T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
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821.3 | NOISE Measurements | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Thu Jan 05 1989 15:51 | 32 |
| I am the head of the noise reduction committee for the Vaca Valley
RC Club here in Fairfield, CA. I will be real interested to read
of results you come up with.
The AMA is suggesting we work toward a 90db at 9 feet target. I
have talked to some AMA District people that believe this will be
a requirement for having AMA insurance within two years so its a
good idea to get a rough idea of where various prop/powerplant
combinations are in relation to that target.
In the for what its worth category, several things affect the reading
you will get on your meter (Ihave one too). I measure at 9 feet
at a 90 degree angle to the head of the motor on the muffler side.
I hold the meter about two feet to my side so that sound waves don't
resonate off of me (the meter picks up noise from any direction.
I measure downwind from the airplane. Also you have to watch out
for what is behind you, we have a shed with an overhang behind our
pits, and with it at my back it increases the db reading from resonance
off of the shed/overhang. you will also get a different reading
depending on the surface you measure from, a dirt or gras surface
absorbs a couple of db. I measure from asphalt.
May I suggest that you include the following info in your results,
I will post results as I get them too.
Engine size/make, Prop diameter/pitch/make, muffler/stock or other,Air
cleaner, Other - soft mount, modified prop etc.
Looking forward to hearing your results.
Will Beatty
|
821.4 | Is it 9 meters or feet? | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Thu Jan 05 1989 16:51 | 26 |
| Re:< Note 821.3 by WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI >
Will,
That's great! I am planning to follow exactly the same
procedure as you, with one small exception: namely that I have
to measure off grass because that's what the flying field has.
Isn't the AMA requirement 9 METERS and not FEET?
Poking my meter at different things I am surprised how
quiet 90DB is. I think its going to be a heck of a problem to
get down to that level.
I wonder what they will do about ducted fans.
This is going to be interesting!
_
/ |
| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.5 | 9 feet | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Sat Jan 07 1989 12:33 | 17 |
| 90 db is surprisingly quiet! The really tough part is getting that
last 2 or 3 db out to get the level at 90. I have a sunshine hobbies
sort-a-scale eindeckker with an OS 50 FSR. I soft mounted the motor
(lord mounts) put a bru line air cleaner on it, and added a macs
tuned pipe muffler to it and got it at 93 db. It took a lot of
tinkering with the prop to bring it down to 90 db. I finally wound
up with a wooden 12/8 cut down to an 11/8 which got me just at 90
db. All of the planes I've tinkered with so far boil down to doing
somthing with the prop to getthat last couple of db. Have you ever
tried any of the pattern type 11 or 12/18's?
The distance to measure from is 9 feet. I hold the meter about
a foot off of the ground. It's sunny and 60, I'm off to get some
stick time.
Will Beatty
|
821.6 | 101 and 86 DB | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Sat Jan 07 1989 18:57 | 14 |
| Re:< Note 821.5 by WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI >
First test. Measured on ice with about 1/4 inch snow on
top.
Lou Andrews Aeromaster, OS .91 FSR, 13x6 Master airscrew
101 DB
Great Planes PT40, OS .40 FP, 10x6 Master Aurscrew
86 DB
Incredible difference! I had to go back and remeasure
the Aeromaster after doing the PT 40.
Anker
|
821.7 | Perception is 9/10s of the sound | LEDS::COHEN | | Sun Jan 08 1989 13:57 | 5 |
|
Anker,
Subjectively, how much quieter did the PT40 seem, over the
Aeromaster ?
|
821.8 | RE.6 | TARKIN::HARTWELL | Dave Hartwell | Mon Jan 09 1989 10:08 | 6 |
| Anker, That PT40 has a 10x7 prop.... I have an OS SF .40 and with
a 10 x 7 prop, I get a BIG loss of RPM compared to the 10 x 6.
Dave
|
821.9 | Scooter II added | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Mon Jan 09 1989 12:57 | 15 |
| Re:< Note 821.7 by LEDS::COHEN >
At full throttle it was a heck of a lot quieter, but it
didn't sound like the Aeromaster was 32 TIMES as noisy.
We did some new measurements on grass yesterday.
Interestingly, the PT40 went up by 2 DB, I had expected it to go
down. I added a new plane:
Great Planes PT-40, O.S. .40 FS, Master Airscrew 10x7
(correction) 86 DB
Scooter II, K&B .20 Sportster, Mater Airscrew 9x5
88 DB
Anker
|
821.10 | Sound is where the noise is | LEDS::COHEN | | Mon Jan 09 1989 13:55 | 21 |
| > At full throttle it was a heck of a lot quieter, but it
> didn't sound like the Aeromaster was 32 TIMES as noisy.
DB, is of course, a log. scale, but the human ears' ability to
perceive sound is only logrithmic over a relatively narrow range
of sound levels, also the scale changes depending on the frequency
of the sound. The human ear perceives low frequency sound quite
poorly at low volume levels, as compared to high freqs. at the
same level, thats why most stereos have a loudness button to boost
the bass at lower volumes, these loudness features typically are
"contoured" so that as the volume knob goes up, the amount of bass
boost goes down. As sound level goes up, the ear gets to a point
where the sound is no longer heard, but is instead perceived as
pain (about 130DB), higher frequencies lower this pain threshold.
I can't remember a lot about this stuff, but a few years ago I did
some consulting about environmental sound control with my father.
Maybe I'll go find a few of the books I bought around then, and
see if I can find anything of related interest.
Randy
|
821.11 | Your Data is Surprising | LEDS::WATT | | Tue Jan 10 1989 08:17 | 14 |
| Anker,
Did the PT40/OS really sound quieter than the scooter/K&B20?
I am really surprised by that. By the way, MA had some article
that said that some geared electrics are comming in at high
sound levels. So much for electric = quiet. Vibration of the
airframe and prop noise are probably the next thing to go after
after a better muffler. More pitch and less diameter seems to be
the way the pattern guys are going. The prop noise is really very
noticeable with big 4-strokes. I think that much of the noise comming
from the Aeromaster is from the fuse vibrating. It is a very noisy
structure compared to something like a Super Sportster.
Charlie
|
821.12 | The Scooter has a small air leak | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Tue Jan 10 1989 09:19 | 27 |
| Re:< Note 821.11 by LEDS::WATT >
Charlie,
My scooter probably isn't representative because one of
the muffler screws has stripped and there is a small amount of
air leakage from the connection between the muffler and the
header. It will be interesting to see how much a new muffler
helps. I'm about to call K&B for a new one, plus a new carb for
my K&B .61.
