Walkera V450D01

[ADK_Lancer]

Thanks for the input guys! I probably should have waited for calmer day to bring her out but it seems like it's always windy up here in the Northcountry. Got to learn to be patient and take things slow but jeez that's hard with a brand new heli. I have thought about a lower end trainer but that would be admitting I made a mistake and that ain't happening!

Seriously though, I will look into the MCPX and will move at a slower pace on the V450. More sim time, baby steps and not flying in the breeze.

[60something]

However, currently my V450D01 with all the settings where they should be is behaving like a mad woman in the air. I didn't let anything overheat, I only had 5 min flights, always landed as soft as a feather, and then out of nowhere it goes beserk. Yet if I hold it (above my head) and spool it up everything appears to be working as it should. So the mystery remains, I can only think that the 3G gyro is the problem. I'm going to have another shot at flying it this weekend.

Unlike ordinary helis, 3g systems need to get a proper initialization done on power up, to set up the AVCS gyro system (Angular Velocity Control System - the gyro in most HH and 3g gyros. HH gyros also need this but are a bit more forgiving). The heli can't move while this is going on, or it won't fix a proper neutral point. When sitting on the ground, and spooling up - if the heli seems especially squirrely on power up before lift off, power down and give the rudder 4 or 5 good hefty right/left quick swings - this, on most AVCS gyros, will force a recalibrate of the helis current position. If its still squirrelly, power off completely and re-initialize. If its still squirrely, check the head linkages and washout arms for ball links broken or pushed in on the ball. I flew my 4F200 for a bit before I realized the crankiness I was experiencing was actually due to a broken washout assembly (the part just above the swashplate).

At 5 min flight time - that sounds about normal -you may be trying to push your batteries too long and the ESC is going into soft power mode.

[urrl]

I have found if I do not shut off the 2801 TX after each flight; if I just change the battery and try to fly again the heli at various times goes berserk trying to take off. I always shut off and turn the TX back on before flying again.

EDIT: Flew this morning 6 packs in a 5 to 10 MPH wind; I figured I needed the practice of preparing to keep the nose down when turning a circle into the wind. I finally put in the 3200 mAH 3S battery figuring I could bypass the timer over the set 5.5 minute mark but I was wrong; the heli began to die about 2.5 minutes in flight. I almost crashed trying to land, but though the heli was a good distance away I could see it landed hard lopsided but no blade strike. There was no damage but I learned an important lesson; ALWAYS meter test all batteries before a flight no matter how sure you are that you charged them. Now I carry my little meter into the field with me.

[FlyingFiz]

Quick update,

I got to take the heli for another couple of packs on the weekend. All perfect, the "mad woman" has left the building (or heli in this case). It flew beautifully, fairly rocketing across the park. Everything doing what it should have perfectly. It did however, feel a bit more lively than usual, not sure if it was the wind or a lighter atmosphere than usual but not an issue, just an observation. :lol:

I'm still not sure what the isuue was, as there were no changes to Tx or receiver at any time. Perhaps it was a bit overheated and I tried to fly it too soon??

Also, I always have the heli on a secure surface when I power it up, I make sure I don't touch it until initialisation is complete, and then I wait 10 seconds more.

All good now though.

I'm definitely a buyer of the V500D01 when available.

[Magooch]

What a heli :thumbup: I am having soo much fun. Weather has been good this last week, but not today. I had a spectacular crash two weeks ago, got cought day dreaming... Got her back together and in the air in a couple days, need to restock on parts. I noticed WOW or Walkera has some new servos for this heli, do they rebrand or design? They compare them to the hitec 5065mg as far as gears go, with one plastic gear. Whats with the plastic gear?

[urrl]

The thought hit me to remove the front canopy from my fuselage to tape in an iPhone 4 into the nose section of the V450D01 heli. The heli seemed to fly exceptionally well, I suppose the light weight of the iPhone had much to do with it. Just wanted an HD view of being up in the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXlK58cEGmo

[john aeras]

Ok... you don't have to prove your courage in any other way!
Risked heli and iphone 4 in one shot!lol:wow2:

[Dave S]

WOW! I'll second, third and fourth what John said. Doing that video took some major cahoonas! What if you'd gotten a phone call while in the air?! :rolling

Seriously, nice flying and a clever idea, if just a bit risky. BTW, what kind of fuselage did you use for your V450 and where'd ya get it?

[urrl]

Got the fuse from Helidirect.com I think.
This morning I awoke early, anxious to get going, knowing my iPhone was already prepared; attached under the heli by a wire hangar (I am still experimenting with how to do this). I arrived at the park, looking out at the fine, windless morning and was on my way into the field when I was hailed from behind. A stranger named Chris had parked near me, mentioning he also has a couple of 450 sized helis. Knowing I would need a videographer, I offered him the task, which he accepted. Then both of us went out into the field to the empty baseball diamond. We chatted a bit, both of us admitting our share of crashes and exchanging info about our heli collections as I set up the heli for take-off, glancing up at the patches of blue against grey clouds, perfect for video I thought.

The iPhone 4 had a near mishap scraping the ground during a flyby as shown in the clip, but no iPhones were harmed during this video. Nevertheless I think I'd better start considering a helicam but not sure if there are any that will give me as good resolution.

