RE: The Better HeliPro Black Hawk
Are you using metal geared servos? If not, make sure nothing got stripped! I have HS-65's and they took a helluva beating but eventually, I had to regear. Scott
Posted on: 11/20/2009 10:12 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268898

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I wish I had a dome around here to visit... The best place would be the Pontiac Silverdome, it's a wreck now, though.... Scott, home alone and bored.... I did change to outrunner mode... flying tomorrow... 50's here, too!
Posted on: 11/20/2009 9:27 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268784

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I think I'm going to check out Outrunner mode on my Castle tomorrow. Might as well compare. Remember that boredom thing... hitting home hard, now. Scott
Posted on: 11/20/2009 8:33 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268652

RE: The Better HeliPro Black Hawk
Hey Giz... sorry about your crash, too. That would have soiled my shorts, bro. Losing signal or a servo failure really has me worried. I hope your fixed bird flies just as good as the pre-crash version. I reallly liked your night flight video. I sent a link to it to the folks at ExperienceRC and thanked them for coming though (even though I knew they would) for you. Scott
Posted on: 11/20/2009 1:07 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267721

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Hey Chuck.. I just got in the habit of using the Weller when I started using larger lipo's with 10-12 gauge wire. My little iron couldn't cut it... sure the wire would get hot... hot enough to burn my fingers, but not hot enough to flow solder. Now, in two seconds I'm done tinning that big bunch of wire. :) I'd much rather use my little iron, but it's not hot enough. It was plenty hot for 3C 2200 mAh batteries and controllers. When I replaced the wires on my Align servos, I used the small iron... quick work there! :) But yeah, it is a trip down memory lane. I've had a Weller gun since I was a kid making 1/24 scale slot cars from scratch. Scott
Posted on: 11/20/2009 1:04 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9267715

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Eddie... cleaning the tips... Wet sponge. Seriously. Heat up the iron, then wipe it on the sponge. If you want to clean it to the metal, just use a light metal brush. After you clean the tip to the metal, flow some solder on it, that'll make it easier to solder, as well. Also, like Jeff, I use a Weller soldering gun on connectors. It heats up pretty quick and you don't have to leave it on the connector very long at all to get it hot enough to flow solder and that's important because plastic on connectors can melt. Tinning wires is also easy with more heat. Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 10:00 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266476

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Just use 60/40 resin core solder. Never use acid core solder for electronics. Remember, the thicker the wire, the hotter the iron needs to be. Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 7:39 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266109

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Hey Eddie... just make sure you use a really hot iron and it'll all flow just fine. :) Have you ever seen a pilot fly with that much pop? I haven't. It's insane. There's a video of him test flying a Vibe 90 and it's even faster! Last I heard about him was that he was an unsponsored pilot... can you believe that? Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 12:31 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265201

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I dunno if you guys are into this sort of flying or have seen this video, but the link below holds some of the most insane flying I've ever seen in my short time with the hobby. I honestly can't comprehend thinking that fast. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuP0xvAvFhk Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 11:03 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265031

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Just a quick update. I downloaded and installed the Castle upgrade to 3.0. It worked just fine. I've opted for not selecting outrunner mode for the motor for the time being because it seems the majority of folks on Castle's forum elsewhere are running at PWM 8, so I did, too. Other than that, I kept everything as it was and see no issues after four packs. Just thought I'd share that. I had a late day at work (because of a change gone bad and a meeting) and it's a break in the rain, so it seemed like a good time. I'll be on days tomorrow so I won't be able to fly at all. I don't think I could have installed the software and not flown. :) I have to say that the helicopter has never flown better. I didn't do anything radical, but it's killing me not be able to show y'all what I'm doing. I feel like I'm leeching off the group, here by getting vicarious jollies from all the wonderful flying you all do. In time, I'll have the hat cam! Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 10:50 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265009

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Hey Jeff, Thanks for the reply. It's informative. :) If I have time in the morning, I'll take a couple pictures of the tail assembly and show you where I think it can be lightened. :) Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 4:23 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264566

