic balancing (myself) so the benefits are hard to quantify. In my case, I fitted one for that "just in case" situation where my prop gets a big stone chip and goes out of balance - the idea being I will still get home with minimal/nil vibration.

[sjakulski]

I first saw one of these for car wheels in the early 1950's so they have been around for a while. We just put one on a Jabiru 3300 and it seems to work. There's a guy in our EAA chapter with an electronic prop balancing instrument that we are going to try on the unit to see how it's actually doing at balancing the prop.

Vince Homer

Yep, tried those back in the 60’s. Worked as well as putting a magnet on the fuel line to atomize the fuel molecules for more power. lol