The Electric Helicopter Beginner's Guide v17

[callum]

Just found this, and thaught i would post it, as it seems quite handy and useful to read trough, especially for someone just starting out.

here is the link

PDF Version:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg/ehbg-17.pdf

PDF A4 Paper Version:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg/ehbg-17-A4.pdf

Web Version:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg-v17/ehbg_index.html


I recommend the PDF version as it is much easier to read, You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or above or a supported PDF viewer

[Si Goodchild]

Nice one, Callum. And many thanks for your post a few weeks ago with tips about starting helis for the first time etc. I just started the engine on my new-to-me Raptor 50 (this was the first time I have ever started a glow engine) and the advice from your post plus the tips from others on this forum really helped.

(To be specific the tip about holding the head when you start the engine to stop it running away was the one that saved the day for me!)

A tip from me that may be of some use to others:

I've not bought a starter motor and shaft, I'm using a cordless drill with a 300mm extension shaft that is designed for screwdriver bits (cost £5). This hex shaft is 1/4 inch (6.3mm) across the flats as opposed to 6mm so I carefully took a file to it and hey presto: a cheap and effective starter for a fiver.

Si

[callum]

Im glad it helped

i am also considering using a drill as a starter what brand did you get?

Also, is that the Falcon 3D in your avatar?

if so how well does it fly with all stock parts?

[brin]

hi callum and si the only problem with using a drill is that it doesn't have a one way bearing i dont how much of a problem this will be all i know is i have used a few starters on my mates helis and planes and they all have one way bearings

[rapidgaz]

dont think it realy matters as the top of most modern helis have a 1 way bearing in the starter coupling, so as far as i know you dont need

[Si Goodchild]

dont think it realy matters as the top of most modern helis have a 1 way bearing in the starter coupling, so as far as i know you dont need

This is true, and there was no probs starting my Raptor 50 like this.

Callum, the drill is a cheapy from Argos but is a 24v model so plenty of power despite a dodgy battery pack. I reckon a smaller drill would handle it quite easily - say 14.4v or 18v, but this is only a worthwhile approach if you already have the drill - which I do. If you're starting from scratch you're probably better off getting a proper starter. You need to run the drill in reverse and turn off the Hammer mode!

The Avatar is a Mini Pred 3D with a Falcon 3D canopy - they are actually the same model, made by Art-Tech, but the Falcon canopy is sooo much better looking and robust than the stock mini pred item. The heli itself flies really well on stock parts when it's set up properly but it can also be a bit of a pain: Right now i've got a slightly bent main shaft and I can get the damned thing out of the frames because the inner portion of the one way bearing won't budge (aaaaarrrghh). So despite having the spares ready to go i can't fix the damned thing - she's going in the bloody bin at this rate!.

Si G

[cjcj1949]

Power is measured in watts. Someone should tell Argos. It might be easier to produce more power with more volts but that does not mean that it does. Yes power is Vsq/R but that's for a constant R. Mains drills are quoted in watts. Why not portables? A buyer also needs to know how long the drill will last at full power and how long it takes to charge and also how long it keeps its charge.

[Sesame]

I used a drill for ages before I sorted out another option, you only need it to be reversable.

just take care though I had a fuel lock one day and the drill actually sheered the started shaft just below the starter coupling.

[Balders]

some battery drills also do not turn fast enough to start a glow engine, I know mine certainly won't start my savage nitro truck for example...

[Pipistrelli]

I use a cheap 12volt drill/driver, with the gearbox on 2 (high speed setting), on 1 there is a lot more torque, but its not fast enough to start the engine.

[Si Goodchild]

Power is measured in watts. Someone should tell Argos...

True, but almost invariably the higher voltage drills have more power than the lower voltage ones. Anyway, at £5 for a starter, I'm happy for now.

[callum]

Tried looking for your drill but cannot find it on the Argos Site

[cjcj1949]

Yup, I hear the 240v ones are even better. You can power them from a small petrol generator. I'm not happy with argos at the moment or black and decker who tell me that my car booster has 7amps of power. Trouble is before you know it higher voltage becomes a must have and starts to drive the market. Torque and speed are pretty important too as well as energy stored in battery. The 240v is ac by the way. That's alternating current voltage not to be confused with ac current. The charger thing tells me it might not be safe with my car, so I have to check the car manual to see if they knew when they made my car if it would be ok with the black and decker thing when it was designed at some future point to some imaginary spec.