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
IRCHA 2009 Video... Kind of boring. I absolutely hated hated, hated the music they chose to accompany the project. I bought the Blu ray version... The highlight for me was this: about two minutes in, my wife and I are in the video! :) I remember thinking when I saw the camera guy... why is he here? Nobody is flying.. then of course, the Helifreak crew was there... Will James, Debian Dog, and of course, Finless Bob. Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 3:05 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264524

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Nice flying, Jon! :) I liked the music, too. Very relaxing here at 3am in the states. :) Thanks for including song credits, as well. :) I really liked the nose in stuff. If only I were so brave... well, I am... I just don't do it for real. Simulator, I'm all over it. :) Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 3:02 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264523

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I just finished reading all the stuff on the new software update for Castle ESC's. I'm gonna go ahead and upgrade in the morning after work. Why? I think I've got motor squeal. I was thinking it was a bearing, but as I read the messages on the Castle forum, I remembered the squeal went away when I used the Hyperion motor. So, upgrade cometh... Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 1:51 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264475

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I know boredom... I'm staring it straight in the eye as I type this. It's terribly insidious. It creeps in a grabs you in an instant. Thankfully, it's easy to shake to wit: Jeff.. you know you have the old torque tube? The old one has the plastic ends... that pesky plastic adds lots of dead weight! :) LOL! Seriously... I've been following this discussion and there's a lot of merit in each side's points. To add a historical note to the discussion, torque tubes used to be standard back in the day. Then someone came up with belt drive and that became the standard. Then some pro's started using torque tubes and now a lot of people want them. Honestly, in my mind, a properly set up tail is a properly set up tail regardless of whether its belt driven or torque tube driven. I know my Hurricane has a belt and its tail is now so locked in, it's crazy. My Trex 500 esp has a torque tube (the new one! :)) and it holds every bit as good as the Hurricane. I hate the belt in the BH500. It'll hold for four or five flights, then I'm adjusting belt tension. I think the difference there is belt quality. The Hurricane uses what I believe to be is a cut down small car timing belt. It's not breaking or wearing out ever, I believe. The teeth on that belt are vicious! The BH500 uses a rather flimsy belt that I think is prone to stretching, then recovery. It's odd. I know a lot of folks upgraded to a different tail but I was too new to even think about that and now, it's probably not worth it. Jeff, I wonder how much you're going regain in your T-Rex project. I know you had what 15 grams the other day? It's an interesting project, bro. I would be terrified to mess with the gears (there IS an echo in here). Well not terrfied but I would really think twice. That said I think there's room for grindage in the torque tube tail assembly.. especially the area that surrounds the gear and in the end plates. Are you thinking of grinding some CF from the frame? Just wondering. Scott
Posted on: 11/19/2009 1:18 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9264437

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Jon, good deal about getting the return worked out. I do think it's kind of odd they won't upgrade shipping...that's a customer service issue. Scott
Posted on: 11/18/2009 12:03 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262771

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
I'm kind of holding out for about a week or so more on the Castle update... I want to see more of what people are saying. Right now, my ICE works great so it doesn't hurt to leave it for a bit longer. On the tail issue... I'm probably dead wrong, but I've been thinking about it. It seems to me there's some stored energy being released when the OWB becomes a factor that causes the tail to over correct at that time. It also seems to me that after watching the videos again that there's a gain issue; perhaps just a bit on the high side because you can hear it in the tail blades during turns (I think that was mentioned). So, where to start? First, I'd lower the gain a bit and see what that does. Next, like I wrote, I'd at least try the 8 degree tail blade thing. It can't hurt. I'm no pro by any stretch of the most fertile imagination on the planet, but I know pro's set rate mode. If you choose to do that, and you have a mechanical end point adjustment on your gyro, set the endpoints again. If that doesn't help, then it's definitely mechanical. I know everything has been done, but I did everything on my BH500 until I got it fixed. It's clear it bothers you, Eddie so there you go. Another thing to look at depends on how you set gain. If you're using gear auto sense, then you can try adjusting the rudder channel end points to see if that helps. If all else fails, rebuild. I guess I'm a bit anal about things with tail (anal/tail/anal/tail... I'm not going there any further!!:)) things. I think that's because I had so many issues in the past that I worked through and really found out that tail setup is an art in a lot of cases. Scott
Posted on: 11/18/2009 12:02 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262769

