Heli Skills and Setup 101

[kgfly]

This is a place to gather together the best-of-breed How-To videos for basic items that are pretty much common to all (or at least many) helis. While some refer to specific heli models, the concepts and techniques are fairly universal and can be applied widely. Most are Finless videos familiar to many but some are by other talented contributors.

Basics
Ball Links 101 (20 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=Ball_Links101.wmv)
BEC 101 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=55538)
Blade Balancing 101 (30 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=blade_balancing101.wmv)
Blade Tracking 101 (35 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=tracking101.wmv)
Brushless motor and ESC 101 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=64727)
Canopy Trimming 101 (28 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=canopy_trimming_101.wmv)
CCPM Setup Part 1 (58 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=CCPM_Part_1.wmv)
CCPM Setup Part 2 (58 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=CCPM_Part_2.wmv)
Dual Rates 101 (71 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/jr/g770&filename=dualrates101.wmv)
Exponential 101 (45 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/jr/g770&filename=expo101.wmv)
Gyro 101 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=76808)
Pitch and Throttle Curves 101 (58 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=curves101.wmv)
Servo Repair 101 (30 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=servorepair101.wmv)
Soldering Bullet (Motor) Connectors 101 (50 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=soldering_bullets101.wmv)
Soldering Deans Connectors 101 (30 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=soldering_deans101.wmv)
Thread Lock 101 (15 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=threadlock101.wmv)


BECs
Understanding BECs and regulators (47 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=bec101.wmvhttp://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=bec101.wmv)


Chargers
Bantam BC6-10 Charger and Balancer videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=80891)
Thunder Power 1010 and 210 videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=24244)


ESCs
Align ESC setup (30 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=esc_setup.wmv)
Castle Pheonix 85HV setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=36194)


Gyros and Flybarless Systems
Align/Telebee and similar Piezo HH Gyro setup (46 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/hdx300&filename=tail_gyro.wmv)
Futaba 401 gyro setup (48 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex450&filename=gyro_setup.wmv)
Futaba 401 gyro setup with DX7 (42 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/hurricane550&filename=tailsetup.wmv)
Futaba 611 gyro setup (35 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/trex600&filename=gyro_setup.wmv)
Hitech HG-5000 (Logictech 2100T) Gyro setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=68319)
JR G770 Gyro overview videos (28 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/jr/g770&filename=overview.wmv)
Logictech 6100T setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=37202)
Mikado V-Stabi videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=703335&postcount=2)
Skookum Robotics SK360 Electronic Flybar (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=71332)
SpartanRC DS760 setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=47240)


Governors
Aerospire MultiGov Pro setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=94972)
Curtis ATG Governor setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41514) (in T600Npro group)
GV-1 Governor setup videos (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41514) (in T600Npro group)
Spektrum DX7 + AR7100R + Switchglow (not a video) (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=94078)


Radios
Spektrum DX6 setup guide for a Trex450SE (not a video) (http://www.digimemphoto.com/guides/backguide.htm)
Spektrum DX7 Setup video (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=28681)
Spektrum DX7 Throttle cut switch (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=45605)
Spektrum DX7 Dual Rates and Expo (65 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/jr/g770&filename=dualdx7.wmv)
Spektrum AR7100R Overview and Setup (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=78276)
Futaba 9Z - Programming for a heli (78 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=9z_programming.wmv)
Futaba 14MZ - Hacking the MDL files (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=11348)
JR X9303 - Configuring Dual Rates and Expo (50 MB) (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/jr/g770&filename=dualx9303.wmv)


Helis
Avant Aurora (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=75327)
Beam E4 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=59486)
Compass Atom 500 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=98190)
Compass 600E (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=83116)
Dragonus (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=27898)
Dragonus II Plus (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41193)
Ghohbee Phazor 600e (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=71561)
HDX 300 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=16105)
HDX 450 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=11354)
Hurricane 550 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=31211)
Lepton (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=13452)
Logo 14 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=22766)
Logo 500 3D (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=58079)
Logo 500/600 3D & Vstabi (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=48045)
MA Stratus 'Bobby Watts (http://www.helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=704131&postcount=1)' Special
Raptor e620 SE (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=33055)
Rc-Tek Diablo (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41512)
Swift (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=19394)
Trex 450 SE (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=11373)
Trex 450 SE V2 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=29182)
Trex 450 XL/HDE (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=11981)
Trex 500 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=53304)
Trex 600 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=13791)
Trex 600 build and repair (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=36177)
Trex 600 Nitro Pro (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41514)
Trex 600 Rotorworkz HFX (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=48072)
Trex 600 Rotorworkz "Helifreak Edition" (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=30624)
Trex 700 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=74703)

References - General heli info
Electric Helicopters Beginners Guide (EHBG): http://www.swashplate.co.uk/html/ehbg.html
RADD's School of Rotary Flight: http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html
Model helicopter theory: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46381
Great online database of motors, escs, becs, batteries, chargers etc http://www.progressiverc.com/Research.html

References - Batteries
LiPo Basics: http://www.bladebusters.com/batteryguide.html
Complete Guide to LiPoBatteries : http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209187
All about A123 cells/packs/charging: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6769001&postcount=2
AWG wire guages http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
AWG to Metric conversion http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/awg-wire-gauge-d_731.html
Wire Resistance and Voltage Drop Calculator http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm

References - How To guides
How to: Assorted: http://www.archeli.com.au/cobra/forumdisplay.php?s=&f=620&page=1&pp=20&sort=lastpost&order=desc&daysprune=-1
How to: Build an A123 pack: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647456
How to: Change bearings on an OS 50 SX-H engine (http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=mercuriell&filename=OS50.wmv)
How to: Charge LiFe (A123) packs with CCCV power supplies: http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=40579
How to: Convert a Computer ATX Power Supply to a Lab Power Supply: http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply
How to: Make your own stepdown regulator for a tail servo: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=43934
How to: Parallel charge LiXx packs http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932319
How to: Setup a piezo gyro: http://www.natew.com/rcheli/frame_main.cgi/html.TailRotor.HH#why.behavior and http://www.x400tuning.com/aligngyro.htm
How to: Wire up battery packs: http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/_lipo.html

References - Headspeed Calculators
MrMel's (excellent generic tool for LiPo and A123/LiFe): http://www.dacsa.net/heli/Calculator/default.aspx
DarkHorse (very complex modeling): http://www.dhrc.rchomepage.com/calcAdvanced.htm
Ezfly's Hurricane 550 headspeed calculator http://www.ezfly.se/hscalc.htm
Head Speed/Battery Calculator for Windows: (a good utility you can run on your PC) http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=55471
North Florida BladeBusters (simple and well presented): http://www.bladebusters.com/calculator.html
ReadyHeli (standard single stage and two-stage for Hurricane550): http://www.readyheli.com/Online_Headspeed_Calculator_s/81.htm

References - Free Simulators
FMS (basic graphics and physics but hundreds of models available and good enough for getting started): http://n.ethz.ch/~mmoeller/fms/index_e.html
Helisim (basic graphics, like FMS, and limited models (heli only) but much better physics): http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=53247
Heli-X (fancy graphics more like ClearView and much better physics than FMS):
http://heli-x.net/index_e.shtml

[Mercuriell]

Nice compendium Ken - Thanks for the work involved :thumbup:

[Finless]

Ken is going to be my "organizer" :)

While I do vids I am not very organized and I really need someone to take care of this. I VOTE KEN!

KEN YOU GO FOR IT MAN! Feel free to ORGANIZE my forum as you see fit man! I made you a forum supprt here so you have the POWER :)

Bob

[Pippin554]

The DX7 Setup Vid is Currupt :|

Phil

[tiranno]

just download again it is ok!
well it was when i downloaded it!

[ESCHUMMER2]

this is very helpful . thanks !

[electricdurango]

I dont see a video on governor setup. BTW this new forum is sweet.

[flyingtanks]

The link to 'Thunder Power 1010 and 210 videos' is giving a 404

[Finless]

I fixed that! Should work now :)

Bob

[CompuFoil]

The vid to the DX7 isn't working either.
Thanks for all your work Bob!
Eric

[kgfly]

Some of the links were broken in the transition to the new HF site, I think I have fixed them all now.

[ChasHeliCop]

Hey, Great job Ken...... don't forget that charger reference guide.... you know that's a must !!! :clappp:cheers

[kgfly]

Added a link to the new "How to: DX7 Throttle Cut switch" video to the Radio section.

[kgfly]

Added "Futaba 401 gyro setup with DX7"

[Finless]

I wish I had a way to make this stay on top..... kgfly, you and I might have to bump this from time to time.....

Bob

[e292644]

What a great post here. It took me a year to learn part of the stuffs by my own but only few hours here.
Thanks Finless!

[kgfly]

Added link to SpartanRC DS760 Gyro Review and Setup Vids

[DierWolf]

Hi all, i am logged in and account activated (hense how i can post) but still says i cant watch the video's because i am not a member or registered...

[kl-motor@hotmail.com]

Added link to SpartanRC DS760 Gyro Review and Setup Vids

is there any movies on how to program the dx7 with the 2100 gyro, perhaps with the JR DS3400G servo???

and does anyone know if the 3400G servo can handle 6V??? thanx

[kgfly]

No (on the video) and Yes (on the 6V for DS3400G).

Setting up the DX7 for any gyro is much the same. The only trick with the L2100T is ensuring that it has recognised your Tx as "JR". If you have problems getting it to recognise a Spektrum Tx as JR then:

a) Disconnect the Rudder (not Gear) channel from the gyro
b) Power up Tx with zero sub-trim/trim on the Rudder channel
c) Power up Rx and wait for it to connect to the Tx
d) Hold full left rudder on the Tx and plug the rudder channel into the gyro

The gyro should now recognise the Tx as "JR". Turn off the Rx power.

The other thing to remember with a DX7 and ALL gyros is to be sure to rebind the Rx if you make any sub-trim changes to the rudder channel otherwise the gyro won't see them at power-up and you will get drift.

[kl-motor@hotmail.com]

ok.. so if I subtrim anything whitout rebinding, the subtriming wil apear on the heli after the gyro has locked in hh??? maby about time to rebind;)
thanks for all the help!!
waiting on my new 2100 and 3400 now, nice to know as much ass possible before i go doing something stupid!!!!=)

[DebianDog]

Hi all, i am logged in and account activated (hense how i can post) but still says i cant watch the video's because i am not a member or registered...

Please see this thread http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=48135

[jackclarke]

I've logged in 15 times - cleared cookies 20 times - reset so many times I lost count - and I still can't access his videos!! :arggg:

Can't somebody PLEASE fix the problem!! His videos are too good to have to put up with this nonsense. Maybe he should make a video on how to access his videos or find another website to post them to?

[jackclarke]

could you please OVERLORD Finless's videos so registered members can access them? It really is maddening getting the same message - I've deleted the cookies
I've crumbled the cookies - I've pulverized the cookies !!

[DebianDog]

Well of the 1800 people that have logged in today you are the only one, I am aware of, still having this issue. I would ask that you re-check your work and delete any HeliFreak.com cookies, authenticated sessions, and restart you browser (restart your machine on Windows).

Once this resolves you should not have the problem again.

Apologies.

As a test if you are running IE try using Firefox or vise-versa ;)