Gap between fan and clutch driver.

[Alfred]

David
My understanding is that Chris's gap is basically none extisting and that he used the correct parts.
So, he obviously doesn't have the .015 gap.
Assuming all the above is as stated, then there is a Manufacturer's issue.
That's the fix they have to come up with.

[DavidH]

Chris wrote: And I believe the gap he is referring to is the picture of X's
I just put a new 91 szh PS in my new stratus and the gap looked exactly like yours before its first flight.

That would leave me to believe that something moved after the model was flown.
So I would think the gap was in the .030 range when he installed the motor. At least that appears to be what he is saying in the above quote. So if the gap was there when he installed the motor, don't see how that is a manufactuer issue. I don't think the parts add on material once they are installed.Also Chris has never mentioned the measurement of the gap. .015 is close enough that it would appear that light can not be seen thru it.

David

[Alfred]

Some of this is conjecture on both of our sides.
He didn't mentioned the gap of 015 but mine was originally 010 (with a YS91) and with a light coloured background I still could see the light through it.
I then changed mine to the mashined down carbon base plate and now the gap is .021.
The new rubber dampers are a lot harder but the pins also go in a lot easier, so I can't see the pins "working themselfs in" after a few flights.
As there are no vertical slots in the whole engine/clutchstack system, it can't have moved there.
There are no vertical slots anywhere between the top and bottom frames.
IF the engine/fan assembly would have come loose..well it would have been obvious.
I am going to fire mine up this weekend, so I will see if the gap changes for some reason on mine.

[Jaso]

I used a thin piece of plastic cut out as shims like the above mentioned method and put them between the A arms and the base of the frame . My gap was ok I just wanted to make sure that it couldn't touch during flight and casue a clitch or lock out issue .
The plastic I used was from a packaging of a TT part of all things .
From memory , it was about 10-12 thou think hard plastic , the clear stuff thats a real pain to open to get your bling parts out of . I think it had a alloy TT head block in it or something . I put it in once I had carefully cut out the shims and loctited the bolts in as per normal .
I don't think it's going anywhere by it self as it is trapped between the flat bottom of the A arm uprights and the carbon base plate .
I was a bit turned off of using a piece of alloy or brass shim so I searched the heli room till I found the plastic and give it the technical material test, ie , I stabed it with a knife , squashed it with pliers, cut it with some side cutters and made sure fuel didn't eat it . lol :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Then when I was happy I made my shims . I havent rechecked my clearance but I guess it woold be around 35-40 thou which gives me a little safety margin and I doubt will adversely affect the dampeners . I'll keep an eye on it over time but I'm happy . :D
Cheers,
Jason .

[megotroulette]

isn't there a tool that you use for your fan, that you use to check the gap with?

i think its the fan tightener where you bolt it on.. its an ma one i think

Cheers.

[DavidH]

You use feeler gauges to check the gap. I don't think MA includes in the Stratus kits the piece of aluminum that is used to set the gap. It is .030 thick.

http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/Store/proddetail.asp?prod=0546

You can see the gauge in the above link. It is the U shaped piece with the notch. That is what comes in the kits where the motor is adjusted vertically.

The gap on the Stratus is set when the heli is built. It will be correct unless something was assembled wrong when putting the fan on the engine and the correct motor plates are used.

David

[megotroulette]

i am starting to suspect i know what happened to my stratus which locked out and crashed, apart from a bearing poping out of the starter shaft block and hitting against its block and a hex adaptor,

after the crash when i took the motor out on top of the fan it was polished right up from rubbing... :arggg: :arggg: which i think may have caused it...

with my next stratus i think i will be very carefull and alot more cautious about that gap when setting it up i think...


i have been using a JR X3810 radio and the R900 Jr pcm Receiver... anyone else using this receiver? is it suitable for the stratus?? it cost alot of $$ too :dontknow :lol:

What size should the gap be in mm.. since i am a kid and am not very smart... what the hell is a thou? :lol:

Cheers guys