engine fan and clutch bell HOT

[sookainian]

When you guys are flying your Stratus, after flying it for 3D and u landed, do your engine fan OR clutch bell feel hot ?


Because today when I am flying after some light 3D, i landed it. When i open my canopy, i notice my engine fan and clutch is quite hot.


So is this normal for a Stratus ? or something not right with my bird ?

[WayneBrown]

the engine will transfer heat to both through the shafts.
Test the clutch by going vertical wide open and reverse direction and see if the engine speeds up at the transition.

[sookainian]

WayneBrown, what do you mean by "Test the clutch by going vertical wide open and reverse direction and see if the engine speeds up at the transition."

I don't really understand how do u test it, can u explain again ? so sorry

[DavidH]

Check the bearing between the clutch and clutch driver. You will have to take it out of the model to check it. If that bearing is going bad, the clutch bell and clutch driver block will get very hot. It will get hot enough to start melting the resin in the carbon fiber plates.

While you have it out, check the clutch and see if it is blue in color. If it is the clutch has been slipping in the clutch bell and will cause heat.

David

[sookainian]

what if it is not blue colour ?

[DavidH]

If the clutch looks normal. Then it is not heating up too much.

David

[sookainian]

ok, i never see before the clutch colour. But normally from my Raptor, it is black.

But for stratus, do u mean if the clutch liner is still blue, means the clutch linner is all right or ?

[DavidH]

No the clutch is steel, it is not anodized any color. It is just natual steel. If it is a dark blue color, it has been getting hot.
The clutch liner is a white/grayish color. If the clutch as been slipping, it will be a glazed black color.

David

[sookainian]

ok, let me take my heli apart and check. Will keep you guys update

[sookainian]

This what i see, my clutch liner is like brown and there is abit of gray stuff. Is this normal ?

[Alfred]

The clutch itself looks fine althought the lightning isn't the greatest.
Clutch liner is a little bit on the dark side, but I think that your inner clutch liner ballbearing is cactus. The inner cage is brown which would indicate slipping on the shaft.
Just check that it turns alright by just using your finger.
Wait for David and see what he thinks.

[sookainian]

what happen to WayneBrown and DavidH ? seems like i am not getting a reply from the pros =(

[WayneBrown]

it looks okay to me overall, although I am concerned about the discoloring on the bell's bearing too.

[MAJEFF]

Liner look good a little color but if that is HD don't worry. Check bearings and fan dampners like Wayne said heat transfer from motor threw your clutch & bell so you mite need to rebuild because loctite does break down.

[sookainian]

ok, i am not sure why i cant take my clutch apart.

i tried removing the 2 grup screws at the side, but still cant pull the whole thing apart.

Anytips so i can check my bearings between the clutch and the shaft ?

[Laddy]

Go to page 8 of this look and it will tell you how to take the clutch apart.
http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/Support/Instructions/Stratus_Conversion_Instructions_R3.pdf
Sometimes you have to apply some heat to get the Loctite to break loose.

[ChrisLaFollette]

The clutch unscrews from the driver. Turn it counterclockwise while holding the driver bottom and the clutch shoes and it will come off.

[sookainian]

Ok i got u guys, Thanks