Lubed belt, can't believe the difference!

Sgarr · 01-29-2007, 11:04 PM

Hi. I've had my 450s for about 3 weeks and 30-40 flights now. I never bothered to lube the tail belt on my other machines, but after reading about all the tail belt failures, I picked up some silicon lube on the way home tonight. I put the heli on the table, gave it enough juice to just get the rotors turning (we're talking a HS of 120 rpm or so!), and sprayed the lube onto the running belt through the tail housing.

I was absolutely amazed that the heli picked up a bunch of head speed... I mean, the head speed probably almost doubled! I run the belt on the looser side, and even that way the lube made a huge difference! All that friction must have been causing an unbelievable amount of heat...

Anyway this probably doesn't deserve it's own thread, but I can't overstate the difference just a quick blast of silicon lube made. I was going to shoot some autos at lunch today (first time on the trex) but couldn't go because of work; now I'm glad... If you haven't lubed your belt, I definitely recommend it.

Steve

stevejr72 · 01-29-2007, 11:08 PM

Sgarr... I never even thought of that. Great idea.
I'm gonna give it a try myself and post results later.

Sgarr · 01-29-2007, 11:16 PM

stevejr72, I wish the idea were mine, but I read the recommendation from others in the broken belt threads. I just thought the effect was dramatic enough to turn it into a standalone post.

Steve

Finless · 01-29-2007, 11:56 PM

Honeslty... if it picked up a noticable head speed then truely I think you have the belt too tight!

Look at my maintanace video... does your head spin that free without lube? If not YOUR MASKING the problem with lube!

Bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 12:02 AM

I hear ya; Hang on there though, I'll take a picture of the belt deflection with some pressure from a screw driver... That's why I was so amazed; the belt *really* isn't that tight. Off to dig out the Digicam...

Finless · 01-30-2007, 12:05 AM

Make sure you spin the head by hand and lets see it!

But I cant wait for a vid

Maybe I will drag mine out with NO LUBE and show the difference

bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 12:13 AM

Ugh, sorry, no vids until I've got enough 3D skillz to piro on my carpet... But, I'll give the belt a push with a screwdriver, take a still shot, and see what you think of the deflection.

Are you really challenging me to a SPINOFF? And you're going lubeless?? Ha! Seriously, I'm not saying my belt isn't too tight, I just don't think it is. I'll post the pic, and if I'm wrong, great, I (and maybe some other trex noobs) learned something. It's win win!

Just waiting for my flash NiMhs to charge up and I'll post a link to the pic

Finless · 01-30-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Are you really challenging me to a SPINOFF? And you're going lubeless?? Ha! Seriously,

HELL YES I am!!!!!! And I dont even need to post a NEW video...

Does you heli SPIN like this?
http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=...aintenance.wmv

Everyone that "thinks" they have the belt adjusted right always show up TOO TIGHT... This vid has NO BELT LUBE and I have never LUBED my belts!

If you cant get this then you got a problem! LUBING is hiding the real problem and I will stand by that after flying this heli since the DAY it came out!

Bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 12:46 AM

Ok... I didn't want to do it, but I'm going to have to learn how to use the little cam built into my laptop so I can drop a vid. Might not happen tonight though. In the mean time, this is the belt deflection with moderate pressure with a screwdriver:

Is that too tight?

Finless · 01-30-2007, 12:53 AM

I have NO idea what I am looking at... Oh BTW this is why I have never done a video on proper belt tension as you just CANT show force on a belt!

How many foot lbs do you need? Unless I have an instrament to show it we can all show pics like that which mean NOTHING to someone trying to get it right...

Did you watch my video? If your head cant spin that free WITHOUT LUBE... I stand and say.... You aint got something right! I cant show belt tension but I CAN show hoe free the head should spin....

If your telling me lubing the belt may a BIG difference on free spinning the head then I want to see it!

Bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 12:59 AM

I'm applying just enough force to deflect the belt just that much! :wink:

I got a vid, just trying to figure out how to post it.

