RcHeliaddict - Blogs http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/ Europes Largest RC Helicopter online discussion forum with videos, gallerys, classifieds and more en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:18:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/images/misc/rss.jpg RcHeliaddict - Blogs http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/ <![CDATA[What's next]]> http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/davidehowell/585-whats-next.html Mon, 20 May 2013 19:45:30 GMT Hi all, looking for recommendations, I'm using a Blade 120 and I am quite happy with my progress with this Heli, I also have a Nano, which at the moment is far too twitchy for me, and cannot seem to calm it down, and finally a Interceptor 400 which can wait for a while, any of you got any suggestions for step up from the 120. Thanks for any inputs. ]]> Davidehowell http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/davidehowell/585-whats-next.html interceptor 400 canopy upgrade http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/rossoroth/584-interceptor-400-canopy-upgrade.html Sun, 19 May 2013 13:23:48 GMT Hi guys, just wondering what canopy's people have used for larger lipos on their interceptor 400

Cheers ]]> Rossoroth http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/rossoroth/584-interceptor-400-canopy-upgrade.html Did YOU CRASH today http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/liamm+%3Dd/583-did-you-crash-today.html Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:18:22 GMT ---Quote (Originally by KevDavies)--- Ahh fair enough then so just blades, skids n a few links then? Not bad that apart for the barbequed carbon but...
Quote Originally Posted by KevDavies View Post
Ahh fair enough then so just blades, skids n a few links then? Not bad that apart for the barbequed carbon but thats not the crashes fault. If theyre as tough as you say I could be swayed, theres no getting away from the fact the look the dogs wobbly bits

  • ahah both frames are fooked but there a crunch zone and there only 30 each or what ever still need to look it over its just in a plastic bag at the moment =D
]]> liamm =D http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/liamm+%3Dd/583-did-you-crash-today.html mcpx v2 problem http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/ray+benson/582-mcpx-v2-problem.html Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:06:57 GMT
Quote Originally Posted by Ray Benson View Post
Hi,
Once again many thanks, seems to be ok to windy outside today to try, and I'm not ready to try it indoors yet, plus I'm fairly new to computer R/C gear so you may soon get sick of hearing from me, again many thanks
:tears_of_joy: ]]> Ray Benson http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/ray+benson/582-mcpx-v2-problem.html Pheonix sim http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/david+swindell/581-pheonix-sim.html Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:05:42 GMT HI CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP!! I AM USING MY PHEONIX SIMULATOR ON MY PC BUT HAVE TRIED TO CONNECT HEADPHONES TO IT BUT IT'S NOT WORKING BUT THE PHEONIX ITS SAYING ACTIVATED??? BUT I CANT TALK TO ANYONE? WHAT AM I DOING WRONG ANY CLUES??? :ambivalence: ]]> david swindell http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/david+swindell/581-pheonix-sim.html DIY PSU pic http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/580-diy-psu-pic.html Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:43:34 GMT Attachment 57705 (http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/attachments/beginners/57705-help-my-helo-has-seized-8555134157_0fd057b1d0_b.jpg) Click image for larger version.  Name: 8555134157_0fd057b1d0_b.jpg  Views: 32  Size: 108.4 KB  ID: 57705 ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/580-diy-psu-pic.html bad wheather hobbey http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/igottomanyhelis/579-bad-wheather-hobbey.html Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:42:16 GMT its a 83 dt 80 mx,i had a 50 as a kid so decided to restore this one,its all stripped down and having all nuts bolts washers plated frame is being... its a 83 dt 80 mx,i had a 50 as a kid so decided to restore this one,its all stripped down and having all nuts bolts washers plated frame is being painted now,the engine is all done.
Attached Thumbnails
]]> igottomanyhelis http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/igottomanyhelis/579-bad-wheather-hobbey.html Progress with 550 build today - Braiding http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/578-progress-550-build-today-braiding.html Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:44:21 GMT I have spent all day today on the 550 build but I haven't got much further on because today I took off the frame side and braided the servo cables. I wasn't going to braid them at all, well, not immediately, but it does look much better and I wanted to know how to do it.

I am not completely satisfies with my efforts though and I may have to redo it at some point but that is for after it is completed.

The new HC3-SX arrived yesterday and so I now have everything needed to complete the build. I am busy next week and so if I don't finished it this week it will probably have to wait until the week after next to be completed. I don't mind too much as it gives the weather a chance to warm up a bit!

Click image for larger version.  Name: 8555257154_75c9306cc5_b.jpg  Views: 17  Size: 139.9 KB  ID: 57001 ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/578-progress-550-build-today-braiding.html Diy 1000w 24v psu http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/577-diy-1000w-24v-psu.html Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:18:01 GMT Having had lots of encouragement from other forum members to do it I decided to have a go at building a DIY 1000W power supply from server power... Having had lots of encouragement from other forum members to do it I decided to have a go at building a DIY 1000W power supply from server power supplies. There are a lot of threads on loads of forums about how to do this but I was nervous as getting it wrong could mean a fire or worse!

So I bought a couple of HP DPS-600 PSUs from ebay at the huge cost of £8 each. Last night I spent a couple of hours working out what to do and I have now made the necessary mods to float the DC ground on one of the units and it is ready for assemply once the 10AGW wire I ordered online arrives in the next few days.

Once it is assembled I will put up some pics and describe my build experience but to be honest, from what I have seen and done so far, anyone with any basic electrical knowledge could do this safely with the help that is available out there but don't be mislead... get it wrong and BANG! You must know what you are doing with a multi-meter and understand about continuity testing, soldering and the like.

More on this later. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/577-diy-1000w-24v-psu.html T-Rex 550e Build - Ready to test run http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/576-t-rex-550e-build-ready-test-run.html Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:57:37 GMT Made great progress today. Main assembly is complete but I haven't assembled the boom or tail yet but the main frame assembly is almost complete.

I have decided to run initially with the 3GX as I cannot find a HC3-SX anywhere in the UK. The new Demon branded devices will be out in a couple of weeks so I will probably get one of them when they are available in the UK.

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In the meantime I have to learn about the 3GX as I have never set one of those up before.

If the weather is OK tomorrow I will be flying so I probably won't make progress now until Monday.

It is looking good though... ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/576-t-rex-550e-build-ready-test-run.html T-Rex 550e Build started http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/575-t-rex-550e-build-started.html Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:41:33 GMT I started the build today and so far it is going well. motor is in and ESC installed. I am following Freddy Can Fly youtube video so I am not... I started the build today and so far it is going well. motor is in and ESC installed. I am following Freddy Can Fly youtube video so I am not following the install sequence in the manual.

