Metal grip induced wobble???

[brolley]

So I was pretty excited to see how my new power system was gonna perform. Upgraded to a CC ICE 100 and HYPERION VX 35C 5000 6S battery, and because of this decided to finally install metal blade grips. The first few flights were batt break in, linear TC (0,25,50,75,100) hovers only, no problems. Then uped the norm curve to 0,45,73,90,100. This produced a pretty good lateral. Thinking my HS might be low, went to IDLE 1 @ 90% flat. Same thing , lateral wobble. At this setting I didnt think it was the HS that was the problem. Went back to the plastic grips and the wobble was gone with the same settings.........any ideas?!?!

[briangp]

Did you dbl check tracking with the new grips? How are the dampers? Maybe just bad grips, they could have been bored out uneven. Do the blades look straight when installed?

[BigIreland]

Not sure how much this will help but try adjusting how tight you run your blade grips. I got a whole ESP head for my CF and after install and setup, I had a horrible vibration. In the end I had to run my blade grips really loose. Loose to the point where they fold on me carrying my bird to and from the grass for flights..

[brolley]

I didnt get a chance to try anything yet, too busy at work with the big choppers. But I want to take the bearings out of the new grips, check them out and look for any differences between the grips( maybe weigh them?). When I put them back on I will recheck track & balance. I thought the metal would be a little more precise than the plastic. Hopefully I find something. I was running the blades pretty tight... but was under the impression that most people do?

[briangp]

I run mine pretty tight as well. I usually stand behind the heli and grab both blades at once to fold, but generally my blades are just tight enough that I have to do them one at a time. Haven't had any issues, but unless you have a really soft start ESC, you undoubtably know if you're too loose...

[rceccleston]

Originally Posted by brolley

So I was pretty excited to see how my new power system was gonna perform. Upgraded to a CC ICE 100 and HYPERION VX 35C 5000 6S battery, and because of this decided to finally install metal blade grips. The first few flights were batt break in, linear TC (0,25,50,75,100) hovers only, no problems. Then uped the norm curve to 0,45,73,90,100. This produced a pretty good lateral. Thinking my HS might be low, went to IDLE 1 @ 90% flat. Same thing , lateral wobble. At this setting I didnt think it was the HS that was the problem. Went back to the plastic grips and the wobble was gone with the same settings.........any ideas?!?!

Sounds like the original plastic grips were dampening some vibration that the new metal grips have highlighted.

Recommend checking the condition of your head dampers, grey for <2050rpm and black for >2100rpm.

[johnic]

A buddy of mine changed out his grips and had a bad vib or wobble and you noticed it in the skids...turns out to be the new grips were missed drilled and we fought this prob for weeks trying to find it. Try new grips.

[brolley]

Wont be able to try new grips! The other day my helicopter blew up!!! Im pretty sure one of the plastic grips broke in flight! Loud bang followed by parts flying everywhere! One of the blades had no visible damage and half of the grip still attached. Broken frame , tail boom , tweaked rotor head... didnt check them yet but I hope my electronics are good. So now I have to decide to 1) rebuild, 2) new ESP airframe or 3) new 550. Any suggestions?