Starting the build on my 500 3D

[BruceW]

I got the 500 3D in the mail yesterday (good thing to do over Turkey day) and started looking through parts. Hopefully I'll start building today but I just wanted to pass on pictures to show size relative to other known components. For instance, I'll bet some wonder how much bigger a Logo 500 is from a Trex450. The boom alone is the length of the Trex450!

Anyway, happy Thanksgiving and I'll post pictures of my build process although it will take a while since I'm stringing other purchases over a couple credit card cycles to keep everybody happy. ;)

Checkout size and frame fit of the gyro. Also I'm thinking of drilling holes in non-compromised areas of the frame to run wires since I want this to be very clean looking.

Pieces so far...

Logo 5003D
motor: A40-10L-8 (decided on longer flying for now - more power later if necessary)
pinion: 16T, 15T
gyro: Spartan DS760
rx: JR R790
blades: Rotortech 560mm
tail blades: K&B 84mm (yellow)
hard dampeners
nylon screws for breakaway skids

next purchases:
battery: EVOlite 6S 5350mAh
cyclic servos: Futaba BLS451
tail servo: Futaba BLS251
ESC: Jazz 55-10-32
BEC: WR 5A (waiting for stock at ReadyHeli since they have the cheapest price)

Misc:
Align 5.1 stepdown
Mikada servo arms for Futaba
K&B skid nuts in yellow (skids look too naked when plain)

[OICU812]

:clappp Sweet, let us know how it goes. I have heard very good things about that Spartan gyro and plan to try one soemtime in the future as well. 16 tooth for sure on that motor you are using to man. :wink:

[BruceW]

I'm still hoping to try the DS760 on my T450 but just need to find the time (hopefully over this break). This should be a hot setup.

For the pinion, I originally got a 17T, in addition, but figured it would be too much strain and unnecessary head speed. The 15T is a backup if the efficiency factor goes up with the EVOlite 5350 and high revving Jazz as Ian mentioned in a previous thread.

[Ticidytoc]

awww, look at the cute little boom. :P

Congrats on the new kit, I think you will be very surprised how well everything goes together.

[Eyon]

only a 55A Jazz in the 500??? i would get an 80-6-18 if i were you!

[Mathias]

Great, Bruce. Can't wait to start the build on mine. ;) I have promised myself to not open it before cristmas eve... :cool:

Ian, why should he get the 80-6-18?

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

:happyd Your life is about to change for the better my friend......

[zguy]

Congrats Bruce! :thumbup:

I actually just tried the 15T w/ the A40-10L today and may like it better than the 16T. Running Gov @ 2250 initial, but this basically becomes 100% throttle shortly into the flight and lands at 2190. Motor is 10-15 deg cooler and battery takes 500 less mA back in. Temps have not been a problem in 60-70F ambient, but I want to know the setup won't kill the motor and Lipo on a 100F+ day.

Please keep us posted on your build and where did you find the Rotortech 560mm in stock? Also, please report on the actual weight of the Evolite 5350. The Evo25 5000 is spec'd at 799g, but , mine weighs 764g w/ Deans connector?

[Flybar-less]

Bruce,
I have many EVO lites, 3S 2500, 6S 5350, 10S 5350. You may not like the 6S 5350, it does not have the performance a 25C offers, there does not seem to be enough current for 6S. 6S systems are biased towards current. However in the 3S or 10S configuration they are great. I have just ordered another 10S 5350, and am contemplating if the 5350 would work in an 8S system. The FP 4900 25C packs the most power for 6S.

5350: 704 grams w/ Deans and velcro
4900: 754 grams w/ Deans and velcro

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

RJohn whats the weight of the 10s 5350 Evolite? FP Website says 1185g.

[zguy]

5350: 704 grams w/ Deans and velcro


Thanks! Sounds like there are some differing opinions on the Evolites:confused:

I'm very happy so far with the Evo25 5000 brick.

[OICU812]

Bruce,
I have many EVO lites, 3S 2500, 6S 5350, 10S 5350. You may not like the 6S 5350, it does not have the performance a 25C offers, there does not seem to be enough current for 6S. 6S systems are biased towards current. However in the 3S or 10S configuration they are great. I have just ordered another 10S 5350, and am contemplating if the 5350 would work in an 8S system. The FP 4900 25C packs the most power for 6S.

5350: 704 grams w/ Deans and velcro
4900: 754 grams w/ Deans and velcro


I can not argue about the 5350 packs but I know Bobby S. swears by them being the best pack for the 5003D. Also yes the 4900 is likley the strongest 6S pack FP makes, however it can not fit properly and offer proper cg on the 5003D. Even sitting a mm ahead of the pinion "scary" it is nose heavy with the 4900 packs.