Bill's plane is probably quiet mainmy because of the high
pitch prop - a 10x7 - which doesn't seem to impact anything other
than acelleration on touch and go's.
I am sure you are right about vibration causing a lot of
the noise from the Aeromaster. I will order a J'Tech muffler
today and see how much it helps. I also know the engine will
pull a 13x8 prop, by I lose vertical ecelleration.
This is real fun.
On the next flying site for the CRRC we will probably
impose a 90 DB noise limit. I believe we can get any normal
engine under that level. I'm afraid the F16 will never comply.
Anker
|
821.13 | I would Phase in this change | LEDS::WATT | | Tue Jan 10 1989 11:43 | 25 |
| Anker,
Did the PT40 have vibration isolation or standard wood mounts?
Every one I have heard had lots of vibration but that was with the
OS40FP engines. The FP engines are poorly balanced in my opinion
as they all vibrate more than the FSR's.
I think that 90 DB in the near future is going to be a major
enforcement problem and cause lots of bad feelings. The measurement
is quite variable and a plane might pass today but given slightly
different running and weather conditions, it might fail. I would
suggest some sort of intermediate level that is easier for everyone
to comply with. That would still weed out the really noisy planes
and not make everyone have problems with compliance. I want to
see a trend towards noise reduction but I don't want to see major
panic. (No offense, Eric) Until engine manufacturers start supplying
decent mufflers and everyone starts using soft mounts and quieter
prop sizes, it is going to be difficult and expensive for everyone
to comply with 90DB. Even if you get all of the best stuff, you
may be marginal under certain conditions. Unless the site is in
a very critical noise area, I would hate to see this issue pushed
all the way the first year. Why not phase in the 90 DB in a couple
of steps allowing technology and knowhow to evolve over a couple
of seasons?
Charlie
|
821.14 | I'll make the Aeromaster the test case | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Tue Jan 10 1989 12:01 | 23 |
| Re:< Note 821.13 by LEDS::WATT >
Charlie,
If I can get the Aeromaster down to 90DB then I don't
think there's any excuse for regular sports planes. I'll make
the Aeromaster my test case and probably not allow anybody to be
noisier than it. I know it will require some investment:
muffler, mounts, maybe a new prop.
Let's see how it goes.
_
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|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.15 | Standard wood rails and no soft mounts | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Tue Jan 10 1989 12:03 | 18 |
| Re:< Note 821.13 by LEDS::WATT >
Sorry Charlie, I forgot to answer your question,
Bill hasn't done anything out of the ordinary other than
use a fairly large prop. The engine is mounted on the standard
wood rails. I was as surprised as you are.
_
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|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
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Hang in there! o_|_
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Anker \_|_/
|
821.16 | I'd Like to Work with You, Anker | LEDS::WATT | | Tue Jan 10 1989 12:21 | 30 |
| Anker,
I would like to get envolved in your noise testing if you want
help. I have done lots of similar testing in the past and I want
to increase my experience in noise reduction. I think that much
education will be required to get the non technical flyers (and
there are lots of those in my club) to understand noise reduction.
This would be a good topic for club meetings but most members never
attend them. Maybe a writeup of test results could go in the
newsletter. I've helped out some members of our club that haven't
a clue how an engine works (torque, horsepower, prop selection,
etc), how the RC equipment works, or how to properly mount this
stuff in a plane. I've seen a few articles published on noise
testing but I know that the test conditions can greatly affect the
results. Duplicating the conditions carefully is the only way to
get a fair comparison of noise levels. If you have a level that
is hard to achieve, this gets more critical since even a good setup
may be borderline. I think that the more technical modelers should
lead the way to come up with simple, inexpensive solutions to noise
reduction. Also, manufacturers must start building quieter mufflers
that are matched to their engines. Many of the aftermarket mufflers
aren't really designed for a particular engine's characteristics.
They may be over or under designed for your particular engine.
Some add more weight than is necessary and may upset the exhaust
tuning of your engine. K & B is the only manufacturer that I know
of that has come out with a line of quieter than usual engines.
Too bad they aren't very good. What is needed is OS quality with
a muffler design like the K & B Sportster line.
Charlie
|
821.17 | proceed with moderation | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Tue Jan 10 1989 12:28 | 24 |
|
I think the answer to the PT40 is the oversized prop. I tried
running an 11x7 on my 45FSR and it reduced the RPM by a LOT,
so much that it seemed to be "lugging". I thought it was too
much prop and went back down to a 10x6.5. A big prop on the
40FP will reduce the RPM by so much that I'm not at all surprised
about the noise reduction. I wonder what the power reduction
is? As far as I'm concerned, that's not an acceptable solution
to reducing noise.
I agree with Charlie, you should have a period (say 1 year) of
monitoring sound levels and helping people to be aware of noise
and how to reduce it, before you start enforcing a limit. If
you approach it as a joint effort of the club leaders and the
members, rather than just imposing and enforcing a new
restriction, I bet you'll wind up with fewer noise problems
AND fewer disgruntled members.
An easier way, I think, would be to let Charlie "borrow" your
dB meter for a couple days, I'm sure we could help to calibrate
it on our superb lab equipment so everybody's plane would fall
below 90 dB!
Dave
|
821.18 | Noise control can be mandatory | TARKIN::HARTWELL | Dave Hartwell | Tue Jan 10 1989 12:53 | 21 |
| I hate to say this but starting up front with a noise limit on a
new field may be the only way to go. Even if it costs $$$$, which
it will in my pocket also. The problem with many sights, and potential
sights is people bitch'in about the noise to the point were the
owner gets so many complaints that the easy way out is to SHUT
THE FIELD DOWN. The major point made by the owner of a new possible
CRRC field was noise, and neighbors complaining. To me I'd rather
pay the penalties and fly than not have a place to fly at all.
And that is what it's comming to these days. 90% of the club
may have ships that conform to 90db or whatever, but it only takes
one person flying at the wrong time day after day to ruin it for
everybody... You have to draw the line somewhere, and I feel that
imposing mandatory limits at a given field or fields is the way
to go right from the start if noise could shut the field down.
CMRCM is lucky, there more out of the way, and it appears fron the
outside that noise complaints are few if any....
Dave
|
821.19 | HOW DO WE MEASURE CHOPPERS? | SALEM::COLBY | KEN | Tue Jan 10 1989 13:43 | 25 |
|
Since I am flying choppers, I have several questions that require
answers concerning how noise is measured, etc. For example,
how much does collective pitch change the noise level? What about
tail rotor pitch? How do I measure as far as RPM is concerned?
