As The Blades Turn.......

Discussion in 'Blade Heli's' started by Beaver, Jan 30, 2015.

By Beaver on Jan 30, 2015 at 8:44 PM
  1. Beaver

    Beaver Well-Known Member

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    So I found myself in need of a replacement feathering spindle for my Nano CPx because it was bent and causing blade tracking and balance issues... then upon gently trying to straighten it, it breaks. I figured a trip to the LHS would remedy the problem, but no F spindle in stock. Next week I happen by the other
    LHS and again, no F spindle in stock, and was informed the part was on back-order at Horizon. So I go home and begin reviving my 120SR that was neglected after I bought the Nano. Naturally it flies like shiz and then I begin the process of scrutinizing parts. Several trips to the LHS later over the next two weeks resulted in two new Li-po batteries (one that has gone bad right out of the package and was replaced for free by Horizon), a rotor hub, cf main shaft, mixing fly bar, main motor, tail boom assembly with tail motor, landing skids, and a tail fin just for the hell of it. I also did some touch-up soldering on the 5 in 1 control board. So, over several weeks time I have managed to practically rebuild my 120SR, which flies like new now as I would expect........ and I have spent $60 to stay in the air while waiting for a $6 part. Feathering spindles for the Nano still on back-order at Horizon of course, as I suspect now they must literally be on a "slow boat from China" or something of that nature. I'm Beaver, and I'm a helicopter addict. :p
     

Comments

Discussion in 'Blade Heli's' started by Beaver, Jan 30, 2015.

    1. feral

      feral Well-Known Member

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      Haha!
      Love the ending mate
       
    2. Manyc

      Manyc Well-Known Member

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      Lol.. aren't you supposed to start with that?
       
    3. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      Thats gold beaver... I have done a very similar thing while waiting for mcpx parts.
       
    4. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I needed to resurrect the 120sr anyway, I hate to let it just sit there and collect dust. What's with Horizon anyway?? One would think they could keep parts for a model featured in the current product line. I need to be flying more CP, and less FP....... but at least I'm not totally grounded. :D
       
    5. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I must say though, going from the CP Nano to the FP 120SR...... I had to set the 120 up with the most aggressive trimmings and control rate I could to get anywhere near the same response as the twitchy little Nano to keep myself from feeling like I was somehow regressing. I do find, however, that I can now "yank and bank" around with the 120sr with much greater ease than before.
       
    6. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      120 SR is a great little helicopter. I still have mine, I have heaps of spares but I don't really fly it now as the CP bug has bitten me too hard so for my micro i use the mcpxBL.
       
    7. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I suppose I could order an F spindle online for the Nano, but I don't like doing that unless I absolutely have to. I try to do all my business with the LHS whenever possible. ...... They will have what I need within days after the back-order is filled anyway.
       
    8. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      A-ha! A visit to the Horizon website shows my NanoCPx F spindle no longer on back-order...... of course, right after I reinvest in 120sr parts. That's okay though, two functional birds is still better than two grounded ones.
       
    9. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      I dont know about you @Beaver but i find when my Heli is down and i cant get parts, i feel like shiz... like something is just not complete in my life. ... Hi my name is Ray and I am a helicopter addict too.....
       
    10. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      Ain't that some shiz. I've been flying the Nano for quite a while since replacing the F-spindle, but the silly thing just didn't seem to like holding a stable hover.... so I dismissed the problem as being the Nano's inherent twitchiness and left it at that. Then recently I read about a similar problem in another forum. Long story-short..... I had the damn F-spindle too tight. Duh! (insert palm-face here) 1/4 turn loosened, and the silly thing hovers flat on its own now. I can even piro now without it going out of control. Go figure.
       
    11. utrinque

      utrinque Well-Known Member

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      Funny story ;)

      I have two tipsy which can help:
      - use hand press to straighten Nano feathering shaft
      - type in Google: "You have to try this mod" and read my thread, please

      I use something like this:
      [​IMG]

      I am serious. This is no joke. Sure I do not use all 1 ton force. I did it many times.

      Practice will make you a master.
       
    12. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I haven't bent a spindle since installing this one a few months ago. I'll definitely keep that in mind if I bend one. I ordered two spindles last time just in case they get put on back-order again.
       
    13. utrinque

      utrinque Well-Known Member

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    14. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      ;)Thanks. I was a machinist at one time, so I'm well acquainted with such techniques. But hey... it's always good to share info.
       
    15. Stuart

      Stuart Active Member

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      Probably need to replace the spindle on my nano. It hovers with a toilet bowl effect.. But I could never be bothered looking into the problem. Now I can just try your recommendation. Thanks.

      Stuart
      Citizen #507
       
    16. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      WP_20150504_001.jpg
      That was the problem I was having. Seems the least little bit of friction at the blade grip (spindle) causes the servos and gyros to overcompensate, resulting in T.B.Effect. I should have known. So loosen the spindle just enough so there is no resistance at blade grips while maintaining minimal gap between grips and rotor head. (A dab of threadlock on spindle nut recommended) I also installed a lightweight spring between rotor head and swash plate to minimize slop. The thing hovers virtually hands free now!
       
      Last edited: May 5, 2015
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    17. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      That is brilliant @Beaver! I think NASA might be your calling...
       
    18. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      To further update: Having solved the stability problem at the F-spindle, I can actually fly with a 25kph wind and keep the little shiz in the air now! :D
       
    19. utrinque

      utrinque Well-Known Member

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      Spring mod is very interesting.

      I wonder if simillar spring could be beneficial in 700-800?

      I am not pursuing more stability but precision of control could be the main benefit.
       

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