Purpose of O-rings in spindle shaft?

[jhamel]

Reading the manual, I am wondering why this helicopter uses O-rings on the spindle shaft, as opposed to more traditional head designs that only use dampeners.

[ZuvieleTeile]

Originally Posted by johnahamelv

Reading the manual, I am wondering why this helicopter uses O-rings on the spindle shaft, as opposed to more traditional head designs that only use dampeners.

???
This one you really need to explain further . . .

[Costas]

The O-Rings are your actual dampeners.

Many helis utilise O-Rings as dampeners - nothing new here.

[jhamel]

Look at parts 0102S below

[Costas]

Part 0102s = your dampeners

Part 0109 = Dampener [o-ring] carrier. This part does two jobs. One is to hold the o-rings in position and the other is to form a hard stop for the spindle when the spindle rocks to an extreme position ie o-rings fully compressed.

[jhamel]

Are they regular O-rings like those used in plumbing? Are there different durometer O-rings available?

[Costas]

They are a nitrile rubber based material.

Jan sells two types of duro hardness [Black-Hard & Red-Soft] o-rings for the TDR.

The black ones are around 80 duro hardness.

For flybarless operation you generally want a fairly stiff head setup. A lot of us are running the white inserts with 2 black o-rings fitted on each side which provides the stiffest setup.

[ElectricSheep]

Originally Posted by johnahamelv

Are they regular O-rings like those used in plumbing? Are there different durometer O-rings available?

O-rings are used in plumbing, motors, and even rocket engines. I would just get the ones from Jan, either all black, or a combination of red + black.

I think you're surprised about o-rings because you're used to dampers/dampeners in T-Rexes, like this one from Trueblood, correct? (It's been a long time since I owned a T-Rex. No offense intended, but those days are happily behind me. )



As others have said, many other helis use o-rings in their rotor heads...

[jointer]

And the ones in TDR can be actually bought in hardware shop.
The Trex ones does not.
I bought some like this, but they were softer then the black ones so i am using the originals.
They do not wear anyway (at least in my case).

[jhamel]

Originally Posted by ElectricSheep

O-rings are used in plumbing, motors, and even rocket engines. I would just get the ones from Jan, either all black, or a combination of red + black.

I think you're surprised about o-rings because you're used to dampers/dampeners in T-Rexes, like this one from Trueblood, correct? (It's been a long time since I owned a T-Rex. No offense intended, but those days are happily behind me. )



As others have said, many other helis use o-rings in their rotor heads...

Correct. Except for the not-so-much-fun Blade SR, all other helicopters I own use the dampers like you pictured. I am in the the market for a 700/800 size heli. I am reviewing the manuals for many helicopters to get familiar the the various mechanisms, and find potential pitfalls. The only 2 helicopters that I have seen so far that use O-rings for dampers are the TDR and the Logo 800 Xxtreme. However, the Whiplash, Compass 7HV, Gaui 7X, Synergy E6/7, Goblin 700, Raptor G4 E720, and Rave Ballistic all use the thicker dampers. Notice how I did not include the company that starts with "A" with models that start with "T".

What I am understanding from you guys is that is does not matter much whether the helicopter uses O-rings or the thicker kind of dampers. Is this correct?

[ZuvieleTeile]

Correct!
It really does not matter. It is just what the manufacturer chose to use.
Imho with O-rings we are a little bot more flexible.
There are two per side in case of the TDR.
That gives you 4 different choices in stiffness, when you use the black and red ones. Not to talk about industrial O-rings with variations in duro hardness.

[marcosp]

Gerry, only use "dampeners" if you want you rotor head wet......... otherwise, "dampers" work good for "damping"!!!

Kasama uses o-rings too. JR as well, at least on the Sylphide, 8 or 9 times World F3C Champion. Or 7... ok, enough to make a point that o-rings are in no way inferior to specialty dampers!

[marcosp]

Oh and johnahamelv, go out and get any other 700 (except Diabolo, Voodoo or Banshee) so that when you DO come back to get a TDR, which in time you will, you'll really appreciate the miracle in front of you.

You have to suffer first to fully enjoy later.