My guess would be that I would measure at just lift-off pitch
and RPM, however, I can and often do change this between flights
from the hover RPM and hover pitch trims on my transmitter. Also,
I am not sure how I could soft mount my engine in a chopper, since
the clutch is hard mounted, but requires precise alignment with
the engine.
The other side of the coin, however, is that with the Schluter muffler
that I am running, my choppers are both much quieter than several
of the planes at our fields. I guess I will have to try to get a
reading to see if I exceed the 90db mark or not. I still have the
questions as to how this would be measured.
________
/ __|__
=========[_____\>
/ __|___|__/ BREAK A BLADE,
Ken
|
821.20 | Charlie and Dave! | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Tue Jan 10 1989 13:47 | 23 |
| Charlie,
I will be delighted to involve you in my noise testing
experiments. Are you coming to the meeting tonight? If you are
we can have a chat about how to proceed.
Dave,
My experience with oversize props is that on static tests
they do mizerably, but in the air under speed its a different
story, the prop unloads and the engine reaches peak RPM.
_
/ |
| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.22 | it's a good idea, but... | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Tue Jan 10 1989 17:38 | 31 |
| re: < Note 821.20 by CURIE::ANKER "Anker Berg-Sonne" >
> Dave,
>
> My experience with oversize props is that on static tests
> they do mizerably, but in the air under speed its a different
> story, the prop unloads and the engine reaches peak RPM.
Ah, but then there is a hole in your procedure. If planes are
measured only under static circumstances, then you may get
a false reading. What we're really concerned about is the noise
while the plane is flying, not on the ground.
I believe my point is still valid: If we (I'm a member of CRRC
too!) locate a field that has noise restrictions up front, we're
asking for trouble. If that's all we can find, then we should go
ahead and have the restrictions, but as Dave Hartwell said, all it
takes is 1 or 2 turkeys to spoil it for everybody, and you can be
sure that if we just open up a new field with new noise
regulations that nobody has ever had to deal with before, and
hasn't the foggiest idea how to deal with, you're going to have
problems. Charlie said it: There are members that don't have any
idea how their engine works, who would be expected to solve
problems of resonances from many sources excited by many other
sources? I don't think so. What, do we post a "noise police"
member on site during all daylight hours? This has to be
self-regulating to work. If the guys can't get the frequency pin
board under control after all this time, how are we going to get
noise under control?
Dave
|
821.23 | I'm not trying to pick a fight, but... | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Tue Jan 10 1989 17:42 | 12 |
| re: < Note 821.18 by TARKIN::HARTWELL "Dave Hartwell" >
-< Noise control can be mandatory >-
> CMRCM is lucky, there more out of the way, and it appears fron the
> outside that noise complaints are few if any....
Sorry, Dave, but your're wrong. The Taylor Drop Zone (CRRC field)
is more isolated than CMRCM. At CMRCM it's not hard to fly right
over the Fish & Game or the M�C, and there are houses not too far
back behind the corn fields.
Dave Hughes
|
821.24 | Dave's on my side for a change | LEDS::WATT | | Tue Jan 10 1989 18:27 | 22 |
| Boy,
It's nice to be having a discussion with Dave Hughes on my side
for a change. (We ususlly butt heads at work and enjoy flying
together) I think that moving in the direction of noise reduction
is mandatory and getting a new field is an opportunity to emphasize
noise reduction BUT it takes an adjustment period and the easy
availability of the necessary equipment. I bet if we get three
dB meters and go to three different sites to do the measurements
on a single plane that we will get nine different readings. How
do you set the engine during the test? Do you scream it lean or
set it on the rich side? The difference isn't trivial. Let's
face facts - 90 Db at 9 Feet is not trivial for many forms of aircraft.
Gliders may not have a problem but pattern ships with glass fuses
and many trainers will not comply with out of the box equipment.
I support Anker's testing approach to set some possible standards
before arbitrairly setting a hard and fast limit. By the way,
all of us noters should lead the way in this since we have this
tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience at our fingertips!
Charlie
|
821.26 | Sorry, I got carried away!!!!! | TARKIN::HARTWELL | Dave Hartwell | Wed Jan 11 1989 09:26 | 62 |
| Re .23
My reference was not comparing the drop zone to CMRCM, as for isolation
around these parts the drop zone is hard to beat. I was comparing
the possible new field with the CMRCM....
Let's put things another way... CRRC also has a very good chance
of using a field in Medfield. It is also very isolated. There like
the drop zone, noise most likely will never be an issue. I was one
of the three that met with the owner of the possible new field (this
makes for a possibility of 2) He was an extremely easy going person.
The kind of person one does not run across everyday. He must have
stated 5 or 6 times that night that his ONLY concern was noise and
neighbors. Any fields are hard to come by these days with expensive
land and development. I see nothing wrong with requiring aircraft
to meet a certain noise level at a field of this type. If it means
4 stroke only, then so be it. (I own no 4 strokes, nor can I really
afford to buy one) At a minimum certain planes and perhaps that
also means certain members are banned from the field. At the worst
the owner say's "too many complaints, sorry guys but I have to shut
you down". What's your preference?
One must also be aware that perhaps flying louder planes during
limited hours may be a possibility. In general unless you have
some crank sitting home all day looking for an excuse to bitch,
people only tend to complain most during early morning hours
especially weekends, and at evening hours when their sitting on
the porch at night relaxing reading the paper, watching the boob
tube or whatever.
To make it work, everybody who fly's there needs to police the
field. Up front before a key is issued you must read and sign a
statement insuring that you understand the rules and regulations
that apply to a given field. If you don't like it then you can't
fly there, and you go to an alternate field or to another club.
If enough people don't like it, then nobody flies there and at that
point the club would most likely give it up.
The biggest problem that I have seen with rules at fields such
as frequency board is that you show up, say hi to a few people
which you probably don't know. Read any rules that may be posted,
and try to figure out what to do. In general no one takes the time
to explain to you how the rules and regulations tie together, let
alone 3IM issues, how many up at one time, where to stand, etc.
And then when you do something wrong, and you did'nt even know it
nobody says anything to you, let alone explain how not to get yourself
into that situation again.
Sorry, I'm getting carried away!!!!!
Dave
Experiance is a wonderful thing................. It's something
that all can benefit from........