Steve

Finless · 01-30-2007, 01:05 AM

If your vid is under 3 megs then just EMail me it using my EMAIl link below each post. If over that then use yoourtube or google video.

Bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 01:10 AM

It's uploaded to youtube, just waiting for them to finish processing it so I can have the link to post.

In the mean time, check out this copter pilot's (real) Mad 3D Skillz!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMm4Gh-NFhU

Finless · 01-30-2007, 01:18 AM

hehehehheehe... we have (or most of us) all seen that dumb arse crash a new heli because he wouldnt wait for the instructor to show up!

Bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 01:24 AM

'Hog' is seriously lucky he didn't kill himself of one of the sailplanes tied down where he was flying... Anyway, here's my head spin... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNp_lPahzw

Finless · 01-30-2007, 01:29 AM

Ummm OK that is SWEET! I bet it would be just as good without the lube

But man I gotta say that really is good and you should do really well with that! Expect 6+ minutes of good 3D

I am in AWE of your freedom!

Nice job!

Bob

Finless · 01-30-2007, 01:31 AM

FYI, I know some people here locally that just wont listen, crash all the time because of heli failures, and blame the equipment! I wont name names but you show that it CAN be done right!

THANKS!

Bob

Finless · 01-30-2007, 01:33 AM

Last post.... EVERYONE should have thier heli running like this!

TAKE THIS as an example PLEASE...

Bob

Sgarr · 01-30-2007, 01:36 AM

Aww shucks, thanks! I'm telling ya though, before I lubed it I doubt it would have spun much more than 1/2 that. Just give it a shot; fire up your bird to whatever the lowest rpm the speed controller will maintain, spray a little silicon lube in there, and see what happens. What's the worst that could happen?

One of these days I'll come down to the OC and say hey... and embaras myself with a little flying (edit or maybe with some spelling)

I'll bring the silicon.

Steve

OICU812 · 01-30-2007, 01:47 AM

Agree 100% with Bob folks, never lube a belt, you are asking for trouble. I personally don't care if JK is slamming wd-40 all over his belts and what not, it is not a good idea for all the reasons Bob has brought up and a few others as well.

01-29-2007, 11:04 PM	#1
Sgarr Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	Lubed belt, can't believe the difference! Hi. I've had my 450s for about 3 weeks and 30-40 flights now. I never bothered to lube the tail belt on my other machines, but after reading about all the tail belt failures, I picked up some silicon lube on the way home tonight. I put the heli on the table, gave it enough juice to just get the rotors turning (we're talking a HS of 120 rpm or so!), and sprayed the lube onto the running belt through the tail housing. I was absolutely amazed that the heli picked up a bunch of head speed... I mean, the head speed probably almost doubled! I run the belt on the looser side, and even that way the lube made a huge difference! All that friction must have been causing an unbelievable amount of heat... Anyway this probably doesn't deserve it's own thread, but I can't overstate the difference just a quick blast of silicon lube made. I was going to shoot some autos at lunch today (first time on the trex) but couldn't go because of work; now I'm glad... If you haven't lubed your belt, I definitely recommend it. Steve

01-29-2007, 11:08 PM	#2
stevejr72 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO	Sgarr... I never even thought of that. Great idea. I'm gonna give it a try myself and post results later. __________________ If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is! Raptor 90

01-29-2007, 11:56 PM	#4
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	Honeslty... if it picked up a noticable head speed then truely I think you have the belt too tight! Look at my maintanace video... does your head spin that free without lube? If not YOUR MASKING the problem with lube! Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 12:05 AM	#6
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	Make sure you spin the head by hand and lets see it! But I cant wait for a vid Maybe I will drag mine out with NO LUBE and show the difference bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 12:53 AM	#10
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	I have NO idea what I am looking at... Oh BTW this is why I have never done a video on proper belt tension as you just CANT show force on a belt! How many foot lbs do you need? Unless I have an instrament to show it we can all show pics like that which mean NOTHING to someone trying to get it right... Did you watch my video? If your head cant spin that free WITHOUT LUBE... I stand and say.... You aint got something right! I cant show belt tension but I CAN show hoe free the head should spin.... If your telling me lubing the belt may a BIG difference on free spinning the head then I want to see it! Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-29-2007, 11:16 PM	#3
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	stevejr72, I wish the idea were mine, but I read the recommendation from others in the broken belt threads. I just thought the effect was dramatic enough to turn it into a standalone post. Steve