RE: Helipro Blackhawk owners; Past, Present, Future
I hear you about the leaves...I did my last cut about a week ago. I got all the leaves in that cut! :) I still have to put down fall fertilizer though... I kind of dread that, but it's cheaper than having a lawn service company do it. Last time I had a company do my fertilizing, they killed 80 percent of my front yard. So, I do it myself and get better results! I hope you get to fly before the winter closes in. I hope I do, too. I didn't get to fly at all last week because I was on days for a class. Just as well, though. Yesterday, I found one last piece of damage from my motor failure. The tail rotor hub on my Hurricane was bent. I kind of figured it would be so when I ordered parts, I ordered an extra tail assembly. I'm kind of ticked about that. It has been sitting at the post office in Detroit for two days and just yesterday it made its way to Pontiac. I hope it comes today because I'm off tomorrow and can get to replacing the hub and flying. The T-Rex is perfect, but it has been a bit windy here so I'm hesitant to fly that. Today should be perfect, wind-wise though. I got two more batteries for the Hurricane so that means I can either trash the Turnigy's I've been using to bring my count up to four, or still use them sparingly; they're puffed a bit. I didn't really want to spend the money on new Hyperions but I figured I'd get them now, break them in, and see what happens weather wise. I do plan to fly in the winter, but I don't know how much. I guess that depends on how cold it gets. Usually, when its cold here, it gets very windy. I just hope both of us gets flying weather. I have to get better at flying somehow! Scott
Posted on: 11/18/2009 4:08 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9262159

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Eddie... how about the tail drive bearing? The one under the belt at the front of the tail block. Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:00 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261610

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Eddie, Might seem basic, but here goes... Is the leading edge of the tail rotor blade rotating up into the downwash of the main rotor blades? At center rudder,is there an angle in the tail blades? If the answer to the first question is no, the rotational direction needs to be reversed. In the second question, we open the door for a holy war... Here's why... a lot of people, myself included, set up our gyros first in rate mode. This means the tail will hold in hover with no input while the gyro is in rate mode. Once that's done, I set it to heading hold and it's all good. Once done, at center rudder, typically, the tail rotor angle is at or near 8 degrees. A lot of people say, "Screw that!" and center their tail and go straight to heading hold and say their tail holds rock solid. A lot of gyros say it's not necessary to set up in rate mode. I'd do it anyway because I believe it will give you a balanced tail. I went through all the normal stuff of adjust, hover, adjust hover and when I got it, I used a smaller pitch guage and wrote down the angle of the blades. In all three of my helicopters, it was exactly 8 degrees. So, now, to set up the tail, I put on a pitch guage and adust links and/or servo position until I get 8 degrees on the tail blades and it works great. That's a start. My BH500 had a left tail kick when I hit throttle hold. I found some mechanical issues. 1. The belt was too loose and then too tight. I played with that for a while. 2. I had some binding in the pitch slider. 3. I changed the grip orientation to leading edge control. I checked and made sure the bearings on the tail output shaft weren't binding, as well. It could be your blades, but if you're using the standard 450 sized blades, and they're not defective, I'd say it's something like the tail setup or some mechanical issue. Scott [quote]ORIGINAL: baurwin [quote]I saw the mini-Auto at the end also ! Good job... If your that low, just remember to quickly add some positive pitch to flare her to get the bird to come down slower. You'll get it, and very quickly also... I know you will, especially once you get the "feel" of what to expect.[/quote] dont mean to get off the subject, but i was back reading and remembered i wanted to comment on this but never did. i think im losing alot of inertia from having to fight my tail after cutting power. my tail wants to go left pretty hard when i correct it, it seems like that would generate force against my already decreasing head speed. im not sure why my tail does this, as its been doing it for a while. wonder if it could be the smaller kbdd tail blades or something, maybe something else???[8|] [/quote]
Posted on: 11/17/2009 7:09 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261123