I'm sure that CRRC will not be the first club to address this issue
and I'll bet that many clubs LOST their field because they failed
to take decisive action..........
|
821.27 | Policing | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Wed Jan 11 1989 10:46 | 36 |
| Re: policing
My proposal is inly to allow planes with a "certification
sticker" attached use the new field. To get a sticker one has to
have the plane noise tested. In the interest of fairness the
tesating would have to be done with the same meter under the same
conditions for all planes. As the most probably person to do the
certification I would ensure that the planes really were
operating at close to peak efficiency.
I know there are all kinds of ways to "cheat". Have the
plane certified and pull the insert out of the muffler - change
the prop, etc. etc.. The "solution" to this problem would be
spot checking planes that seem excessively noisy.
I am going to research this issue agressively with the
goal of having a noise policy in place from the beginning.
Interesting point about props unloading and giving higher
dynamic than static noise levels. Don't know how to handle that
one. Buzz the noise meter at exactly 9 feet and full throttle!
:-)
_
/ |
| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
Anker
|
821.28 | more noise | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Wed Jan 11 1989 11:50 | 45 |
| re: < Note 821.26 by TARKIN::HARTWELL "Dave Hartwell" >
-< Sorry, I got carried away!!!!! >-
> Re .23
>
> My reference was not comparing the drop zone to CMRCM, as for isolation
> around these parts the drop zone is hard to beat. I was comparing
> the possible new field with the CMRCM....
Fair enough. My point, which probably got lost in the noise,
is that CRRC members are used to an extremely isolated field,
and most are unlikely to have ever given noise any consideration
before. We're talking about a problem similar to the 1991 radio
rules, and you know how much controversy THAT has stirred up with
many years of notice. In this case, we're talking about guys who
have airplanes they have been flying for years, that will be
forced to make modifications, perhaps major modifications, to them
to meet a new noise spec. That's going to be very hard to sell and
very hard to enforce.
re: .27,
Here's another curve ball for you, Anker. Where will you do
noise certification? At the noise-restricted field? Where will
you help folks experiment to get the noise down? The only place
it makes sense to do that is right where you want the noise to
be restricted, at the field! I certainly can't experiment in
my back yard - I ran-in an engine in my back yard a couple years
ago and within about 10 minutes the cops were coming up the
street. I shut it down quick and they didn't stop, but I'm not
going to annoy my neighbors playing with my noise reduction
experiments.
Anker, I think that you do have a high probability of success
because you are providing the key ingredient: Club leadership
that is very actively trying to help the members to carry out
the club's goals. As long as the leadership is active, and
indeed bending over backwards to help, it's very likely to
succeed.
By the way, I got my Snuf'ler a few weeks ago and have it
installed in my Kavalier and I'm anxious to try it out. But,
I don't have the fortitude to go out in rain and fog and sleet
like you, Anker, so I haven't tried it yet!
Dave
|
821.31 | Lots of interesting stuff | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Mon Jan 16 1989 08:45 | 45 |
| I did a lot of noise measurement over the weekend. First
a couple of observations. Wind makes a lot of difference, mainly
increasing the reading from the wind whistling around the meter.
Accurate readings can only be taken if there is no more than a
slight breeze. I also discovered that the meter should not be
held pointing at the plane, but at right angles to it.
The average 40 size plane with an OS 40 FP is almost
always 93 DB +/- 1DB. Bill Clark's PT40 became a lot noisier
over the weekend. I believe it was because he leaned it out, he
will argue its because the measurements are unpredictable. I
have definitely learned that you have to deliberately lean out
the engine when taking measurements. I have seen 4 and 5DB
increases in noise with a few clicks on the screw.
Large four stroke engines Saito .80 and O.S. 91 are
quite noisy, 94 to 95 DB, but the noise generated by them is much
less obnoxious then the two strokes. .048 engines generate about
93 DB, but boy, are they obnoxious.
My O.S. 91 FSR still shares the top spot with a Kadet
Senior powered by a .60 engine at 101 DB. The Kedet is really
interesting because the owner had added an aftermuffler connected
with the standard muffler with a 16 inch length of tube. I
believe a lot of the noise is caused by vibration in the airframe
plus the tube acting as a tuned pipe.
Just as I was about to leave yesterday Dave Hughes showed
up with Snuffler Muffler, which we did extensive tests on. I'll
let Dave report on them.
The CRRC board has decided to impose an initial limit of
95DB, which will pass 90% os all existing planes, and then revise
this limit as we gather more data.
_
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| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.32 | frustrated | EDUHCI::CLARK | | Mon Jan 16 1989 12:53 | 8 |
| I am disappointed that a random db noise limit has been decided
on. The reason for noise limitations is to protect the new site;
ie not annoy the nearest neighbors, about a half mile away. It seems
to me that the first thing to do would be to have a couple of people
station themselves at those houses, then have some models flown
at the field. We could use cb radios to co-ordinate, and thus find
out what can be heard and what it sounds like. The current process
seems like technology in stead of good sense.
|
821.33 | Snuffler measurements | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Tue Jan 17 1989 10:44 | 71 |
| re: < Note 821.31 by CURIE::ANKER "Anker Berg-Sonne" >
We did some limited experimenting with my OS .45FSR and Snuffler
muffler. It was the first time I'd run the engine with the
new muffler, and it was obvious to me right off that the
exhaust noise was significantly subdued, and the predominant
noise factor was now prop noise. It was a good reminder that
noise comes from many sources, and when you take care of the
loudest source, another one becomes the loudest source!
I had a supply of various sizes of props, so we experimented
with props, doing noise and thrust measurements (Anker, I'm
terrible with names, I don't remember who the two other guys
were that helped out with this).
Anker took the noise measurements, and we put the plane on a
piece of carpet for low rolling resistance for the thrust
measurements. The plane weighed in at about 6.5 lbs with full
10 oz fuel tank, Snuzzler muffler (adds a few oz) and extra
servo for my streamer. I built it for ruggedness, not lightness!
Here is the data:
O.S. 45FSR with Snuffler muffler, with an extra 2" curved plastic
tube (homemade exhaust diverter). After each change, we readjusted
the mixture for peak rpm.
Prop noise (dB) thrust (lb)
10x6.5 91.5 4.1
(nylon)
11x5 90.5 4.9
(wood)
11x7 89 4.3
(wood)
I was surprised at the thrust measurements. It seems I've been
under-propped on this motor.
We attempted to take RPM readings also, but had a little
difficulty and they do not make sense (11x7 read higher than 11x5
which is impossible given the measured thrust) so I didn't include
them.
We also tried an air filter on the intake, but it had no effect
on the noise (after we readjusted the needle valve to peak).