Click image for larger version.  Name: 8536959672_16b691a54d_c.jpg  Views: 8  Size: 287.0 KB  ID: 56734Click image for larger version.  Name: 8536383225_87c24e0ff1_c.jpg  Views: 9  Size: 90.5 KB  ID: 56735Click image for larger version.  Name: 8536384255_b2df762d88_c.jpg  Views: 8  Size: 89.5 KB  ID: 56736Click image for larger version.  Name: 8537484562_5b2ba7da69_c-2.jpg  Views: 9  Size: 54.9 KB  ID: 56737 ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/575-t-rex-550e-build-started.html Servo gear replacement http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/574-servo-gear-replacement.html Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:57:17 GMT Having crashed the 450X at the weekend I have two stripped servos. I ordered 2 gear sets from align-trex.co.uk and they arrive tomorrow with the bits... Having crashed the 450X at the weekend I have two stripped servos. I ordered 2 gear sets from align-trex.co.uk and they arrive tomorrow with the bits and pieces I need to complete the 550 build... not that I have started it yet. I start the 550 build Friday.

I removed the servos from the 450X and dismantled then and to be honest it is a doddle swapping out the gears for new ones.

More tomorrow when I have completed the repair. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/574-servo-gear-replacement.html Batteries for the 550 http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/573-batteries-550.html Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:34:57 GMT I have been in a state of confusion over which batteries to get for the T-Rex 550e. Some say don't bother with the cheap ones, some say they have had the cheap ones for years and they are fine. What do I do? The price different is significant... OptiPower 5000mah 30C are £98, Gens Ace 5000mah 40C are £87 but Turnigy 5000mah 35C are just £42. With that kind of price difference I have to seriously consider taking the cheaper option.

I asked on the forum for help and as usual I got some fantastic responses (thank you) but in many ways it didn't help me a great deal because it just served to tell me that there is a mix of opinions out there and no one side or the other was overwhelming the right way to go.

So with that in my mind I decided to stick to my guns and do as I said I would before buying the 550 and get the more expensive batteries and that is what I set out to do last night. But no sooner had I put them in my basket and clicked Checkout I had a huge pang of doubt. Why was I spending over twice as much when there were many people out there with the same heli that were more than happy with the cheaper batteries? I just couldn't do it!

So I didn't buy the more expensive batteries and this morning I went to the Hobby King site to buy a couple of 5000mah 40C Turnigys but they are out of stock in the Uk warehouse so I bought two of the 35C instead. At my stage I am sure the 35C will be adequate and we will then see just how good the Turnigy batteries are.

I shall be charging mostly at 1C or 2C max if in a hurry once they are "run in" so there won't be any high charging rates to wreck them.

I shall be aiming for no more than 50% discharge for the first 5 charges and then no more than 70% after that. I shall be very careful in this even to the point of under-flying rather than pushing it.

So, to all those who contributed to the thread where we discussed batteries I apologise for swinging one way then the other but I have now made the decision, rightly or wrongly, and I will find out whether Turnigy batteries are any good. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/573-batteries-550.html Great fun with the HC3-SX http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/572-great-fun-hc3-sx.html Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:44:06 GMT Did 6 batteries yesterday with the trex 450 and I have to say that the HC3-SX makes this heli a huge amount of fun for a relative beginner like... Did 6 batteries yesterday with the trex 450 and I have to say that the HC3-SX makes this heli a huge amount of fun for a relative beginner like myself. Where I was scared to try anything now I just do it and if goes wrong I know I can get out of it with the bailout button.

I have gone from just hovering with sideways moves to full circuits and figure of 8s in one jump. OK, I got it wrong the first couple of times and the heli was heading down! but bailout saved the day and I just tried again... this time bailout was not needed.

This is going to be a massive learning aid. When learning anything and you get it wrong what do you want to do? You want to immediately try again so that you can learn from your mistakes. When learning to fly helis that normally isn't possible. Getting it wrong often results in a crash and that usually means there is a long delay before you can try again. Will you have learned much? Well yes but it might take a few tries and possibly a few crashes before you get it right.

With the HC3-SX and bailout mode this all changes. You get it wrong and end up hitting bailout... compose your thoughts to try to understand what went wrong and simply try again. I can see myself going from hovering only to basic 3D in a matter of weeks or even days... I am thinking I may go inverted with a loop on my next visit to the field! I know I can do it because I do it all the time on the simulator... it is just the fear of crashing that stops me. With the HC3-SX that fear of crashing is rapidly disappearing.

Let's be real about it though... the HC3-SX and all its celeverness won't stop me from crashing. If I don't hit the button quickly enough or I am too low or there is a failure then of course I could still crash. But the bulk of my crashes to date has simply been loss of control for one reason or another but usually loss of orientation in the sky. Those types of crashes are hugely frustrating as basically I haven't done anything wrong with a specific manoeuvre... I just lost the picture. Sometimes you get the picture back before it hits the ground and you can save it... other times it crashes. It is those kinds of crashes that the HC3-SX are almost guaranteed to save. You know when the picture is lost so just hit to button. Heli levels and climbs and your picture comes back immediately.

I will be putting an HC3-SX on all my future helis - guaranteed! ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/572-great-fun-hc3-sx.html I am upgrading http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/571-i-am-upgrading.html Sat, 02 Mar 2013 08:33:23 GMT Well I couldn't resist the urge to go bigger and so after a lot of investigation I have decided to get a Trex 550E FBL.

At the moment this will be in addition to the 450s but that may change if I find myself not flying the 450s much.

I will again be putting a HC3-SX controller on the new heli but as there is low stock of the controller in the UK at the moment I may have to remove the HC3-SX from the Trex 450 and put the 3GX that comes with the 550 onto the 450 temporarily.

I haven't yet decided on batteries but I am leaning towards Gens Ace 5500mah 25C is they are suitable... I am checking this later today. I may get 2 to start with as I can do a bit of charging at the field if needed.

Talking of charging... I was going to sell our generator. It is only 650W but with the arrival of the bigger heli I may start to use the genny at the field for faster charging. We will see. In the meantime the genny is in for a full service. Back in a week or two.

So more info on the neew heli next week. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/571-i-am-upgrading.html Look what has arrived this morning http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/570-look-what-has-arrived-morning.html Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:54:09 GMT Connected up to a battery here and not yet set up properly but when the 600W PSU arrives later today I shall set up the charging station properly.... Connected up to a battery here and not yet set up properly but when the 600W PSU arrives later today I shall set up the charging station properly.


