Help picking out a prop for DA-150 ? !!

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Mine was left open, on my 32%. They even left it open on the 36 and 40s, when running stock exhaust. Cut in a couple of louvers on the bottom of the fuse, and it will draw more air out.

 

[js-rc]

Oh, ok, I can do that ! There is an inspection panel on mine right behind the cowl so I could put louvers there . I was thinking about an air dam on the front of the opening on the cowl underneath ?
Thanks again Bunky !!

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Ya. You can do that too.

I never got any smoke residue or fuel or exhaust inside the fuse on my 32 with the 3W 78.

 

[js-rc]

Oh, I really didn't know what to expect on this plane, ha, it's got 2 exhaust pipes & I don't have any experience with twins yet !! I may be being overcautious !! I've run smoke in 3 planes before & of course, one got a leak at the pump & soaked some of the wood inside the plane. That was a job replacing it ! Oh, one thing I don't think I'll have to worry about too much is that the covering won't come off the bottom of the plane from the smoke oil residue, as it's all painted !!
Thanks again !!
John

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

And if you get a leak with a smoke tank, its all fiberglass inside! No wood to replace, except for the gear plate. Wipe it up and clean it with some rubbing alcohol.

Which is another reason to cut in a couple of vents in the bottom of the fuse. Drainage!

 

[js-rc]

Awe !! Good idea !! I can actually put 2 vents in as there is another inspection plate behind the other plate I mentioned before !! It was very nose heavy when we tested it the other day so I built a place up by the firewall to hold the batteries & the smoke pump & with those removeable inspection plates , that will also have the louvers or vents in them, I can remove them or the whole eng. & motormount to get to everything. Just hope it doesn't come too heavy up there !! I've also used that K2R to get oil out of the wood with good results. I can't wait till spring now cause it's too hard to put the wings on in my cramped basement again & work on the C/G !! Plenty of room in my garage though but no heat, ha !!

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

I feel your pain man. I used to be in the same boat. Then I got a house with a nice basement. Downfall is, the basement it only about 7'. My next place, the basement will be dug probably 14' to the bottom of the floor joists.

Best bet is to fly it to find your best CG.

 

[js-rc]

Well, being as how nice it's been here this week, I took it all in the garage & checked the C/G & it looks like it will need a good pound of weight in the nose now. I made a platform for the lead now so just have to wait till spring to fly it & see. I did have it all together once in the basement but it was really tight & had a heck of a time getting the wings off, ha !! Any idea what that Falcon CF 31X19 W prop might weigh ? They're out of them last time I looked so waiting on getting a prop & April or May to try it.

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Can you adapt the Rx packs to the nose of the airplane? No need to add dead weight to the airplane.

If you cant, and this may look a little goofy, but the engine is the heaviest piece that can be moved forward. But shove that out another 1/8" to 1/4". But a non lightened backplate will help out alot, once you get the prop.

As far as weight of the prop goes....... Mine is mounted on my QS 150.

Did a bit of digging around the ole interporn....... And found that a Mejzlim 29x10S is heavier than the Falcon 31x10W. How much..... $120 question.

 

[js-rc]

Thanks Bunky, yeah, I have the batteries all the way forward, all 3 of them & I also put a smoke pump up there too, so I shouldn't have to add so much lead now, I hope. The prop I want to get, the Falcon 31X10 W, is out of stock & it looks like the only one out of stock too !! I'll see if I can find that Mej one you mentioned . I also have the Vess balancing ring, but it doesn't weigh much. This plane is just plane tail heavy I think.
Thanks again, John !!