Starting the build on my 500 3D

[BruceW]

Question for others... How do you get the tail servo in when the frames are already assembled?

I'm trying to fit my BLS251 and its just too tight of a fit when trying to bring it through the frame. The servo width is fine when its flat but with the servo wire hanging out the bottom of the case I can't tilt it enough. I'm tempted to make a small notch in the frame for the wire but will wait until I hear from others or come up with another solution. When I get home I can post pictures of whats happening.

BTW - I finished the build last night and will post all my steps and process later on.

[th3tick]

Mine went (back) in using the wiggle, push, and cuss method ;)

Nothing specific, just trying this and that. Of course, it was a different servo. I'd put mine in with the output arm forward, realized later it likely should be backward, fiddled it around, then realized my tail control arm was too long to do it back, so fiddle it around forwards again, finding that it worked fine that way anyway.

John

[BruceW]

Mine went (back) in using the wiggle, push, and cuss method ;)

Nothing specific, just trying this and that. Of course, it was a different servo. I'd put mine in with the output arm forward, realized later it likely should be backward, fiddled it around, then realized my tail control arm was too long to do it back, so fiddle it around forwards again, finding that it worked fine that way anyway.

John

Which servo are you using?

I still haven't glued my tail control rod since I wanted to wait until everything was mounted before locking that down.

[Flybar-less]

You didn't read the note? It is easier to install the sensor, tail servo, and elevator servo (pre-centered with arm and link installed) in the left frame half, before putting the 2 halves together.:)

Of course I learned the hard way.

[BruceW]

You didn't read the note? It is easier to install the sensor, tail servo, and elevator servo (pre-centered with arm and link installed) in the left frame half, before putting the 2 halves together.:)

Of course I learned the hard way.

I just looked again at the problem I'm having and it would not be solved by pre-installing before closing the frames. It has to do with the servo wire coming out of the case. On the BLS251, the wire is in a thicker rubber grommet than normal (better protection) and can't be squeezed as much as other servos to get the required tilt.

[th3tick]

You didn't read the note? It is easier to install the sensor, tail servo, and elevator servo (pre-centered with arm and link installed) in the left frame half, before putting the 2 halves together.:)

Of course I learned the hard way.

See, I did just that - installed it first. Sized the arm, then realized it might be the wrong way 'round. The instructions really don't show which way it should go. So even reading the note didn't save me!

I've got the S9256 on the tail.

John

[OICU812]

I just looked again at the problem I'm having and it would not be solved by pre-installing before closing the frames. It has to do with the servo wire coming out of the case. On the BLS251, the wire is in a thicker rubber grommet than normal (better protection) and can't be squeezed as much as other servos to get the required tilt.

I;m sure if you try more angles and go in from middle you can get it with abit of force and still not wreck anything.

[uragano47812]

See, I did just that - installed it first. Sized the arm, then realized it might be the wrong way 'round. The instructions really don't show which way it should go. So even reading the note didn't save me!

I've got the S9256 on the tail.

John

John can you explain the right direction? I have mine even in the box but i'm curious about the tail servo.

P.S. I have the setup like your 5003D i will use 1910H with CC85HV 9451s s9256 and v-stabi how is flying yours?

[th3tick]

John can you explain the right direction? I have mine even in the box but i'm curious about the tail servo.

P.S. I have the setup like your 5003D i will use 1910H with CC85HV 9451s s9256 and v-stabi how is flying yours?

I believe "right" is with the output shaft towards the tail of the heli. I ended up leaving mine towards the nose, and it doesn't really cause problems, but I believe towards the tail is what's intended.

John

[BruceW]

The picture shows the shaft of the servo towards the nose but I guess the final position depends on how you setup the tail control rod.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31767&stc=1&d=1196208140

[th3tick]

I thought the picture was rather ambiguous. The other (minor) funny is there's no way that servo arm is going in that way. Gots to chop it!

[BruceW]

I thought the picture was rather ambiguous. The other (minor) funny is there's no way that servo arm is going in that way. Gots to chop it!

I've ordered the Mikado servo arms for Futaba and figured they could be installed once the servo is mounted. Also, I noticed from other pictures that most have the output wire of the servo coming out towards the rear.