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr

... and

This is what it is replacing. It has been a great starter charger and as it is mains I haven't needed to buy a PSU until now. I will probably put this up for sale soon so watch out for that if you are looking for a cheap but good first charger.


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/570-look-what-has-arrived-morning.html Family Photo http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/569-family-photo.html Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:51:55 GMT Well, not quite the full family because there is also an MCPX and a 130X (for sale) but these are the Blade 450 siblings and Align Trex cousin... ... Well, not quite the full family because there is also an MCPX and a 130X (for sale) but these are the Blade 450 siblings and Align Trex cousin...

Click image for larger version.  Name: 8502492253_af462ec7af_o-2.jpg  Views: 16  Size: 158.7 KB  ID: 56011 ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/569-family-photo.html Replacing the Align servos http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/568-replacing-align-servos.html Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:51:19 GMT I was just removing the head to level the swash and I noticed that the servos felt lumpy. Removed them and took apart and 2 of the 3 cyclic servos... I was just removing the head to level the swash and I noticed that the servos felt lumpy. Removed them and took apart and 2 of the 3 cyclic servos had lost gear teeth! This came as a surprise. I can only imagine that when the heli fell over (described in a previous blog post) that it must have damaged, or at least weakened, the servos. I thought there was no damage - obviously I was wrong!

I could just replace the gears but I have decided to replace the Align servos with 3 x Hitec HS5065MG.

So off to the hobby shop tomorrow then :hat: ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/568-replacing-align-servos.html More HC3-SX testing http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/567-more-hc3-sx-testing.html Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:11:50 GMT Yesterday saw the Trex 450 in the air again with me trying out self-leveling and bailout again and this time it went fantastically well. Bailout... Yesterday saw the Trex 450 in the air again with me trying out self-leveling and bailout again and this time it went fantastically well. Bailout went without incident but I felt that I could have done with a bit more collective. I had forgotten that I could have adjusted that on the transmitter so I didn't do it at the field but I will add a bit more for next time and then try to remember that this is adjustable!

There is still a slight left drift in self-level mode so I will remove the head and re-check that the swash is level before I do anything else.

All in all though it is looking very exciting. I threw the heli around a few times not really bothered about keeping control and then hit bailout and hey presto! an upright heli and in full control again.

I am going to love this controller and I can see me putting one on every heli I ever own. Expensive? Not at all. In fact given the fact that it saves crashes it looks like it will be the cheapest way to go and so for me it is a no-brainer. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/567-more-hc3-sx-testing.html Crashed the Blade 450X http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/566-crashed-blade-450x.html Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:07:24 GMT On Friday I crashed the Blade 450X whilst doing steep turns. Fortunately the ground was soft and I found time to hit the kill switch just before... On Friday I crashed the Blade 450X whilst doing steep turns. Fortunately the ground was soft and I found time to hit the kill switch just before impact so the damage was minimal. A quick visual check shows the following damage:

blades
feathering shaft
possible main shaft
skids
ball links

Obviously it will need a thorough check over and I wouldn't be surprised if a servo has gone too but all in all nothing too bad really especially considering it went in quite hard.

I already have all though bits so providing I don't find anything else that I need spares for it should be back and ready to fly again in a few days. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/566-crashed-blade-450x.html Trex 450 Repaired http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/565-trex-450-repaired.html Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:24:49 GMT Having built the Trex 450 from kit it was very easy to swap out the stripped torque tube umbrella gear. In fact, just in case there was unseen damage... Having built the Trex 450 from kit it was very easy to swap out the stripped torque tube umbrella gear. In fact, just in case there was unseen damage to the other gear I swapped that out too while I had it apart. It took all of about 30 mins and that was being careful and properly threadlocking the screws back in place.

Now it is ready for me to program the HC3-SX for the self-leveling and bailout modes but I still haven't yet worked out how to put the self-leveling sensitivity on the adjustable knob at the top of my DX8. I shall look at this over the next couple of days but the weather is looking very hopeful for flying Friday so I would like to get it done before then. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/565-trex-450-repaired.html My first crash on the Trex 450 http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/564-my-first-crash-trex-450.html Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:09:16 GMT Well, if you can call it a crash... I was hovering about 3 feet up when for some unknown reason I glanced down at the transmitter. It was the... Well, if you can call it a crash...

I was hovering about 3 feet up when for some unknown reason I glanced down at the transmitter. It was the briefest of glances but it was long enough for the heli to have moved slightly away from where it was before. Before I knew it it was in the deck on its side! AH!

I expected to see it in bits but miraculously it wasn't. It was in one piece and so I checked it over and all looked good so I felw again and all was well until after a couple more flights I noticed that the blade grips were lose on the feathering shaft and someone else suggested I check the gears as it sounded funny and sure enough I had stripped 2 teeth on the torque tube gear at the body end.

So a bit of work but really not much at all.

I checked out the blade grips this evening and they were just lose and no damage so I got away with that and it looks like I need a bit more threadlock this time! The gear I shall replace tomorrow if I have a spare... I think I ordered a couple of spares when I bought the heli!

Other than that it was a great day and I did about 8 batteries between the Trex 450 and the Blade 450.

I am making progress with the setting up of the HC3-SX. The gains are now set and one of club gurus flew some great 3D stuff with it and proclaimed it better than V-Bar! On to set up the self-leveling and bail out for next time.

My flying is coming on a bit too although it is slow. I managed a couple of circuits with the 450X today though so I am moving forward. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/564-my-first-crash-trex-450.html Help wanted http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/90neil/563-help-wanted.html Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:11:38 GMT I am new to this and thought I would try a bit on my own before committing to joining a club and buying something expensive. I bought a belt cp v2... I am new to this and thought I would try a bit on my own before committing to joining a club and buying something expensive. I bought a belt cp v2 from a local who said he had no time to fly. All fired up ok and after a few adjustments got her off the ground. This is where it went wrong. I now have a broken heli and not a lot of idea what to do. Not one to just give up at first problem I am hoping to find someone local to help fix her and a bit of advice. Then I can decide if this is something I can do and later bring my grandson along to have a go once I have a bit of an idea myself. Thanks in advance for any help available. ]]> 90neil http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/90neil/563-help-wanted.html new motor http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/cjcj1949/562-new-motor.html Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:17:13 GMT ---Quote (Originally by cjcj1949)--- Brushless motors should only need the bearings changed. If you want a new one do you want something cheap or...
Quote Originally Posted by cjcj1949 View Post
Brushless motors should only need the bearings changed. If you want a new one do you want something cheap or something powerful. You'll need a motor that says it is for a 450 and I expect you want to us 3S so you'll want a kv of around 4000. HobbyKing have a new range out that might be good. Lots available for around £10 from GiantShark. They all work well. 200W or 20 amps will work ok, but 400W is better if you want more power.
]]> cjcj1949 http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/cjcj1949/562-new-motor.html Cable ties and blade angles http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/561-cable-ties-blade-angles.html Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:23:35 GMT Well, a very close inspection of the heli has shown that 2 cable ties were rubbing on the top of the main gear. So I have removed the ties and... Well, a very close inspection of the heli has shown that 2 cable ties were rubbing on the top of the main gear. So I have removed the ties and relocated the cabled a little higher up with cable ties far away from anything that moves.

