TRex 450 SE nV2 to 500E Makeover ...

[trexflyer02]

I have all of HeliArtist fuselages governed at 3100 rpm, using a Castle Creations Phoenix 35 ESC.
This head speed provides the power needed to fly with full stability, agility, control and authority. 10-20 mph wind gust are no problem to fly in.

You're going to have to buy Carbon Fiber main rotors, to fly your scale model.
I use the Mavrikk E-Series 335 Carbon Fiber (http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=802320) main rotors from HeliProz.
There's not a lot of choices out there for 335mm rotors.

13T is the correct pinion for use with the 430XL.
A flat 92-INH-92-INH-92, or 100-INH-92-INH-100 Throttle Curve, should provide you the targeted head speed.

Apply 20% expo on Aileron and Elevator, 25% expo on rudder.
Enable Expo on the swash and all Pitch and Throttle curves.
The expo will tune your Heli for smooth scale flight.
Disclaimer: This post is not saying that BlackTitanium is wrong in his suggestions, just letting you guys know of another scale setup that works. ;)

My dad has a T-Rex 450SE in an Align 500E fuselage. Headspeed is around 2000-2100rpm. Flybar weights on the inside, and 335 wood blades. With this headspeed, there is no need for expo, and there is still plenty of power available if you punch it. Runtimes are significantly improved as well. Tail authority is also great, although a very slow pirouette rate is used to better control the speed of the tail in turns and other maneuvers. Another advantage is that with a lower headspeed, the flybar moves less because of slower cyclic. Just a bit of mental "insurance" as far as the 'flybar hitting the fuse' issue goes.

I think running a lower headspeed yields more scale-like flight ... It's slower to react and generally moves slower in the air, which looks right.

This is just my opinion on things -- use at your own discretion. :thumbup:

BT,thanx for the tips.I just bought 3 sets of 325mm flat bottom blades to try out.I'm going to use the Lightning Heli 4 blade main rotor head and see where that goes.The other set of flatbottoms I'm going to use for my scale oh-58a project.I could be wrong here,but I figure since none of my flying involves 3d (not intentionally) I want to see extended run times and more lift from a bit lower head speeds.I don't know how it will work out,but I'll give it a shot anyways,and post my results if anyone would be interested.Running expo is an excellent idea,especially with the 4 blade main rotor.I never really bought into the helicommand electronics thing for multi blade systems,although again,I could be wrong. :roll:
Where did you get 325mm flat bottom blades?

[lohchief]

http://www.jcshobbies.com/products_trex.html

This is the only place to get them.Lower head speeds with flatbottoms is definately scale,or close to it.
-lohchief

[USNAviationjay]

I tried them on my 500 fuse with a 12t pinion and they seemed to cause me issues with a strange pulsing about 3 mins into flight like it was already hitting the low volt warning.. but it seemed to be some kind of heat issue.

if i let it sit for a sec it flys again fine.

Switching back to Align woodies and it doesnt do this at all.

and the heli does this in or out of the fuse.

[USNAviationjay]

:thumbup:

Hello my name is Daniel and I live in Switzerland :)

I just started with the Trex450, it is my 4 Heli so far, after I have seen this thread, I went to get a 500 Fuselage, I also got a HS-56HB servo as Tailservo.

@USNAviationjay: Will it be a big diffrence to fly with this servo, compared to my 9257???

@BlackTitanium: OT A very nice picture!!! Do you have this in highresolution??? :)

@ all: Thanks for all the good building tips in this thread!!! :thumbup:

Cheers
Daniel


It flies just fine with that servo on it.
it's not 3D precise for tail slides or anything but for flying with a scale fuse its more than solid.

[Heliacious]

Hey Guys,

If I were to upgrade my servos, what would you guys recommend? Im just a sport flyer and now I will be flying with the 500D body also. So no extreme moves for me.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

[Heliacious]

http://www.jcshobbies.com/products_trex.html

This is the only place to get them.Lower head speeds with flatbottoms is definately scale,or close to it.
-lohchief


Thanks for posting those. I ordered 3 sets. :thumbup:

Have you flown them? How do you like them?

[lohchief]

I tried them on my 500 fuse with a 12t pinion and they seemed to cause me issues with a strange pulsing about 3 mins into flight like it was already hitting the low volt warning.. but it seemed to be some kind of heat issue.

if i let it sit for a sec it flys again fine.

Switching back to Align woodies and it doesnt do this at all.

and the heli does this in or out of the fuse.

WOW,,,,I've never heard of that one before.I will watch out for that,thanx for the heads up :thumbup:
-lohchief

[lohchief]

Thanks for posting those. I ordered 3 sets. :thumbup:

Have you flown them? How do you like them?

I just got them in a few days ago,and am in the middle of building the two birds that will use them.I read all of the reviews on the jcs blades and there wasn't a bad one at all.As soon as I get my servo order,I will get one 450 in the air within the day.I'll let ya know how they work,at least on a two-blade head.My other project has a 4 blade head.
-lohchief

[Heliacious]

Well I got the 500d in the mail from rcmachines off ebay, as well as my blades from JCShobbies.com and my repair parts from readyheli.com. All within a week!!!!! :noteworthy:YeaBaby::thumbup::smokin:

So here are a few quick "just got it" pics. The finished pics will follow.

