My Limbo Dancer is nearly ready to go now and for a sport flyer like this with a fixed u/c and non folding prop I was wondering how I should have the brake on my speed controller set up?

Grant - I've tried both with the Limbo, and didn't find that it made all that much difference. In a big dive, say 200' straight down the brake doesn't seem to cope, and the prop windmills anyway. There's enough resistance in the gearbox to stop the prop in level flight.

I fly with both options depending on what I'm going to be doing - all straight up and down I have the brake off. 'Normal' flying brake on.

Stuart

If you are using a non-folding prop don't forget the gearbox issues. You might not want the brake going on and off if you are running a high ratio gearbox. Especially if it's a hard brake. With large props that can put a lot of twisting load on the motor mount and the gear train. Also remember that some brakes only function for a few seconds after the throttle goes low. After that, they assume the prop has folded and the brake no longer functions so the prop is free to spin up again. I know that happens on my Wedgie with the Rondo 400 controller. I assume it's to reduce heat build up if you insist on long dives with a non-folding prop.

Dave Wenzlick
Mesa AZ

With the brake function on, the prop will come to a complete stop when the throttle is cut - this actually produces less drag than a wind milling propeller. So in theory at least, you want the brake "on."

Pete

It's mostly personal preference. I look at the prop as a cooling fan for the pilot - it stops going round, I start to sweat.

Guess that's all those years of slimer-driving

Good thing about having it spin with power off is it makes a great airbrake on 'flight idle' - with what amounts to a prop sized disk on the nose, anything comes down fast without speeding up.

With a drag bucket like the LD, you might not need that facility. I'd go fly it, try it both ways and see what you like.

Regards

Dereck

Leaving it off is preferable in a sport model, in my opinion. Slows the model nicely on approach.
If you have a smart conroller, you can program a brake point below motor off - so keep the throttle just above the low point for motor off, no brake, and all the way down for brake. Try it both ways..
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