View Full Version : Balancing the fan?
Do I need to balance the fan before I install it? If so, what is the correct procedure for doing this?
DavidH
01-14-2005, 10:26 AM
This post will provide some good information
http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=1417
Also you might want to check out Shannon Davis's Fan Balancing video
http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=2737
You can use a high point type balancer to achieve the same results also.
Yes you need to check the balance of the fan for the smoothest running system. You need to balance the fan if it is not balanced. You can do this by removing material on the heavy side with a drill by drilling dimples in the bottom side of the fan.
David
bigrcr
01-14-2005, 01:16 PM
The fan can be balanced before installation. Unfortunately, Ben's procedure will not work on the gas model fan as it does not have collets. There is a friction fit between the hub and the shaft as well and there is no adjustment. Ben's procedure is for seating and centering the collets into the Miniature fan and works flawlessly.
The only way (it works every time) is to first balance the gas fan (Shannon's method is the tops!) and then add a small dab of oil to the motors crank taper and put the fan on. Slowly spin the fan to "seat" it and "lap" it into the crank shaft. The oil just makes sure is slides good. Then slowly tighten the fan down as you spin it slowly. That's it.
gelton
01-18-2005, 09:59 PM
With so much time being taken to Balance the Fan Unit for the Motors should we also be balancing the Fly wheel on motors such as the G231 for gas heli's as this would have a greater weight than the fan. Also I have watch the ICE balancing video and would like to know what is being used to clamp the fan and seat it on the ice to allow it to be ballanced
bigrcr
01-18-2005, 10:22 PM
The flywheel is the damper for the motors internals and it's weight is critical to the motors ability to idle. It is already balanced as it is supplied as an intregal part of the motor.
The fan is mounted in a set of start cones from Miniature with a start shaft through it. Neat idea that Shannon came up with!
Later,
I bought a DuBro High point balancer. I put the fan on it and I marked the heavy part of the fan that settled to the bottom. For some reason, I couldn't make myself drill into the nice aluminum fan. Maybe tonight I will build up the courage to do some drilling. I guess I'm worried about making it more unbalanced then it already is.
bigrcr
01-19-2005, 11:16 AM
:wink: :arggg:
What side do I drill into? The side with the fins on it or the smooth side?
Al Magaloff
01-22-2005, 04:19 PM
The smooth side.
DavidH
01-23-2005, 04:16 PM
Drill a dimple with a 1/4 inch drill bit. Make one dimple and then recheck the balance. Do this till the fan is balanced. Check the balance of the fan 2 or 3 times each time. Don't balance it one time and make a mark. Check it a few times to see if the heavy side is consistent. If the heavy side stays constant. Then make another dimple in that area and check the balance again. If the fan is out of balance, it will usually only require 1 or 2 dimples to bring it into balance.
David