500 Align Trex 500-XT

[Rob Lancaster]

Ok guys, I'm at the put'n on the main blades part. And now I have way to much slop in the blade grips. I put the washers in and the bearing are are new. The only thing I can think of is the blade grips got damaged as well in the crash.
What cha think?

 

[fran11784]

Slop? you mean like axial, in and out?

 

[D.O.G.]

If you like, measure the opening on both blade grip with an electronic caliper and see if they're different sizes.

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Slop? you mean like axial, in and out?

Sorry I should be more clear on this.
When I assemble the grips into the feathering shaft, by the book and tighten, the grips both slide in and out a bit to much. And the grips flop up and down on the shaft way to much.
Now if I add another washer to just one side to take-up the slack, and try to tighten, the bearings on both sides bind bad...

DOG,, I'm going to bust out the caliper later and advise.

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Ok guys, I have the measurements.
#1 grip: inner 11.8 outer 12.2 mm
#2 grip: inner 11.8 outer 12.2 mm

 

[fran11784]

What about the dampers? Thats the thing with Align, they have that 1.5mm spacer between the head block damper and the grip and no way to adjust it. Its either perfect or you have a bit of play. IDK, maybe the dampers got flattened, not likely I know...

 

[Rob Lancaster]

What about the dampers? Thats the thing with Align, they have that 1.5mm spacer between the head block damper and the grip and no way to adjust it. Its either perfect or you have a bit of play. IDK, maybe the dampers got flattened, not likely I know...

So you think the grip measurements are ok?
The dampers are fine.

 

[Rob Lancaster]

By the way, how is this adjustment done on other makes??

 

[D.O.G.]

The dampers are fine

They look fine but @ high rpm, it might act different. Couldn't hurt to change them

 

[fran11784]

Most have adjustable damper stiffness. How much play? Is that plastic spindle sleeve in there? A tiny bit might be ok, remember the grips will be forced out when rotating. Not sure exactly what you were measuring but there all the same right?

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Not sure exactly what you were measuring but there all the same right?

This will clear it up.
There's a clear difference between the two boars. Ahoy mate-tee there be the slop.. Order up!!.............

 

[fran11784]

?? When I look up these bearings, all four inner and outer radial bearings are the same. I wish I could be more help but how could the inner bore shrink What I was saying is that if both grips measure the same, probably ok. According to what I look up they are 12mm OD bearings, you're not getting a 12mm bearing in a 11.8mm hole. Maybe the thrust bearings suffered? Maybe I'm looking at the wrong helicopter

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Yup all the bearings are the same.. OD. 12 mm.. And every time I measure the bores of the blade grips, I get a little different reading. I am sure that the two bores are different. The inner one seems ok but the outer one is larger. And if I look close, there is play between the outer bearings' race and the wall of the grip. Hope this helps..

 

[fran11784]

Well maybe there's an issue with those grips. They should be a slight press fit into each bore. If you can see a gap and the bearing just falls out under its own weight, I'd say NG.

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Well maybe there's an issue with those grips. They should be a slight press fit into each bore. If you can see a gap and the bearing just falls out under its own weight, I'd say NG.

Exactly,, the bearings slide right out with no problem. Especially the outer one. The parts are ordered and I'll keep you guys in the loop. Thanks.........

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Hey while we're at it.
I'm a little confused at what unit is doing what.
When it comes to the ESC and the Beast gyro, which one is controlling the start-up and restart time?

 

[fran11784]

If you’re using the governor in the ESC, then the ESC controls that. If using the governor in the gyro, then it controls it.

 

[Rob Lancaster]

If you’re using the governor in the ESC, then the ESC controls that. If using the governor in the gyro, then it controls it.

Ok, I got it. that makes sense.
just to be on the safe side, I'm using the ESC's governor. What else should I ignore in the PARAMETER SETTINGS? Again, just to be on the safe side, thanks...

 

[fran11784]

Honestly, the only thing in the perimeter menu you might change is the control style. Everything else in there should be fine for the first flight

 

[Rob Lancaster]

Honestly, the only thing in the perimeter menu you might change is the control style. Everything else in there should be fine for the first flight

Excellent , just some of us are a bit slower than others...