32 hp 1/2 VW experiences

[lazair2]

What has been the general experience with the 32 hp 1/2 VW? Though I'm not lucky enough to own a legal eagle, I recently made a deal with a friend which includes putting a 32 hp 1/2 VW on a parasol type ultralight that is similar in many respects to the LE. I already have the 1/2 VW which I overhauled not too long ago. I just haven't run it or used it on an airplane yet. The ultralight should weight about 265 lbs with the VW mounted.  I weigh 190 lbs, and my friend weighs 230 lbs.

Any thoughts?

[Steve]

What has been the general experience with the 32 hp 1/2 VW? Though I'm not lucky enough to own a legal eagle, I recently made a deal with a friend which includes putting a 32 hp 1/2 VW on a parasol type ultralight that is similar in many respects to the LE. I already have the 1/2 VW which I overhauled not too long ago. I just haven't run it or used it on an airplane yet. The ultralight should weight about 265 lbs with the VW mounted.  I weigh 190 lbs, and my friend weighs 230 lbs.

Any thoughts?

I'm sorta making an assumption that your Parasol is not a 2 place... What's the chord & length of the wing?... A 28-30 Ft wing might might climb you out a 100' a minute or so at sea level 70 degree F day if the engine is turning up 3100 rpm on a 54x24 prop... A base line for you... A Tennessee 54x20 Vw prop turning 3350 static would climb you out at several hundred feet a minute...

[Bob S.]

What has been the general experience with the 32 hp 1/2 VW? Though I'm not lucky enough to own a legal eagle, I recently made a deal with a friend which includes putting a 32 hp 1/2 VW on a parasol type ultralight that is similar in many respects to the LE. I already have the 1/2 VW which I overhauled not too long ago. I just haven't run it or used it on an airplane yet. The ultralight should weight about 265 lbs with the VW mounted.  I weigh 190 lbs, and my friend weighs 230 lbs.

Any thoughts?

Gil,
I had a 92 x 69 1/2 VW on a heavier than spec Legal Eagle and I could climb safely enough to 1500 - 2000 feet.... never even tried going over but it was never really broke-in and still had more power, just didn't like going any higher...and I am about 250.... You should have no major problems... Can you put some larger jugs on the 'Vair??
Bob

[lazair2]

So it should be fine if I can get the engine to turn up to enough RPM's? Does anyone take these up to 3600 RPM?

[Steve]

So it should be fine if I can get the engine to turn up to enough RPM's? Does anyone take these up to 3600 RPM?

Casler rates the Hummel engine at 3600 RPM and says it's good to 4000 - that's into Formula V territory...

[Bob S.]

My 92 x 69 NEVER got to that kind of rpm's my max with that was like 3300-3400 even with a toothpick 54 x 22 from Valley....
BEST prop I ever used on that was a 54x22 Tennessee that was re-pitched to 54x20... Their standard prop width is a bit wide. I like Frank's Performance Props as they are not too wide and have a long tip. Although with his prop on my 92 x 82 I STILL haven't got it to 3600....
So far about 3550 MAX! but my engine is still not really broken in...104 hours....

[PropMan]

Hey Bob, Last time I saw that prop it was in dire need of some TLC. I can rework it to get more rpm if you want. Also, yours was the first ever Performance Propeller to fly on a Legal Eagle and 1/2 VW.

My 92 x 69 NEVER got to that kind of rpm's my max with that was like 3300-3400 even with a toothpick 54 x 22 from Valley....
BEST prop I ever used on that was a 54x22 Tennessee that was re-pitched to 54x20... Their standard prop width is a bit wide. I like Frank's Performance Props as they are not too wide and have a long tip. Although with his prop on my 92 x 82 I STILL haven't got it to 3600....
So far about 3550 MAX! but my engine is still not really broken in...104 hours....

[Bob S.]

REALLY??? 

I'll put my Tenn prop back on it and send it to you for mods/upgrades!!!!

Bob

[hawkaleuge]

I had 3 different Tenn 54X20 props on my 32 hp 1/2 VW at different times of the engine life.  Every prop was a little different.
the second prop would let me get 3600 at lift off and on a real cold morning I could get 3700 RPM.  I did have to cruise at a higher RPM than the other 2 props  about 3200+ on the other props 3100 was plenty The 3rd prop was better cruising prop and still gave reasonable takeoff performance, but the best lift off RPM was ~3450.

Ed L.

[lazair2]

Are Frank's props better than Tennessee props?

[lazair2]

I had 3 different Tenn 54X20 props on my 32 hp 1/2 VW at different times of the engine life.  Every prop was a little different.
the second prop would let me get 3600 at lift off and on a real cold morning I could get 3700 RPM.  I did have to cruise at a higher RPM than the other 2 props  about 3200+ on the other props 3100 was plenty The 3rd prop was better cruising prop and still gave reasonable takeoff performance, but the best lift off RPM was ~3450.

Ed L.

Ed,

You say the best lift off RPM was 3450. Was that the most the engine could do with that particular prop, or just what you tuned the engine for?

[Bob S.]

Are Frank's props better than Tennessee props?


I would say AFA compared to a Standard Tenn Prop.....yes... But if you were to get Tenn to "tweek" the prop, I am not sure...
Frank makes Custom Props. Tailored to your engine size and RPM and aircraft!  I once had a Tenn Prop that was re-pitched and it was GREAT. I ordered another and it was all wrong because I didn't tell them exactly what I had before... I had a 54 x 22 small hub stock prop and they repitched it to 54 x 20 thus reducing the total blade area as well as the pitch. I broke it with a prop strike when my landing gear collapsed so I then ordered a 54 x 20 stock prop and they sent me a large hub prop with the same blade area as the 54 x 22 but with 20" pitch which was all wrong for my mission profile... SOOOO many variables in prop design... That's why Joe Spencer's one prop HOWLS almost like a T-6 as he flys by.... Prop Length, Prop width, prop Pitch, WHERE the prop pitch is in relation to the diameter and whether the tips are pointy or wide... It is a 'Black Art'!

[hawkaleuge]

3450 was all the engine would turn on that particular prop.

Ed L.

[lazair2]

What is the cost of one of franks props for the 1/2 VW? I see a range of pricing on his website.

I like that he tweeks them to your specific application and engine.

I had a bad prop experience once that really opened up my eyes to how props can be so different even though they are listed as the same basic size. I had a minimax with a 277 and had a small prop strike when the grass cutter tube that is apart of the landing gear snagged a runway light during a slow taxi. It had a 60 x 28 Tennessee prop that was doing just fine until it blew to pieces meeting the runway light. I saw how much a new one cost so I bought a GSC prop instead (much cheaper). It too was 60 x 28. That thing flew so poorly that it was dangerous. I had a climb rate of about 50 fpm and at 75% cruise power I was only flying between 37 - 40 mph. Everything suffered.

[leshoman]

Call Frank and talk to him.  He is getting the eagles dialed in and will treat you right.  There is without a doubt differances in props of same diameter and pitch and the craft they are on.  Frank is making final tweaks on mine and will have more test data in a couple weeks. Great prop at a good price.