DONE! Stretched Trex Helicam

[crewchief]

Pricing makes no sense. I just ordered a fuel tank, with all kinds of fittings, tubing, clunk, etc., for $19. The simple little struts are $42.

http://us.vario-helicopter.biz/shop/...ducts_id=34168

I put them up against the T-Rex struts and they're much beefier, and about 70mm longer. The CF tubes are 500mm but the ends add another 50mm center to center. The ends screw on so the length is adjustable. One of the endpieces is distorted, but not broken (see pic). It could probably be rounded by heating it with a gun and squeezing it gently with pliers, or you might want to replace the ends because the holes are pretty large.

So maybe $15 + $10 for a mailing tube and shipping?

[SFACV]

Looking for boom supports, try your local Archery supplier. Carbon arrow shafts come in various diameters and I have used them in the past to make landing gear extensions for carrying a camera on my 450. Some of the shafts I have are slightly larger diameter than the stock align ones and with a light sanding would work perfectly. They are hollow and super strong. Our local shop is great to deal with and if you need short pieces they usually have shafts with damaged ends lying around they will give you. The new ones I bought were only $2-$3 each. Make sure you tell them you are not using them for arrows or the price is triple.

Hope this helps.

[bullaculla]

Thanks. My LHS has long CF shafts, and I did make longer ones out of the same diameter stock as the align stuff, But its too flexy. So right now i am using the stock braces, and the longer ones I made. And it does work. My LHS has thicker stuff, but i need the ends to make it work. Thanks guys, but i think i'll just stick to what I am using now. I think even with stronger braces, the end where it is bolted to the frame is so close together that it would still flex anyway.
This seems to work for now...




My wiring is kinda ugly right now cause I just put on a new 401 to try and isolate my tail kick problem

[bullaculla]

Originally Posted by bullaculla

With my motor and gearing, max HS will be around 1800, and I tached it at 100% throttle and it was just under that figure.

HOLY CRAP!
I just realised something is really wrong with my numbers! It got tached at around 1700 rpm, but it shouldn't have been anywhere near that. During my take down to rearrange everything to make room for my nose mount (its on the way), I noticed that i'm running the 11T helical pinion, not my 13T. So max HS should be only around 1550. So something is really off. I'm probably actually only running about 1480 in the video I posted. Either way, i'm going up to the 12T. I have the 13T, but it needs to be drilled out to fit the longer shaft of the Tango. Now I know why my amp draw was so low. :o That also maybe why I'm having tail problems.
So sad. Right after I said that its all done, AGAIN, its all completely apart and being rebuilt. Atleast now I will have a trex600 with an underslung 360, AND a trex700 with a nose mount! :cool:
Stay tuned! Will post more pics once the nose mount comes in

[Efliernz]

Iven - too many brewskis before reading the tach???

It probably does explain why the tail aint behavin tho...

[bullaculla]

I didn't tach it, I was flying. Some guy at the field did it for me with a skytach type

BTW, i know your in NZ, but I had a few coopers extra stout tonight. pretty good stuff!
very guinness

[Sugarbaker]

I'm definitely curious to see how you set up your bird with the front mount (as that is my intent). I'm certain the rotoworkz frame will be beneficial since you will be able to mount the battery further back... to counter balance the camera mount. This is really a great project you're documenting, I imagine there are a number of people lined up to imitate your process. Do you know if having an effectively longer heli will affect your gyro settings at all? Anyway, can't wait to see your next installment!

[bullaculla]

Ho ho! its like Christmas came early!
I was almost late to a wedding today, because right when I was leaving for my shoot, the mail carrier came! With 3 packages! First one was from GrandRC with a CF tail control rod, and 105mm tail blades both V and Radix blades. Next was some G-10 from Askman, and the big box was a DJ nose mount from the Kook
I had to open them up before leaving. The DJ mount is really beautiful. It looks like all I need to do is drill 4 holes and solid mount it. If I cant get the vibes out, I may try some kind of dampers later.
Sugarbaker, the G-10 from Andrey will answer your question. Also, I am having tail problems, but I think its from a lack of headspeed. I put a new 401 on there (spare) and just got some new tail blades to play with. But if you watched the video I posted 2nd page, it seems to fly fine with the underslung. Tail holds well for 95% of the time. but thats not good enough.
Dont mind the mess! :o

battery extention plate.

I will probably slide my tail servo and IR sensor down the boom a little more to compensate. (man that color is bad )

Preliminary balance tests show that this is about where my lipos will need to live.


Stay tuned!

[Piton]

Now yer talking.................nice front mount. So much nicer to fly than those goofy underslung contraptions.

Fun thread.

[bullaculla]

Thanks, I will keep the underslung as a backup on my 3D trex600. I know it can carry it no problem. Also, if I ever try my hand at 360 panos, I will use the underslung on the 3D bird. You only need to be in the air for a short time anyway.

[Efliernz]

VERY nice.

Stability - is an underslung more stable (pendulum effect) than a front mount???

[bullaculla]

No, the nose mount with all the weight up high, near the blades, will fly closer to a normal bird. Just much heavier. Keeping the weight near the center helps too.

[Old Sloppy]

Bullaculla,

what transmitter is that ?
looks like a DX7 to my eyes.
how many channels are needed to run the camera & mount ?

allso I want to know more about your flybar weights.

Harry

[j_kookboy]

Hi Iven,

Glad you got the mount safe and sound.

Looks like a perfect match. Good to see it went to a good home.

Jesse

[bullaculla]

Originally Posted by Old Sloppy

what transmitter is that ?
looks like a DX7 to my eyes.
how many channels are needed to run the camera & mount ?

allso I want to know more about your flybar weights.

Harry

If you are talking about the old pics, then yes, I used to have a DX7.
But now i'm using a JR X9303. The flybar weights are the K&S split weights. I'm using a second radio system for the mount controlled by a second operator.

Jesse, I was kinda dissapointed when the mount came in. I was hoping to build something Its all completly assembled. And lots of peanuts!
I'm gonna save them
Thanks again man

[j_kookboy]

Originally Posted by bullaculla

Jesse, I was kinda dissapointed when the mount came in. I was hoping to build something Its all completly assembled. And lots of peanuts!
I'm gonna save them
Thanks again man

I should have kept it

j/k

Jesse

[AZ ChopperCam]

I've still got some parts for those mounts if you should ever need any

DJ

[bullaculla]

Cool, Thanks DJ. Its a really nice mount man. Very impressive.
Where do you guys mount all your electronics? I want to put them on the mount for convenience, but that would make it more nose heavy. I guess I just have to play with my setup and mounting locations. Here are some pics of what I did with the tail to help the nose heavy situation. This is the CNC alum servo mount from E-bay. very solid.
I really like these tail blades, and I hope I can work out my tail problem and still use these blades.

Think my rod is straight enough?

Still working on the rest and waiting for parts.

Maybe I should change the thread title to:
converting a trex 700 underslung to a nose mount.

[Ticidytoc]

wow Iven, that bird looks killer. Nice Job man.

[bullaculla]

Hey Ticy, where you been man? been flying too much to check on us?