WWI Engine Limiter

[Boxboy]

 What I am trying to understand is how this thing works???  I thought it was there to stop the engine from over revving when it exceeded it max speed but after testing the DR1 what it actually does is give the DR1 30 mph or KPH (not sure what speedo is showing) more speed with no engine damage (in a dive not on the level).

In a dogfight with it off the engine will start to overrev and damage itself at 120 with it on the number is 150, thereby giving the DR1 a HUGH advantage with it on.  When it is off the DR1 seems to have what I would suspect is the "correct" FM altho I of couse have never flown a real DR1, I have read the specs on it and with the limiter off it seems to match those specs.

I had thought that with the aide on you just would be unable to exceed 120 and thereby not damage the engine and if that were true then guys would turn it off and fly the DR1 as it should be flown IMHO.

[Agent360]

The limiter is controlling your throttle.

With it off if you dive at full throttle the prop will catch wind and spin faster exceeding acceptable rpm's

With it on if you dive it will throttle your engine back and you achive a faster dive before you over rev in rpm's from the wind spinning the prop.

You can achieve faster speed with if OFF but you have to be quick on the throttle to stop the over rev.

With it on it allows you to think less about throttle.

But I can assure you you can fly the edge much better with it off.

[Boxboy]

But if over rev occurs at 120 with it off, shouldn't over rev occur as the same speed with it on????  I understand the throttle is shut down by the govenor, but the engine spec should be the same no???? i.e. with it off and dive engine knock occurs at 120 and with it on it occurs at 150.

This is with the throttle pulled back to zero in both case's and I am not sure a govenor would stop the air from turning the prop????

[hitech]

The rev limiter only shuts the throttle off, nothing more nothing less, over rev occurs the same rpm regardless of the limiter.

HiTech

[Yeager]

whats the whole purpose of the engine governor again?  I thought it was to prevent engine over speed....now its a throttle limiter?

Most of the hotshot Dr1 drivers say they disable it, that it gives them an advantage to have it turned off?

I don't know.......mongo not smart.

[Boxboy]

The rev limiter only shuts the throttle off, nothing more nothing less, over rev occurs the same rpm regardless of the limiter.

HiTech

???? then why the difference on the speedo as to when knock begins??? 120/150

[bustr]

You mean I could leave that thing on and stop worrying about blipping the engine on and off?

[hitech]

???? then why the difference on the speedo as to when knock begins??? 120/150

You are throttle back when you do not have the Governor on correct?

Because I just went and tested DR1 and it hit exactly the same rpm with governor on or throttle back.

HiTech

[1701E]

???? then why the difference on the speedo as to when knock begins??? 120/150

The governor throttles the engine back when 'On' so in a dive it lowers your engine RPM to a point that is 'acceptable'.  When you dive with it 'off' and don't cut throttle the RPM then gets pushed to its max faster.  The knocking is the engine over-revving and that is dependent on RPM, not speed.  With it 'on' you won't push RPM into the red, but you may go slower (not sure how much if any) in a dive since you get throttled back.

[Yeager]

whats the advantage to using it or not, again?

One thing is for sure: It is more difficult to fly those crates with the governor off.  

[Boxboy]

You are throttle back when you do not have the Governor on correct?

Because I just went and tested DR1 and it hit exactly the same rpm with governor on or throttle back.

HiTech

Yes I chop throttle to zero, tip into a dive at 120 on the speedo I get the engine knocking sound with the limiter off, using the same techique with it on I can get 150 before I get the knocking sound????  You say you cannot duplicate that??? weird

[1701E]

Yes I chop throttle to zero, tip into a dive at 120 on the speedo I get the engine knocking sound with the limiter off, using the same techique with it on I can get 150 before I get the knocking sound????  You say you cannot duplicate that??? weird

You sure you're hearing the engine over-revving sound?  The RPM gauge needle should be in the red if it's the engine knocking.  Test done with Dr1:

Gov on                                   Gov off
 Throttle at max                       Throttle at max
+150mph                                 +150mph
+In a steep dive                       + In a steep dive
Engine doesn't knock                 Engine knocks and breaks shortly after



Gov on                                    Gov Off
 Throttle Chopped                       Throttle Chopped
+150mph                                   +150mph
+In a steep dive                         +In a steep dive
Engine does not knock                  Engine does not knock


During all the tests after a speed of about 130 or so the plane itself starts to creak but the engine sounds are only when mentioned.  I have a film and can upload if needed.  If you're testing these conditions and still hear the sound then you should film it as it may be a bug somewhere.

[Boxboy]

   I misspoke the dive is with full throttle.  With limiter off knock occurs at 120 with limter on knock at 150.  Sorry Dale I guess my old age is getting in the way 

[Yellow39]

interesting facts ...