01-30-2007, 12:02 AM	#5
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	I hear ya; Hang on there though, I'll take a picture of the belt deflection with some pressure from a screw driver... That's why I was so amazed; the belt really isn't that tight. Off to dig out the Digicam...

01-30-2007, 12:13 AM	#7
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	Ugh, sorry, no vids until I've got enough 3D skillz to piro on my carpet... But, I'll give the belt a push with a screwdriver, take a still shot, and see what you think of the deflection. Are you really challenging me to a SPINOFF? And you're going lubeless?? Ha! Seriously, I'm not saying my belt isn't too tight, I just don't think it is. I'll post the pic, and if I'm wrong, great, I (and maybe some other trex noobs) learned something. It's win win! Just waiting for my flash NiMhs to charge up and I'll post a link to the pic

01-30-2007, 12:46 AM	#9
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	Ok... I didn't want to do it, but I'm going to have to learn how to use the little cam built into my laptop so I can drop a vid. Might not happen tonight though. In the mean time, this is the belt deflection with moderate pressure with a screwdriver: Is that too tight?

01-30-2007, 12:59 AM	#11
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	I'm applying just enough force to deflect the belt just that much! :wink: I got a vid, just trying to figure out how to post it. Steve

01-30-2007, 01:05 AM	#12
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	If your vid is under 3 megs then just EMail me it using my EMAIl link below each post. If over that then use yoourtube or google video. Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 01:10 AM	#13
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	It's uploaded to youtube, just waiting for them to finish processing it so I can have the link to post. In the mean time, check out this copter pilot's (real) Mad 3D Skillz! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMm4Gh-NFhU

01-30-2007, 01:18 AM	#14
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	hehehehheehe... we have (or most of us) all seen that dumb arse crash a new heli because he wouldnt wait for the instructor to show up! Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 01:24 AM	#15
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	'Hog' is seriously lucky he didn't kill himself of one of the sailplanes tied down where he was flying... Anyway, here's my head spin... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNp_lPahzw

01-30-2007, 01:29 AM	#16
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	Ummm OK that is SWEET! I bet it would be just as good without the lube But man I gotta say that really is good and you should do really well with that! Expect 6+ minutes of good 3D I am in AWE of your freedom! Nice job! Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 01:31 AM	#17
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	FYI, I know some people here locally that just wont listen, crash all the time because of heli failures, and blame the equipment! I wont name names but you show that it CAN be done right! THANKS! Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 01:33 AM	#18
Finless Team Taco VP My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanton, Ca. USA	Last post.... EVERYONE should have thier heli running like this! TAKE THIS as an example PLEASE... Bob __________________ "Don't Taco My Pack Dude!" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

01-30-2007, 01:36 AM	#19
Sgarr Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles	Aww shucks, thanks! I'm telling ya though, before I lubed it I doubt it would have spun much more than 1/2 that. Just give it a shot; fire up your bird to whatever the lowest rpm the speed controller will maintain, spray a little silicon lube in there, and see what happens. What's the worst that could happen? One of these days I'll come down to the OC and say hey... and embaras myself with a little flying (edit or maybe with some spelling) I'll bring the silicon. Steve

01-30-2007, 01:47 AM	#20
OICU812 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edson, Alberta, Canada	Agree 100% with Bob folks, never lube a belt, you are asking for trouble. I personally don't care if JK is slamming wd-40 all over his belts and what not, it is not a good idea for all the reasons Bob has brought up and a few others as well. __________________ ...Once upon a time there were Nitros, flybars & frequency pins...Shawn To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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