Vernier vs vernier assist

[Racerx]

Replaced the prop vernier control earlier this year and after feeling how well that operates decided I need to replace the mixture and throttle as well. The throttle is a twist lock and very smooth. The mixture has a bit of lag and quite sticky. Don't know when they were replaced. If ever. Didnt see anything in the logs.

McFarlane for my serial number offers a vernier assist style control for the throttle which looks pretty slick. Would never go straight vernier for the throttle, but the assist has me intrigued.

They do not offer any cable for the mixture for my serial number. So I'm sending that in to get custom made.

Any pireps on the vernier assist? And would you go vernier or vernier assist on the mixture?

 

[robin ardoin]

Funny that you post the question this morning as I was just unpacking a vernier assist throttle cable that will be installed in a T210. A friend just bought a Columbia 350 that has a vernier throttle cable and he said it takes a little bit of time to get accustomed to it but he likes it very much. The nuance as compared to a standard cable, if I understand him correctly, is that when advancing to full power, he may have to turn the vernier, once pushed to the firewall, to get the last bit of cable movement to achieve full throttle. I happened to order the assist model that has the friction lock (his has a center button like a standard vernier prop/mixture cable). I assumed that mine would function like his but, perhaps it will provide full throttle if I 'firewall' it regardless of the vernier position. That would be a nice feature but not a deal killer.

 

[MooneyDriver78]

I have it, generally don’t find much use to have the throttle finely adjusted except when at idle.
I replaced all my control cables as well.

 

[DaleB]

We’ve been flying with a Vernier assist throttle cable on our RV-12 for a few years now. We all love it, no drawbacks at all.

 

[Racerx]

I have it, generally don’t find much use to have the throttle finely adjusted except when at idle.
I replaced all my control cables as well.

I think I'll spring for the vernier assist throttle but keep the mixture vernier.

I could see the assist coming in handy making power adjustments on approach. It can be a little finicky. Going from 20" to 17"...I always seem to pass it up and end up at 14.

 

[robin ardoin]

I could see the assist coming in handy making power adjustments on approach. It can be a little finicky. Going from 20" to 17"...I always seem to pass it up and end up at 14.

That is one of the reasons to consider the vernier, ease of setting the MAP on descent during an instrument approach although just replacing the 25yr old control my be all I need.

 

[brcase]

I think I'll spring for the vernier assist throttle but keep the mixture vernier.

I could see the assist coming in handy making power adjustments on approach. It can be a little finicky. Going from 20" to 17"...I always seem to pass it up and end up at 14.

I like that setup. No reason to use vernier assist on the Mixture but it is nice on the throttle. Especially on aircraft where small throttle movements result in pretty large power changes and/or when you want to accurate set the power.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL

 

[WalterH]

I have the vernier assist throttle in my Bonanza. It’s “ok” for me, not great. The vernier is used often, but it doesn’t work as predictably as a true locking vernier. I tend to need to add slight pressure in the direction I’m moving while twisting, and “2 twists” doesn’t always get the same result if that makes sense. How much the throttle moves with each twist also seems to be Influenced by the friction setting.

The OEM throttle was a button locking vernier. The McFarlane it’s easier to use than that was, and I wouldn’t want to lose the twist for fine adjustment, imperfect as it is.

 

[dmspilot]

I used to fly a plane with a vernier throttle. It was largely a pain in the butt, however, it was nice being able to make small adjustments. This seems like the best of both worlds.

 

[CA182R]

I have the vernier assist throttle from McFarlane for many years, perhaps since it came out. I like it. A great addition. It functions like a regular throttle cable with a ring for locking and pull and push motion, but in addition you can turn it for fine adjustment. I use it most of the time but especially when leaning after engine start to bring back RPM to 1,000. I also use it in climb and in descent to smoothly maintain MAP. Perhaps some vernier throttles have a button like for the mixture, but the mcfarlane doesn't. So the operation is no different than normal cable except for having the extra option to rotate it meaningfully.

 

[Pinecone]

That is slick. May need to replace my throttle cable next annual.

 

[Racerx]

Both vernier assist throttle and vernier mixture shipped yesterday. Way sooner than I was expecting. Sent McFarlane my mixture to measure it for me just so I didn't screw it up.