http://www.MyGeekShow.com
After flying the raptor several times with the 8"x4" prop, we felt like we were stuck in 2nd gear not harnessing the full potential of the motor. We decided to fly the raptor with several different props with a range in diameter and pitch. This was a first step in figuring out how we will more scientifically analyze the benefits and losses associated with various props. For now we were making qualitative observations and monitoring speed using the RCSpeedo iPhone app (definitely transitioning to APM2 on board sensors and telemetry for future analysis). We used APC props with results as follows:
Changing Pitch:
8"x4" - 54 mph, motor seemed to handle this size well, ranging through different RPM as increasing throttle to max
8"x6" - 57 mph, felt faster at lower throttle, but top half of throttle range felt over burdened.
8"x8" - no speed recorded, flew just fine but definitely too much prop for this size motor.
Changing Diameter:
6"x4" - 37 mph, felt like 1st gear
8"x4" - see above
9"x4" - flew but unfortunately plane battery was too low to make observations.
We will revisit this again in the future! Anyone with recommendations about how to model prop dynamics please point us towards any available resources that you trust. Thanks!
See you Wednesday,
-Trent & Nick
--Raptor & Shrike--
Battery: 20C 2.2Ah Sky http://www.hobbypartz.com/77p-sl2200-3s1p-20c-3333.html
Servos: T-Pro 9G http://www.hobbypartz.com/topromisesg9.html
Motor: Optima 450 2220-1800KV http://www.hobbypartz.com/75m55-optima450-2220-1800kv-2.html
ESC: Exceed RC Proton 30A http://www.hobbypartz.com/07e04-proton-30a.html
Produced by Trent & Nick in Arkansas, USA
Main Camera: Panasonic HDC-TM900K
Video Editing: iMovie