The blade pitch though is a bit of a mystery. In flight it suggested that the pitch was not zero at mid-stick. In fact, the stick was just about 1 mark above mid in the hover. I had set the max pitch to about 11 degrees and so as a heli normally hovers at about 5 degrees it suggests that the stick should have been a little under half way up.

I checked the pitch again today and the pitch readings were identical to those I set last week. This in itself came as a bit of surprise because I suspected that the digital pitch guage was not particularly accurate but clearly is looks like it is fine.

One possible explaination is the wind. there was a 10mph wind blowing and that would have given a bit of extra transitional lift in a stationary hover leading to a reduced amount of collective needed. I shall try again next time I fly in calm conditions but until then I shall live with it. I am not doing 3D or even inverted so all should be fine. Of course I shall have to reset it with more pitch range when I do more aggressive flying but until then I am not concerned about it at all.

So, Next time I fly I shall do some more test flights to make sure the gains are set right before moving on the self-leveling and bailout. I am in no rush and want to take my time over it all. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/561-cable-ties-blade-angles.html First Flight http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/560-first-flight.html Sat, 02 Feb 2013 12:35:46 GMT I got up this morning not expecting to fly today because of the wind and it was almost dead calm so rushed around getting everything together and... I got up this morning not expecting to fly today because of the wind and it was almost dead calm so rushed around getting everything together and went off at 9am to the club. By the time I had arrived, about 45 mins, the wind had picked up a bit to about 10mph but one of the experienced members offered to maiden the new Trex 450 Pro DFC.

This is my first build of any heli and my first maiden flight of any model and so I have to say that I was a little nervous just watching. He gave it a cursory once over visually but of course I had set up the HC3-SX myself at home and he had never flown any heli with this controller so couldn't really offer any help. So it was down to my set up and understanding of the HC3-SX as to whether it would fly. I had visions of it powering up and toppling over in a heap before it even got airborne!

I needn't have worried. He powered up and it rose into the air smoothly and majestically... OK, I am over-egging it a bit but it was my first and they say you always remember your first! A bit of hovering just to make sure all was well and then some jigging around to check tail and head gains. All looked fine and he said it flew nicely. He did comment on the collective being closer to central than he was expecting suggesting my pitch settings are out a bit but that is a small matter of adjustment.

So down he came and landed and handed the TX to me! Yikes! Again, all went smoothly and I flew it without any scares. It felt very smooth and easy to control even in the 10+mph wind that had got up and I landed with a huge grin from ear to ear!

So it flies. Some adjustments still to do getting the pitch 0 degrees right and the max pitch set more accurately. It looks too like one of the cable ties might be rubbing the main gear a little and that needs investigating but apart from that it is up and running.

Next is to set up the self-leveling and bailout... more on that next time. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/560-first-flight.html Canopy Adjustments http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/558-canopy-adjustments.html Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:08:44 GMT I have been struggling getting the canopy onto the Trex 450 Pro and have come to the reluctant conclusion that it doesn't fit.

There seem to be many others out there who are having similar problems and people have devised many solutions some that are better than others.

I decided to move the canopy mount posts forward. There is a screw location positioned slightly forward so I swapped over the screw and the mount post.

the result is that now the canopy is loose but at least it goes on and off without the risk of it being damaged. To take out the slack I have stuck some foam into the bottom of the canopy and that seems to have done it. Only flying will tell if it is OK because it is tilted slightly forward from its normal position.

Fun and games :smile: ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/558-canopy-adjustments.html MCPX Hover Test http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/557-mcpx-hover-test.html Fri, 25 Jan 2013 22:43:02 GMT I crashed the MCPX last week and having fixed it I thought I'd do a quick hover test in the lounge.

]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/557-mcpx-hover-test.html Ready to go! http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/555-ready-go.html Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:55:21 GMT Spent all day today setting up the HC3-SX and it has been a great day! I must have read and reread various guides and watched and rewatched every... Spent all day today setting up the HC3-SX and it has been a great day!

I must have read and reread various guides and watched and rewatched every setup video out there and I know think I have a handle on what is what.

First I set the blade pitch at midstick and using the HC3-SX software set the max pitch to +10/-10 . This is less than the book figure of +12/-12 but whist I am not doing 3D I shall limit max pitch to 10 degs.

There is a lot to the HC3-SX and I might do a full blog just on the HC3-SX set up but for now suffice to say that I have set the L Trim to adjust tail gyro gain and R Trim to head gyro gain so the first couple of flights will be to make sure it flies (obviously!!!) but then to find the optimum settings for the head and tail gyros. None of the advanced features of the unit, such as self-leveling or bailout, can be used until the basic gyro settings are found and set into the unit.

I have removed the blades, programmed the ESC and bench run it and all is looking good. So it is ready to fly.

The question is this: do I get an experienced club member to test fly it as the first flight or do it myself? More on this tomorrow... ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/555-ready-go.html Build complete - now the fun begins http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/554-build-complete-now-fun-begins.html Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:24:05 GMT I completed the build of the Trex 450 Pro DFC today. Well, I say "completed" but I suppose what I mean is the physical build is now complete... there is still the set up!

So this afternoon I installed the HC3-SX and started setting up. I spent all afternoon and it is not yet complete.

I won't go through the step by step set up for the HC3-SX. There are plenty of places on the internet where you can get that info... I found it! I'll post the links later. But part of the set up involved leveling the swash. I have never leveled a swash before so I am learning as I go. So initially I just eyeballed it to see how close I could get and then I removed the head and used the leveling tool to see how I did... nowhere close! I had to remove the links and after several clip-on, test, clip-off and adjust cycles I got it as close as it can get. The rest of the leveling is done in the software.

So I think that tomorrow I will be able to complete the initial setup and after a final and very thorough check over it will be ready for first flight. Then all I will need is some decent weather!

