Heli Skills and Setup 101 - LOOK here first!

[kgfly]

This is a place to gather together the best-of-breed How-To videos, Guides and reference material. Much of the material is universal and can be applied widely regardless of which heli(s) you fly. In addition there are model-specific items for individual helis, radios, gyros etc. If your particular brand/model isn't covered, look at one of the ones that are since the majority of concepts and techniques are fairly universal and can be applied widely.

Most of the videos are from Finless (familiar to many) but some are by other talented contributors.

Basics
Ball Links 101 (20 MB)
BEC 101
Blade Balancing 101 (30 MB)
Blade Tracking 101 (35 MB)
Brushless motor and ESC 101
Canopy Trimming 101 (28 MB)
CCPM Setup Part 1 (58 MB)
CCPM Setup Part 2 (58 MB)
Dual Rates 101 (71 MB)
Exponential 101 (45 MB)
How to setup Dual Rates and Expo on the X9303 (most radios like Futaba can also use this) (50 MB)
How to setup Dual Rates and Expo on the DX7 (65 MB)
Governors 101 (100MB)
Gyro 101
Gyro 102 - Usage, tips, hints and kind of a new gyro 101 information sharing! (89 Megs)
Gyro Delay 101 - Information about using delay on a gyro
Gyro Gain 101
Nitro Engine Tuning 101
Nitro Setup and Operation 101
Pitch and Throttle Curves 101 (58 MB)
Servo Repair 101 (30 MB)
Servo Wires 101 (41MB)
Soldering Bullet (Motor) Connectors 101 (50 MB)
Soldering Deans Connectors 101 (30 MB)
Thread Lock 101 (15 MB)
Rick's Wire Sheathing Example: https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=501879


BECs
Understanding BECs and regulators (47 MB)

Chargers
Bantam BC6-10 Charger and Balancer videos
Thunder Power 1010 and 210 videos
Balance charger comparisons.



ESCs
Align ESC setup (30 MB)
Castle Creations ESC setup instructions
Castle Pheonix 85HV setup videos
Kontronik Jazz 80-6-18


Gyros and Flybarless Systems
Align/Telebee and similar Piezo HH Gyro setup (46 MB)
Align GP750 setup videos
Align GP780 setup videos
Futaba 401 gyro setup (48 MB)
Futaba 401 gyro setup with DX7 (42 MB)
Futaba 611 gyro setup (35 MB)
Futaba 701 gyro/gov review
Futaba 750 FBL System - Install & Review
Hitech HG-5000 (Logictech 2100T) Gyro setup videos
JR G770 Gyro Overview and Setup videos
Logictech 6100T setup videos
Mikado V-Stabi videos
Skookum Robotics SK360 Electronic Flybar
SpartanRC DS760 setup videos
SpartanRC Quark setup videos
SpartanRC Vortex FBL setup videos


Governors
Aerospire MultiGov Pro setup videos
Align GOV setup
Curtis ATG Governor setup videos (in T600Npro group)
GV-1 Governor setup videos (in T600Npro group)
Spektrum DX7 + AR7100R + Switchglow (not a video)


Other
CSM Carbsmart setup
RCATS Smart Lithium Glow Driver


Radios
Airtronics SD-10G
Spektrum DX6 setup guide for a Trex450SE (not a video)
Spektrum DX7 Setup video
Spektrum DX7 Throttle cut switch
Spektrum DX7 + AR7100R + Switchglow
Spektrum DX7 Dual Rates and Expo (65 MB)
Spektrum DX8 Videos
Spektrum AR7100R Overview and Setup
Futaba T8FG
Futaba 9Z - Programming for a heli (78 MB)
Futaba 10C
Futaba 14MZ - Hacking the MDL files
Hitec Aurora 9
JR X9303 - Configuring Dual Rates and Expo (50 MB)


