Just got new 3GX. Any tips for a FBL newb?

[Three6ty]

Hi,
Picked up my new 3GX and head to go on my Trex 600 V2 tonight. Can't wait to get it all fitted tomorrow.
So as a newb to all this paddle free stuff, is there anything I should need to know during the setup process? Is the latest firmware best? Etc Etc...
I'm going to be using the gov feature in it as well and will also be using 2 sats so it will be as a full range receiver.
Thanks for any advice.

[dunny]

3 or 4 of the lads down our field have had problems with the 3GX booting up when using 2 sats in cold weather conditions, I have my 600efl pro fitted with a seperate reciever and havn't had any cold weather booting problems but it may just be luck.
"Coolice" is the man to comment on the 3GX setup and would have some recommendation s for you with your 600N, I also have a 600N but are running a 3G system with a CSM720 on the tail and it flys nice.

[Sharpedge]

Get a copy of the trex/3gx manual and follow the steps. It’s rather straight forward. When it comes time to set up with the tx make sure that you have your DR and expo rates set at 100 and 0 respectively. You can dumb it down in the software or tx once setup is complete.

Edit - Not had issues with my 600efl 3gx (twin sat) on cold days and I was flying in some cold stuff a few weeks ago. My 550 gives me some jip on occasion but I think it is just temperamental and cantankerous, just like its owner a cycle on the bat leads sorts it out.

[LipolyGone]

Best of luck mate I'm converting mine too this weekend with my beast x keep in touch if you have any issues.

[Three6ty]

Is there a manual on the cd in the box? Reason I ask is I have an imac with a slot drive so can't put the 3" cd into the drive and find out tonight. I'm going to take it to work tomorrow and copy it on the pc onto a normal cd. If there's no manual on the cd, any ideas where to download it from?

[Sharpedge]

I dont think there is a manual on the disc, I picked up pdf copies of my manuals from this site: Biggest and Best RC Helicopter Shop on the Planet - HeliProz.com

[Three6ty]

Hi,
One other quick question for now. Could someone tell me what the linkage rod lengths are when made up, centre to centre on the ball links? Thanks

[LipolyGone]

Remember Rich this heli doesnt have a specific 3g upgrade as of yet so you may well have to suck it & see.
Heres a link to the trex 600 3g head setup hope it helps mate Align 600 3G FBL-en.pdf manual Align T-REX 600N 3G - HeliFleet.com

[Three6ty]

Hi,
Just setting up the swash ball links. In the 600 le manual it says to use the 9.77mm balls for the washout and radius arms. putting these on, the radius arms are not at 90 degrees upright. I have some balls that were on the swash from the fb setup that were used for the main links. These are 11.76mm. Using these gives as near as damn it 90 degrees vertically on the radius arm. I guess as in all setting up that the 90 degree rule is the one to follow.
I also have the balls in the pack with the head with the slightly larger diameter to suit the heavier duty links to the head. These are 8.5mm long so shorter than anything I had on the fb head. I guess these are correct. The links do seem to run inwards if looked at front on running from the head down to the swash if that makes sense.

[Three6ty]

Hi again.
Just looked further through a 600 3g manual and it clearly shows that the radius arms are not quite at 90 degrees vertically so the 9.77mm balls as shown in the manual must be right.
Just thought everything should be at 90. Also the main links look correct to the manual.

[Three6ty]

Just had a quick look through the software on the computer. Did the firmware upgrade.
I ain't got a clue about half the settings in there. Is it best to leave well alone for starters. Or maybe use one of the 3 presets in there, expert, normal, beginner?

[LipolyGone]

Well you ain't a begginer a rich so I think maybe normal to start with

[coolice]

Hey Rich.

There is no manual as such with the 3GX, but there is one built into the PC software which you can follow through step by step. This covers channel assignment if you want to run a seperate receiver, satellite connections, binding procedures and model setup etc etc.
I won't go into specifics on each of the above, but it you get stuck just ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer.

When it comes to model setup, I would suggest starting from a clean model memory and not modifying your existing model to suit the FBL upgrade. This can cause major problems, so it'd best to start from a clean slate.
Also try to avoid using sub trim, if you have to add it only use small amounts and only do so while in DIR mode. With time and trial and error you can find servo arms which give the correct 90 degree to servo alignment with using sub trim. The latter I hate to use personally and do feel FBL systems run better without it.

For the settings I am going to suggest you download mine and write them to the model, specifically my Trex 550E 3GX settings file. These are performing well on a wide range of model types and sizes, so at the very least will give us a good base from which to get your model flying as you like it to.

There are so many things to cover, but nothing is going to be majorly difficult so don't worry. The main thing is to double and tripple check the FBL gyros are working in the correct directions before take off, after this its just simple PC based tweeks.

I'm always around and happy to help, so any questions etc fire away.

The cold weather bug is a recent find, I'd not suffered with it myself when I had my 3GX's but I have seen it. Align have been made aware of it I am told, but no more is known yet.

Regarding firmwares, I preferred V1.1's flying qualitys, but V1.2 has a better govenor interface apparently. From my findings I'd say go with V1.1 as the govenor works still, but the head speed calculator doesn't I think so you'd have to tach the head to get your ATV values.
.

[coolice]

Just a thought, but what transmitter are you flying this model with?
.

[Three6ty]

Just a thought, but what transmitter are you flying this model with?
.

Hi,
Big thanks for the very informative post above
To answer your question, I'm using a dx7.