A Couple of Stratus Questions....

[DKFlyer]

I bought a partially assembled Stratus almost a year ago, and put it aside for other projects. I'm now assembling it, and have a few questions:

1. The tail gearbox is open with pinned grey gears. I also have one with a set-screw on the output gear. Are both of these OK to use, or is one better than the other (or are they both bad, I have seen a metal gear out there???) ?

2. Which fuel tank should I use? I have the standard one that came with the kit, but I see that there is a new one. Also, I have the carbon fiber skids, will the new one fit with these?

3. What muffler goes with the Stratus? I have an SB-16FH off of my Tempest, but it doesn't look like it will fit with the OS .91 SZ. With the manifold turned one way, the bolts don't fit into the grove on the muffler. With it turned the other way, the manifold hits the cooling fins.


Thanks in advance for any advice. I had a Tempest 3D that I loved flying (my favorite heli ever), but it got accidentally shot down last fall. I'm really looking forward to getting this one going. :D


DK

[heliroller]

I bought a partially assembled Stratus almost a year ago, and put it aside for other projects. I'm now assembling it, and have a few questions:

1. The tail gearbox is open with pinned grey gears. I also have one with a set-screw on the output gear. Are both of these OK to use, or is one better than the other (or are they both bad, I have seen a metal gear out there???) ?

2. Which fuel tank should I use? I have the standard one that came with the kit, but I see that there is a new one. Also, I have the carbon fiber skids, will the new one fit with these?

3. What muffler goes with the Stratus? I have an SB-16FH off of my Tempest, but it doesn't look like it will fit with the OS .91 SZ. With the manifold turned one way, the bolts don't fit into the grove on the muffler. With it turned the other way, the manifold hits the cooling fins.


Thanks in advance for any advice. I had a Tempest 3D that I loved flying (my favorite heli ever), but it got accidentally shot down last fall. I'm really looking forward to getting this one going. :D


DK

Gears are probably ok. There is a new replacement set with a metal and delrin gear. The gray gears came out after the black gears folks were having problems with. If you fly in really cold climates, you might want to upgrade the gray to the new gear set.

Personally, I like the old tank.

MP5 works as well as the SB18 for the SZ motor.

[WayneBrown]

I vote for the old tank too, You can refuel while idling by tipping the machine on it's side, removing the cap and pour in the fuel. :)

[buburub]

Hi Dkflyer,
1) You probably want to replace the old gears with the new delrin/alum gear set. I've know 2 Stratus grey tail gear set that failed in the air. It didn't strip, it basically just cracked off. (Machined Delrin/Alloy Gear Set 123-96) and (Roll pin removal tool 0555)

2) I personally like the old tank because of the convenience factor and in case your fuel pump breaks, you can always pour the fuel right in or out.

3) With the OS SZ, the Hattori SB18 is the one to use and I also heard great things about Curtis YB Muscle Pipe 5.

4) Since you didn't fly the bird in a while, the following items are things that I would want to check on before putting the bird back into the air.
a) Make sure all bearings are smooth and not notchy.
b) Double check all linkages.
c) Make sure all bolts and nuts are locktited and ca'd.
d) I would balance the tail rotor and fan
e) Dial indicate the Motor
f) Make sure clutch dampers are in good condition
g) If the main grips are questionable I would replace them.
h) Make sure antenna is routed correctly to prevent lockouts.
g) secure wires into the receiver by using shoo goo.
h) Get the Arizona Regulator with pin flag switch to prevent a mechanical switch failure.

I love the Stratus, in fact I have 2 of them. But this bird with the SZ is a very tough combo because the bird is extremely stiff and the engine is especially rough. Try to be vigilant against lockouts! I personally just switched to the DX-7 and lockouts are a thing of the past.
Best of Luck!
Bub

[sookainian]

When you got your carbon skids ?

The old carbon skids wont work with the new fuel tank.

Notice the new and old skids in the picture. The old one is stright and the new one is 'bent' foward . . .

[DavidH]

I personally just switched to the DX-7 and lockouts are a thing of the past.


I would not be so sure about that. You can ask one of the pilots that was at the Birmingham event. He is a member here on Helifreak.


David

[buburub]

Hi David,
Does the lockout at Bham have anything to do with the Avant Aurora? please advise...very interested.
Bub

[DavidH]

No it was on a G10 framed Fury Tempest 3D. The pilot was just hovering and had just flipped the switch into idle up. The heli slammed into the ground and damaged it pretty bad. This was from about 5 feet of altitude. I walked down the flight line and asked the pilot what happened. He said it locked out. The pilot is a good pilot, he did not dumb thumb it. He is also a good builder. He does repairs for a couple of top 3D pilots that are from his area. Maybe he will comment, maybe he won't. I asked him when he told me what the problem was to please post about it. Just so pilots will be a little more aware this is all still new technology and to respect it.

David

[RealMcCoy]

I would definately use the open tail case with the set screws on the output shaft.

The one that is pinned is an earlier version that displayed shaft failures at the pinned location normally after the shaft suffered some impact trauma like hitting the tail on a hard auto. The one with the set screws on the output shaft is the current version. MA has just recently offered the metal/delrin gear set but only as an option.

I run the new metal/delrin gear set but I personally have never had a failure with the gray gears. They are very proven.

[DKFlyer]

Thanks for the replys!!

I have the old version of the carbon skids, so I guess it is the old fuel tank for me.

I will be using a DX-7 radio, so I hope to not have any glitches. I have had good luck with it so far (knocking on wood). I'm guessing most of the issues with it have been from voltage falling too low. The receiver is very sensitive to voltage drops, and when it browns out, it takes a long time to re-establish the link. At least using the DX 7 will prevent a shoot-down.

I will use the tail box with the set screw, and get the other one upgraded to that also.

How does the CG come out on the Stratus? I'm just wondering how much battery I should put up front. If it needs nose weight anyway, I'll use a larger pack. Otherwise I'm going to keep it light.

Thanks again,

DK

[Alfred]

How does the CG come out on the Stratus? I'm just wondering how much battery I should put up front. If it needs nose weight anyway, I'll use a larger pack. Otherwise I'm going to keep it light.

With the tail fins both painted in 2 part epoxy, canopy painted in 2 part epoxy.
A square 4800mah Li-Ion pack, Fromeco regulator and a GY401 all at the front, the heli came out just the smallest touch nose heavy (perfect).

So if you would use a GY601 and a Governor as well, you might want to reduce the size of the battery or move one of the items behind the mast?