Helis
Audactity Pantera 50
Avant Aurora
Beam E4
Bergen Intrepid Gasser Build Videos
Bergen Intrepid Turbine Build Videos
Century Swift
Compass 3dplus
Compass 6HV
Compass Atom 500
Compass Knight 3D Nitro
Compass 600E
Compass Odin 90
Dragonus
Dragonus II Plus
Gaui 200
Ghohbee Phazor 600e
HDX 300
HDX 450
Henseleit Three Dee Rigid
Hurricane 550
Kasama Dune 600
Kasama Srimok 90
Kasama Srimok Electric
Lepton
Logo 14
Logo 400
Logo 500 3D
Logo 500/600 3D & Vstabi
MA Furion 450
MA Fury 55
MA Stratus 'Bobby Watts' Special
Minicopter Diabolo
Minicopter Joker3
MSH Protos
Outrage Velocity 50
Quest Impaction E12
Raptor e620 SE
Rc-Tek Diablo
Trex 100
Trex 250
Trex 450 Pro
Trex 450 SE
Trex 450 SE V2
Trex 450 XL/HDE
Trex 500
Trex 600
Trex 600 build and repair
Trex 600 Nitro Pro
Trex 600 Rotorworkz HFX
Trex 600 Rotorworkz "Helifreak Edition"
Trex 700
Trex 700 G-Force Clutch Block setup
Walkera Genuis CP
Walkera V120D02S

References - General heli info
RC Helicopter Fun (excellent reference, buyers guide, and FAQ): http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/index.html
Electric Helicopters Beginners Guide (EHBG): http://www.swashplate.co.uk/html/ehbg.html
RADD's School of Rotary Flight: http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html
Model helicopter theory: Model Helicopter Theory - RC Groups
Manuals - awesome collection

Fantastic online database of batteries, becs, chargers, escs, motors, power supplies, servos etc.: http://www.progressiverc.com/Research.html

References - Batteries/Chargers/Power supplies
Complete Guide to LiPoBatteries: Complete Guide to Lithium Polymer Batteries and LiPo Failure Reports - RC Groups

All about A123 cells/packs/charging: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...01&postcount=2
AWG wire guages: http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
AWG to Metric conversion: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/aw...uge-d_731.html
Wire Resistance and Voltage Drop Calculator: http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm

Basic electric RC (charging) info: https://sites.google.com/site/tjingu...arging-how-tos
Choosing a charger and power supply: https://sites.google.com/site/tjingu...w-tos/shopping
Choosing a power supply for your new, big arse charger: https://sites.google.com/site/tjingu...or-big-charger

References - Charger and Power-Supply Calculators
Can my charger charge my pack at x amps or yC? http://www.progressiverc.com/chargerpower
What charger output power and DC power-supply do I need to charge my packs in series/parallel? http://www.progressiverc.com/chargingdemand

References - How To guides
How to: Assorted: http://www.archeli.com.au/forums/for...e=-1&prefixid=
How to: Build an A123 pack: Is There An A123 Build Tutorial - RC Groups

How to: Change bearings on an OS 50 SX-H engine
How to: Charge LiFe (A123) packs with CCCV power supplies: How to use CCCV power supplies to charge LiFe (A123) packs - HeliFreak

How to: Convert a Computer ATX Power Supply to a Lab Power Supply: http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Com...b-Power-Supply
How to: Convert a PC or Server Power Supply for RC 12V or 24V use: https://sites.google.com/site/tjinguytech/my-projects

How to: Make your own stepdown regulator for a tail servo: Make your own Stepdown regulator - HeliFreak

How to: Parallel charge LiXx packs: About parallel charging of Lixx / PB packs. - RC Groups

How to: Setup a piezo gyro: http://www.natew.com/rcheli/frame_ma...H#why.behavior and http://www.x400tuning.com/aligngyro.htm
How to: Engine Tuning OS50: Engine Tuning OS50 - arcHELI V EC135

How to: Wire up battery packs: http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/_lipo.html

