As far as I am aware Woodcomp do not ban the use of the Smart Avionics
controller - Jiri was aware this was the controller of choice for me and
didnt have a problem with it.
Regarding the allegedly faulty micro-switches It has to be accepted that
micro-switches occasionally fail and this is a potential risk. On the
Woodcomp installation there are 2 microswitches that should prevent the
prop going into superfine. If the first one fails, the second one cuts out 1
degree later.
In addition to this, most of the Woodcomp props have a physical stop that
prevents the blades from going into super fine. Its only when the reverse
pitch option is used that this ultimate safety feature is lost.
Moral of the story is don't have a prop that can go into reverse pitch. In
the UK the LAA won't allow a CS prop without physical limit stops for that
very reason.
Carl Pattinson
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of houlihan
Sent: 26 June 2011 22:25
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Woodcomp after Sales Service
Hi
Further to Jos's comments about his very serious accident I seem to recall
that the Austrian authorities planned to issue a report regarding the
possible cause. I may have missed it so can anyone let me know what it
contained, preferably in English.
Not being an expert in these things I find I have problems linking the limit
switch failure Jos talks about to the fact that for the propeller to go to
fully fine or even beyond fully fine to a beta state requires the motor to
be powered to drive it there. I am sure there may be a mechanism that will
make that happen but I cannot see how it can do that just because a limit
switch fails.
Also my understanding is that Woodcomp do not support the Smartavioncs
controller not surprising really as it is not their product and it is in
competition with them but " banning" it is beyond their remit.
Tim H
On 26 June 2011 20:10, Jos Okhuijsen <josok-e@ukolo.fi> wrote:
<mailto:josok-e@ukolo.fi%3eHi> >Hi
Sorry to remember you all that my Woodcomp prop nearly took my life.
I hate to repeat my words, but memories seem to be short.
The propeller i had was equipped with microswitches, which were and ,after a
change, still are not designed for outside use.
Nethertheless these switches are mounted on the backplate, open for weather.
These switches are designed for AC 240 V, not for DC 12 V, and the Amp
rating is way below the current going through them.
The cross-over diodes are specified for less then half the current drawn.
Even when activated only occasionally, it's a design flaw.
Know to me are 3 incidents with short circuiting micro-switches, both other
pilots could land their plane without damage to their plane or themselves.
An incident with a loose gear, causing one of the blades at a totally
diffent angle then the others was reported to me, and never made it to this
forum. This seems to be the happy family show, which i am now spoiling. :-(
It may well be that there are others, or people never fly in rain. or are
just very lucky.
In my case, to the best of my knowledge, a microswitch short circuited,
taking the prop to a feather situation, shortly after take-off. I had been
flying in heavy rain for hours the other day.
Unless thing have changed is Jyrki the only one who understands English, if
he's not available you are on your own.
After my incident Woodcomp banned the Smart Avionic controller. What that
means is unclear to me. As far as i know, they never got there own
controller working decently.
As for the figures, i've had trouble to keep up with a 912 with a fixed
prop and i was flying with a 914 and a Woodcomp 3000. The only good figure
seems to be the price.
So in short: Save a few, risk your plane and life.
The choice is yours....
Regards,
Jos Okhuijsen
(enjoying his second life :-)
. 26.6.2011 19:16, Frans Veldman kirjoitti:
--> Europa-List message posted by: Frans Veldman<frans@privatepilots.nl>
On 06/26/2011 04:02 PM, Paul McAllister wrote:
I was very impressed with the results that David Joyce got with his SR
3000W propeller from Woodcomp. I would like to some feedback from the
forum about there after sales experience from Woodcomp. Please give me
the 'good, the bad and the ugly'
I got excellent support and advice when I was ordering the propeller
---From Woodcomp directly and delivery was prompt. After that I had no
reason to contact them again as the prop works flawlessly and performs
better than expected. Had to service it at 50 hours and did that at a
local Woodcomp dealer. Found that one spinner screw was missing and got
a complete new spinner fastening set free of charge. Ordered spare
brushes, but at the 100 hour check I discovered that the brushes were
almost like new and it looks like it is going to take a long while
before I have to replace them.
Have now 100+ hours but have had no issues with the prop.
A few notes though:
1) I'm using the controller from Smart Avionics which is very
configurable and able to match the prop exactly to the engine/airframe
characteristics.
2) I have a prop with feather capability (to anticipate a potential
future use of the glider wings). The props with feather capability have
a stronger and faster motor. Maybe this is the reason why the Woodcomp
prop behaves like a hydraulic prop and reacts so fast that it never
allows the RPM to surge off its target.
Hope this helps,
Frans
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