The one flight I finally got around to taking was with the 11x7.
Compared to the noise level I was used to, it sounded like I was
at about half throttle for takeoff. However, it had plenty of
power, and seemed to fly just as well as with the smaller, noisier
prop. Subjectively, it was very noticably quieter than with the
standard expansion muffler, and I guess that's the point: With a
little work and small investment, you can get the noise down.
According to Charlie Watt, there were no measurements below 90dB
on Saturday, so maybe I can claim (for a moment, at least) to have
the quietest glo-powered airplane in the club!
A comment about the Snuffler - it leaked oil out both the front of
the muffler (where I had to drill a hole for the bolt) and around
the joint between the Snuffler and original muffler body; made
quite a mess. They provided no gasket, and I had sealed it with
silicone caulk. Last night I remounted the Snuffler, using some
1/32" automotive gasket material and more silicone, including
silicone around the front hole. I may fly it again today at
lunchtime, if I do I'll let you know how that works.
Dave Hughes
|
821.34 | additional info on Snuffler | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Tue Jan 17 1989 15:21 | 22 |
|
Report on today's flying:
My oil leak repairs to the Snuffler seem to have worked well.
When installing a Snuffler, be sure to make a gasket for it
(it comes with a thick rubber gasket for mating to smaller
mufflers, but the 45 was too big for it.
I took a flight with the 11x7 and another with the 11x5. It
was pretty windy, and the 11x5 did not have the same power
to fight the gusts. I have a 10x7 I'm going to try next,
and am ordering a 10x8 to try as well.
The prop tip noise can now be clearly heard, it is at twice
the motor rpm (the note is an octave higher, for you musicians).
These are the square-tipped wood props. A shorter prop will
reduce the tip speed and thus the noise.
In addition, the vibrations in the wing and fuse are more
apparent. That's where shock mounting the motor will help.
Dave
|
821.35 | | SPMFG1::TENEROWICZT | | Wed Jan 18 1989 08:02 | 6 |
| Interesting Dave, I have a Magnum 40 Pro in a telstar 25 I am currently
flying running a 9X8 zinger prop. I wonder how this set up would
fair with the sound meter?
Tom
|
821.38 | Db Measurement Results | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Sat Jan 21 1989 17:01 | 37 |
| Went flying from 9am to about 1pm today and had a chance to get
my Db meter on some airplanes at the field. Results are as follows:
Db Plane Engine Prop Other
102 PT-40 Royal 45 MA 10X6 Enya Muffler
92 PT-40 Super Tigre 40MA 10X6 Stock Muff
102 EZ-P51 Enya 90 4S ??(opps) Stock Muff
94 AeroStar 40 Royal 45 Wood Zinger 10X6 Stock Muff
98 Hammer 20 O.S.35 MA 9X6 Stock Muff
98 Checkmate YS 60 Wood Zinger 11X10 Cowled Tuned
Pipe
NOTE: All measurements were taken from asphalt with a Radio Shack
Db meter at 9 feet from the plane, a 90 degree angle from the engine
head. MA means Master Airscrew, 4S means four stroke motor. All
examples above were stock mounted engines.
I have been working on a prototype muffler for my wifes company
and got some very pleasing results on the prototype this morning.
Db Plane Motor Prop Other
92 RPM 25L os 25 FP MA 9.5X6 Stock Muffler
89 RPM 25L OS 25 FP MA 9.5X6 Snuffler (J'TEC)
86 RPM 25L OS 25 FP MA 9.5X6 Prototype
85 RPM 25L OS 25 FP Rev Up 11X6 Prototype
I only got to put a tachometer on the last two measurements, as
you can imagine the 11X6 was unacceptable at 8500 but the 9.5X6
ran at a healthy 10,500 at 86Db! This motor is mounted on wooden
rails with no other noise reduction options in place.
Regards,
Will Beatty
|
821.40 | Test for noise and thrust | TARKIN::HARTWELL | Dave Hartwell | Mon Jan 23 1989 08:57 | 7 |
| Run this all again with thrust measurements with these mufflers
including the stock muffler. Then if you lose little power, or even
gain more you have something to sell. It's easy to make an engine
quiet, it's quite another to have it quiet and produce power.
Dave
|
821.41 | RPM = Thrust | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Thu Jan 26 1989 20:35 | 8 |
| RE 821.40
Would'nt RPM with a given propeller equate directly to thrust output?
If the RPM goes down I would think the thrust would go down
proportionatly.
Will
|
821.42 | More Db Results | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Sun Jan 29 1989 21:34 | 18 |
| Got out to do some more flying and measuring this week end.
DB Plane motor prop other
99 Royal O.S. 61 MAS 12X6 Home made muffler
Stuka SF w/pump
95 Pilot O.S. 25 VF Rev Up 9X6 Mac's Pipe
Supra Fly Rear Exhaust 13,800RPM's
91 Pilot O.S. 25 VF Top Flite Mac's Pipe
Supra Fly Rear Exhaust 9X8 10,500RPM's
93 Sig Kadet O.S. 40F MAS 10X6 Stock Muffler
101 Pica Duelist Royal 45 MAS 10X6 Stock Muffler
(A Pair)
89 Bud Nosen O.S. 28F MAS 10X6 Lord Mounted
Champ Motor/Snuffler
Till next time,
Will Beatty
|
821.43 | From 101 to 94 DB! | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Mon Jan 30 1989 09:40 | 42 |
| Friday night I installed the Snuffler Muffler in the O.S.
.91 FSR that turns the Aeromaster ballistic. The Snuffler fits
entirely inside the stock muffler and is held in place with three
screws that need to be tapped into the muffler. The effect is
that you get the chanbers interior to the Snuffler and two more
chambers, one in front and the other behind. The fit of the
Snuffler is almost perfect.
Without the Snuffler installed the statistics were:
O.S. .91 FSR, Master Airscrew 13x6: 101 DB, 11,800 RPM
After installing the Snuffler I got:
O.S. .91 FSR, Snuffler, Master Airscrew 13x6: 97 DB, 11,400 RPM
Finally with a larger prop I got:
O.S. .91 FSR, Snuffler, Master Airscrew 13x8: 94 DB, 9,800 RPM
7 DB is a very significant reduction in noise. It has to
be heard to be believed. From being at the pain threshhold it
now sounds almost like a four stroke. Almost all of the noise is
prop noise and not obnoxious at all.
The plane has also become much more pleasurable to fly,
even though it cannot fly vertically indefinitely with the high
pitched prop.
Next, I will experiment with soft mounts and an extention
on the muffler.
_
/ |
| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.44 | 90db at 3 meters?. | GIDDAY::CHADD | Go Fast; Turn Left | Fri Feb 17 1989 16:51 | 23 |
| Extract from the Agenda for the March CIAM meeting.
< item 1.2 General Characteristics of Aeromodels..
< The following noise limit shall apply to all aeromodelling engine categories
< effective Jan 1 1991; 90db at 3 meters.
If it passes it will mean that all FAI class models will be limited to 90db at
3 meters. I have my doubts it will pass as it is written but something more
moderate will be passed next month.
The present F3A limit is 96db, to get pylon in its present form to that level is
going to be impossible, Helicopters are going to have a lot of work to do, and
Scale with the large engines are going to find it very hard.
I think the rule if passed will kill the following events in there present
form:-
F3D Pylon, Free Flight F1C; Control Line F2A Speed, F2C Team race, and
F2D Combat.
Any comment Tom T on getting F3A below 90db.?
John
|
821.45 | = 90 db at 9.85 feet | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Fri Feb 17 1989 17:34 | 6 |
|
NOTE: 3 meters = 9 feet 10 inches. Anker - that should be your
standard, not 9 feet!
Dave
|
821.46 | 10 inches will make zero difference | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Tue Feb 21 1989 11:37 | 16 |
| Re:< Note 821.45 by LEDS::HUGHES "Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214" >
The added 10 inches will make VERY little difference.
You have to double the distance to get a 3DB reduction in sound
level.
_
/ |
| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.47 | 1/2^2 = 1/4 | SMART5::DHENRY | CRU80 - "A challenge to your musical knowledge" | Tue Feb 21 1989 12:35 | 11 |
| RE: < Note 821.46 by CURIE::ANKER "Anker Berg-Sonne" >
> You have to double the distance to get a 3DB reduction in sound
> level.
Wouldn't doubling the distance reduce the sound by a factor of 4
(or around 6DB) instead of 2 (3DB) due to the inverse square law?
Later,
Don_who_only_remebers_a_little_of_his_college_acoustics
|
821.48 | Not close to the ground | CURIE::ANKER | Anker Berg-Sonne | Tue Feb 21 1989 14:13 | 19 |
| Re:< Note 821.47 by SMART5::DHENRY "CRU80 - "A challenge to your musical knowledge"" >
> Wouldn't doubling the distance reduce the sound by a factor of 4
> (or around 6DB) instead of 2 (3DB) due to the inverse square law?
It doesn't work that way close to a reflective surface.
Close to the gound you actually see sound levels drop off almost
linearly.
_
/ |
| _====____/==|
|-/____________|
| | o \
O \
O
Hang in there! o_|_
|
Anker \_|_/
|
821.51 | Order the other part of the kit!~ | LEDS::ZAYAS | | Tue Apr 04 1989 14:39 | 3 |
|
You also didn't order the 2nd half of the noise reduction kit!
Try converting your .25FSR to diesel.
|
821.54 | Diesel? | LEDS::HUGHES | Dave Hughes (LEDS::HUGHES) NKS1-1/E3 291-7214 | Tue Apr 04 1989 14:58 | 18 |
| re .51
I did get some info from Davis Diesel about their diesel conversions. I'd
be happy to let you look it over.
They have a lot of testimonials from satisfied customers. I'd consider it,
except for:
- cost of conversion
- cost of "cheap" fuel (the way it works is that they put a LOT of ether in
the fuel to make it diesel, so it's cheap kerosene cut with 25% or more
expensive ether). And try to store the stuff.
- The mess (you think cleaning up after a 2-stroke is bad? Try the gunk you
get out the back end of a diesel)
- I don't want my plane to smell like a bus
- If I want smoke trails, I want white, not black smoke.
Now, if I had a scale B52 it would look pretty authentic leaving behind a
thick cloud of black smoke...
|
821.56 | No noise is good noise | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Sun Apr 23 1989 13:19 | 17 |
| RE: 821.55
I'm guessing that noise reduction gets a little more attention in
Europe because of the population density.
While this may not be a uniform problem in the USA, it is appropriate
that we modelers pay attention before someone without an interest
in or an understanding of our sport does! Remember this is the country
where airport expansion and landing patterns have been essentially
decided by people opposed to the noise.
I have to disagree with your comment on 90db being unreasonable.
It is achievable with a surprisingly small effort. 96db is a snap
and I don't believe its enough of a reduction to foster noise reduction
efforts by the manufacturers in a way that will lead to nipping
this problem before it becomes a crisis for us flyers.
Quiet Flyer
|
821.57 | More on noise | TARKIN::HARTWELL | Dave Hartwell | Mon Apr 24 1989 09:39 | 32 |
| I've come to some intresting conclusions about noise lately. The
main problem that I see with noise is with prop speed. The 2 cycle
engines of current vintage like to rev high to make lots of power.
With this high rpm comes NOISY props, exhaust noise and airframe
noise is nothing compared to the prop. Case in point, I have a OS
SF .40 engine with stock muffler. With a 10 x 6 prop it generates
good thrust with moderate noise 94 db when measured. I have tried
a Davis Desiel muffler, yep it's a bit quieter, but not much (Anker
can I borrow your DB meter?) I even tried putting the Davis muffler
in line with the stock, Slight noise reduction again. A 10 x 7
prop really quiets things down but I loose a lot of thrust, and
you can feel the loss in a big way. Things are much quieter due
to slower prop revolutions, but this engine does not make it's
power nor torque at this speed. I installed a 24 inch exhaust
extension, fitted with a 10 x 5 prop. In the lower RPM ranges it's
pretty quiet, however now the engine really rev's at full throttle
and it's terribly noisy. I hav'nt flown it yet but I held the plane
verticle and loosy hld the plane. It may go verticle now, I can't
wait to find out. According to the engine spec's it makes it's
most power at 16,000 RPM. Yep, they are right, but it's noisy.
Seems to me the manufactures could best solve the problem by designing
a 2 cycle engine (No 4 cycle jab's please) that has a gear reduction
unit built in. Then you could swing a longer heavily pitched blade
at half the RPM.
I'm sure that by simply putting on a larger prop I could meet or
come close to the 90 DB limit. However, the performance will stink.
Dave
|
821.58 | | SA1794::TENEROWICZT | | Mon Apr 24 1989 09:52 | 14 |
| Dave, I don't think your attacking the problem correctly.
If prop tip noise is what your now trying to reduce then you should
go down in diameter rather than up. If your satisfied with the 10/6
then I'd suggest purchasing every brand of prop you can find in
the 9/8 size. Test each prop and determine what one seem best to
you. Tip speed noise is a relationship of the tip going supersonic.
I used to have a formula to figure this but can't remember it. I
doubt however that your 10/6 at 12-14K is getting close to the
supersonic range. You know you guys will find that a tuned pipe
set long with higher pitched props greatly reduces noise. There
isn't anything mysterious about pipes. They are quite simple.
It's when your trying to ring every last rev out of a set up that
you need to get really fine. Tom
|
821.59 | Tip Speed Formula | WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI | | Fri Apr 28 1989 14:29 | 26 |
| A good average tip speed to hit on the the ground is 650 feet per
second. If you adjust your prop pitch and diameter to hit this
speed you will get a good trade off between power and noise.
Multiply the diameter in inches by 3.14 to get the circumference.
Divide your RPM's by 60 to get the RPMS per second. Multiply the
circumference by the RPMs per second. Divide your answer by 12
to get the feet per second rate.
When you compare the results between different prop combinations
the effect on tip speed is surprising:
O.S. 50
10500RPM w/ 12/6 = 550FPS
11200RPM w/ 11/7 = 537FPS
I have been experimenting with larger props cut down to 11 inches
because it increases the blade or paddle area. The O.S. 50 above
pulls the airplane best with the 11/7 prop. Some of the pattern
drivers in my club are running 10/18's and 10/16's! They are bringing
their RPM's down but the vertical and speed performance is outstanding.
I would be interested in hearing other noters results.
Will
|
821.60 | Greater pitch /= better performance | TARKIN::HARTWELL | Dave Hartwell | Fri Apr 28 1989 16:05 | 13 |
| A little contrary to this, I installed a 10x5, in place of a 10x6
the OS SF .40 not sure of the RPM but the engine was reving but
it was much higher than the 10x6 and it IS NOISY. It made a big
difference in verticle performance, and all around performance.
Putting a 10x7 on this kills the RPM, NOISE, and performance in
a big way... I guess all engines are different with their torque
and horsepower curves. Sure would be nice to get a plot of these
on the various engines.
Dave
|
821.61 | Tip Speed simplified (??) | ROCK::MINER | Electric = No more glow-glop | Fri Apr 28 1989 16:51 | 46 |
| RE: < Note 821.59 by WR2FOR::BEATTY_WI >
GREAT!! Since I don't usually have a calcualtor with me at the
field, I took your formula one step further and reduced it down a
bit so it will (hopefully) be easier to figure in my head while I'm
at the field:
RPM x d x Pi ~ RPM x d (RPM/1000) x d
------------ = ------- = -------------- = (RPM/1000) x d x 4.4
60 * 12 229.18 0.23
So, for a rough estiamte,
(RPM / 1000) x diameter x 4.4 = tip speed (in feet per second)
Checking with the earlier examples;
(10500 RPM / 1000) x 12 x 4.4 = 554.4 FPS (Actually = 549.8 FPS)
(11200 RPM / 1000) x 11 x 4.4 = 542.1 FPS (Actually = 537.6 FPS)
As you can see, my "estimate" is about 1% too high. If you're
really a purist, subtract 1% from your answer...
But then again, is your tachometer really accurate to 1% ?????
I doubt anyone will remember to use this formula at the field, but I
had fun doing it anyway...
BTW - if you think it's hard to multiply by 4.4, try this:
multiply by 4, (save the number), divide by 10, add to first number
Ex: 137 x 4 = 548 548 / 10 = 54.8 548 + 54.8 = 602.80
OK, I've wandered far enough into the Twilight Zone for today...
_____
| \
| \ Silent POWER!
_ ___________ _________ | Happy Landings!
| \ | | | | |
|--------|- SANYO + ]-| ASTRO |--| - Dan Miner
|_/ |___________| |_________| |
| / | " The Earth needs more OZONE,
| / not Caster Oil!! "
|_____/
|
821.62 | Increasing pitch | ROCK::MINER | Electric = No more glow-glop | Fri Apr 28 1989 16:58 | 22 |
| RE: < Note 821.60 by TARKIN::HARTWELL "Dave Hartwell" >
This is not really contrary. You are over loading the engine.
If you tried a 9x7 or 9x8 or 9x9, then you would be increasing pitch
without over loading the engine since you're also decreasing
diameter... And you would probably (?) get better performance than
with the 10x5.
I agree that the torque and horsepower curves would be the best way
to determine the "best" prop for a plane.
_____
| \
| \ Silent POWER!
_ ___________ _________ | Happy Landings!
| \ | | | | |
|--------|- SANYO + ]-| ASTRO |--| - Dan Miner
|_/ |___________| |_________| |
| / | " The Earth needs more OZONE,
| / not Caster Oil!! "
|_____/
|
821.63 | We're Taking Noise Seriously NOW! | SELL3::MARRONE | | Wed Jun 10 1992 14:28 | 32 |
| Its been a while since anyone touched this note. Last week at our club
meeting (NH Flying Eagles) we passed a new club rule to limit engine
noise to 97 db. This was prompted by several complaints from residents
near our New Boston Field. We elected to make this rule apply at both
our fields, since our Merrimack Field is under town ordinance that sets
97 db as the maximum level allowed. No complaints have been made at
the Merrimack Field, but we decided to be consistent in our rules.
A committee was formad to begin the task of making noise measurements
on our planes to see how well we can comply with this rule. Last night
was our first "noise checkout" date, and a total of 9 planes were
measured. No surprise that many of them failed the 97 db rule, and
hence cannot fly at our fields until modified.
I won't go into the gory details of the specific measurements here.
The big offenders are OS46 SF with stock muffler at 98-99 db, and
Super Tiger 45 with stock muffler at 104db! We tried swapping a 10x6
APC prop for 10x6 Master Airscrew nylon, and found a fairly consistent
drop of 3-4 db with the APC. Quietest engine/muffler was a Super Tiger
G40 with a muffled tuned pipe (sounds like a contradiction in terms)
that measured 93 db. I should also mention that a certain Gremlin
running a stock OS 25 also came in at 93 db, sharing top honors, but
jeepers, that's not a fair comparison ;-)
More work is obviously needed to experiment with different props and
mufflers, and the previous reports/experiments in this note will come
in handy.
I'll make reports as we get more data and do more testing.
