Noob Question: Mini Guinea, should motors spin in opposite directions

[LundiThembi]

I just built the Mini Guinea, the power kit comes with CW and CCW props. Question....

1. Does this mean that one motor should spin CW and the other CCW?

2. If so, won't the CW motor nut loosen as it spins?

Thanks

 

[Pieliker96]

I just built the Mini Guinea, the power kit comes with CW and CCW props. Question....

1. Does this mean that one motor should spin CW and the other CCW?

2. If so, won't the CW motor nut loosen as it spins?

Thanks

1. Yes. Counter-rotating props equalize asymmetric tendencies which improves handling. Typically, the props rotate inwards at the top to minimize the asymmetric effects of an engine failure, though either configuration should work fine.

2. Yes, though if you keep it tight enough it'll stay on. Nylock nuts and threadlocking compound (ex. Loctite) help, as does keeping the nut tight in the first place. I've flown two pusher planes (motor and threads turning the opposite direction) with a non-nylock nut and no locking compound for ages and never had a problem - just make sure they're good and tight every once and a while. Reverse-threaded motors may also be available, especially if they're used on multirotors - but they're not worth it if you've already got a motor with the standard thread direction. Just make sure the prop nuts are torqued good and proper.

 

[LundiThembi]

1. Yes. Counter-rotating props equalize asymmetric tendencies which improves handling. Typically, the props rotate inwards at the top to minimize the asymmetric effects of an engine failure, though either configuration should work fine.

2. Yes, though if you keep it tight enough it'll stay on. Nylock nuts and threadlocking compound (ex. Loctite) help, as does keeping the nut tight in the first place. I've flown two pusher planes (motor and threads turning the opposite direction) with a non-nylock nut and no locking compound for ages and never had a problem - just make sure they're good and tight every once and a while. Reverse-threaded motors may also be available, especially if they're used on multirotors - but they're not worth it if you've already got a motor with the standard thread direction. Just make sure the prop nuts are torqued good and proper.

Got it! Thank you so much!

 

[Merv]

..... If so, won't the CW motor nut loosen as it spins?...

Yes, in quads, this is a real problem, not so much with planes.

The difference, quad motors start and stop many times per second. It’s the starting and stopping that loosen the prop nut. Electric plane motors run at more or less a constant speed and are far less prone to loosening.

Just give your prop nut a good firm snug with a pliers & you will be fine.

FYI, glow engine uses the prop as a fly wheel, the momentum from the prop is used to spin the motor through the compression stage. When the engine fires, the prop speed increases until it hits another compression. This constant change in momentum will loosen a prop nut, similar to a quad.

 

[boogieloo]

Thanks for the info. If the engine turns counter clockwise, just reverse the propeller. Which was in an inward position from the middle of the propeller. That is the thrust.