rob_jones
12-29-2004, 03:27 PM
The next time you are working on your T-Rex, you may want to take a few minutes to fix a potential problem.
I was flying mine Sunday and had a nasty crash caused by the inner part of the swashplate pulling out of the bearing. I was hovering inverted and it began sinking. When I tried to climb, nothing happened and I had no control when I tried to flip it back over. It went straight in on the nose and damaged the battery.
Overall damage to the copter itself was minor and will only cost about $25 to repair. So I am pleased about that. But the battery is an expensive item to replace! :WOW
I would recommend removing the swashplate and pulling out the inner section, then press the bearing out of the outer section. Then clean all surfaces with alcohol and either JB Weld or epoxy it back together. Of course, use caution to not get any glue in the bearing itself. But be sure the inner section is securely glued in and that the bearing is fully seated and squared up in the outer section. If you use JB Weld like I did, remember that it takes at least 48 hours to fully cure.
This is where the swashplate separated. It looks like it's held together with green locktite. I would use something more permanent. If you're worried about not being able to replace the bearing later on, the entire swashplate assembly is only $10.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/swash_1.jpg
Canopy is wasted. $8 for a new one.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/canopy_1.jpg
Battery damaged when it was pushed into the motor. I might come up with some kind of battery tray to prevent this from happening again.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/battery_1.jpg
Slight damage to the frames. Going to JB Weld it here, too.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/frames_1.jpg
I was flying mine Sunday and had a nasty crash caused by the inner part of the swashplate pulling out of the bearing. I was hovering inverted and it began sinking. When I tried to climb, nothing happened and I had no control when I tried to flip it back over. It went straight in on the nose and damaged the battery.
Overall damage to the copter itself was minor and will only cost about $25 to repair. So I am pleased about that. But the battery is an expensive item to replace! :WOW
I would recommend removing the swashplate and pulling out the inner section, then press the bearing out of the outer section. Then clean all surfaces with alcohol and either JB Weld or epoxy it back together. Of course, use caution to not get any glue in the bearing itself. But be sure the inner section is securely glued in and that the bearing is fully seated and squared up in the outer section. If you use JB Weld like I did, remember that it takes at least 48 hours to fully cure.
This is where the swashplate separated. It looks like it's held together with green locktite. I would use something more permanent. If you're worried about not being able to replace the bearing later on, the entire swashplate assembly is only $10.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/swash_1.jpg
Canopy is wasted. $8 for a new one.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/canopy_1.jpg
Battery damaged when it was pushed into the motor. I might come up with some kind of battery tray to prevent this from happening again.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/battery_1.jpg
Slight damage to the frames. Going to JB Weld it here, too.
http://home.alltel.net/jshell01/frames_1.jpg