Observer Tail

[Christopher J]

Below is a pic of my Observer's tail. I've been having problems with the pitch slider "catching" on the shaft. This happens in flight and can be duplicated on the ground with the linkaged removed. So far I've tried oiling every few flights and sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. Currently I will be trying white lithium grease and see how this does. I'm posting the pics so Chris and Malorie could see them. So far they've been great help. Other then the tail the heli flies fine.

I'm in no way bashing the machine, I'm just at my wits end trying to figure out why the pitch slider keeps catching. So far it's cost me one servo an two near crashes.

Side note....it only does this when trying to turn to the left when the slider has to slide to it's left. Looking at the shaft and some of the scaring on an other shaft it's the collar that the slider rides on. The threaded end that the lazy "S" screws onto is the part that's catching. I've tried filing it, sanding it, greasing it, oiling it...all to on avail

anyway.......any help greatly appreciated.

[Christopher J]

Picture #2

[Christopher J]

#3

[Christopher J]

Lastly #4. Sorry for taking up space, I would have linked them together but don't have a gallery set up to do so.

[WillJames]

Looks like you definitely have enough lube on there. Mine is smooth as silk, gotta be more than meets the eye.

You can attach up to 15 pics per one post, call me if you need a hand, but this way works fine to.

[Gary Travis]

Chris as we discussed that seems to be the problem I will call Larry in the morning and take care of it
Gary

[cbergen]

I notice a lot of dirt back there, might help to clean everything up and start over with a clean slate.

On the special ball links for the tail, from the pitch slider to the blade grip, you'll see a rib down both sides. Use your exacto knife and remove the ribs. They can rub on the blade grips.

I just spoke with Gary on the use of a medium ball on the pitch bellcrank to help clear the vertical fin mounts. It is normal practice to have a medium ball in this spot. Don't know why it's not that way now.?.?.

I also notice in the last pic, you have the tail blades backwards in the blade grips. In other words, you should have the control arm on the leading side of the blades. This may require turning the belt over to spin in the right direction. You still want the blades coming forward and up, just need to turn the blade grips around.

[Gary Travis]

Eyes like a hawk Chris, I didn't notice the grips. Can I borrow your spare glasses?
Gary

[Christopher J]

Had good conversation with Gary and will be using the medium ball he mentioned.

The dirt was from this weekend. I clean the heli after every day of flying unless I fly until dark. In that case I clean it later (which I will be doing) I can't stand a dirty bird!

You are correct Chris, I believe it should turn counter clockwise. I just watched the video you sent with the heli. Good eye.

BTW, I would like to say thanks to Chris, Larry, Malorie, Gary, and Troy for thier help and sticking this out with me to find the problem. Gary seems to have pinpointed the problem and believe his suggestion will fix the problem. When I was talking to him he could pretty much tell me verbatim what was happening without me saying anything. It was like he was picking Saturday's flight straight from my memory.

Looks I should be back in the air again soon and this time filming with confidence.

"Good looking out" guys

[Christopher J]

Here's a post from Gary on RR about my problem. Incase anybody here has an Observer or is in the process of building one this is good info to have.....

Gary Travis

Chris as per our conversation and looking at the photos you posted there is a small sized ball on the pitch lever it should be a medium one. The small one can cause the tail control rod to rub on the tail fin mount or bind on it which will cause the servo to overheat and cause the inflight rudder problems we discussed. I called Chris and will talk with Larry in the AM to get you fixeed up. I figured to post this here in case anyone else runs into this.
Gary Travis

Bergen R/C Helicopters


So it seems that the wrong ball link is on the tail bell crank allowing the rod to sit too close to the tail fin mounts. I checked the mount and it does indeed has some scaring. Another note is that the little ball ends that attach to the tail blade grips have small ribs on them. At extreme tail throw the rib can rub on the grip and cause a small amount of binding. Malorie suggest sanding this rib off.

Just thought you all should know. I hope to have the Bergen back in the air by this weekend.

[Filmflyer]

Hi Christopher. I was just kinda looking over your pics again and noticed that you were missing the lock nut in picture # 3 on the bolt going down through the arm. I know the angle bracket is threaded but I'm pretty sure you should have a lock nut on the end of that bolt.

Troy

[Christopher J]

I have one on there, I just hadn't put it back on when I took the pics though.

I can only imagine what would happen if I flew without it on there. I bet within a flight or two that bolt would back itself out, and that would be no good.

Good eye by the way :wink:

[Filmflyer]

I kinda figured it was something like that, just wanted to double check though. that would be a wild ride :D

Troy

[cbergen]

See, now I missed that one!!

Actually i was just testing the rest of you............

[Christopher J]

Put some time on the heli today and yesterday. Yesterday I had it up in 25 mph winds. I figured that would give the gyro one hell of a work out. Flew for about 12 minutes yesteday mostly hovering and today for about 40 minutes in milder winds. Flew small circuits with fast turns and did a lot of hovering as well. The tail never gave up!! FINALLY!!!

I ended up grinding down the tail fin bracket and raising the bell crank 2mm using some spare washers. I also moved the ball out to the middle hole which required putting spacers between the verticle fin and the bracket to move it out a bit.

I noticed the tail servo was hot, 118 F. according to the temp guage I put on it but it never gave up and the tail never locked up. Good news if you ask me.

Called up the owner of Aerial Images and told him to get the word out. It's time to go make some money.

BTW, I had the video cam on it once and shot some good video a couple weeks back when the problem was going on. Before the tail gave up we got some great video. Just thought I'd mention that because I thought I read someone saying that good video from an Observer was impossible. I disagree....while Vario is my prefered heli I will say that the Observer got the job done that day. Now with the tail working correctly I'm sure it still will.

With this one lined out I'm off to work on getting the Benzin dialed in with the HCS Broadcast 360 mount.

[Gary Travis]

I'm glad to here it worked out for you. I was sure that was the problem. Hadn't heard from you so I figured you were ok
Gary

[Christopher J]

The ball I had on there was the medium ball. Chris sent me a medium one and they were the same so I figured I'd try the other changes. So far so good.