Here are some pics. Remember, I have decided to cable outside on this first build so I know that the cables could be tidier but once it is all set up and working, and I have set up and tested the self-leveling and bailout features, I shall probably be putting on a scale Augusta 109 scale body so cabling is not so important as long as it is safe and sensible. More on that later.

You will also notice that the motor is not connected and the motor and ESC cables are sticking out of the front left side. I am leaving them like that until the day of the maiden so there is no mistaken running of the motor, especially as the control and safetys are not yet proven. Finally, I have only connected a single satellite receiver while setting up but when I fly I will have 2 satellites... one each side and in different orientations.

More tomorrow or when I have completed the set up.


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr


Untitled by Paul Churchley, on Flickr ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/554-build-complete-now-fun-begins.html Not quite what I am after http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/553-not-quite-what-i-am-after.html Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:57:16 GMT The build is nearly there now. Everything is on the heli and I am now completing the cabling but I have had another change of heart regarding the... The build is nearly there now. Everything is on the heli and I am now completing the cabling but I have had another change of heart regarding the cabling.

Last time I mentioned that I was going to leave on the othe sides off whilst I completed the build and put it on last so that I had access to the internals whilst cabling. I was planning on putting the cables as much inside as I could to make the build look tidy and smart. Now that I have thought about it more I have changed my mind. I now want the cables as external as possible in this first build. I will almost certainly be crashing this first heli a fair bit... not that I intend to crash, who does? But given it is a training platform and given that it is using an HC3-SX with bail out, which I shall be using as much as I need to, it will inevitably crash. So I want as much external as I can so that changing servos needs a little dismantling as possible.

I realise this sort of goes against what most people do but once I have got a bit more skill and it stays in one piece for a sensible period of time I can always reroute cables internally. In any case, at that stage I might be interested in putting a scale body of the model in which case the cabling requirements will change significantly.

So back to the current build progress... as I say, everything is on. Once I have attached the transmitter satellites and the HC3 to the body I will be ready to do a final and very thorough check over the model to make sure all looks well and that I haven't missed off any nuts or bolts. Then it will be time to plug in the HC3 to the computer and start setting up servos, blade pitch etc.

Just a note about the receiver. I am using 2 DSM2 Spektrum satellite receivers at first. I have one DSMX satellite and would prefer to use DSMX as it gives me an extra channel to use (7 instead of 6 with DSM2) but I need to get another DSMX satellite. Once I get that I shall swap out the DSM2 ones and use DSMX from then on but for now it is DSM2. I am thinking of placing one on each side of the main body with one horizontally orientated and one vertically. The alternative is to place one of them in the receiver tray at the bottom of the fuselage but it depends on whether I can get easy access to that once the heli is assembled given I will be swapping the DSM2 for DSMX stas quite soon. I don't think having them on the outside of the body will be a problem attached with velcro.

So, all going to plan so far. More later this week when I start the set up and hopefully some photos if I can get organised enough! ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/553-not-quite-what-i-am-after.html Spinblades Matt Black http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/darrenwootton/552-spinblades-matt-black.html Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:07:08 GMT Attachment 54185 (http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/attachments/robbe-dyna-x/54185-milli-pro-iii-ordered-537429_10151351415699525_2122724324_n.jpg)what are peoples thoughts on spinblades Matt black,i got them out... Click image for larger version.  Name: 537429_10151351415699525_2122724324_n.jpg  Views: 7  Size: 37.3 KB  ID: 54185what are peoples thoughts on spinblades Matt black,i got them out the box and they feel real nice solid and good stiffness and torsional properties i know they will fly well ]]> darrenwootton http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/darrenwootton/552-spinblades-matt-black.html Physical build nearly complete http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/551-physical-build-nearly-complete.html Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:04:24 GMT I have made great progress today. Nearly everything is on the frame... servos, motor, tail is complete and attached. The right side is off as per... I have made great progress today. Nearly everything is on the frame... servos, motor, tail is complete and attached.

The right side is off as per my last blog post so I haven't yet attached the bottom plate and skids, nor the tail support bars (if that is what they are called) but that is a 5 min job once I have completed everything else. This idea of leaving one side until very last is just great. Not only did it make attaching the motor and main gear easy but it means I can do some cable routing inside the frame and cable tie them in place knowing the cable routing is going to be safe. It also means that when I need to do repairs I can just remove the right side and then I have access to absolutely everything.

Everything is going together superbly well. Everything just fits and so far I haven't had to do any mods or anything other than follow the instructions with some help from a build video on youtube and a build thread on RCGroups.com. More on those when I have completed it all.

So tomorrow... what is left? Well lots and I mustn't get carried away and think it is nearly complete because I have some interesting but difficult stuff ahead still to come.

I still have to install the ESC and then properly route the cables and secure them. That could take a while on its own. Then I have to install the receivers and FBL controller and this is where it will get even more interesting because I am not using the standard 3GX, BeastX or Vbar. Instead I have opted for the HC3-SX which has a "rescue" mode which will self-right the heli and climb away from the ground if the button is pressed on the transmitter. Much more on that when the time comes.

In the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying the build and because I have a Blade 450X and a 130X to fly I am under no pressure to get it completed. I strongly recommend having another heli to fly while building.

Thanks for following and more soon. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/551-physical-build-nearly-complete.html Phoenix sim http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/svengster/550-phoenix-sim.html Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:12:39 GMT Hi all,I'm just wondering if anyone else has had trouble with the update of V4 of this, mine updated to V4.0m and I have lost the ability to change flying sites??? I'm running windows 7 Many thanks Steve ]]> svengster http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/svengster/550-phoenix-sim.html Change of build plan http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/549-change-build-plan.html Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:08:51 GMT Until now I have been following the instruction booklet but I saw this youtube video that has made me reassess that decision... ... Until now I have been following the instruction booklet but I saw this youtube video that has made me reassess that decision...



This looks like a great tip and so I am going to back-track my build and remove one of the sides and continue from there only attaching the side towards the end of the build.

If this proves to be a mistake I shall post accordingly but it looks good for now. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/549-change-build-plan.html Main Frame now built and cyclic servos are in http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/548-main-frame-now-built-cyclic-servos.html Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:29:11 GMT I am making excellent progress and itis so far going better than I could have possibly hoped. It is pretty obvious that this kit is a quality... I am making excellent progress and itis so far going better than I could have possibly hoped. It is pretty obvious that this kit is a quality product... everything just fits!

Tomorrow I do the boom and tail assemby along with the torque tube assembly. I might even get around to installing the motor.