You may want to cook some popcorn if you decide to wait for it in 720p as I think Chris did a fine job at the exterior video shots, but it's up to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSBm3vx0sT4

[Magooch]

I put my phone on also. I made a holder that went through holes in landing gear. And held my phone out front. Have a couple good shots. I have been keeping my eye on this company http://www.rclogger.com/index.php looks like they have some good stuff coming out. I have not heard much about their products yet. :dontknow

[Magooch]

Nice flying btw! :clappp My video just goes up and down :face

[john aeras]

Great video (I guess you like Apocalypse Now as well!:YeaBaby:), good thing you had a carpet and rubber tires on the heli to sandwich the iphone on landing... lol!:wow2:

[bsr100]

Could you someone send me the instructions from WOW on this heli? tx:arggg:

[urrl]

Thanks for the replies. Here is the last aerial flight; I may think twice against such an endeavor in the future, but you never know. This time I get some real altitude and leave the park to video the street below. It was hard to see the orientation of the heli from that distance so I did not hover over the street for long.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xysODAG_PMw

[Apphoard]

I am still have not got this V450 in the air, if you all remember I am the one Wow sent the v450 and in the first minute the esc burned up.So they said its probably a bad esc or motor send yous back we will check them both. So they said the esc is bad we dont have one in stock. I said I will buy one somewhere else send me my motor and a esc when you get it.So I installed my esc from the other people and motor and nothing. Wow says ok send back the receiver the esc you bought and the motor. They say ok your new esc is burnt you rec. is ok and motor is ok to.There must be a short somewhere check the continuity on the red and black on your servos. I did all three up top read the same and the rudder gives me a lower reading.I bought this cheap analog meter from radio shack. And I notice that the red dial on the side moves the needle so I dont know where to set that.But one of the servos up top I noticed on the black wire the cover is got the tinyest cut scrap in it .But the others look ok I was wondering if you all think that could be the short or the rudder servo that reads less could be the short.Because I am gonna short out if I cant fix this soon.This is my first real heli and I have to say I have not enjoyed one second with it since I have laid eyes on it.Well maybe a few seconds it is a nice looking heli.So I ordered another meter that Jon suggested that is digital, it is on the way.

[AnTi Taco]

can i ask a quick question...on the FBL rx what is the SET button do? all i know is each time you press it the light comes on for ELEV - AILERON - RUDDEER

[urrl]

I think these set the ranges of motion for each. Instructions for setting are sent with the heli if you purchased from WOW.

I purchased a second V450 from WOW. There was a lot of vibration, so much the heli would not fly. I finally discovered the blades were not balanced. Here is a clip of the V450 in an AIrwolf body from RC Aerodyne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOmG9r-Pvfg

Learned how to balance my blades without a scale from this link:
http://www.rchelisite.com/rc_helicopter_blade_balancing.php
Now my new Walkera V450 is no longer a paint shaker. I didn't know that balancing blades could be so important.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2FDh0sLf2U&NR=1

[kdean]

I bought a 2702v rx to put in a 450 clone project, but I dont think the gyro is working right. I'm using the wk 09 09 upgraded servos and I can see the elevator gyro correcting to balance, but the aileron gyro is not moving the servos to correct the tilt angle. Is this normal?

[urrl]

When tilted the side to side the left and right servos should move slightly to correct the movement but you have to watch closely to detect if it is working or not.

[urrl]

Here is this morning's flight to show how well the Flybarless Walkera V450D01 in Airwolf body can behave if set up properly. Without those Radio Shack heat sinks I would doubtless still be having ESC overheating problems though. This is the best area that I've discovered here in Hollywood Florida so far. Too bad it's just me and the security guards enjoying the flight. Wish there were more RC guys here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9sbOgkKZ3w

[hilo69]

hey thats a nice bird! always wanted one since saw on tv air wolfe awsome! now we just need blue thunder?HAHAHALOL

[hunter97]

Light keeps blinking, theres only one beep i can hear when motor is connected, is there anything i can try, already tried using the bind plug, used another esc and still the same problem. Any ideas that i could try before buying a new rx?

[urrl]

The stock Rx is expensive. I seem to remember I had the same problem, however I am sure that I have NEVER bought a new Rx to solve the problem. Oh yes, I remember a bad servo can do this! Test each servo port by plugging in a good servo and testing one port at a time, without uninstalling your other servos, to save you some time and work. Once the bad servo is located you can un-screw and replace it.

[bergen flier]

Anybody have a copy of these they can send to wsmithman@comcast.net?

[Trump1]

well mine came in yesterday right on schedule.... there was a snapped screw in the box :arggg: after someinspection I found its from the lower elevator servo mount :mad: I got a 2 minute flight into it anyways, it lifted off the ground and hovered like a dream heli. couldnt have been happier with its flight stability. I ordered the heli from WOWHobbies, they pretty much suck because I called them and they wouldnt help me over the phone, I had to fill out a customer service inquiry online and wait up to 48 hours for a response. :thumbdown:

Not into their customer service. anybody know of a good US based Walkera parts store? My LHS carries nothing for Walkera.

Try Helidirect or Rccarmax.com.