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Wow.. can of worms... opened! :) Spillage! The carnage... Oh, the humanity! Locking the flybar... I used to use an allen wrench, then I bought this... much easier! :) http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=ELRC500 Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 5:29 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260848

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Not to start a holy war about swash levelers, but....I would get this swash leveler: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/products_id/14671/n/Trueblood-T-Rex-450-V2-Swashplate-Leveler I've got one and it's one that won't rest on the links; it will rest on the swash plate arms. I've also got the Trueblood leveler for the T-Rex 500, same story... not on links. On the arms. Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 4:08 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260658

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Philly, LOL...Hey, if your wife started it for you, then it's great and so is she! :) You should have seen how bright Nick Maxwell's helicopter was during the night flying competition at IRCHA. It was very easy for him see the ground when he was close, but man, just being able to judge where the ground is when you're coming down has to be a skill that comes at some expense! :) One day, maybe for me. I just have to learn how to fly during the day, first. :) You and everyone else has a huge leg up in that regard and it's inspiring. Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 12:16 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260200

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
The software that came with my camera sucks. It's good for getting stuff on youtube, but that's about it. I've tried Adobe Premier, CyberLink PowerDirector, Corel VideoStudio and the list goes on and on. Back in the day, I would have gotten PO'ed and wrote my own, but I just don't have the time, now. Oh, well. :) Yeah, I saw that streak go in and out of frame... looked pretty close, too. One time, a plane went by somewhere at the same time your helicopter flew by and the sound was pretty much linked up and I'm thinking... "Whoa! That can't be his helicopter!" I've never tried to fly to music... I have idea's about what I'd like to do to music, but I just don't have the skill, yet. :) Jeff...what are you using for video? Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 2:55 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259560

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Cool video, Philly! Nice colors on the night helicopter, too. Is it bright enough to see the ground when you're low? My wife kind of hints at getting me night flying gear after seeing the night flying competition at IRCHA. Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 1:37 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259502

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
What are you using for editing? I've been downloading stuff and nothing seems to do what I want it to do.... I am almost tempted to load video into Sonar and use that. Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 1:35 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259497

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Sorry Jon... no Youtube videos of me playing guitar. I never really thought to do it. One day when I'm not busy on the simulator or trying to avoid real trees... I'll post something. Scott
Posted on: 11/17/2009 12:00 AM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259361

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Hey Eddie, You're getting too good at video editing and sounttrack selection... Wow! Very entertaining! [quote]ORIGINAL: baurwin some 450 action from sunday. [link]http://vimeo.com/7647544[/link] [/quote]
Posted on: 11/16/2009 11:57 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259354

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
You know Bill, I don't know if my kit is old or not. I know I bought it at IRCHA as a 425, but it's odd, the manual for that kit isn't on the Gaui site at all. It's in the manual, but not listed as a replacement part. Scott [quote]ORIGINAL: billmay [quote]ORIGINAL: dunkonu23 Bill, Here's the pictures... It's in my manual, but interestingly enough, there's
Posted on: 11/16/2009 11:49 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259338

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Not me, ever. It seems to me that part of the warranty contract unless otherwise stated should be that you pay for shippng to them and they pay for return shipping. Upgrades over the standard should be done as you state. I'd look at their returns policy with a very critical eye. [quote]ORIGINAL: jon6565 Just a quick change of subject... I had to send one of my Turnigy Accucel 6 chargers back as it just stopped working... They finally got it and agreed that it should be replaced. I ask to have it sent back EMS but they have asked for the full $18.95... I assumed that they sent it back at their cost (I paid to get it to them...). I thought they would send normal registered post and I would pay the difference to EMS... Anybody have any experience of that? JL [/quote]
Posted on: 11/16/2009 11:46 PM by Author "dunkonu23" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259333