The ball links are impossible with just my fingers and so I will have to wait a day or two for ball link pliers to arrive from Fast Lad before I can complete installation of the main shaft and head assembly.

I conencted up all the servos to a receiver and ESC today on the desk and centered them all. That should make set up easier.

I have family with me at the weekend but I would hope to be starting installation and set up of the HC3-SX early next week with a possible maiden flight the following weekend. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/548-main-frame-now-built-cyclic-servos.html Trex 450 Pro DFC Build Started http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/547-trex-450-pro-dfc-build-started.html Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:42:58 GMT Well, after spending the last couple of days watching build videos and vids on how to use threadlock properly etc I decided that it had to be done...... Well, after spending the last couple of days watching build videos and vids on how to use threadlock properly etc I decided that it had to be done... so I started the build this evening.

So far the head is not fully build and all bolts threadlocked. The only thing I cannot do is get the links onto the balls on the swatch as I am just not strong enough but I suspect that a pair of balljoint pliers will fix that and so that is my task for tomorrow.

The instructions are not bad at all once you tune into how they are drawn. I have watched the videos etc but I suspect that it would be quite possible to build just from the instructions providing you took you time and was careful to read and understand absolutely everything on each page before commencing assembly.

No pics today as there isn't much to show but once I have the mainframe assembled, of if I hit any areas that I think would benefit from a pic to help explanation, then I shall include a few pics.

I hope my threadlock holds!!! ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/547-trex-450-pro-dfc-build-started.html I maidened my Blade 450X today http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/546-i-maidened-my-blade-450x-today.html Sun, 06 Jan 2013 16:01:00 GMT I joined Newton Abbot Heli Club today and took along my brand new Blade 450X. Chris Newby, who is simply a stunningly talented 3D flyer, checked... I joined Newton Abbot Heli Club today and took along my brand new Blade 450X.

Chris Newby, who is simply a stunningly talented 3D flyer, checked it over and flew it for the first time. He didn't spare the horses and he did some fantastic 3D stuff straight out of the box. Then my turn and so with a fresh battery and my heart in my mouth I had a go. Surprisingly I did OK. I just hovered, movedd a bit left and right and landed a couple of times and all was well. It felt beautifully smooth and crisp when compared to the MCPX and I am very encouraged.

So what I need now is lots of practice to get my flying of the 450X up to the same standard as it is with my MCPX and from today's experience that shouldn't take too long... I hope!

The guys at NAHC were excellent today and made me feel very welcome. My thanks go to them. Mind you, I thought my 450 felt huge after the MCPX, which of course it is, but next to their 600s and 700s it is just a tiddler! ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/546-i-maidened-my-blade-450x-today.html Ordered Align Trex 450 Pro DFC with HC3-SX FBL Controller http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/545-ordered-align-trex-450-pro-dfc-hc3-sx-fbl-controller.html Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:17:46 GMT I discovered the HC3-SX FBL controller and its "bail out" functions and I just love it. So I have decided to get one and the next thought I had is what model to put it on. I could remove the AR7200BX BeastX unit on the 450X but I really would like to keep the 450X stock and in any case, I want to have 2 450s so that when I crash one I still have another to fly!

So what should I get? I decided that the only option for me was an Align Trex 450 DFC. This is a 450 Pro with a DFC head. Why this model? Well it is the best available in my opinion right now and being Align it will no doubt be superb quality and a model I could keep and cherish for some time to come as I grow.

So, the Align Trex 450 Pro DFC with the HC3-SX... I am pretty much still a beginner so will this combo be any good as a learning platform for a beginner? We will see but I suspect that the HC3-SX with its various assistance modes will help me as a beginner hugely and yet still have the ability to dial out the assistance as I develop my skills and yet still retail the "bail out" feature for when I am learning new manoeuvres.

Firstly though I have to build the kit and that will be my first task. I will try to document my progress with the build so come back and see how I get on. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/545-ordered-align-trex-450-pro-dfc-hc3-sx-fbl-controller.html novice neesds help. http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/sibastian/544-novice-neesds-help.html Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:34:12 GMT hi im sibastian, :confusion:i live in ashton under lyne gtr manchester.im very new with helis.the best thing for me now would have been to join a... hi im sibastian,
:confusion:i live in ashton under lyne gtr manchester.im very new with helis.the best thing for me now would have been to join a club. but bury metro didnt let me to join. maybe cos of my inexperience.

so if there is anyone localy, who is willing to help me out first hand.
i will be v gratefull.

happy new year guys. ]]> Sibastian http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/sibastian/544-novice-neesds-help.html You are flying the rotor disc... not the heli body! http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/543-you-flying-rotor-disc-not-heli-body.html Wed, 02 Jan 2013 08:34:15 GMT So for my first real post to my Heli blog I shall describe what was for me a complete revelation and something that I haven't seen explained in any great detail anywhere else whilst I have been learning up till now.

It was a revelation I had whilst flying the simulator the other day. Yes, just a few days ago I realised something which I should have either realised months ago or else perhaps it should be in all the training materials more clearly? It is that when flying a helicopter you are flying the rotor disc and not the heli body.

Now, I am a real-world pilot (fixed wing) and a keen aviation enthusiast and have been for the best part of 40 years yet it was only after flying model helis for a few months that I have realised what turns out to be absolutely fundamental to flying helicopters!!!

What do I mean by "flying the rotor disc"? It is very difficult to explain in writing and even with diagrams it would not be easy but I'll have a go...

When flying a fixed-wing model it is easy. The model is always moving forward in normal flight. All your control inputs are relative to the way the model is pointing... relative to the nose of the aircraft. So if you want the model to pitch towards the canopy then you always put in UP elevator. Even if the model is upside down the same is always true regardless of the orientation. Again, in normal flight, the direction of travel is taken care of... it is always forward! This makes flying model fixed-wing models relatively easy when compared to helis.

With a heli things are very different. Firstly the direction of travel can be in any direction and different to the way the model is pointing. This in itself is much more confusing on its own but it is the second difference that is the biggest issue with helis. The control inputs do not affect the body of the heli like they would in a fixed wing. Instead the control inputs control the tilt of the main rotor disc and nothing else and it is the tilt of the main rotor disc that controls the direction of travel.

What follows is a long-winded and detailed set of examples. They are a bit confusing at first but if you work your way through them slowly it is possible to understand what I am trying to get over.

