Luck of the non-Irish

[Greg Jackson]

So far I have 22 (1/2) flights on my E5 and everything has been wonderful.  Did 5 flights earlier and thought I'd get in 3 more quick ones before lunch.  Did the first two batteries for just 2 minutes each, then the last one.  Had about 2 minutes on that and was bringing it for a landing, then I noticed I could see the blades as if I was auto-rotating.  Realized what was happening and turned of IU and started to bring it down from the high height.  I've only done autos on the sim so first real life version.  I was ok until about the last 3 feet when there just wasn't enough spin left and it flipped over and landed on the head.  Ran over (pissed) and got it out of the mud.  Nothing really damaged, one link off but snapped back on.  Did a quick plug in of another battery and the servos moved fine. 
But, when I tried getting the motor a go and on the spin up the blades would not pick up speed.  What's up?  My canopy is damaged.  Getting tired of this.  When I picked up the servos got pulled over. Last week had the stripped servo thing.  Now a crash.  Maybe I'm not meant to have this helicopter.

[flyalan]

Now didn't your mother ever tell you that there would be days like these!

We all have them but in your case its just more like a couple of weeks.

It will get better. I have had those runs of bad luck.

What ESC?  Can you look at a log file?  Check battery and cell voltages, etc.

Keep us posted.

Cheers
Alan


Alan Butler
Team Synergy

[Greg Jackson]

Lol, mom did say that. But it has been that way since dec. 31st. I've said it to others and now i will say it to myself, things will get better!  I will plug it up and check out the log and try to save it, then post it.  But wondering why it seemed like the blades weren't spinning as fast? Maybe it always does that, I'm nuts never close enough with the canopy off when I throttle up.  I didn't give full throttle, very little, just expected more blade spin. Still need to find the BAckup Guard that flew off. If I can't replace it I may not replace that.  Just another 25 bucks gone.  Bad thing is the canopy will cost $75. I will have to wait until the end of the month for that I guess.  Just hate the weather is finally perfect but I won't be able to fly that one.  Earlier today on my first flight crashed the 300x.  Guess it was a sign of what things to come.  Just glad the frame and blades aren't damaged from what I've seen.  But I hope it wasn't my esc that caused the crash which is a castle 120hv.

[Greg Jackson]

Where else can I order a new canopy?

[Chris Sexton]

Lots of places have parts on stock. ExperienceRC had them when my friend ordered his last week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[flyalan]

Are you having difficulty finding one?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[flyalan]

They are in stock at experience


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Greg Jackson]

Yeah I was just seeing if anyone else had them. But first I need to know what's up with the helicopter.  Anyone ever hear of something like this?  Just need an idea of what to look for, not sure where to start. 

[RichL]

If you popped a link I would almost bet the head axle shaft (feathering shaft) and / or blade grip pitch is arm is also bent.  I would verify this before trying to fly the machine again.  Remove the head axle shaft and roll it it on a flat piece of glass as a quick check.  Look closely at your blade grip pitch arms,  the small / fine machining lines should be parallel to the adjacent machining lines, if there is even a slight wrinkle the arm is bent.  What settings do you have in the ESC for auto voltage cut off?  What size battery packs are you using and what are your expected flight times?  What method are you using to check your batteries?  Posting the ESC logs and settings will help us answer your questions.


Rich

[Greg Jackson]

I'll get to the esc logs tonight.  Maybe that is what happened, i think the cut off is at the stock 3.2...maybe I'll put that at 3.0.  The link didn't completely come off, but I will look over the head.  When I looked things over it seemed fine, but I will match up the markings again first to see if it is lined up.  Any thing off then I will take it apart.  The blades didn't even have a scratch on them, very impressed with the rails...but again I was lucky to land in mud and grass...I guess that is lucky.  Canopy took the punishment, hope the head is fine because I really would hate to throw more money out.  $70 for gears last week, another 75 + for a canopy pretty soon, don't want to have more money go out for that but of course will if need be, just won't like it.  So could it be a low voltage warning cut off?  Once I look at the head and get the esc log, tomorrow I may spin it up just to see if the blades are getting up to speed.  All I did was check to see if it would spin and it did without any wobbles. 

[Greg Jackson]

The good thing is the head axle isn't took expensive.  Still don't want that to be damaged.  It is so tight that last time I tried it couldn't be unscrewed.  So if I have to take it off, its' safe to put in the oven in a pan for a few minutes?

[RichL]

On the voltage cut off I pretty much disable it.  I don't want the ESC to decide when it is time to land and I wouldn't want to sacrifice a $2000 dollar machine for a $160 battery in any case.   As a practical matter if you keep track of what you put back into a battery after a flight and adjust your flight times accordingly the voltage cutoff should never come into play.  This is assuming your charging equipment is accurate and can be relied on to properly charge your batteries.

Do your do diligence with the head axle shaft I would be very surprised if it's not bent.


Rich 

[RichL]

The good thing is the head axle isn't took expensive.  Still don't want that to be damaged.  It is so tight that last time I tried it couldn't be unscrewed.  So if I have to take it off, its' safe to put in the oven in a pan for a few minutes?

Don't put the whole head in the oven you will destroy the dampeners.  If you can remove the bolt from one side of the axle shaft you can then slide the shaft out of the head, you may then place it in the oven on 350 for 3-5 minutes if need be.  A couple of "T" handle hex drivers from Home Depot will help with this in the future.

Rich

[hardsy]

Make sure your pinion set screw is tight and located in the 'flat' of the motor shaft.

It may be slipping on the shaft under load.

Also, replace the spindle shaft, it's cheap insurance for your next flight.

[RichL]

Make sure your pinion set screw is tight and located in the 'flat' of the motor shaft.

It may be slipping on the shaft under load.

Excellent point!

Rich