Is This Normal

[lperagallo]

I converted my EB to 720s and on Saturday set it back up. Things started well and went down hill after three 15 minute flights. My engine was dying at different times during flight. I thought I might have a bad feed line or maybe the clunk fell off in my last crash. I went home and took the tank apart. Everything was fine. Next I took the Carb apart and found that there was some 'stuff' in the fine screen. I cleaned it up, added a filter in my supply tank after cleaning the supply out. I did not pull either needle to clean them. I figured the fine mesh filter in the carb protected the needles.

On sunday I flew it and it ran fine although I found the low speed needle a bit sensitive to adjustments. It also seemed like the engine was getting better the longer I flew it. I put four tanks threw it with the last at 19 minutes. I landed quickly as I could hear the engine lean out as it was fuel starved.

Today at lunch a friend came with me to tach the head for me. After a few small adjustments, it seems like the low speed was again sensitive. I had it running at 1670 at hover and full throttle climbed fine. I refueled and as I was flying I could tell the head speed was up. Sure enough, I was now running 1790. Again, it was running fine. I made no changes in between.

Is this just the way the G26 operates? Does it make sense that subsequent tanks smooth things out. The tail is locked and I don't seem to have a vibration problem, at least nothing I can see in the tail. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but my fear of engine failures and my inability to do good autos makes me question anything that seems wierd. Do you think I need to check the carb again and this time pull each needle and blow them out?

[rjflyer]

Not normal! Are you using the Z-rc carb spacer?

[lperagallo]

Yes I am using the Z-RC insulator. :D I was just reviewing the Gary Travis set up video and he suggests getting the reaching headspeed at 1/4 throttle. I don't think I am doing that, I'll check my radio. That could be the problem. I set the curve to be at headspeed at 1/2 stick. I may be loading the engine improperly. He also mentioned that the clutch could heat up if not in the powerband and I did notice a warm to hot clutch on Sunday. Oh, how I love set up! :roll:

[MarkWebber]

Oh, how I love set up!

Yep...it isn't much fun but sure can make or break you heli. I guess with practice it gets easier.

[lperagallo]

Well after looking at the Gary Travis video set up video and following the throttle curve set up by reaching head speed at 1/4 stick instead of 1/2 stick, it purrs like a kitten. I originally read it to mean that you wanted to reach head speed before applying pitch, so for me 1/2 stick was 0 degrees no load so that's how I had it set. That caused poor hover performance, wide swings in head speed, a hot clutch and difficulty setting the low speed needle.

Now I reach head speed at 1/4 throttle and by the time I lift off it is running great. Also the head speed held within 50 RPM. Climb out was also fine. While the throttle curve looks weird with a steep low end curve and a rather flat high end, it works real good.

Moral of the story......Follow directions to the letter. If it doesn't seem right, re-read them again!