Regards,
Joe
|
821.64 | Still a hot topic at our field | HANNAH::REITH | Jim HANNAH:: Reith DSG1/2E6 235-8039 | Wed Jun 10 1992 15:19 | 6 |
| Complaints have put this on the Divot Digger's agenda for this month. We'll be
getting a sound meter and doing tests this summer. Cheap insurance to keep a
field. Getting members to adhere to the rules when there isn't an officer at
the field is what I see as our biggest challenge.
Let's keep the discussion going as things develop
|
821.65 | | SA1794::TENEROWICZT | | Wed Jun 10 1992 16:04 | 7 |
| Cautions
Decide on a process to measure aircraft and stick to it. Regardless
of engine location/configuration. It will give you a common ground for
your analysis.
Tom
|
821.66 | Hopefully this will help | SA1794::TENEROWICZT | | Wed Jun 10 1992 16:07 | 129 |
| [5i
[5wNOISE[1w
================================================================================
Preface:
In the latest 1992 AMA Competition Rules Book, two, RC flying categories
have initiated precedent setting noise reform. The two categories are
pattern and helicopters. Both have seen the need to initiate a reduction
in the noise levels the aircraft emit. This is only the beginning.
For pattern, the noise level is measured from 3 meters on the right side
of the airframe. The plane resting on the ground. The meter 18" above
the ground. If on tar the noise reading must be 98db or lower. On grass
the readings must be 96db or lower.
For helicopters the reading is 96db or lower with the chopper in a hover
1.5 meters above the ground. The meter is positioned slightly down wind
on the exhaust side of the chopper.
Our club has decided to stay with the noise rule of 95db at 3 meters with
the meter 18" off of the ground.
From our past experiences and the many articles within the magazines,
NOISE, it's effects on the modelers and our neighbors, has become ONE of, if
not THE, major factor, in the loss of RC flying sites. It has become all too
apparent, that steps must be taken in order to meet the noise challenge
HEAD ON!
It is common knowledge, that the noise problem and the solutions
are not a simple process of eliminating ONE factor. That is to say, that
there is not one culprit. Rather, in most cases, it is a combination of
factors that creates the problem.
The NUMBER ONE factor contributing to the majority of the noise issue
with powered aircraft is the engines' stock muffler system. This holds true
for the two stroke and the four stroke power plants. The "stock muffler" is
nothing more than an "expansion chamber". I, do not know of a single stock
muffler set-up that will meet our noise level requirements. A stock muffler
on engines of .35 or larger alone just won't cut it at 95 db. After coming
to the realization that "STOCK", is not good enough, the next question is;
"WHAT IS"?
From personal experience, the SoundMaster mufflers from Davis Diesel seem to
work, along with the Snuffler from J-Tech. I've also seen articles on rubber
bladders, home made mufflers and the like that are supposed to work. I can't
vouch for their effectiveness. I do know that Al Threasher has been using an
after market rubber bladder muffler and it does reduce the noise from his
engine set-up.
The structure of the airframe, when, caused to vibrate, acts like a
speaker of a radio. Different structures act differently, but they all
vibrate and cause noise. This we can call the "speaker" effect. The most
common methods of reducing this effect is the isolation of vibrations from
the engine to the structure of the airframe by using a " Soft Mount " system.
In most cases, a reduction of 1-3 DB can be attained by using a soft mount.
There are a number of systems available on the market today along with a few
home brewed ideas that seem to work equally well.
Props, play a major role in the battle to reduce noise. The shape,
materials, pitch, diameter and flexibility all play a part in there noise
emissions. The APC props seem to have gained an overall acceptance for it's
noise reducing effectiveness and it's efficiency. However other brands can
and do produce acceptable results. It's a matter of experimenting, to see
what prop make and size fits your specific application. I cannot stress
enough the diameter and pitch part of the prop equation. All to often, we
slap on a 10/6 to our favorite 40 sized engine and go bore holes in the sky.
A little experimenting with different diameters and pitches will yield a
better, more reliable and quieter running engine. Key to noise reduction is
the efficient use of an engines RPM's. In many cases this means running the
engine at a reduced RPM than we are normally accustomed too, but it's
actually a more efficient use of the engines power. Gone should be the days
of screaming an engine at 15,000 rpm's on the ground with a 10/6 up front.
You will find that running the engine down around 10,000 - 12,000 rpms with
sufficiently more pitch will improve an aircraft flight performance.
The last item we will cover is one that for the most part goes
unnoticed, the carburetor. The venture of the carb with it's accelerating
air can lead to a high noise reading. In most cases this is only 1-2 DB
but can prove to be that little extra you will need to quiet your favorite
bird down. The common method of reducing the noise is the use of an air
filter. There are a number of them on the market that work. A porous
piece of foam can be stretched over the carb and held on with rubber bands
to make an effective cleaner. Just make sure the foam is compatible with
the fuel you are using. One side benefit is that the engine will see a
reduced amount of dirt particles. This will extend the life of the engines.
Don't forget to periodically remove and clean the air filter.
Remember that it is a combination of factors that leads to a
reduction in noise emissions. The first being the exhaust system followed
by prop selection and vibration isolation then venture noise and other
airframe vibration. Many of us have aircraft we've already built and are
flying. It's to late to install a vibration isolation soft engine mount,
OR IS IT? Below is a home brewed method I learned from a fellow modeler.
It can be used to retrofitted an existing airframe. It's also inexpensive.
I've used it a number of times, both as a retrofit and on a new airframe.
Presently I'm using it to isolate an OS108. Try it,it works!
Good Luck
Tom
1. Remove the engine from the engine mount.
2. Remove engine mount from fuse.
3. Drill out bolt holes for mounting of engine mount to
fuse to 1/4".
4. Cut four lengths of fuel tubing app. 1/8" longer than
the thickness of the back of the engine mount. These
pieces will pass through the 1/4" holes and should
protrude out app. 1/8"
5. Cut a rubber backer for the back of the engine mount.
Make sure the material you use isn't effected by the
glow fuel. We've been using some foam PVC rubber.
6. Slip a metal washer onto one of the engine mount, mounting
bolts. Slide a length of fuel tubing onto the bolt.
Push this into the engine mount. Repeat for the other
three bolts.
7. Now slide the rubber backer over the bolts and adjacent
to the rear of the engine mount.
8. Apply a little Loctite(or similar) thread lock to the
engine mount, mounting bolts.
9. Position the assembly against the firewall and screw the
bolts into the captive "T" nuts. Tighten this down until
the fuel tubing and the rubber backing become slightly
deformed.
10. Reinstall the engine to the engine mount. If there is
no cowl you can use the same engine mounting holes without
any significant change in CG.
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