[lohchief]

I've started working on mine.Still a lot to do,but it sure is fun :clappp
-lohchief

[lohchief]

Does anybody happen to know what scale our 500's are? I need to have decals made and a close approximation would really be a help.Thanx for your time.
-lohchief

[Heliacious]

The way I figure it, its somewhere between 1/12 and 1/15 scale. According to Rotor Diameters its 1/12, according to overall length its 1/15, but the tail is shortened a bit to fit the stock 450 boom length.

I would say its supposed to be 1/12th scale or roughly 8%.

[Heliacious]

On my C23CP model, the N-Numbers are 3/4" tall, that puts them in the 1/16th scale category because FAA regulations state that all helicopters manufactured after 1983 must display 12" tall registration numbers.

So I guess we are more toward the 1/15th scale side.

[Heliacious]

Thought some of you might find this interesting.

The number N23CP is actually registered to a Piper Cherokee, 1958 model, thats based out of Montana! :thumbdown: :dontknow

And the Breitling Model 300E's number N300MP is registered to a airplane as well!! :dontknow

[BlackTitanium]

Thought some of you might find this interesting.

The number N23CP is actually registered to a Piper Cherokee, 1958 model, thats based out of Montana! :thumbdown: :dontknow

And the Breitling Model 300E's number N300MP is registered to a airplane as well!! :dontknow

It's some kinda copyright issue.
Which also explains why the "Breitling" name is missing from the model, and why they've dropped Airwolf, Hughes, Bell, Agusta and Jet Ranger from their product names.

[Heliacious]

Yeah, I figured that. Just thought it was funny that my copter has the N number of a 1958 Piper Cherokee on it! LOL :D

[lohchief]

The way I figure it, its somewhere between 1/12 and 1/15 scale. According to Rotor Diameters its 1/12, according to overall length its 1/15, but the tail is shortened a bit to fit the stock 450 boom length.

I would say its supposed to be 1/12th scale or roughly 8%.


Thanx man,that really helps.I found some decals,and I emailed the outfit to see if they could make several sets for me to the scale I need.Hopefully they can,and will.
-lohchief

[lohchief]

It's some kinda copyright issue.
Which also explains why the "Breitling" name is missing from the model, and why they've dropped Airwolf, Hughes, Bell, Agusta and Jet Ranger from their product names.

Good morning BT,I can kinda understand the Breitling moniker being dropped,but the aircraft name/model thats stretching things a bit too far.One would think that the companies would be proud as hell to have some of their aircraft done up as rc scalers.:confused:
-lohchief

[handyman4hire98]

Hello guys I just received my 500e fuse and ran her for the first time. She seemed to be really under powered so I tried running my 14 volt batteries, after altering the tc and pc to compensate for more power, she was flying great. On my second battery I noticed smoke pouring from the canopy so I landed it to find the motor very hot and smoking just wondering If any one has tried this combo and if so any recomendations for a replacement motor. The motor I was running is a V1 that was over 3 years old, infact the whole heli was a v1 that I have progressively changed to a v2 minus Head and motor. Others on this thread seem to have luck with th v2 motor ,but before I buy,would like input about best motor to replace with. If any one has any ideas as to what set up would be best ie.. blade pinion and motor please advise. Thanks.

[Felt]

I read about folks here running it with the 430XL. I was wondering myself about a 4 cell setup.

[handyman4hire98]

Well guys I went ahead and put a new 450 XL with a 12t pinion on her and she has lots of power, I dont even notice the extra weight of the fuse. Battery is flight power 2500 4s with align 35amp esc, running radix 325 carbon blades.
Pitch curve Norm 0 on the bottom,7 in the center,and 11+on top (50,65,80,90,100)
Thr-curve (0,48,70,87,100)
not running Idle up

Head speed had to be dialed down 1/4 turn via vr(c) knobe from above to minimize the vibes.

[lohchief]

Well guys I went ahead and put a new 450 XL with a 12t pinion on her and she has lots of power, I dont even notice the extra weight of the fuse. Battery is flight power 2500 4s with align 35amp esc, running radix 325 carbon blades.
Pitch curve Norm 0 on the bottom,7 in the center,and 11+on top (50,65,80,90,100)
Thr-curve (0,48,70,87,100)
not running Idle up

Head speed had to be dialed down 1/4 turn via vr(c) knobe from above to minimize the vibes.
Hey,thats lookin' pretty darn good :thumbup: Do you know what the wattage is on the 450xl ?
-lohchief

[handyman4hire98]

not for sure its 3700 kv http://www.rchover.com/inc/sdetail/81054 looks like 350 watts

[Felt]

Handyman, What kind of flight time are you getting with that 4cell? And I assume you meant 430xl and not 450?

Thanks.

[handyman4hire98]

Sorry Thats right 430 xl , longest flight so far 6 min. with forward flight less in strait hover
Also Im using 11t not 12