Align 3G - tail blow out

[davew]

My project of a DIY head and fitting a 3G to my 500 has been covered earlier. Prior to the conversion this was a lovely flying and very reliable heli.

The FBL head turned out real well.

I partly stripped the 500 to get all the wiring as neat as possible when I installed the 3G system. Overall I was/am very pleased with the installation.

After a while scratching my head and adjusting the 3G settings, I had the heli flying nicely round my back garden. Different certainly, strange even but flying nicely nevertheless.

Then 3rd pack the tail blew out - rapid piro style. Broke one of those orange landing gear legs from FL (which I now realise are made from chalk) but otherwise OK. Couldn't see any mechanical reason for the glitch although I did tighten the belt a bit - it wasn't slack and is a newish, undamaged belt.

One more pack was OK but then on the next it did it again. No damage but heli thoroughly checked out. Next pack about 3 mins in, same again and quite a bit of damage now. Heli parked up, did a bit more work (self employed) then took the 600 down to the field for a blast to get over it!

Anyone any ideas. I bought the system s/hand but I knew it and know it was sound on the 600 it came off.

I'll probably switch back to flybar as confidence is knocked but am interested in feedback as it was a technical exercise really as my flying is no more than basic and can't tax the capabilities of a FBL system.

Please no Align knockers please, that line of banter is becoming a bit tiring

[Planehazza]

I think unfortunately the tail gyro in the 3G is near useless. A lot of pilots on here bypass it by simply not plugging in ch4 and 5 from the 3G unit and using spartan instead.

[davew]

I think unfortunately the tail gyro in the 3G is near useless. A lot of pilots on here bypass it by simply not plugging in ch4 and 5 from the 3G unit and using spartan instead.

I know that but if I had paid £70 for a s/hand 3G then buy a Spartan the numbers don't add up do they?

The gyro is supposed to be basically a GP780 and whilst maybe not wonderful it sould be quite adequate for me. Tom (inferno) used this very successfully on his 600N without using a secondary gyro - you may remember Lee had set it up for him at the Flyin?

[Swashbuckler]

The tail can be unpredictable it is well known. It is one of the reasons I knock the 3g, it aint about hating Align, if somethings good I use it - if it isn't I don't. Don't give up on fbl, if you are relatively new I would say it is as good a time as any to try it. A good system will fill you with confidence and feel more like flying on the sim. Just get a good system.

[inferno]

The unit is very sensitive to vibration dave, you saw the problems i had when my engine bearing went!

Have you tried modding the gyro unit with silicon on the sensors to stop some internal vibration? Gutted for the 500, but dont give up on it, as said. My first FBL 500 was a pig, but my logo400 is awesome!

[acwman]

When you are saying the tail 'blew out/piro rapid style'.. How much exactly? was this a glitch where the tail kicks or really you jost lost tail? How much are you saying it piro'd round?

The tail does seem to suffer from a tail glitch, but this is usually just a kick in the tail and never had it big enough to cause a crash. Just can scare you as it can be pretty unexpected. That said, I have had pretty much hundreds of flights between two 3g 450 helis, and I can say that I can count the number of times it has happened on one hand.

Could it be possibly static? I have ground all my belt helis, as I have had problems in the past with a trex 500, and also have had it on my sport. I generally just ground all my belt helis as precaution now.

[robgt]

You mention a belt, and this is on a 500.
I would be looking at a static issue hitting the sensors?

Cheers,
Rob

[davew]

The blow outs were all sort of good and fast 360 piros and occurred in steady forward flight (I was in my back garden)

I wonder about the static issue - how should I be grounding the heli? The 3G sensor is sat on the metal boom block.

Thanks

[Lynx.1677]

First question, what version of the firmware are you running?

I used to get horrid kicks on v1 but this was fixed with v2.1.

[davew]

First question, what version of the firmware are you running?

I used to get horrid kicks on v1 but this was fixed with v2.1.

How would I know? - I bought it s/hand off a dodgy geezer. How do I update? (at no cost preferably)

[acwman]

TBH... I don't think the 'well known' kick of the 3g would cause a '360 odd' piro, especially if you are just hovering/circuits.

..Though an update to v2.1 if it has not been done would be most worthwhile.

Look on the control box of the 3g, and it should say which version.. It should be written in with the laser etched serial number on it...although if it is the oldest version (V1) it may not have anything there.

[Lynx.1677]

How would I know? - I bought it s/hand off a dodgy geezer. How do I update? (at no cost preferably)

I have the 2.1 update on cd as well as the usb dongle. I don't have the 3G anymore so I can send it to you for nowt (only sitting here collecting dust). Once you get it give me a shout and I can walk you through how to update it. PM me you address and I'll send it out Saturday for you.

[acwman]

The 3G sensor is sat on the metal boom block.

Thanks

..Has there been a metal boom block on the trex 500? Mine is plastic on my shaft driven 500, and also when I had a belt, that was also plastic.

[davew]

It's a Concept Copters 500 (Skya?) or was! Most of it is now T-Rex. The boom block is metal.

[davew]

I have the 2.1 update on cd as well as the usb dongle. I don't have the 3G anymore so I can send it to you for nowt (only sitting here collecting dust). Once you get it give me a shout and I can walk you through how to update it. PM me you address and I'll send it out Saturday for you.

A big thankyou! I have sent you the PM