For example, if when flying straight and level you want to turn with a fixed-wing aircraft you bank in the direction you want to turn and it will turn automatically. You will need a bit of up elevator to stop any tendency to descend but that is about it. Rudder might make the turn a bit neater but generally speaking it is not needed as the aircraft will change its direction of travel and the aircraft body will stay pointing in the new direction of travel automatically as a result of its aerodynamics. With a heli you can apply left cyclic but that just tilts the rotor disc and the heli will start to accelerate in that direction and start a turn but the body of the heli will not automatically point in the new direction of travel, instead it will stay pointing in the original direction of travel. You MUST force the heli body to rotate in the direction of the turn using the tail rotor controlled by the "rudder" stick.

This is where it gets wierd. There you are, you have banked the rotor disc left using left cyclic to initiate a left turn then centralised the stick so the bank remains on and constant. The heli starts to accelerate to the left (i.e. change direction towards the left) and you have then added some left "rudder" stick input to rotate the heli body so it remains pointing in the direction of travel. When you have turned the heli through 90 degrees the left bank that you put on at the start of the turn is now not left bank anymore... it is forward tilt. By rotating the heli body you haven't changed the angle of the rotor disc, all you have done is rotated the body around the mainshaft.

This is all very counter-intuitive especially if you are a fixed-wing flyer. When make any cyclic input the heli will accelerate in the direction of the way the rotor disc is tilted, not which way the body is pointing. Yet how you tilt the rotor disc is relative to the which way the body is pointing... not which way it is travelling.

This means that to control the heli accurately you must look at the rotor disc and not look at the body of the heli as it is the tilt of the rotor disc that controls which way the heli will move. This is really important if you want to control a heli model. It also means that until you are much more experienced, if you can't see the rotor disc you can't control the helicopter. If you see the rotor disc is tilted one way or another then the heli will be accelerating in that direction regardless of which way the body is pointing. To see which way the heli will travel look at the tilt of the rotor disc. This is important.

I said it gets wierd! So we have established then that we must look at the rotor disc to determine which direction the heli will travel. However, we know that our control inputs tilt the rotor disc relative to the heli's body and it is this mismatch between needing to control the rotor disc to control direction of flight, ignoring the orientation of the body, and the fact that our control inputs are relative to the orientation of the body that makes flying a model heli so difficult in my opinion.

So going back to our left turn... once through 90 degrees the left bank is now forward tilt so to stop us continuing to accelerate what is now forward we much now apply some backward cyclic to tilt the rotor disc backwards and back to level. It is for this reason that I always found that I couldn't control my speed in turns. I would always end up getting faster every time I tried a banked turn. I hadn't recognised that the acceleration I initiated by banking turned into forward acceleration once I was round the turn. The upshot is that I now know that all banked turns will result in the heli accelerating as I turn unless I also put in some backward cyclic to slow that forward acceleration. It also means that as I roll out of the turn I must relax that backward cyclic or else the heli will stop and that is what it was doing until I realised what was happening.

OK, just to reiterate what is happening here we can apply this knowledge to the hover. Nothing changes except that we are not moving forward initially. In a stable hover, if we apply a bit of left cyclic and then centre the stick the rotor disc will bank a bit to the left and the heli will start to accelerate left. To stop the heli and return to the hover we much apply a bit of right cyclic and then centre the stick. This will slow the movement left until we are stationary then to stop is moving right we must apply a bit of left cyclic and centre the stick again when the rotor disc is level. Let us do the same thing but once we are moving left we rotate the heli body to point in the direction of travel. Once we have rotated we must now apply back cyclic and then centre to slow us and then forward cyclic and centre when the rotor disc is level to hold us stationary.

It might all seem pretty obvious and when talking about it like this then I suppose it is to an experienced heli flyer but to a beginner none of this is obvious and for a fixed-wing flyer even less so.

It was understanding all this that was a "eureka" moment for me. Suddenly I was looking at the rotor disc to see what the heli was doing instead of the heli body but realising my control inputs relative to the heli's body orientation to control the tilt of the rotor disc. Of course, this is easiest if you keep the heli body always pointing in the direction of travel and then it becomes slightly easier as that mismatch no longer exists and so this is the most important skill to learn... keeping the heli body always pointing in the direction of travel using the "rudder" stick. Of course, when you become more proficient you will learn to control the rotor disc as youu want to regardless of body orientation but at first this is not possible. As a beginner, always work at keeping the heli body pointing in the direction that the heli is moving.

So there you are. This so far has been the biggest struggle for me in learning to fly heli models so far especially as I am a fixed-ing real-world pilot and a fixed-wing model flyer. I have it ingrained deep into me that changing the direction of flight is always relative to the nose of the aircraft and as you have seen that is just not true with helis and it has proven very difficult to unlearn. In many ways learning to fly a model heli having never flown fixed-wing could well be easier. ]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/543-you-flying-rotor-disc-not-heli-body.html Adventures of a beginner http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/542-adventures-beginner.html Tue, 01 Jan 2013 22:39:59 GMT Well, I have done many blogs in the past about various topics... photography, electric cars, solar panels, cancer... to name a few. I have stopped... Well, I have done many blogs in the past about various topics... photography, electric cars, solar panels, cancer... to name a few. I have stopped them all for various reasons but I am loving my R/C flying so much I thought I'd do a regular blog on my experiences.

I say "beginner" which I am but I am not a complete noob. I have my fixed wing BMFA A certificate and have just bought my first 450 class heli after several months trying to tame a Blade MCPX. More on both of those in future posts.

So this post is just to kick off things. I plan to make regular posts on my future experiences as well as to post about my previous experiences to date in the world of model flying.

Finally then, just a reminder... this blog are just my thoughts, ideas and experiences and just because I post it here it doesn't necessarily make it correct or mean that I think that is the only way. So, if you disagree with something I say then that is fine. In fact, it is more than fine, it is great... because I might learn something from it. Disagree with me all you like.

