bomber
11-15-2005, 08:39 PM
Have had a GWS Dragonfly for about 6 months, flys around the garage ok but, it has always had a problem with vibration no matter what I do. I have balanced the blades, flybar, head setup 6 or 7 times with no help. Have changed the main shaft twice, no help. Tightened the blades, loosened the blades, no help. Always has the mild shakes. No onto the tail. Has always drifted noes left, have set for full trim left, still drifts left. Switched to a direct drive tail motor, still same problem. Adjusted the gain and the gyro till my fingers are tired. Does anyone have a cure? or, is this something that I must live with. Don't want to spend $ (just not worth it) on expensive upgrades as I have trex I fly most the time. Thanks for any help.
imported_Jon_Bennett
02-07-2006, 02:22 PM
I also have a Dragonfly. I love it. I am not sure what "mild" shakes means. I have never seen it run "as smooth as glass", but it never seems to change, even when I hit the trees. So...
1) I have a set of blades that seem to be posessed. They balance great, and weigh exactly the same amount, but when on the heli, they vibrate like crazy. I have no idea why. I am sure that I am missing something. So... try changing the main blades for the new GWHPS002 (Black), and see how that goes. They should cost about $14, so it won't hurt too bad. They will also give you more flight time.
Also, if the blades are not tracking that can cause vibration. You can flex the head plate, and let the little aluminum "reinforcement" bend a bit. That will sometimes help with tracking. You just have to figure out which blades needs to come up and which one needs to go down. Tracking tape should help with that.
Also, if the tail blade is chipped, there seems to be some harmonic oscilation that sets up between the main rotor and the tail. That can also cause vibration.
2) The heli drifting nose left sounds like a trim problem, or a weak tail motor. Since you went direct drive, I cannot imaging that it is a tail motor problem. Are you using the stock GWS electronics? If so, and the mixer gain is maxed out then it sounds like something is wrong with the electronics. I have both the new electronics (PHA300), and a brushless dragonfly based on separate electronics. The separates heli is rock solid (PG03 gyro), but the PHA300 will always drift a *LITTLE* bit. However, turning the mixer gain up should cause the heli to turn hard nose right. It sounds to me like either an electronics problem, or the MIXER is set too low. Since you are experienced enough to be flying a trex, I doubt that it is a mixer / gain adjustment problem. Perhaps you should contact GWS and see about getting a replacement electronics package. At 6 months old, it should certainly be under warranty. Mr Lin (GWS Pres) is over at RC groups and personally fields questions all of the time. I am sure GWS USA would be happy to help.
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Jon