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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 23, 2009 0:36:00 GMT -5
Okay, we all know it's not Gaui... but I'm getting a T-Rex 450 pro for Christmas, so I'm gonna be building it over that weekend. I'll be taking pictures so I'm gonna post some here. Maybe someone will gain from all my mistakes!  Scott |
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9sec240
Full Member
naturalasperiphobic
Posts: 261
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Post by 9sec240 on Dec 23, 2009 0:41:34 GMT -5
Good luck with the electronics. It is a tough bird to wire up. Consider mounting the Ele servo on the outside of the frame as I did. Use a spacer as thick as the frame on the top mount.  |
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Post by Jerrymac on Dec 23, 2009 3:35:24 GMT -5
Good luck with the build Scott.
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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 23, 2009 3:56:27 GMT -5
Thanks, Ivan... Man, you know I've been sitting on that helicopter since Thanksgiving... it hasn't been easy. But... it will soon take to the skies in a glorious display of mismanaged collective , by me. The wait is almost over! Thanks, Jerry. I'm chomping at the bit... first, for a little time off work and second, to get that helicopter built and in the air. I've been flying the T-Rex 450 pro model on Phoenix and it's FAST. Scott |
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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 27, 2009 1:30:19 GMT -5
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Post by Jerrymac on Dec 27, 2009 1:44:06 GMT -5
Seems like a rather intricate build. I had to help with dinner today and entertain the family, so missed out on a great day for flying. Good luck on the new build. Hope all them Align helis don't make you abandon the Hurri  . Jerry |
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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 28, 2009 0:04:54 GMT -5
Intricate? Not really. Just tight quarters. It does have some gotcha's though... One... the standard 450 swashplate leveler does not work on the Pro. I had to order one. Should be here Wednesday at the earliest. Also, doing the tail setup is a PITA. I stripped the threads on the tail servo mount so I had to CA a screw in after I was done. It stripped because I had to remove the two lower screws so I could rock the tray in order to install/remove the link from the rudder servo for adjusting. Also, I thought more than once that I would bend the tail control rod when tightening/loosening the ball link. Thankfully, that didn't happen. Some other notes: 1. Every metal/metal screw on the frame was threadlocked from the factory... normally that would be a good thing, but the frame really needs to be sanded prior to building so wires don't get cut. It was threadlocked so good that I stripped the head on one of the motor mount screws--it was that tight. The standard cutting a slot in the head of the screw didn't work at all, so I had to grind the head off to get the screw to the point where I could remove the mount and turn the screw with needle nose pliers. 2. The head is like butter. Silky smooth and ZERO slop anywhere. Most screws were threadlocked but I found only one of the feathering shaft bolts were threadlocked. Thrust bearings needed grease, as well. Two balls on the swash needed to be threadlocked as well. 3. I think the manual is wrong with respect to servo-swash link size. On my helicopter, stock length is too long. This is evidenced by the washout arms not being level to each other. It's only a little off, so I will have to shorten the links in the morning. 4. The Align gyro is super easy to setup. I'm very happy with that. Based on other peoples input, it also holds awesomely. 5. The ESC came programmed just as I would have done. So, no problem there. 6. The tail servo that came with the kit (DS520, I believe) has way more throw than will ever be needed. It is imperative to set endpoints properly. Having more throw than ever needed means this tail is one quick mother! Maiden may happen in the morning, if it's not snowing. Unfortunately, they're calling for 1-3 inches. Which in my area means 2-6 inches. They always underestimate where I live. No way will I abandon the Hurricane. It's an awesome helicopter. I love flying it. In fact, it's my main joy in this hobby. Scott Seems like a rather intricate build. I had to help with dinner today and entertain the family, so missed out on a great day for flying. Good luck on the new build. Hope all them Align helis don't make you abandon the Hurri . Jerry |
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Post by Jerrymac on Dec 28, 2009 2:19:58 GMT -5
Scott, glad to see that you are getting all the "kinks" worked out while it is still on the bench. For me, it is really disappointing to rush through a build thinking I got everything right only to have something go "haywire" on the maiden flight just because I missed something during the build.
It is not like I try to rush through a build or repair, it is just kinda a habit. As a heavy truck mechanic I only get a set amount of time to do a certain job, and I gotta work "full tilt" to get it done in time.
As an example, I am allowed a total of 24 hours to do a complete, in chassis overhaul on a Mack diesel engine.
Since you take your time with your heli builds and go over every detail I am sure that it will fly great when you are finished.
