balance on stratus?

[WayneBrown]

Maybe I'm too lazy to look again, but I think it's tail heavy and causing egg-shaped rolls...
What's the procedure and ideal balance point for the stratus?

Empty tank, blades fore/aft the skids hang down noticeably.
YS80, SB16, DLite 4400, GV1, GY501 all 9252's

[capebob]

My stratus was tail heavy off the building bench and I had to move my battery farther forward. I don't static balance my helicopters other that to make sure that they're reasonable. With a half a tank the heli should hang just about level. Then I fly the machine and trim for a respectable hover. Then I check the trim inverted. If the machine tends to fly backwards then I know it's tail heavy, at least for me.

Bob

[WayneBrown]

I already moved the battery as far forward as I could, and it does go backwards in an inverted hover. (it's also got a little roll too)
I had to trim a little to get it hovering rightside-up.. a fair amount of forward and a little roll.. can't remember which way just now.
Damn I hate to add weight..

[capebob]

Wayne,

I'm guessing you're using Li-Ions. I don't blame you for not wanting to add weight, but it's better than having a tail heavy helicopter, at least for me. Shortly after I converted my Extreme I bashed what is now my Stratus and had to use an aluminum tail boom for a while. It was quite a bit tail heavy, but I lived with it until I got a CF boom.

Bob

[WayneBrown]

Yep, duralites.
I'll look and see where I can secure the weights and give it a try.
Hopefully I can place alittle Waaaaaaay forward and not have to use a lot.

[EricLarson]

With the standard tongue 2800 duralites mounted up front and the regulator mounted up front, my machine balances almost perfect with an 8 oz canopy installed. That is where the C.G was set. With a lighter battery, you may be a bit more tail heavy.

Also that is with no boom support bridge and just one support on the tail control rod.

The C.G. was set very accurately on this model so it is close. Most all other previous models where always nose heavy.

Good luck getting it the way you like!

[WayneBrown]

Added 2 1/2 oz and it's still a little tail heavy.
Removed the horizontal fin, and still aft, but better.
Maybe I'll yank the bridge, but I feel a whole lot more comfortable with it on. I've had boom support screws shear off, I'd rather keep them out of the rotor disk.
Maybe I'll see about fabricating one out of Carbon plate...

[EricLarson]

That is why we went to 4mm screws for the boom supports. I don't think anyone is shearing those off.

Where did you add the weight. If you add weight make sure you do it in the NOSE of the canopy as it is the farthest forward and you will need less.

[WayneBrown]

Hmm, for the moment I have it under the battery, but epoxying it to the canopy doesn't sound too bad.
Wonder if harmonics would cause it to seperate?

[Clintstone]

Wayne , just come down tomorrow and we can get er' done. I will be up a while if you want to call and set it up. Mine balance with a polymer pack and it is lighter than the ion pack by a couple onces. I will admit I like the penetration I get from the weight of the ion on auto's. Looking forward to hearing from you Wayne.

[WayneBrown]

will do!

[Clintstone]

Come early and we can work on it hear at the house. Looking forward to your enjoying your Stratus as much as I enjoy mine. These helis just fly great and I want to see what is going on on your heli. If we are lucky it will be something simply we can laugh about. I just found a radio problem which I consulted numerous pilots about and wouldn't you know it it was truely the last place I looked. :lol:

[TerryBelanger]

I just finished building mine. With a 4000MH Dlit and 5.1 reg on the tray (in the middle) and a 1/2 full tank, mine balances SLIGHTLY tail heavy. Paint on the can should fix that!

Can't wait till my Proflex gets here so I can go fly!!

[Clintstone]

Wayne, your heli really flies good now. The 80 has plenty of power.

[WayneBrown]

We got it balanced out by moving the RX and Gyro Amp to the battery tray, and removing the bridge & large Horizontal fin.
I learned a LOT from the trip down about my method of setup... This will stay will stay with me a long,long time.
Thanks Clint!
Now to get those handy setup tools!
Eric, Without your suggestions and input I might have looked in the wrong way longer than I did. Big thanks!!

[Clintstone]

Enjoy your heli.......now you know how easy it is to make it fly like you want it to. Just a little more time and it is like you want it .

[EricLarson]

Great to hear it is up and running good! Enjoy!

Thanks Clint for taking the time to iron it all out with Wayne. We can all learn from each other! Much easier than the hard knock school.

[WillJames]

Glad to hear you got it all sorted out Wayne. Can't wait to fly wity you again soon!! We gotta get Hammer back to the field to!