Attention all Lepton builders - issue found with linkages

[Finless]

OK while going through head setup I found a serious binding issue in the head.
This is WITH implementing the addendum sheet supplied by Hirobo with the little bag of link parts for the blade grip balls.
The mixer arm links from the swash to the seesaw mixer arms BIND the seesaw at full pitch let alone any cyclic!!! add cyclic and WOW.....
I believe the addendum sheet is incorrect


Update! I just talked to Jeff Green. He pointed out I had my washout backwards which I have now fixed (dang cant believe I made that mistake!), and we discussed the issue. He and many others have been flying per the addendum no problem. While I still believe this to be an issue Jeff asked me to please try it stock first then decide. I agreed to do so as this is a reasonable request!
Here is a video explaining the pros and cons of the mod and my discussion with Jeff Green:
VIDEO -> Discussion with MRC of Pro's and Cons of my mod (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/lepton&filename=issue_update.wmv)

Here is video explaining the issue:
Head linkage binding issue]
LINK ISSUE (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/lepton&filename=issue.wmv)

OK, Here is my mod which I think solves what I consider an issue. Please watch the above video about my conversation with Jeff and then you decided at this point weither to use this mod or not.
Head linkage binding issue - My Modification
LINK ISSUE - My Modification (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/lepton&filename=issuefixfinal.wmv)



Bob

[CRAZYKEV]

Did you size the ball links?

[Finless]

Dude.... sorry but this has NOTHING to do with sizing ball links... Did you watch the video?

Bob

[mudbogger2]

you have step one in the build video linked there Bob.

[mudbogger2]

Would a standard ball without the standoff work in place of the one supplied?

[CRAZYKEV]

Dude.... sorry but this has NOTHING to do with sizing ball links... Did you watch the video?

Bob

Sorry man, I wasn't try to be a smart ass.

[Finless]

OK I fixed the link... THANKS for letting me know it was hosed....

Now have a look

Bob

[Finless]

I HAVE THE SOLUTION!!!!!

Stay tuned

Bob

[Finless]

I just posted my attempt #1 to solve the linkage int he seesaw mixer arms from binding. It HELPED but is NOT the proper solution.

See first post for the video.

Now I am going to work on another idea that I am pretty sure will solve it.

Bob

[Finless]

OK final FIX figured out....

Please see top post for video.

YOU MUST DO THIS OR YOU RISK POPPING LINKS ETC!!!!

Bob

[WillJames]

Very interesting Bob. Just watched all the vids. Looks like a good fix.

Thank you for pointing it out and not just *****ing, but actually finding a fix and helping. You ROCK!!

[ethinger]

i found the same problem, but i shaved off the plastic ball cup. and now it doesnt bind... but i believe the ball should be changed into a ball with no stand off, instead of being swapped...

[ethinger]

Bob, i think you got your washout assembly the wrong way around... step no.24 on my manual shows it.

Funny thing is now... my head came pre fitted with the short balls stand on the blade grips. (the supplement sheet i received was about the mixer arms flipping, not abt the balls on the grips)

[Finless]

ethinger, yes I did have my washout backwards. Good catch! Dang we all make mistakes I guess! I went by how the links go on NOT by the drawing int he book. SAME on me! I will fix that.

All I just got off the phone with Jeff Green and while he agrees what I did solves the linkage binding he doesnt agree that Hirobo made a mistake in the addendum nor that the binding is an issue as they all have been flying the heli fine that way.

Of course I still argued with him that it is not right and he argued that angling the link to the blade grip might change how the heli flys. We agreed to disagree BUT.......

Jeff asked me a favor and I agreed.
Fly the heli STOCK per the addendum and then judge. If I still dont like it change it. He also said he would test the mod with the balls moved.

So I am going to make a updated video, explain that I had the washout backwards which does solve the lower link on the swash striking that I had pointed out. The I am going to go back to the addendum setup and fly it that way this weekend.

Stay tuned,
Bob

[ethinger]

Bob, i have to agree with you that the heli will not fly ok with the ball link with stand on the inner mixer arms-the one that binds with the flybar housing. All i did was shaved off the ball cup on the side that binds. now, i have no binding problem. infact it is very smooth that way. Now i have swapped the balls around and i will try to fly that way tomorrow. shall see how it goes....

[Gscott]

I checked mine and it barely binds. I probably wouldn't have noticed it. It is more noticeable if I go full cyclic in the extreme corners but even then it doesn't appear to be as bad as the video.

[Finless]

Understand! Obviously your mechanical tollerances might be different than mine and your getting a tad more clearance. Again Jeff told me it still flys fine and I have no reason not to believe him.

In the end this is just something I noticed that I did not like and I feel that flipping thre balls arounds solves it 100%!!!! The slight angle on he balde grip link I dont think will do anyting the the flight charateristics in my opinion. BUT if it did that is also easly solved by shortening that balls stand off as well and getting the link straight again.

Anyway good to hear yours is OK :)

Bob

[mudbogger2]

Flew mine today as is and had no problems at all! :glasses: Threw in some 3d just to be sure too.

[Finless]

OK report..... I flew mine and Jack726. His was stock mine was not (has my mod).
I felt NO difference! Now granted I am no heavy 3D pilot but I did do some hard rolls and loops and some inverted. I really felt absolutly NO DIFFERENCE.

I am going to leave mine modified though as I just dont like the linkages "rubbing" like that. Either way you go it appears you will be fine.

I will be posting vids of both flights in about an hour.

Bob