[Hulley]

You guys know I'm following this thread! Way to go!

[Ticidytoc]

EVO25's will have more initial punch. The EVO Lites a little less off the top but seem to stay consistent through the flight.

[Flybar-less]

Jeremy,
A little more then the 4350, my scale doesn't go much over 1,000 grams.

[BruceW]

only a 55A Jazz in the 500??? i would get an 80-6-18 if i were you!

I've read that the specs on the Jazz 55 are underrated and that it can actually handle the load. Also it looks like the power graphs I've seen show spikes up to 100+ Amps and average around 20+A on a Jazz 55. Also, I might try 8S later.

[OICU812]

FWIW,,, I ran a 55-10-32 on my 1st 5003D "R.I.P." lol and it ran fine, no thermals, no cutouts etc, this was on 6S and 8S as well I tried with it on. Of course it is going to be riding that fine line on 6S though as it was peaking over 100 amps pretty steady. A big part of what these escs can handle as well all know depends on the ambient "alot", where I live in general is quite cool even in summer so that helps. Some of you tropical weather pooches might have some issues with it though....

[Ticidytoc]

That would be me and it no likey the 550's on 6s.

[BruceW]

That would be me and it no likey the 550's on 6s.

So you think Rotortech 560s on 6S in California could overheat the Jazz 55 (even with the heat sink mod)? Since I live near the beach, its always about 60-70 most days and rarely in the 80-90s.

So what's better here, Castle 85HV, Jazz 55, Jazz 80? And has anybody actually gone into thermal shutdown with the Jazz 55 on 6S?

[BruceW]

Frame build:

I was able to get the frame built tonight (with metal motor mount) in about 1 1/2 hours. The only difficulty was trying to get the pins through the 3x7x3 bearings for the belt tensioner. They were a very tight fit and I actually changed a few in the bearing bag till some fit better. The tolerances are within 0.02mm. For the really tight one I had to use my pinion puller lever, small socket, and a hammer to tap the pin through. Basically I used the pinion puller lever to hold the pin against the notch in the lever and enforce pressure only on the inner race of the bearing (next to pin). This prevents destruction of the bearing from lateral force being applied. The socket went between lever and hammer and light tapping pushed the pin through. All is good with it.

One thing to note with the manual is that it calls for 4x M2.5 plain nuts which are not included. This is because the metal motor mount is already threaded and takes the M2.5x10 screw. Red loctite was used on the screws to the motor mount and blue loctite on the long threaded nut (???) that sandwiches the lower part of the frame.

EDIT:
If you look at the last picture, it shows how the bolts come up short and does not reach the nylon in the nut. As Jeremy mentioned in his 600 3D build thread, its better to get longer screws.

Overall, I'm impressed by the quality of the plastic and how well it clamps together. I can tell the frame will be bullet proof and should not be destroyed in a crash. Nylon screws will be used to hold on the landing gear to prevent stripping of the frame mount (learned this from others here).

Next will be the tail rotor and boom.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Looking good!!! Be sure to use longer screws around the main shaft bearing blocks (4 of them). They don't quite go through the lock nuts. The last picture shows them to be to short. I had the same kink and so have others...... or you can just loctite them, but I don't recommend it. Get the longer screws. ;)

[BruceW]

Looking good!!! Be sure to use longer screws around the main shaft bearing blocks (4 of them). They don't quite go through the lock nuts. The last picture shows them to be to short. I had the same kink and so have others...... or you can just loctite them, but I don't recommend it. Get the longer screws. ;)

Oh ya, I forgot to mention that in my text... which is why I took the picture. I'll go back and edit that but originally learned it from your thread.

[Mercuriell]

I had similar probs on the 5003D I'm currently building with the tail belt tensioner pulley and the tail spindle - there seems to be a microscopic ridge on the end of the spindles and spinning them briefly in some 600 emery paper fixed it

[BruceW]

bump on the ESC questions...

http://www.helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=459566&postcount=19

[BruceW]

Got more of the tail done last night - probably spent 2 hours but not exactly sure. Everything went together well with tight tolerances to make no slop. This is a really fun build.

Question: The instructions mention to use loctite on the tail slider nut (see photo) but I used CA for now because I don't want to melt the plastic with loctite. Will loctite melt this polymer based plastic? I thought I read a report about that previously.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31533&d=1195929343

Here are some pictures. As mentioned before, the size of the 500 is much bigger than the Trex450 and I've included a picture of a Rotortech 560mm blade for comparison. I can't wait to fly this thing!

Also, I think I've finalized on 6S only so I will get the Jazz 80 (if I can find it). Thanks Eyon for making me think twice about it and Mercuriell for feedback. :wink: