View Full Version : KDE Main Rotor Holder Arm
Hi,
KDE is working on main rotor holder arm upgrades that vbar and beastx owners are going to be very happy.:bacon I have to admit I am a KDE fanboy. But these main rotor holder arms are well engineered with very good quality.
Initial test shows good results. Here's some piture to show you what's coming up. These are production samples without anodize. The final version will have clear anodize as other KDE products.
Side by side picture with Align Stock arm. Non-DFC on the left and DFC on the right.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68671
These are the measurements.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68672
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68673
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68674
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68675
I need to do some more tests on my 550 and 600 pro. Will report back of what I get after compiling the data I have.
Lunar Wolf
02-24-2012, 07:55 AM
Something useful from KDE, good stuff.
350Z_Al
02-24-2012, 08:41 AM
Awesome! KDE makes nice stuff!
mtuccio
02-24-2012, 09:42 AM
Good work guys....can't wait to get my hands on a set of them for both my DFC and my 600E head....Let me know when they are done and I would be glad to test a set of these for you.....:thumbup:
PS - I'll even pay you for these testing units.....
Good work guys....can't wait to get my hands on a set of them for both my DFC and my 600E head....Let me know when they are done and I would be glad to test a set of these for you.....:thumbup:
PS - I'll even pay you for these testing units.....
It will cost you dearly.:lol:
Don't worry though, I was told the design is finalized. Will be on the market in 2~3 weeks.
garyji
02-24-2012, 02:22 PM
Looking forward to these!!
Thanks, KDE.
G.
Ok, here's the plan.
The primary goal is to see how much improvement the KDE Main Rotor Holder Arms provide. The following three link balls will be installed on the inner swash. Beastx will be used to see how much cyclic pitch is needed to get the blue light in step J (6 degree setup). I wish I had vbar. Patrick is able to get 92 on the cyclic with his 600EFL with vbar.
The one on the left is the stock one M3 4.95x12mm. The middle one is from the stock main grip arm M3 4.95x10.5mm. The one on the right is M3 4.95x8.5mm recommended in the rotoryguy mod.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68700
The balls on the outer swash stays stock M3 4.75x9.77. Stay tuned. I think I will be able to get the first set of numbers tonight.
Guys,
The first round of the test is done. These are the steps I took. Again all is done on DFC head and beastx.
1. Step G: level the sawsh and set 0 pitch. Depends on the link balls used I got pitch range from 0.0 degree to 0.3 degree.
2. Step J: the infamous 6 degree setup. The blade is over the boom. Zero the pitch gauge.
3. Move aileron stick until I got the blue light.
Same steps are repeated with stock main rotor arm and KDE Main Rotor Arm XT with three different length of balls on the inner swash.
Here are results I got.The pictures of KDE Main Rotor Grip Arm XT is posted here. PM me or check my photo album (http://helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=8607) if you want the picture of the stock arm.
1. M3 4.95x12mm ball. KDE Main Rotor Arm XT gets blue light at 6.5 degree. Stock arm gets the blue light at 7.2 degree.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68714
2. M3 4.95x10.5mm ball. KDE Main Rotor Arm XT gets blue light at 6.0 degree. Stock arm gets blue light at 6.6 degree.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68715
3. M3 4.95x8.5mm ball. KDE Main Rotor Grip Arm XT get blue light at 5.7 degree. Stock arm gets blue light at 6.5 degree.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68716
Here's the side view with KDE Main Rotor Grip Arm XT Installed.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68727
This is the view from the top.
http://helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=8607&pictureid=68728
The KDE Main Rotor Grip Arm XT improves the geometry. A shorter ball is still needed to get blue light at 6 degree. I assume the result will be better with longer balls on the outer swash. It's definitely something to consider to improve the geometry especially if you are using vbar or beastx FBL controller. Without this upgrade, the heli will still fly great with proper setup. The KDE Main Grip Arm XT does give us the chance to set up the heli in the optimal operating range of the FBL controller.
Hope you enjoy the post so far and find the information useful. The next round will be testing KDE Main Rotor Grip Arm on a 600 EFL Pro with the KDE Main Rotor Housing (http://www.kdedirect.com/TREX550600MRHFB.html). Please stay tuned.
Happy Flying
backburner1955
02-24-2012, 11:03 PM
One suggestion... Maybe black and silver like factory so it looks like it was meant to be.
Very nice, and I will be looking for the release.
350Z_Al
02-24-2012, 11:13 PM
Ok, not having a full understanding of this, but will there be any advantage to using these with a 3GX?
Ok, not having a full understanding of this, but will there be any advantage to using these with a 3GX?
I wish I know the answer. I don't have any experience with 3GX and don't want to give you false information.
The wider arm allows vbar and beastx owners to setup the head with the optimal geometry. These two FBL controllers also provide a way to show the benefit even before the heli takes off. The real question is can 3GX take advantage of better geometry?:dontknow Hope someone can chime in and answer your question.
zeeflyboy
02-25-2012, 08:02 AM
will they be making a silver main hub (for DFC specifically) and blade grips too?
will they be making a silver main hub (for DFC specifically) and blade grips too?
Zee,
Sorry, I don't know the answer. I sure hope KDE will have the main hub and rotor grip coming out. I like their conventional main hub a lot but it cannot be used in a DFC setup. One thing I do know Patrick is always working on something.
H.M.MURDOCK
02-25-2012, 11:25 AM
I can't wait for these new grips to hit the market. I already have the Vbar working great on 600 pro head but I'm sure these grips will make it better!
mtuccio
02-25-2012, 08:45 PM
It will cost you dearly.:lol:
Don't worry though, I was told the design is finalized. Will be on the market in 2~3 weeks.
It was worth a try....I'll be over in Taiwan in 3 weeks so I guess I will need to wait until I get back....Hopefully they will be on the market when I return....
Have a good one....:thumbup:
Reever45
02-25-2012, 11:45 PM
It will help the CGY750 guys also,I know when i had the 750 i had trouble getting the ail and elev AFR%'s into the mid 50's. That was on the V1 and earlier V2 head would have been worse on the lastest kits with the 600 style head. Good job KDE,i know they will fly not being optimal but i like to try and get mine right.
It will help the CGY750 guys also,I know when i had the 750 i had trouble getting the ail and elev AFR%'s into the mid 50's. That was on the V1 and earlier V2 head would have been worse on the lastest kits with the 600 style head. Good job KDE,i know they will fly not being optimal but i like to try and get mine right.
Thanks for the info. Reever45.
All,
The post at 600pro forum is updated with the number on non-DFC setup. Head over there if you are interested.
Here's the link
http://helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=3693937&postcount=11
Happy flyng
snjbird
03-02-2012, 06:48 PM
Please, Please, Please, have him get to work on Head blocks for the DFC stuff! The 500 one from Align looks horrible! One bolt to hold it on, and clamp it down:roll:... We need KDE to make us some head blocks that have the Jesus bolt, and two separate bolts to clamp it on the main shaft, like the ones he made for the 3G systems!
gmoneyhobbit
03-04-2012, 12:00 AM
bump for KDE Direct releasing this
I flew my helis with the KDE arm and 8.5mm balls on the inner swash. Too much resolution for my taste.:lol: Will try the 10.5mm balls tomorrow.
It does make quite a bit difference, in a good way. Haven't had the chance to talk to Patrick. But it should be available mid March.
Emurzion
03-04-2012, 03:35 AM
I hope this helps. This head has been kicking my butt.
I am surprised you are getting good cyclic pitch (ail/elev). I had to move the ball on the swash arms to the outer holes just to get more pitch for faster rolls and flips. I am about 12 degrees where in the inner holes I was only getting about 8-9 degrees. using the inner holes just makes the link rods hit the servo case and cause binding.
I'm also using the smallest swash balls for the swashplate. I get about 6.8 in the blue. I am currently setup 6 degrees in the red.
I would be more than happy to test this arm out. Im your man if you need anybody :) Man I need something to ease my frustration, hehehehe.
Lee2782
03-04-2012, 04:51 AM
I can't wait for these arms to go on the market:bacon:
Iv got a 600 DFC head at home waiting to be installed but will wait for these arms!!
where do you get the above from?
jmdanna
03-12-2012, 05:27 AM
I just pre-ordered the regular arms for my 600EFL pro. Im upgrading it to vbar, and have heard too many complaint about incorrect geometry. im hoping this is the answer!! so my question is, do you have to change any of the metal balls on the swash or on the grips in order to get numbers in the recommended range? if so, which balls go where?
I just pre-ordered the regular arms for my 600EFL pro. Im upgrading it to vbar, and have heard too many complaint about incorrect geometry. im hoping this is the answer!! so my question is, do you have to change any of the metal balls on the swash or on the grips in order to get numbers in the recommended range? if so, which balls go where?
Hi,
I don't have vbar so I don't know the exact answer to your question. My test was done on beastx. After few flights, I settled with the medium length (4.95x10.5mm). Every heli can be different and personal preferences varies. You have to try it yourself. Perhaps other vbar owners will report what they find in a few days. I was told KDE will start to ship the rotor arm in a couple of days.
In case you missed it. Here's link to my post regarding the regular head on 600 pro
http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=388245&page=2
These are the links to the different balls used.
1. Long: stock long one on the inner swash
2. Medium: http://www.readyheli.com/H60234-Head-Linkage-Ball-Assembly-T-Rex-600EFL-Pro_p_38556.html The size is Φ5x10.5mm (measured 4.95x10.5mm in the post).
3. Short: http://www.readyheli.com/HN7065-Linkage-Ball-Set-Trex-700_p_33732.html The size is Φ5x8.5mm (measured 4.95x8.5mm in the post)
Good luck
Cheater