Spinning like a mad thing

[RaptorMike]

I current have a TT Raptor 30 V2 which I have only attempted to fly once. I bought it in 2003 and at the time fitted the radio gear from my Nexus that I bought in 2000 (this too never flew). On my first flight of the Raptor, after checking that I had set everything up like the manual said, the heli started to spin very fast when the skids left the ground. I adjusted the trim as far as possible and this had no effect and I think I have the tail rotor set correctly.

First things first my gyro is an ancient Futaba G301 and as this was purchesed in 2000 I assume things have moved on! My transmitter is a Futaba 7C which I bought in 2003. Firstly would it be worth getting an up to date gyro then going from there? Im also assuming my problem is just caused by the gyro though?

Any help appreciated

Mike

[Mark_T]

I'd replace the G301 with a more modern heading hold gyro, usually plenty of very good ones on here 2nd hand, Spartan are both excellent and cheap right now as everyone is going FBL.

However the odds are that isn't your problem if it was a very fast spin, that would suggest that you may have something else moving the wrong way, it could be something as simple as the tail going the wrong way, tail blades on backwards, belt twisted the wrong way, or servo/gyro reversed from where it should be.

I'd get the new gyro then check everything carefully before you try again.

[rachel]

hi mike a couple of things to check ,.....
firstly if you rotate the rotor head of your chopper clockwise the tail should go anti clockwise , if it doesn't then you have twisted the tail belt thge wrong way (don't ask how I know !!!)

second if you switch everything on when you place the tail blades in a verticalposition the bottom blade should be leading edge forward and if you move the tail stick right the front edge of the blade should twist LEFT !!! (on the bottom blade !!!)

If all thats ok then check your gyro direction , the easyiest way I can explain this is hold the rotor head in your right hand and pull the tailboom sharply towards you , the tail pushrod should move forwards , if it doesn't the gyro needs to be reversed.
oh yes gyros have moved on a bit but the Raptor is a great heli to learn on :-)

Welcome to the forum
rachel

[RaptorMike]

Excellent, thanks for the quick replies. I will have another look at the items you mention. As far as gyros are concerned I have seen a few Futaba GY401's for sale, are these any good? Mark, will the Spartan one you mention work with my Futaba gear!

[Mark_T]

The GY401 is an old standard, but there are a lot of fake copies around as well, so not something to buy from ebay for example.

With the way the price of the Spartan gyros has fallen I just don't see much point in bothering with the 501 these days.

You can buy a brand new Spartan gyro for £50-60 so don't pay much above £30-35 for one 2nd hand.

Here is one example - http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/sale/8...tems-sale.html

These will work fine with Futaba equipment.

[dillwhacker]

tail stick right the front edge of the blade should twist right !!! (on the bottom blade !!!)

rachel

I may be wrong, but isn't that back to front?

[rachel]

I may be wrong, but isn't that back to front?

oooopppps yes that is backwards silly me :-(

[RaptorMike]

You can buy a brand new Spartan gyro for £50-60 so don't pay much above £30-35 for one 2nd hand..

£60 for the Spartan Quark MEMS AVCS Gyro seems very reasonable, I thought all gyros were mega expensive. Spartan Quark MEMS AVCS Gyro Black Case quarkblack I take it this one is ideal?

Another thought about my set-up is the linkage for the tail rotor, I am using the standard long linkage and when I last tried to check the settings I noticed that the linkage occasionally binds and the deflection of the blades isnt constant (this surely isn't helping matters). Would fitting the servo to the tail boom and using a short inkage be worth doing or is that only really for advanced flyers and 3D aerobatics?

[Chip]

£60 for the Spartan Quark MEMS AVCS Gyro seems very reasonable, I thought all gyros were mega expensive. Spartan Quark MEMS AVCS Gyro Black Case quarkblack I take it this one is ideal?

Another thought about my set-up is the linkage for the tail rotor, I am using the standard long linkage and when I last tried to check the settings I noticed that the linkage occasionally binds and the deflection of the blades isnt constant (this surely isn't helping matters). Would fitting the servo to the tail boom and using a short inkage be worth doing or is that only really for advanced flyers and 3D aerobatics?

That Spartan Gyro should be fine as long as you have a digital tail servo.
As far as the standard linkage goes it shouldn't bind at all, but using a tail boom mount is a very popular upgrade for the raptor helis. Good kits are available from quick uk. Quick UK Retail - shop-products

[waveydavey]

If you're after a new gyrom Mike you can do much worse than the best gyro in the world, a CSM 720. You can pick them up for about £45 delivered, the standard in HH gyros. What I hear you ask "Where will I find one of the best gyros in the world for such little money?" Well it just so happens that I have one for sale at that very price!

Shameless plug I know but they are the best and if you're looking for one pm me.

[Mark_T]

I'll vouch for Dave and his CSM 720, I'd happily say either Spartan or a CSM would do just fine for your needs.

Which servo are you using on the tail? You don't need much when learning with the Raptor, but at least a cheap digital would be needed if you go for the Spartan or the CSM gyro,

Re the tail linkage; don't rush to replace the current one, get the end-points properly set with your new gyro and you should find it all works just fine.

Putting the servo on the tail is a popular mod, but it does leave the servo hanging out in the oil and smoke, instead of being safely located up front.