Just Bought A Dragonus As My 1st Heli but need advice

[Drag_Eli]

being new to helis and having a heli nut for a friend i used what i learned from him on deciding what i wanted and how to go about it and so i chose the dragonus(with his help) and even thought he kept telling me to get lower end stuff to start with learning i pushed for the higher stuff so i didnt have to bother upgrading laters, starting out i got the kit and even though it was my 1st heli kit to build i must say it was a dream to build, i havnt flown it as yet as i need advice from you guys to see what i should put on the tail

so basically what do you guys have for servos/setup on your dragonus tails

[rspblake]

Hi Drag_Eli

Welcome to the wonderful world of heli

You will find 1st things 1st and good sim is the place to start.
http://www.phoenix-sim.com/

Now to answer your question!, Dont try to save money by buying a cheap gyro and servo.

You will find in the long run, that crashing because the tail has let the heli drift and you've lost it, is not too much fun building all the time.

Futaba 401, I would think is the most popular using various servos choice is

9650 servo, hds 577, hds 877, Volz SpeedMaX, 94758 (badged as a Sanwa ERG-WRX) or the 3154 micro

Csm 420 or 560 with the hds 877 digital works well.
http://www.ashtekelectronics.co.uk/

Ive been trying the Logictech 2100/futaba 3154, which are the new kids on the block, and to say it will give the 401 a run for it money is a under statement.

But a 401/9650 or 3154 will be a top choice.

Have fun and be safe.

Rob

[Butuz]

I have just bought a Dragonus as well.

My supplier reccomended Futabay GY401 or Logitech 2100t for gyro, Futaba S9650 for tail (you need an adaptor for your dragonus for this servo) and Hitec HS-65MG for cyclic. That was his "good quality" newbie suggestion.

Butuz

[Ashley Davis]

9650 is overkill really, the s3154 fits and works fine. the Logictech 2100t is also fine.

[Butuz]

Ash does the s3154 work ok with a GY240 gyro?

Butuz

[Drag_Eli]

excellent, thanks guys... i got the proper gyro but need pics to see what you guys use to hold these normal servos onto the tails boom

[Ashley Davis]

Ash does the s3154 work ok with a GY240 gyro?

I haven't got one to try it but I don't see why not.

[Ade_Law]

the 401 and 240 are pretty tollerant of rubbish servos. i would personally stick with what we know works tho as some servos lack the accuracy.

unless you already have one!

Ade

[Chiz]

S3154 servo on the Dragnous?

NO, NO, NO, NO!!!

On my very first flight with my new Dragonus Elite, it flew really well. Dead stable.

After 3 more flights the tail started behaving erratically.

Brought it in and just before the next flight did a test and the 3154 is dead and has also killed the speed controller (Align RCE-BL35X).

I've since got a 9650 servo but I don't have the correct control rod just yet and I've been too busy with other things.

My setup:

Dragonus Elite kit
Align RCE-BL35X speed controller
Align 430L 3550KV motor
Spektrum AR7000 receiver
GY401 gyro
Hitec HS-65MG for cyclic, or use the cheaper HB version
9650 digital servo for the tail
Thunder Power batteries

What transmitter and receiver you using? On my DX7 I needed to set as follows:

[SWASH TYPE] 3 SERVOS 120 DEGREES (done in model select bit).

Reverse channel 2 (aileron).

[SWASH MIX]
AILE - 60%
ELEV + 60%
PIT. + 60%

Also the servos as follows, looking from the rear:
Channel 2 - front left servo
Channel 3 - rear right - for elevators
Channel 4 - gyro for rudder
Channel 5 - gyro for gain
Channel 6 - front right servo

[Ashley Davis]

sounds like an isolated incident to me as the s3154 is being used extensively on T-Rex without the issues you describe, however, I will conduct my own tests and see what happens.

[Ashley Davis]

after some more investigation, seems like there are three or four 'other' incidents of tail burnout using the S3154, however, those users were running 6V or DS mode on the 401 which to me sounds like they were asking for trouble already. Other reports have it doinf 3D fine after 40-50 flights. I'm guessing that some of these failures may be down to incorrect endpoint setting and burnout due to binding.

Either way, I'll test it and see what happens

[AndersUK]

Using the Ashtek HDS 577 (or is it 877?) with great results on a CSM SL560. Never before seen a micro tail so locked in no matter how much wind. Keeping a weary eye on that Ashtek servo though....

[Smoothound]

Using the Ashtek HDS 577 (or is it 877?) with great results on a CSM SL560. Never before seen a micro tail so locked in no matter how much wind. Keeping a weary eye on that Ashtek servo though....

i have 2 577's but I took them off my T-Rexes as they would chatter at the extremes of throw on the ground, never played up in flight but I am a chicken

They're now in a glider on rudder/elevator V/Tail and are fine...I hope

[Ashley Davis]

577 is fine inflight, 877 was a bit of a nightmare and had a habit of burning up.

[Drag_Eli]

hi guys i dont often get a chance to logon but i was curious as to what you guys use to hold your tail servos onto the dragonus boom...any pics or linke to the parts you guys use?