How snug is your slipper clutch?

heli-b · 06-15-2012, 04:27 PM

I had a crash- again. They are becoming less frequent, but I bounced it pretty good yesterday. Afterwards, I noticed some tail shimmy. I examined the tail gear train, and hadn't stripped anything. After installing new main blades and balancing them the shimmy was still there, but mostly at higher head speeds. I found the little allen wrench and loosened, then snugged the collar on the clutch. That seemed to correct the problem. I just worry that the slipper may not do its job and protect the gears if it is as tight as it is. How do you guys insure good tail function and maintain the protective benefit of having the clutch?

Mikey2 · 06-16-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heli-b

I had a crash- again. They are becoming less frequent, but I bounced it pretty good yesterday. Afterwards, I noticed some tail shimmy. I examined the tail gear train, and hadn't stripped anything. After installing new main blades and balancing them the shimmy was still there, but mostly at higher head speeds. I found the little allen wrench and loosened, then snugged the collar on the clutch. That seemed to correct the problem. I just worry that the slipper may not do its job and protect the gears if it is as tight as it is. How do you guys insure good tail function and maintain the protective benefit of having the clutch?

If you're using Livonia Bob's clutch, I keep mine snugged up pretty tightly as well. The neoprene tubing he uses for his clutch seems to allow just the right amount of friction and slippage as I've had a couple minor tail blade strikes and been none the worse for it. The video he posted on another forum wherein he spools up a D02S and then just walks over and grabs the turning tail feathers, stopping them entirely and with no obvious physical damage to the heli seems to suggest that the design works.

Benvk · 06-19-2012, 01:31 PM

The way I judge it is to turn the tail rotor by hand and if it turns the main rotor with no slippage, you're good to fly.

You're shimmy could be a cracked tail boom or bent tail rotor shaft. The clutch parts shouldn't be creating any vibrations no matter how tight or slack you set it.

06-15-2012, 04:27 PM	#1
heli-b Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Central Ohio	How snug is your slipper clutch? I had a crash- again. They are becoming less frequent, but I bounced it pretty good yesterday. Afterwards, I noticed some tail shimmy. I examined the tail gear train, and hadn't stripped anything. After installing new main blades and balancing them the shimmy was still there, but mostly at higher head speeds. I found the little allen wrench and loosened, then snugged the collar on the clutch. That seemed to correct the problem. I just worry that the slipper may not do its job and protect the gears if it is as tight as it is. How do you guys insure good tail function and maintain the protective benefit of having the clutch?

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06-19-2012, 01:31 PM	#3
Benvk Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London	The way I judge it is to turn the tail rotor by hand and if it turns the main rotor with no slippage, you're good to fly. You're shimmy could be a cracked tail boom or bent tail rotor shaft. The clutch parts shouldn't be creating any vibrations no matter how tight or slack you set it.