[th3tick]

I've ordered the Mikado servo arms for Futaba and figured they could be installed once the servo is mounted. Also, I noticed from other pictures that most have the output wire of the servo coming out towards the rear.

I think it's supposed to go towards the rear, but for me it was rebuild the link, or live with it. I was worried the arm would bind against the bulkhead ahead of there, but it doesn't.

[BruceW]

I'll keep that in mind when I get it installed.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

I have a 9254 and just forced it in. Wire towards the tail. It will go, just go for it!!! After I installed the tail servo then I mounted the horn. This was after the frame halves were already joined.

[BruceW]

Once I got to my bench, I was able to better see what was happening so disregard the stuff said previously about the servo having problems fitting through the frame. Just a little force is all it took to guide the servo through the opening and the frame is actually a little flexible where needed. The main thing I also realized is the side of the servo with the wire exit is the same side the wheel is located ( I thought they were opposite before )!

So here is what I found when installing the servo. I like the wire pointing forward (wheel closer to bulkhead) mostly because of push rod length. If you look at the pictures you'll see that the push rod now has enough thread plus link for adjustment if needed. If I put the wheel the other direction, it seemed like the push rod would be too long and not allow enough future adjustment. But this is just my opinion and others may have different thoughts. One concern from John (th3tick) was that the servo arm might hit the bulkhead if the wheel was closer to it. I measured the distance between the center of the wheel to the bulkhead and to the roof of the compartment and got 21.7mm (same distance). Since the instructions call for the ball to be 14mm from center, this should be plenty of room for the Mikado style servo arms to swing full travel.

Also in the pictures I point out where I want to bore a hole through the compartment to the upper side to run wires. My goal is to go for a clean wiring job and I don't want to run them outside the frame. It doesn't look like there will be any structural integrity lost but speak up if you have any thoughts on this.

BTW - the BLS251 is really smooth and strong. I think I'm going to like this tail setup with the Spartan DS760. I will also try out the gyro on my Trex450 at some point.

[th3tick]

Excellent pictures. Thank you!

Please continue to do this once you bore those holes. I'm curious to know how that works out. I'd also like to figure a way to get the wires from the BEC and ESC back there inside the frames.

What did you wrap the servo wire with?

John

[BruceW]

What did you wrap the servo wire with?

John

The servo wire came that way but I'll wrap other servos wires that have a longer travel with some braid wrap.

ReadyHeli - http://www.readyheli.com/Servo_Wire_Sleeving_Kit_1_4_p/1-fslash-4%20wire.htm (http://www.readyheli.com/Servo_Wire_Sleeving_Kit_1_4_p/1-fslash-4%20wire.htm)

[OICU812]

Unless you are going to extend your cf tr rod you need to turn your tr servo the other way, the horn side needs to be to the back. :wink: "At least I am 90%+ sure" The manual shows the horn side to the back as well.

[BruceW]

Unless you are going to extend your cf tr rod you need to turn your tr servo the other way, the horn side needs to be to the back. :wink:

Why can't the threaded rods stick out of the cf rod and allow adjustment? They actually extend fairly far into the rod in this orientation. I don't really want to have the links butted up against the rod ends with no adjustment room.

[OICU812]

You are correct in that thought, only be aware you will have that much less rod in the carbon tube is all. There is no problem doing that. There still is at least 3-4 turns on both sides of my cf tube while installing the tr servo as per manual though. If you are set in doing it that way I would just suggest having a longer threaded rod in. In fact I guess it might be my own paranoya as I ran a 4 inch long rod on each side, also re enforced the epoxy with dental floss to ensure its hold. I had a tr let go once from the rod coming out of tube, it was some scary stuff....

Just trying to help is all.:wink:

[BruceW]

I was also thinking of adding reinforcement with thread on the outside as you mentioned. It can't hurt. I'll show a picture of how much threaded stock is in the cf rod later on then everyone can decide if its enough.

[Mercuriell]

I have my horn to the back on my 9256 and this leaves NO thread free - ball links butted up ahainst the CF rod - this put the slider in mid travel so I didn't worry and the tail works great but some adjustment would have been nice

[BruceW]

My original thoughts on leaving free threads was to allow tail boom adjustment to fine tune belt tension if needed.

[Flybar-less]

I split the carbon pushrod tube in a hard auto, real hard.