HOWEVER, if you can't disagree with me in a friendly way then don't bother. I want to discuss my flying experiences, and yours, with friends... it is a hobby and I can do without fighting... and if you can't be friendly then I will just ignore you - many thanks :smile:
]]> 450man http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/450man/542-adventures-beginner.html A Trex 250 Dfc Review?? http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/3flite/519-trex-250-dfc-review.html Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:06:28 GMT Here at 3flite we were having a nosey around all the forum sites and Youtube etc and we noticed a few people talking about the Trex 250 Pro DFc and... Here at 3flite we were having a nosey around all the forum sites and Youtube etc and we noticed a few people talking about the Trex 250 Pro DFc and the very limited amount of review's there are on the web for this little 250, So we wondered whether we should get one and post a full review with all the things that you need to know!:courage:
Anybody think this is a good idea?? We'd just like to know what the viewers opinion would bee??:seeya:
Cheers
3Flite

http://www.youtube.com/user/3Flite?feature=mhee
Attached Thumbnails
]]> 3Flite http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/3flite/519-trex-250-dfc-review.html Happy Birthday Gareth-71 http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/helikam3d/518-happy-birthday-gareth-71.html Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:31:34 GMT Happy Birthday to Gareth-71 hope you have a good day mate Your now a teenager LOL Attachment 50957... Happy Birthday to Gareth-71 hope you have a good day mate


Your now a teenager LOL Click image for larger version.  Name: DSC00615.jpg  Views: 7  Size: 305.2 KB  ID: 50957 ]]> helikam3d http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/helikam3d/518-happy-birthday-gareth-71.html <![CDATA[Hi I'm Barry from the Crewe Helicopter Club in Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire]]> http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/cowslip/500-hi-im-barry-crewe-helicopter-club-stoke-trent-staffordshire.html Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:36:41 GMT
Quote Originally Posted by Barry_Baz View Post
Hello everyone, I'm an avid helicopter enthusiast and I'm always available to help any newcomers to the hobby with advice, setup and flight training.
I fly at two indoor venues up to 3 times a week and outdoors as often as I can.

Happy Flying,

Barry
]]> Cowslip http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/cowslip/500-hi-im-barry-crewe-helicopter-club-stoke-trent-staffordshire.html advice please http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/tiw321/499-advice-please.html Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:28:52 GMT ive just dug out my kalt baron 50 from the loft needs some tlc ive not got the time ive got pics mail me if your interested in a winter project got... ive just dug out my kalt baron 50 from the loft needs some tlc ive not got the time ive got pics mail me if your interested in a winter project got to be worth something not been flown for 20 years ]]> tiw321 http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/tiw321/499-advice-please.html Listen to your ears. http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/vikki/493-listen-your-ears.html Sun, 30 Sep 2012 09:30:44 GMT Took the 450 and 500 out today. Did preflight inspection and sent the 450 up. On the second battery I heard a sound of blade beating air that... Took the 450 and 500 out today.

Did preflight inspection and sent the 450 up. On the second battery I heard a sound of blade beating air that didn't sound right. I thought it might be the wind modulating the sound but I noticed the 450 was not as precise as normal. I landed him.

On inspection I found a floppy main blade. That led to discovering that the blade grip was lose. The screw was coming undone from the feathering shaft in flight.

if you hear a sound that doesn't sound right, and I mean the beating air sound is all wrong, then for God's sake land and check it out. Your ears are your friends. They pick things up. I was probably a minute away from losing a blade and a major crash.

Flushed the feathering shaft hole with degreaser (yet again) and re-assembled with more than usual amount of threadlock. All should be well.

Next time I hear that sound I'll know what it is.

It was an undernote to the main blade sound and was quite apparent.

Trust your ears and listen to your heli. ]]> Vikki http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/vikki/493-listen-your-ears.html Battery Chargers. http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/vikki/488-battery-chargers.html Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:01:02 GMT Today I’m going to talk about chargers. Most beginners to the hobby will be looking for a simple ‘plug it in the mains’ all in one charger... Today I’m going to talk about chargers.

Most beginners to the hobby will be looking for a simple ‘plug it in the mains’ all in one charger typically because they don't want the complication or cost of a separate charger and Power Supply Unit (PSU).

Typical reasonably priced AC/DC chargers are 50W, 80W and 200W. 80W chargers hit at around £40-50 whilst a 200W charger will cost about £80-90.

The advertising blurb will often state the maximum current. Like the 80W will be 6A. But this doesn’t mean maximum over all voltages.

Let me explain: The charger has a POWER rating and for now we’ll say that’s 80W. We’ll also round off the charge voltage figures for when the battery is charging full bore.

To charge a 3s battery the charge voltage is around the 12V mark so we’ll call it 12V. Divide Watts by Volts to get current. So an 80W charger can charge a 3s battery at a maximum of 80/12 = 6.6A. Call it 6A. Charger will get HOT unless fan cooled.

To charge a 6s battery the charge voltage is around the 24V mark so we’ll call it 24V. Divide Watts by Volts to get current. So an 80W charger can charge a 6s battery at a maximum of 80/24 = 3.3A. Call it 3A. This is going to make the charger HOT unless it’s fan cooled.

This whole thing of reducing current as the charge voltage gets higher is called ‘de-rating’. 6A is the maximum rated output on a 3s. to go higher in voltage you need to de-rate that maximum current to stay within the power rating of the charger.

Obviously, if you want to charge a 6s battery at 6A you are going to require 24*6 = 144W of power, way outside the rating of the charger. To protect itself the charger will ‘fold-back’ it’s output voltage to keep the power within proper limits. This won’t charge your battery as the voltage will fall below the battery voltage.

Hope that is of some help. Calculate what your charger can do before whacking it with a current requirement it can’t manage. ]]> Vikki http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/vikki/488-battery-chargers.html blade 450x ar7200bx http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/liamtilley/487-blade-450x-ar7200bx.html Sun, 16 Sep 2012 17:53:51 GMT somehow ive cut the shorter ariel on my ar7200bx, does anyone know how to replace these or whether it wil affect my heli during flight? thankyou somehow ive cut the shorter ariel on my ar7200bx, does anyone know how to replace these or whether it wil affect my heli during flight?
thankyou ]]> liamtilley http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/liamtilley/487-blade-450x-ar7200bx.html <![CDATA[New RC Helicopter wing won't spin. Double horse 9053]]> http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/umonpour/486-new-rc-helicopter-wing-wont-spin-double-horse-9053.html Thu, 13 Sep 2012 23:01:06 GMT Hi there, I am new at this. I have recently purchased a Double Horse 9053. I have flown about 4-5 times. Since I am new, I had couple of... Hi there,

I am new at this.

I have recently purchased a Double Horse 9053. I have flown about 4-5 times. Since I am new, I had couple of crashes. Nothing too major.

Last time when I was playing with it, it was alright, all of sudden the wing wont spin (only does half spin. see video), so I thought the charge may have gone, as i was playing for about 10-12minutes.

After i fully charged the helicopter, the wing still won't fully spin, like it used. It only does a little kick and stop.

Please see video. I have recorded the problem- Youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snpLt57v0ew&feature=player_embedded


Can someone please, tell me what to do? or the cheapest way to fix it.

Thank you very much.

I really appreciate the time you have taken to read my problem.

Thanks again ]]> umonpour http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/blogs/umonpour/486-new-rc-helicopter-wing-wont-spin-double-horse-9053.html