Do you think my GAUI is set up right?

[aamacgregor]

I'm planning on getting this checked over before I fly it, but so as to make sure that it is set up as well as I can make it before hand, I thought I would write a post to see if anyone thinks that I have got it wrong, or can provide some tips.

Before I continue any further, I have noticed that when spooling up (30% throttle max... this is in my lounge and I don't want to give it enough juice for it to go anywhere), that there is a slight wobble of the whole helicopter. Don't know if you can see it in this video... but hopefully you can. Anyway, is this normal? Could it be the blades are out of balance, or the main shaft bent? Given that the helicopter has never flown, and that the main shaft "looks" straight, I'm guessing the blades could be out of balance - that said, I've got two sets of blades, and the helicopter wobbles with both sets.

There should also be a few pictures of the swashplate setup. Comments welcome.

[rudi]

Crikey, you're running that close to your furniture!

The vibration could be because the blades haven't centred properly. How tight are your main blade grips? It could also be resonant frequency that is normal and goes away as you increase the rpm.

[aamacgregor]

What do you mean "close to your furniture"?... there are at least a couple of mm between the blades and the sofas!

The blade grips are relatively tight. The vibration does seem to reduce the higher the rpm... but I didn't want to go above 30% throttle, with the thought that I didn't want the helicopter to move... figured the wife wouldn't appreciate me redecorating the flat.

[Varelco]

+1 to what Rudi said.

Spool up to full RPM outside and you will see it smooth out.

[heathy]

Yeah, just needs more speed, get her up

[rudi]

I would say don't worry about it at this stage, and give it a proper run up outside. I reckon the vibration will go at normal operating speeds.

Also check the blade grip tightness - not too tight, but from looking at the video it looks OK.

Seriously though, I wasn't concerned about the sofa More that if you hit it, you'll likely break a blade, links, servo gears. Better to just take it out into the street for a spool up if you can't wait.

[aamacgregor]

Thanks people. I'll have a go spooling it up outside at full speed on Saturday (when I can see it)... man I wish it was the long summer days right now.