500 Bell 222 Body Set Installation

[Skapr1]

Thanks for the heads up Steve. Looking forward to what Sean and the developers come up with!

I am enjoying the Bell 222 kit for sure, looks great both static and dynamic!

[TomC]

Originally Posted by Skapr1

I did ask HH sales about the cf tail blades and was told "there's nothing listed in the parts"... Is this what I need: Edge 72mm SE Premium cf tail rotor blades RVCLE72SE?

Very much appreciate your input and yes you should consider transforming the 500x (is my first "Scalie" also)!

Yes those Edge 72mm blades would work very well (and no tail grip spacers are required btw). These are the updated version of my Edge tail blades.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...ades-RVCLE72SE

You may also consider the Revolution 72mm CF tail blades as well. I have not tried them but they should work fine as well.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...des-RVOT007200

Cheers,
TomC

[Skapr1]

Third Hover - Port Side View.

This test hover view shows no major vibes... video 2:00 retracts up.. 3:00 down..

B500X and Bell 222 Body (4 min 15 sec)

[amodemo]

It looks like you worked out all the bugs, any last words of advice before I put it up in the air for its first hover? I checked and double checked to make sure that no part of the Heli was in contact with the body, used all of the foam, all my hardware is snug.
Thanks for any input

[Skapr1]

Originally Posted by amodemo

It looks like you worked out all the bugs, any last words of advice before I put it up in the air for its first hover? I checked and double checked to make sure that no part of the Heli was in contact with the body, used all of the foam, all my hardware is snug.
Thanks for any input

Really don't have any advise except "go for it". But seriously take your time, don't rush it and enjoy.

I still did not figure out why I had a severe case of shakes when cycling the retracts.

[TomC]

Originally Posted by Skapr1

I still did not figure out why I had a severe case of shakes when cycling the retracts.

Not sure if you are still having this problem or not? Looked ok on your latest vid. Maybe it was just the retract mechanicals bedding in?

If you are still having problems then;

Just a wild guess but it might be due to electrical noise from the retracts. I'd probably first try adding a noise suppression lead to the retract lead just before it goes into your Rx (same thing that many escs use on the throttle lead).

If this did not help I might suspect that the in-built bec might be dropping voltage a little too much when you cycle your retracts. Disabling the inbuilt bec (remove red esc/rx lead) and adding an external bec (~10amp) would probably be the next thing I'd try.

Cheers,
TomC

[amodemo]

What kind of radio settings is everyone using for scale flying? I have been using the book settings for the DX7s with the 500X. I was thinking about reducing rates to 75% with 20% expo and a max throttle curve of 70%.

[Skapr1]

Normal Flight Mode I'm running 60% throttle max (may increase to 70%) with 20% expo on aileron/elevator. Fow now I am not interested in idle up modes (but I will in the future for sure).

[Skapr1]

Originally Posted by TomC

Not sure if you are still having this problem or not? Looked ok on your latest vid. Maybe it was just the retract mechanicals bedding in?

If you are still having problems then;

Just a wild guess but it might be due to electrical noise from the retracts. I'd probably first try adding a noise suppression lead to the retract lead just before it goes into your Rx (same thing that many escs use on the throttle lead).

If this did not help I might suspect that the in-built bec might be dropping voltage a little too much when you cycle your retracts. Disabling the inbuilt bec (remove red esc/rx lead) and adding an external bec (~10amp) would probably be the next thing I'd try.

Cheers,
TomC

Weather here sux lately so I can't get out to further explore the shake/vibe issue. You could be right about electrical noise from the retracts and/or voltage drop when cycling.

I like the idea of adding noise supression on the retract lead. Thanks TomC.

Also I am looking forward to the 222 Body Set install video from HH due out in a few weeks.

[amodemo]

Thanks again for the input

[amodemo]

Thanks for all the help from everyone I took the 500X in the Bell 222 up for its first hover and all went well. I had a bit of a shake at about 50% throttle and then went right away at about 60%. I'm not sure why. During hover it was rock solid. If our wind lets up Sunday ill take it out for a real test. Again thanks to everyone for all the great input.

[Skapr1]

Today I had a chance to run a few packs thru the heli and it's awesome. We can view a thousand videos but there's no comparison to actually seeing (and hearing) it in the air! This by far is my favorite Blade product!

Once in awhile I am still experiencing the vibes/shakes in the tail section. Starting to think this is partly due to my collective management skills. I was a bit too low and did a mini pitch pump and the vibes started. Immediately landed, spooled down/up, took off and they was gone. Did this a few times to make sure of the cause. I will note that the vibes/shakes are not as pronounced as in my first and second test hover vids. Could it be possibe the 500 X and Bell 222 Body need a "break in" period?

On the build side, add a servo extension lead to the bind plug terminal on the AR7200BX and route it forward to make it alot easier to bind the heli to another tx (if needed). This way there is no need to dis-assemble.

[Skapr1]

Had a slight incident today, snapped off the tail rotor blade guard (piece of wire that protects the tail rotor blades from ground strikes) snagged the darn thing when storing. Talked to HH support about purchasing the replacement and hopefully will find out in a few days what to order (no picts on the site for reference and they never get back to me about anything as promised in the past so I am not holding my breath on this one)!! Edit: HH support just got back to me .. BLH1892 Rudder Set is what I need...

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...set-BLH1885#t4

Did a quick fix with some piano wire. But I did think about installing the verticle fin upside down for a quick field repair (gotta get them flights in).

Now the good news. Installed carbon fiber tail rotors (BLH1871C) and the wag is greatly reduced almost to the point where it's not noticible in-flight. Could have been a combo of adding the cf tail blades and the proper tightening of the 2 tail case screws (which mount the verticle fin).

Installing the optional light kit is ok for "night" flying but what I really want is a nice bright strobe than can be seen day & night! I'd like to turn on the strobe as a warning before spooling up ! Had comments how realistic it looks in the air and the strobe would be awesome!

Last few pics was after the field today. Notice the tire tracks on the table?

[Skapr1]

Short video with a STROBON white light..... way better then the optional lights!

B500X Bell 222 Strobe (1 min 26 sec)

[wavekatcher]

Nice Skapr1.

I like when you can see the light hit the head and main blades.

Let's see a "night mission" next

[pert]

like that light. were did you get it ?

[Skapr1]

Here's the link where I purchased the strobe(s).. Also picked up the police one. I temp mounted the strobe using double sided tape.

http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...eyword=strobon

[pert]

I have the common sense rc led set but your strobe looks way better. guess I can make it work with this set thanks for the info

[Skapr1]

During a recent post flight inspection I noticed the anti-rotation bracket was loose. The 222 Body Installation Manual calls for removing the canopy mounts from the heli so it would fit into the body (but they are needed to help secure the bracket).

To repair the loose bracket, I cut the canopy mounts and re-installed them. Unfortunately, to do this the heli needs to be removed from the body (at least moved forward a few inches). That means removing the rear tail case assembly.

And now the tail wag is back (had it down to a minumum)!

Hope this Thread helps someone in their "build".

[amodemo]

Good call,