Lightning Heli Rotor Head (Review)

[ChasHeliCop]

Ok, I am going to do a semi-review for the Lightning Heli Rotor Heads

I replaced alot of parts to get this thing to work right, I wish I had done some reading before I got into this.

Start with the obvious, the linkage rods........They did not have any thread on them, I don't know how you expect this to hold !


http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51341&stc=1&d=1213412988

I used the Trex 600 Swash Linkages, they have more thread and are thicker, giving a little more support for the grips to swash.


http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51342&stc=1&d=1213412988

I then used Trex 600 SS Balls on the blade grips and upper portion of the swash. edit: (PLEASE NOTE: The Trex 600ss swash balls have too long of threads on them. The stock threads are only 2mm the Trex balls are approx. 3.75 mm, they will need to be cut down to prevent binding of the main swash ball. ) Be sure to clean out any locktite that might be in the holes.



http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51343&stc=1&d=1213412988



http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51344&stc=1&d=1213412988

I used the balls from the Trex 450 for the lower swash. The swash ball is VERY tight, I have tried to loosen it up, not with much success, any ideas would be appreciated. (NOTE: I had to grind down the threads on the Trex 600 ss balls, they were too long and caused the swash ball to bind.)

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51345&stc=1&d=1213413007

This is the washout which was a very SOFT aluminum, and the set screw actually stripped the first time I tightened it up. I ended up using an Align Washout block, modified of course.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51346&stc=1&d=1213413075

The washout arm was of substandard quality, I replaced this with a stock arm. I drill through the Align arm with a 2mm bit, and used a M2x10mm screw and bolt to hold it on like in this picture. The stock arm came with a self tapping screw.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51347&stc=1&d=1213413075

Side view of the arm which shows the difference in width.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51348&stc=1&d=1213413075

Here's the Align washout after I stripped off the blue and polished it. I drilled a hole straight thru using a 2.97mm or 7/64" bit..... tapped the hole with a 3mm hex cap screw. After cleaning out the shaft and deburring, it worked great, much better than the one provided.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51349&stc=1&d=1213413075

[ChasHeliCop]

Here's the washout installed. I simply hooked up the swash to the servos, mid-stick, 50% pitch, then centered the washout, so the arm was at 90* to the main shaft. This picture was taken at full negative pitch.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51350&stc=1&d=1213413923

The quality of the screws were all very poor. You can see how soft there are in this picture, this is how it was out of the box, or bag that is.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51351&stc=1&d=1213413923

I replaced all the blade grip screws with M2x6mm hex head screws, they fit nicely.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51352&stc=1&d=1213413923

I couldn't believe this one, when I pulled the shaft out, it had rust all over the top where the head bolted on.

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51353&stc=1&d=1213413923

If you are going to order these heads, be prepared to do a little work to make it functional. I still think it's a good price, and the cost of the materials used to fix it where minimal. I just wish they had done this before they sold it to the end consumer.

[ChasHeliCop]

And here she is in her maiden lift off................

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZtlD4ebyPbw


ZtlD4ebyPbw

[Deron Douglas]

That looks excellent. You did a really good job. I'll do the same with mine, thanks!
I didn't see any wobble in your head BTW. Does the button spin centered?

Cheers,
Deron

[ChasHeliCop]

When I took it all apart and put it back together, I have a slight wobble at spool-up now, and low RPM's. I think it's from the room in the rotor head. Not sure what the answer there is yet, maybe some sort of plastic insert ? I think I have one link off just one turn, I will try to fix that this weekend. The head button spins centered and true.

I had a vibration traced it to the tail. Replaced all the bearing in the tail case and grips. Vibration gone now. I am flying without the boom supports now and getting ready to mod the tail servo so I can start working on the fuse. The 3 blade head is a little tricky to fly, at least mine is, it seems you have to fly the tail, and use alot of rudder to control the turns.

Hopefully, I will be doing a video of the fuse build.

Glad I could help Deron.

[harryboe]

Well done ChasHeliCop

That's pretty much in line with my experience on the penta head. I replaced the main schaft as well and noticed that there was a lot of play on the original align shaft. Maybe the "missing" rust makes the difference.
I had to press fit the head block an a wrench to get it free of play ..

As you mentioned .. flying is a bit tricky especially if there is some wind as well, but keep trying it just looks so damed cool!!

Harry

[ChasHeliCop]

Thanks Harry, I also think the RUST helped with the end play in the head. I am thinking of trying to use a product called "Plumbers Putty" to fill the head gap. I hardens a little but is still removable. Also still trying to loosen the swash ball. I think I will take the swash back off and put a main shaft in the drill thru the ball to try and break it in. As far as I know, you can not disassemble the swash.

[Deron Douglas]

I just noticed the picture of the Helicopter on the heli-pad. Looks pretty cool. I have to find some time to get mine back together. Finding time to play with my toys is beginning to become a problem. I'll have to make a new hub however. The mounting hole for the button is definitely off set and it just bugs me too much. Plus I want to put a really wide button on it... Once I get it done I'll send a few photos.

BTW... I'm trying the new sk360 mixer on it. So hats off for your flying abilities to hover without a mixer.

Forgot to ask... what kind of blades are those?

[ChasHeliCop]

I............BTW... I'm trying the new sk360 mixer on it. So hats off for your flying abilities to hover without a mixer.

Forgot to ask... what kind of blades are those?


:) Hovering is the easy part LOL.... you should see the FFF.

I am using Radix blades. It's my understanding heavier tip weighted blades makes it more stable. Guess I should look into that, but the Radix look pretty cool.

[ChasHeliCop]

Ok, I have run into a problem. I think it is the swash ball being too tight. It seems the cyclic is sticking and very hard to compensate. It was flying much smoother before I took it apart to take those pictures, so I guess I will be stripping it down again tonight. I may have to modify the Align swash, or order a swash for a Beam, and modify it. Will keep you posted.

EDIT (IMPORTANT)
I am going edit this post and the one above with corrections. I found what is causing the swash ball to bind. The stock swash balls have 2mm thread on them. The 600 ss balls I used have approximately 3.75mm thread. I am going to grind off 1mm to see how that works, and report back with the best length. Additionally, I think when I threaded the new balls on, it pushed some of the locktite into the inner ball. not a problem now.

[ChasHeliCop]

That did it. I took off 1mm, and it worked great. It freed up everything on the swash. I took her for a test drive, but it was hard to video and fly at the same time. Here's a look and the FF and stability test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k0cr0yyL-M

9k0cr0yyL-M

[Deron Douglas]

It looks really good! Thanks for all the work you put into this review. BTW... did I read that you replaced the stock swash with an align swash? If so, how did you drill the additional holes for the balls?

[ChasHeliCop]

.......... BTW... did I read that you replaced the stock swash with an align swash? If so, how did you drill the additional holes for the balls?

Nope, I didn't need to, but it would not be hard to put the holes and tap them in an Align swash. When I shortened the balls, it cleared everything up. If you decided to do that, or, if I do make that mod, I will let you know.

[ChasHeliCop]

Ok, I finally got rid of the vibrations and did a spool up of the heli in the new Heliartist 500D fuselage.

More to come................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkOD5z4QCcg

kkOD5z4QCcg