References - Headspeed Calculators
MrMel's (excellent generic tool for LiPo and A123/LiFe)
DarkHorse (very complex modeling):
Head Speed/Battery Calculator for Windows: (a good utility you can run on your PC)


ReadyHeli (standard single stage and two-stage for Hurricane550): http://www.readyheli.com/Online_Head...lator_s/81.htm

References - Free Simulators
FMS (basic graphics and physics but hundreds of models available and good enough for getting started): http://n.ethz.ch/~mmoeller/fms/index_e.html
Helisim (basic graphics, like FMS, and limited models (heli only) but much better physics): Helisim: New free simulator - HeliFreak

Heli-X (fancy graphics more like ClearView and much better physics than FMS. Demo version is free, full version is 39 euro):
http://heli-x.net/index_e.shtml


Best self level / bailout FBL system:
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=497638

LiPo safety:

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread....89#post5215889

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread...=536476&page=6

DX6i Backlight Mod Tutorial:
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=339313

BLHeli flashing:

ESC upgrading/flashing for Dummies:
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread....93#post5894793
-very cool & interesting, should be a sticky

[Mercuriell]

Nice compendium Ken - Thanks for the work involved

[Finless]

Ken is going to be my "organizer"

While I do vids I am not very organized and I really need someone to take care of this. I VOTE KEN!

KEN YOU GO FOR IT MAN! Feel free to ORGANIZE my forum as you see fit man! I made you a forum supprt here so you have the POWER

Bob

[Pippin554]

The DX7 Setup Vid is Currupt :|

Phil

[tiranno]

just download again it is ok!
well it was when i downloaded it!

[ESCHUMMER2]

this is very helpful . thanks !

[electricdurango]

I dont see a video on governor setup. BTW this new forum is sweet.

[flyingtanks]

The link to 'Thunder Power 1010 and 210 videos' is giving a 404

[Finless]

I fixed that! Should work now

Bob

[CompuFoil]

The vid to the DX7 isn't working either.
Thanks for all your work Bob!
Eric

[kgfly]

Some of the links were broken in the transition to the new HF site, I think I have fixed them all now.

[ChasHeliCop]

Hey, Great job Ken...... don't forget that charger reference guide.... you know that's a must !!!

[kgfly]

Added a link to the new "How to: DX7 Throttle Cut switch" video to the Radio section.

[kgfly]

Added "Futaba 401 gyro setup with DX7"

[Finless]

I wish I had a way to make this stay on top..... kgfly, you and I might have to bump this from time to time.....

Bob

[e292644]

What a great post here. It took me a year to learn part of the stuffs by my own but only few hours here.
Thanks Finless!

[kgfly]

Added link to SpartanRC DS760 Gyro Review and Setup Vids

[DierWolf]

Hi all, i am logged in and account activated (hense how i can post) but still says i cant watch the video's because i am not a member or registered...

[kl-motor@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by kgfly

Added link to SpartanRC DS760 Gyro Review and Setup Vids

is there any movies on how to program the dx7 with the 2100 gyro, perhaps with the JR DS3400G servo???

and does anyone know if the 3400G servo can handle 6V??? thanx

[kgfly]

No (on the video) and Yes (on the 6V for DS3400G).

Setting up the DX7 for any gyro is much the same. The only trick with the L2100T is ensuring that it has recognised your Tx as "JR". If you have problems getting it to recognise a Spektrum Tx as JR then:

a) Disconnect the Rudder (not Gear) channel from the gyro
b) Power up Tx with zero sub-trim/trim on the Rudder channel
c) Power up Rx and wait for it to connect to the Tx
d) Hold full left rudder on the Tx and plug the rudder channel into the gyro

The gyro should now recognise the Tx as "JR". Turn off the Rx power.

The other thing to remember with a DX7 and ALL gyros is to be sure to rebind the Rx if you make any sub-trim changes to the rudder channel otherwise the gyro won't see them at power-up and you will get drift.