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9sec240
Full Member
naturalasperiphobic
Posts: 261
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Post by 9sec240 on Dec 28, 2009 8:49:50 GMT -5
Awesome Scott. Hope the weather holds out for you.
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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 28, 2009 13:50:10 GMT -5
Sadly, it hasn't, Ivan. Still snowing horizontally--Lots of wind. I redid the subtrims and shortened the links. I looked at the Finless video for head setup and he had to shorten links to the swash, as well. So... it's all about leveling the swash.
Damn! Why didn't I read more.
Scott
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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 30, 2009 17:49:07 GMT -5
I maidened the T-Rex 450 pro today! Everyone was right. The helicopter is super fast and responsive. I tried to shoot video, but I misaimed the hat cam so all I got were shots of the ground, the sky, my commentary, and motor noise.  I'm so disappointed. I wanted to get a great maiden video and blew it. Anyhow, the helicopter is so fast it's going to take some getting used to. I started out with 35 percent expo on pitch and aileron but that proved to be too much. I went to 25, but that was too little, so I went to 30. I found out my normal throttle curve was too low in flight as the helicopter had the typical T-Rex tail bob, so that needs to be kicked up some. Hopefully I'll be able to get some flying in while I'm off. I really want to get the 450pro going! If anyone wants to see the helicopter-free maiden video, let me know. I'll post it. Scott |
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Post by Jerrymac on Dec 31, 2009 0:59:17 GMT -5
Glad to hear that the maiden flight was a success. you can always post the video in the off-topic section since there is no heli in it. ;D  |
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Post by dunkonu23 on Dec 31, 2009 1:00:21 GMT -5
Here it is... my wife and I cracked up when we watched the whole thing! Scott |
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Post by dunkonu23 on Jan 2, 2010 21:16:04 GMT -5
Welp, it looks like I've got a pretty hard to track down issue with the T-Rex 450 pro. It drifts hard to the left. So much so, I have to hold about 1/4 right aileron to hold it in a hover. I'm going to get it, but it's going to be slow. I'm half way thinking it's the cold having an effect on the electronics/mechanical. I'm probably going to wait to fly it again until we get a day above freezing. From the looks of the weather reports, that's not happening this week. It's likely to get sub-zero very soon.
Scott
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Post by Jerrymac on Jan 2, 2010 21:59:19 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that Scott. I am sure you will get it figured out though.
One thing I noticed in your second video (the one with the helicopter in it,lol) is that the heli didn't seem to have that "normal" tilt to the right that all my helis have when just sitting there in a hover.
I think it is caused by the tail blades being lower than the main blades, but all of my helis seem to "lean" slightly to the right when just hovering,I dunno.
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Post by dunkonu23 on Jan 3, 2010 2:46:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I know. It's the only one that doesn't lean. I have no clue why this thing is doing what it's doing, other than it needs right trim and I'm very hesitant to do that.
Scott
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Post by dunkonu23 on Jan 5, 2010 23:06:26 GMT -5
Well, I got the issue sorted out. Turns out nature has the strangest ways of telling you you shouldn't be outside. Yep, it was the cold that caused the problem with left drift. I went to an indoor facility today and flew the 450 pro. It was absolutely perfect! So, I'm thinking it's not a good thing to fly a new helicopter in below freezing temps. I'll be heading to the indoor facility every Tuesday to get it broken in! Scott |
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Post by Jerrymac on Jan 6, 2010 3:30:48 GMT -5
Hmm, that is strange. I have flown my BH450 and the Hurri 550 in both nice warm weather, and cold, and it didn't seem to affect the flight much, except for the BH450 that has a cheap Telebee gyro on it. Had to let it get acclimated to the cold for a few minutes before flying.
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Post by billmay on Jan 6, 2010 10:34:37 GMT -5
Scott, I agree with Jerry that the kind of severe left drift you had is still not normal just based on cold temps. I can take both my 3DX450SE (probably not too dissimilar from your TREX 450 Pro) and my H550 directly out into freezing temps, with no acclimation period, and I don't see that kind of a severe left drift. You might expect some tail drift because of the temp effect on the gyro but I can't see why cold temps would cause the whole heli to drift in any one particular direction. Perhaps there is one particular servo, or something along those lines, that is being affected??
Bill
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Post by dunkonu23 on Jan 6, 2010 11:45:51 GMT -5
Awww... guys!!! Just let me enjoy the moment! I took it outside today... the links do get very tight!  Scott |
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I'm so disappointed. I wanted to get a great maiden video and blew it. 
