Raptor 1 way clutch

[gtwebb]

I have just built a Raptor 60 v2. Everything works except the main rotors just barely turns when running. I have taken the 1 way clutch our 3 times and cleaned it and greased it but no luck. There is no excessive gear slop and everything is turning ok just the blades will not engage. I am truly frustrated any help would be appreciated.

[kmcclain]

The one way bearing is used only for the start shaft. The main clutch shoe bolted to the fan, and clutch bell are used to drive the main rotor system. Is the clutch shoe in good shape and the liner in the bell not worn out?

[vera]

Be sure the head is bolted to the drive shaft and try the following:

Hold the big gear that spins the main rotor shaft still, then by hand try to turn the main rotor backwards, CCW. You should not be able to do it. The one-way should firmly lock the big gear to the shaft when you turn the rotor CCW. It should also freely allow you to spin the main rotor CW while holding the big gear still. If that works the one-way bearing is working - at least when under a light load.

Then hold the clutch bell still while turning the main rotor CCW. You shouldn't be able to hold it.

If those things check out then the clutch just isn't engaging. Does the engine sound like it's running fast enough that it should engage the clutch? Could it be that you're expecting the clutch to engage at too low of a rpm? I suppose it's possible that the factory forgot to put the clutch liner on the bell... did you happen to notice?

Let us know what you discover.

[gtwebb]

I think the clutch I was referring to was the autorotation clutch. So today I removed the engine and examined the engine clutch. I found the the gear above the clutch bell is striped so I have to replace it. The part that I’m confused about is this. In the OS manual it states that the engine is started by having the starter turn clockwise. I could never get the engine to turn this way so I’ve been starting the engine with the starter ccw. Is it possible that I’m starting the engine backwards? When the engine does start it is in the direction of the autorotation clutch free spin. I have been thinking all along that is was the autorotation clutch not engaging.

I have a degree in electronic engineering and computer science but I am not smarter than a 5th grader.

[vera]

Oh yeah, for sure, if the engine were to spin CW the main gear would be driven backwards and the one-way bearing in the main gear ("autorotation clutch") would allow that without spinning the blades (much, just bearing drag).

Looking down on it, the (engine) clutch bell (with the pinion gear on it) should be turning CCW, which drives the big gear and thus the head CW. Try turning the clutch bell CCW by hand to see that this is so. You need to crank the engine CCW and get it to run that way.

[gtwebb]

I didn't know you could start a engine up both ways, but now I know. In all the confusion I striped the main gear. I have it on order. Thanks for all the help.

[vera]

You must not have a one-way bearing on your starter motor shaft. If you did it wouldn't let you crank the engine backwards. I suggest getting one of those. Once the engine starts it might be trying to spin the starter motor and this might booger up the socket on the engine starter shaft.

Here's an example.
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=805390

But be sure to pick one that works with your starter motor. It isn't a gotta-have item but it probably saves wear on the socket head.