Fun :D — pinion/swash/tail Qs

[cycled]

I've been trying to sell the P425, but with the Chase needing parts, I figured why not move the Spirit over and try it again. Glad I did!

If my calculations are right, I was running 2700 RPM (14t pinion, 90% throttle (in theory), YGE90 & stock 880kv Scorpion). But it had a lot of punch and reasonably fast cyclic.

Pinion issue: after two 4-minute flights I can already see some wear on the pinion (didn't check before but don't remember any). I remember people complaining about this with the stretched Protos, but this isn't stretched. Is it really the case? BTW my motor was so hot that I didn't want to touch the motor plate screws or pinion for long after the flight; maybe this contributed? I'm also wondering if the belt will hold out for long. Best to reduce head speed?

Swash: the pins sticking down from the head to hold the plastic swash driver bracket were way too long before. I used an angle grinder on them; now I can increase pitch a bit. However, I now get binding against the carbon frames if I try to increase. I may extend the servo horns.

Tail: it's pretty good but slightly loose and blows out sometimes still. Is this the right part? It says Protos 500 but also mini Protos in the description. I have the alu gear already but don't see any reason to upgrade the rest of the tail box.

Canopy grommets: is there a better solution? All my canopies are cracked/broken around this area.

Cheers guys. I know this is an old heli, but still great. If MSH would design a new drive-chain and possibly do some head/tail upgrades it would be perfect 8)

[cycled]

Just measured my pitch; seems to be about 12 degrees on collective and 10 on cyclic. I may actually increase cyclic and decrease collective because it's very fast but I keep getting "cyclic ring activated" in the Spirit log (I like fast rolls).

I'm actually surprised it's so fast on 2700 RPM . RotorStar blades. I thought the stock pinion was 15T? Seems to me like the 93T main gear should be 50% bigger or so...

Edit: I think the 15T will be fine for me (just 85% instead of 90% throttle).

[DoubleCH]

You may be on 15T instead of 14T. The latter runs on 4mm shaft adaptor or 4mm long motor shaft, not the 6mm shaft adaptor the 15T runs on. With 15T and 90% with YGE and proper calibration it should be higher than 2700rpm HS. It's easy enough to count pinion teeth.

[cycled]

I just swapped from 14T to 15T. Had to change the adapter. I'm hoping the larger pinion strips less easily.

[DoubleCH]

It should, but motor and ESC will run hotter for the same 2700.

[crickr1]

Originally Posted by cycled

I've been trying to sell the P425, but with the Chase needing parts, I figured why not move the Spirit over and try it again. Glad I did!

If my calculations are right, I was running 2700 RPM (14t pinion, 90% throttle (in theory), YGE90 & stock 880kv Scorpion). But it had a lot of punch and reasonably fast cyclic.

Pinion issue: after two 4-minute flights I can already see some wear on the pinion (didn't check before but don't remember any). I remember people complaining about this with the stretched Protos, but this isn't stretched. Is it really the case? BTW my motor was so hot that I didn't want to touch the motor plate screws or pinion for long after the flight; maybe this contributed? I'm also wondering if the belt will hold out for long. Best to reduce head speed?

Swash: the pins sticking down from the head to hold the plastic swash driver bracket were way too long before. I used an angle grinder on them; now I can increase pitch a bit. However, I now get binding against the carbon frames if I try to increase. I may extend the servo horns.

Tail: it's pretty good but slightly loose and blows out sometimes still. Is this the right part? It says Protos 500 but also mini Protos in the description. I have the alu gear already but don't see any reason to upgrade the rest of the tail box.

Canopy grommets: is there a better solution? All my canopies are cracked/broken around this area.

Cheers guys. I know this is an old heli, but still great. If MSH would design a new drive-chain and possibly do some head/tail upgrades it would be perfect 8)

Regarding the tail slider, yes that is correct part, also pick up a service bag for it.
Canopy grommets, I have a set of older thumb screw style adapted from another heli, retired Lynx part. Or go to RC Booya, they have nice set of QR for the Protos
still love my Protos and fly the crap out of it regularly , I have never had pinion problem with mine, well over 1000 flights 5 yrs old.
The only upgrade I want for the 500 is an Evo kit, Boom,Canopy, and the new style blade grips. I already run a complete Lynx tail box,slider,grips on mine.

[Mikej]

I checked the other day and I am running 14 degrees of collective with about 2,600 HS - really like it. When I first started with it I didn't check the HS and was running about 3,100 - it was ballistic

The scorpion motors are reknowned for running hot so not too much to worry about there.

I use the HobbyKing canopy grommets - they work fine, are very cheap. I re-enforce the the canopy "wings" with fibre-glass cloth and CA - works very well.

[RCBound]

Originally Posted by Mikej

The scorpion motors are reknowned for running hot so not too much to worry about there.

Yeah my stock motor on my 470 gets to about 180F at the hottest spot with my IR gun after the flight. I recently put the Mavrikk 430s on and running 2750. Motor was slightly cooler and it flew good. Going to be adding more CP though...either that or just more pitch pump.

[RCBound]

Posted over in the RCHN corner last night about dropping down to 430 and noticing the temps lower, but the collective pop isn't there.
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=752350

[alexf1852]

The Scorpion motor always runs hot. I personally use 15T at about 75 to 80 % throttle depending. Prefer the 15T pinion over the 14T because of the extra tooth for belt grip.