200+ flights maintenace?

[troasb]

Since this spring, my E5 now has 200+ flights without an issue. This is a new record for me without crashing! Before I never had to worry about maintenace as I have alway crashed before so many flights was reached and everything was checked, replaced, oiled and greased. I have of course checked for slop in links and loose parts, but everything is still fine. I do not fly 3D and mostly in idle-up 1 so I have not stressed the helicopter hard. Is there anything I should change og do as a precaution now? I run the E5 standard with 6S 5000mAh 50C batteries, Scorpion 1100kv motor, Castle esc with bec and Align 615 and 655 servos.

[Chris Sexton]

200 flights! that's a big milestone! Congrats!

As for routine maintenance, I would check all bearings, thrust and radial.  Dampers for sure if you haven't changed those already.  Once a year I will go as far as to break down the major components and rebuild, head, tail, drive train etc.  I would also inspect the lash on all TT gears. That many flights the gears may need tending to.

[Bob Heybrock]

That's a great record to have, no crashes but I recommend not talking about that anymore so you don't jynx yourself, lol.

The first thing that comes to mind is closely inspecting wiring for any chaffing especially where it is in contact with carbon fiber. I think that has caught most people by surprise especially when you realize how electrically conductive it is.

Otherwise I would look at the condition of thrust bearings in the main and tail blade grips as they can become worn and notchy. You might just remove the blades and the link rod and pull slightly on each while rotating to make sure they are smooth. If so the main grips have those nice little grease ports so I recommend squeezing a very little bit of grease into them.

Main shaft bearings can get a little rough occasionally too, I think because of their orientation they are subject to collect dirt & dust while stored. I would disconnect what ever is necessary to allow you to spin it freely and listen or even putting your finger tip on the bearing block can be a method of detecting grit or a pit on either of the races.

I'm certain other guys will share what they have learned and know but these are the things that I first thought of. Sounds like our E5s are set up quite similarly and I love that helicopter. Keep flying that thing!

Bob

[steffgiguere]

200 flights on one heli...that is fun isn't it?
As far as maintenance goes, mostly without having crashed, quick look over bearings (should normally not have any problems), wires (make sure they are all in good shape), I'd re-grease the thrust bearings main and tail, lastly just make sure all screws are still inplace and tight.
My E6 and my E7 are now each at over 1150 flights and minimum regular maintenance will make you heli last forever.
Have fun. 

[Rodney Kirstine]

Congrats on the milestone!  It's a great feeling, for sure.

[troasb]

200 flights! that's a big milestone! Congrats!

As for routine maintenance, I would check all bearings, thrust and radial.  Dampers for sure if you haven't changed those already.  Once a year I will go as far as to break down the major components and rebuild, head, tail, drive train etc.  I would also inspect the lash on all TT gears. That many flights the gears may need tending to.

Thank you for your reply and usefull tips Chris.
My dampers seems just fine withour having changed them!

[troasb]

Well, today the unavoidable happened after my new record of 231 flights without a crash on my E5. An unfortunate autorotation landing tipped the heli over and broke the blades, a gear and maybe a servo. Well now my E5 will get its well deserved overdue service! Hope I don't crash my N7 also now!

[Greg Jackson]

Sorry to hear that.(edit: typo) Last year I went hundreds of flights without a crash with my E5 until I started working in autos. Hope you have it back in the air really soon.

[Danny Dugger]

I blame Bob, he planted the seed! Lol

That's a great record to have, no crashes but I recommend not talking about that anymore so you don't jynx yourself, lol.

[troasb]

I noticed a harsh feeling in the tail transmission when I disassembled the heli. I took off the tail and took out the Front Tail Transmission Assembly. There I could see that the 108-510 Radial Bearing had disintegrated and the Front Trans Bevel Gear was ruined in the pin fixing, just about to break. So this bird would soon had gone down anyway.

[Mike Spano]

I noticed a harsh feeling in the tail transmission when I disassembled the heli. I took off the tail and took out the Front Tail Transmission Assembly. There I could see that the 108-510 Radial Bearing had disintegrated and the Front Trans Bevel Gear was ruined in the pin fixing, just about to break. So this bird would soon had gone down anyway.

this is a very odd wear item. please post some pictures, and describe the method of assembly  you followed please.

[troasb]

Here are pictures of the break down. As assembly goes, as per instructions, not much do do wrong, the bearing is preinstalled.

[Mike Spano]

that is an odd one for sure.

the gear looked just like that when you disassembled it, or you did more damage to it as you disassembled it? i am asking if you are thinking the gear looked like that before the beginning of the last flight. with the pin no longer holding the gear at all, i don't see how that trans was driving the tail at all without the gear simply spinning on the shaft. 

by assembly method i meant how you went through the trans during the build. these parts are preassembled to ensure parts count and correct parts being provided. you need to take everything apart, clean any machining oil off of threads and out of holes, then lock tight and reassemble. 

did you have the M3 washer on the top of the bearing around the M3x12 setscrew? the orientation of the top bearing block should have kept any pieces of the bearing from going down into the trans, and the M3 washer should have kept any pieces of the bearing from going up also.

if anyone else has seen anything like this before an can advise to what may have caused this, please speak up.

[cml001]

Hummm.. That was my question as well... Was the pin still in it?... Tough one, but a good catch.. Hard to see that side of the gear when installed. Build, fly, crash, repeat... Lol

[troasb]

that is an odd one for sure.

the gear looked just like that when you disassembled it, or you did more damage to it as you disassembled it? i am asking if you are thinking the gear looked like that before the beginning of the last flight. with the pin no longer holding the gear at all, i don't see how that trans was driving the tail at all without the gear simply spinning on the shaft. 

by assembly method i meant how you went through the trans during the build. these parts are preassembled to ensure parts count and correct parts being provided. you need to take everything apart, clean any machining oil off of threads and out of holes, then lock tight and reassemble. 

did you have the M3 washer on the top of the bearing around the M3x12 setscrew? the orientation of the top bearing block should have kept any pieces of the bearing from going down into the trans, and the M3 washer should have kept any pieces of the bearing from going up also.

if anyone else has seen anything like this before an can advise to what may have caused this, please speak up.

Hi Mike

The gear looked like this when I took it out, and the pin was engaged, so it was barely driving the tail.

As I told you it was assembled as per instrucitions i.e. dissassembled, cleaned and locktited.

The M3 washer was in place keeping everything together, no parts went into the transmission.