Just Picked up my 250 SE

[photocycler]

So I just picked up a great condition 250SE. It was setup with a microheli FBL head and has the lower frame modifed to use the microheli frame expanders which removes the gyro/receiver plate.

The stock head is back on but the lower frame is still modified with the frame expanders.

The gyro rest's on the lower frame mount and the receiver is on top of the frame in the rear which I am not crazy about. I am not sure where else I can put the receiver

Anyways aside from setting up my DX7 , leveling the swash, tracking the blades and setting servo arms to 90 what else should I be checking? The previous owner said he loctited the head down

[FurryTrex]

I would say that if you are not happy with the reciever/gyro placing, ditch the frame extensions, put the gyro plate back in. basically go stock again.

People seem to take care of their birds, and even though he said he took great care of it, and used loctite on everything, I would just go ahead and rebuild the head, and tail. Might save you time and money. plus you can check all your bearings, links, stripped screws etc.

That way you know for yourself everything is good to go.

[AcidDrink]

I'd disassemble it and assemble back. I bought used 250 a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't really assembled correctly (lots of small/big things), despite previous owner saying so.
Ended up buying new kit and moving electronics, but it was only me wanting to have something fresh . I have old kit ready to build if/when I want it or use it for spares (more likely).

If you don't want to re-build, at least check every screw, and re-loctite all metal to metal ones. Check tail for binding (pop the link from tail servo and move tail pushrod it should be very easy to move it), check tail belt tension, blade grip bolts, feathering shaft. Check if links are assembled correct side (A) out the ball - I had half of my links assembled wrong way, it's disaster waiting to happen.
Put some triflow on bearings and put training gear on for first flight. Make sure gryo is setup in correct directions.

Good luck, you will love the heli!

[pitchp]

Originally Posted by FurryTrex

I would say that if you are not happy with the reciever/gyro placing, ditch the frame extensions, put the gyro plate back in. basically go stock again.

People seem to take care of their birds, and even though he said he took great care of it, and used loctite on everything, I would just go ahead and rebuild the head, and tail. Might save you time and money. plus you can check all your bearings, links, stripped screws etc.

That way you know for yourself everything is good to go.

+1 to FT.

Go back to stock, strip everything apart, and clean the dried threadlock with alcohol. rethreadlock everything(metal to metal)

[photocycler]

Well went through everything I thought and missed a very simple obvious thing. Unfortunately it took a small crash to realize it but it seems the collar on the main shaft was not tight and let the shaft move which in return brought my heli to the ground very quickly.

Anyways, the blades took a little nick, the rear boom is bent and rear boom brace broken. I am going to check feathering shaft, do these feathering shafts usually bend pretty easy?

The heli didnt even get off the ground, basically tipped over that was it

Should the main shaft collar be all the way flush to the bearing or should it have a touch of play?

[dbennettya]

The main shaft collar should have no slop but should not be too tight either. This makes sure the bearings have very little load on them.

Happy Holidays, Don

Originally Posted by photocycler

Well went through everything I thought and missed a very simple obvious thing. Unfortunately it took a small crash to realize it but it seems the collar on the main shaft was not tight and let the shaft move which in return brought my heli to the ground very quickly.

Anyways, the blades took a little nick, the rear boom is bent and rear boom brace broken. I am going to check feathering shaft, do these feathering shafts usually bend pretty easy?

The heli didnt even get off the ground, basically tipped over that was it

Should the main shaft collar be all the way flush to the bearing or should it have a touch of play?

[Henry]

I like that receiver location! I'm currently struggling with locating my AR6100e to "pleasingly" route the servo and gyro wiring. I'm anal about wire placement! If it doesn't look good and clean I'm not happy.

[FurryTrex]

Thats how I was until i took my 250 into FBL land. After trying to wire it "nice" for two days. I said F&%$ it. Wedged everything in there and called it a day.