Stretching a Raptor 30 or 50 to run 680mm mains

[AZ ChopperCam]

Here's how I stretch my Raptors to run 680mm main blades and 95mm tail blades.

Aluminum JR Ergo 60 boom (cut 1.95" from the end)
part no. 983011
$17

or Revolution brand Ergo 60 carbon boom
part no. RVO1112
$42

You will also want to run Raptor 30 main/pinion gear which is 86 tooth and 9 tooth. This puts the 50 engine running at peak RPM but keeps the mains where they need to be.

PV0367 Pinion Gear R30 v2
$8

AK0031 Main Gear Raptor 30 v1 or v2
$12

All of those above are available from www.Heliproz.com

Then you need to run a longer belt. I get those from www.sdp-si.com

368 tooth XL series belt
part no. A 6R 3-368025
$10

It is suggested to run metal blade grips due to heavier blades. Quick UK, Mavrikk and TT all make some great metal grips for the Raptor.

All in all you're looking at about $45-100 to stretch it out (not including main or tail blades).

I've been running this setup on my RaptorCams and lifting ability is amazing as well as the ability to execute an autorotation with a full load of camera gear.

It's no 3D machine after this conversion but that's no the point.

[GGoodrum]

This would also work with the electric conversions, but I'm not sure it's really neccesary. With the Titan extended boom/belt, you can run 620s, and you can run a lot more power than the glow versions. If you also do the eCCPM conversion, and get rid of most, or all, of the servo tray, you can lose close to a pound of weight. Combine all that together and you have a system that could lift half of Nevada. :)

Seriously, my A50-12S- powered Raptor has no problem lifting a Sony HDR-FX1 high definition camera, and it weighs over 4 pounds. I just got the smaller HDR-HC3, which is much lighter (a little over 1 pound...), so I really don't think I need anything bigger. I find for most of the kind of real estate work I've been doing, even the Raptor is a bit too much to feel comfortable with in limited space.

Where I really plan to use the Raptor for, is doing video of ongoing construction projects for a couple of developers I know. This way they can check on overall progress without leaving their offices. For that kind of work, my 620-bladed Raptor will do just fine. For everything else, I use the Logo 10 Carbon or soon, an ep-8.

-- Gary

[AZ ChopperCam]

good to hear that the A50-12S will produce that kind of power!

Keep in mind also that going long on the blades is not only for lift but for safety. I can auto my stretched RaptorCam fully loaded and still have a good 2 seconds of hang time at the bottom. Those 180 gr. mains have a good deal of inertia!

Since I do alot of AV work over lots full of expensive cars/trucks I like the comfort of knowing I have a better chance at a controlled auto into a good landing zone. :wink:

[GGoodrum]

Good points, for sure. Have you tried non-symetrical blades? That should add to the lift factor as well.

Just curious, what is the AUW of your glow setup, without a camera?

[AZ ChopperCam]

hmmmm without video cam


comes up to about 8.9 to 10lb depending on config.

[GGoodrum]

Is that including the stretched boom?

[AZ ChopperCam]

yeah.... although my scale is +/- about 2lb so it's just an average reading.

[dreslism]

This would also work with the electric conversions, but I'm not sure it's really neccesary. With the Titan extended boom/belt, you can run 620s, and you can run a lot more power than the glow versions. If you also do the eCCPM conversion, and get rid of most, or all, of the servo tray, you can lose close to a pound of weight. Combine all that together and you have a system that could lift half of Nevada. :)
-- Gary

Gary, that is right about the eCCPM option. I just put it on my new titan and never even put the front servo tray on. Now tonight I just realized the bad thing.

With the eCCPM option on, you cannot use DJ's awesome front mount as the servos are in the way! Ugh.

--Scott

[loewermx]

Hey DJ,

What kind of 680 mains are you using? Where can I get some 3mm bolt spacers?

Scott

[AZ ChopperCam]

I have V Blade 690's trimmed to 680 and some TT 680's.

Not sure on 3mm bolt spacers. I wouldn't run 680's on 3mm though. Maybe you meant 4mm?

The VBlades I have were 4mm/14mm. I had to mill 1mm off each side to get it to 12mm. The TT 680's are cheaper, about the same weight and are 4mm/12mm. Perfect for a Raptor 50

With the eCCPM option on, you cannot use DJ's awesome front mount as the servos are in the way!

yeah... I was going to order that eCCPM kit too but in looking at pics I soon realized that clearance was an issue. :roll:

[dreslism]

yeah... I was going to order that eCCPM kit too but in looking at pics I soon realized that clearance was an issue. :roll:

It is so nice and simple and light though. I'll have to weigh all the stuff still sitting in bags right now to see how much weight I saved. I have nothing up front except the 2 halves of the frame. Looking at the instructions for the mechanical mixing and all the parts scared me. :D

I left the whole servotray off completely, so I have tons of room up front now. I wonder If I can just use shorter aluminum arms up front and connect them to the front of the frames instead of the rear.

Hmmm, that probably won't work as that leaves no place to mount the front support.

Maybe some longer standoffs into the frame in the rear to bring the aluminum tubes out wider around the eCCPM servos.

So neoprene absorber still in the rear up agains the frame, standoff threaded to that, then aluminum rails threaded to the standoff?

probably too flexy at that point. I think a chunk of hdpe mounted to the frame in the rear to "extend" the width of the frame and then the neoprene absorber, then the tube to the absorber.

Of course now this changes the width and up front dimensions so it will no longer fit in your current design as they tubes will be too wide for the current holes in the carbon mount up front.

hmmmm :?

Guess I'll have to go back to my underslung mount... :wink:

[dreslism]

I've been checking around and can't find any, but anyone know where to find some non-symetrical 620mm blades?

I want to try some out for lift and runtime.

[AZ ChopperCam]

Maybe some longer standoffs into the frame in the rear to bring the aluminum tubes out wider around the eCCPM servos.

yup that would work.. and if you did the pan option you can make the tubes as wide as you need without worrying about them lining up to the holes in the gimbal plates. they can be whatever width

[dreslism]

Maybe some longer standoffs into the frame in the rear to bring the aluminum tubes out wider around the eCCPM servos.

yup that would work.. and if you did the pan option you can make the tubes as wide as you need without worrying about them lining up to the holes in the gimbal plates. they can be whatever width

Oooh, now you're talking! I was very interested in the pan option as I am more into shooting stills, and wanted to start doing panos which the front mount is great for!