Make sure the gyro is secure

[Heli Jim]

I was doing a check over on my 400 a few days ago just getting it ready to
go outside and fly, and I noticed that the gyro wasn't real secure.

The set up from the factory is just to stick it down with some double sided
foam tape. It was starting to let loose so I pushed it back down firmly and
it seemed to stay OK but I got to thinking that this could be real trouble
if it ever came loose again and I missed it in the pre-flight.

I drilled a small (3/32" or so) hole thru the frame just below the gyro platform
and above the tail boom, and then ran a zip tie thru the hole and up around the
gyro. Nice and secure now.

If you haven't checked yours recently, this might be a good time. I have read
where some people have had their heli just all of a sudden, spin in the air causing
a crash and I wonder if their gyro came loose? Once all the pieces are laying out
on the ground after a smash-up, it's hard to tell. Anyway, a word to the wise....
check it on yours.....

[koyote]

good idea...Ill do that while I have mine "unconstructed"...:smokin::thumbup:

[SeaComms]

Hmm, not too sure about that one. Its generally recommended to have the gyro mounted only with the double sided tape to reduce vibration from the frame into the gyro.

I do understand what you mean though, mine was quite loose even when stuck down, so I have stuck a little L shaped peice of plastic to the back of it to effectively double the footprint and twice as much tape to hold it to the frame. Much more solid but still hopefully able to absorb the vibrations.

[sparx-]

Zip Tie = bad for gyro

Loose fitting Velcro strap = ok for gyro.

Using a Zip Tie will transfer vibrations from the heli frame into the gyro. Velcro straps tend to dampen the vibrations enough to not effect the Gyro.

SPaRX

[koyote]

And this newbie learns more and more.....

[Heli Jim]

Ah.that would explain the tail being twitchy now.

I thought something was seriously out of balance all of a sudden.

I will remove the zip ties and see if that helps. I'll have to figure out
how to get a strip of velcro around that frame....it's not the same on
both sides so this might be difficult.

Thanks, SPaRX....

[SeaComms]

This is what I did to mine - a bit of surface duct double sided taped to the back of the gyro, then the whole lot double sided taped down.

Would prefer to mount it somewhere else, but not many choices...

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44466&d=1207532344