ARPLAST PV-50, Manual

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Page 1 of 8 © Lyndhurst Touchdown Services Limited updated February 2007
ARPLAST - VARIABLE PITCH PROPELLER - PV50 (Tractor Configuration)
14 February 2000
(updated February 2008)
Tractor / Pusher
2 Blade / 3 Blade
912 Ø 100 / 912 Ø 4” Red C / E
The PV50 propeller is lightweight In Flight variable pitch
propeller. It is designed for use on homebuilt aircraft
and it is expected that operators of the PV50 propeller
will regularly inspect and service the propeller. This
propeller is not certified and is not built to any
recognised standard. The propeller is owned and
operated at the owners/operators risk. This guide is
written for UK customers.
WARNINGS
1. Don’t work in damp or dusty conditions. Although fitting is easy it is better to have someone to help.
2. Grease the lead screw frequently (25hrs initially)
3. The propeller is designed to work whilst running. If the pitch is regularly changed whilst the propeller is
stationary undue stress will be placed on the electrical and mechanical control systems. We do not
recommend the propeller is run from limit to limit unnecessarily as this shortens the motor life e.g.
before flight. DO NOT CYCLE TO PRE-FLIGHT TEST
4. All bolts and screws must be adequately locked. Use wire-locking where appropriate or a product
equivalent to LOCKTITE 243.
5. The blade bearings are supplied greased but apply new grease when servicing. Two UK builders have
reported corrosion to the thrust bearings at the blade ends. Both aircraft were kept outside. Arplast
changed to a new grease in 2000. The bearings are inexpensive standard type.
6. Operating the hub whilst the blades are not in place can allow the swash plate to rotate damaging wires
at the front of the lead screw. TAKE - CARE!
Electronic Control Unit (models supplied after 2003 use a solid state controller)
The control unit houses a printed circuit board, NiCad batteries and two fuses. The unit pr12v to
increase propeller pitch and –7.2v to reduce pitch. The negative voltage is provided by the NiCad batteries
which are re-charged during normal operation. The batteries will need replacing after several years use.
The fuses protect the electronics and usually only blow during maintenance when the propeller supply can
be inadvertently shorted to earth. If you are unable to place the control box where it can be easily serviced
you might wish to re-site the fuses. See the method described later. Avoid shorting out the NiCad batteries
they are capable of high discharge currents which would be dangerous.
The LCD display and LED should be fitted on the panel. The double action control switch can be mounted
on the panel or on the control stick. The wires to the switch can be lengthened if required. When routing
the control wires and the main loom avoid close proximity to sensitive installations. Where the wires
unavoidably pass near other equipment it may be necessary to shield the wires.
Wiring for aircraft with 12 v systems and - ve ground
Red +12v (when the master switch is in the on position)
Black -12v connected to aircraft battery
Brown Connected to aircraft ground via control bracket mounting
Blue/white/black - 9v reverse control voltage
Black (-9v) / Red + 9v Display supply
Grey Ground for analogue display
White / Purple Analogue entry / potentiometer cursor
Yellow Potentiometer supply
Orange/Orange + LED (green > increase pitch / red > reduce pitch)
Pink Electric motor supply