Ryan's Trex 800 AP

[Cirkus]

I guess I'm going to start a build thread. Trying to keep all my progress and ideas in one spot.

I'm building an AP heli around 700E mechanics stretched to 800, the basic 800 setup I guess. Except I'm making some of my own parts for the fun of it.

These are my battery mounts:







These are the beginning of my tail boom supports, with room to mount my autopilot equipment.









I will update as I go. I'm working on landing gear now.

[nightflyr]

Nice boom/battery support setup...

I have the completely opposite trouble ..my batteries have to be as far forward as possible

[Cirkus]

Originally Posted by nightflyr

Nice boom/battery support setup...

I have the completely opposite trouble ..my batteries have to be as far forward as possible

I'm trying to balance everything as I go, and have enough adjustment with equipment placement to be within reason CG-wise when everything is bolted on. My most difficult decision right now is what camera I will be running. I'm leaning towards a Sony NEX-7 when I can get ahold of one, but I think I'll eventually end up with a couple different payloads based on the job requirement.

[nightflyr]

Figure on the max/min payloads.. simulate with weights and make it adjustable between the two

[Cirkus]

That's the process

[Cirkus]

I'm replacing my Raptor 90 Hughes 500 gear with something a bit more sturdy. It needs a set of gear more proportional to the size of the heli. Here's the front gear legs. The skid holes are sized for 700-size boom tubes, which will be wrapped in pipe insulation or a bright colored "pool noodle" float. I should be cutting the rear legs tomorrow, I ran out of material for now.










The comparison with the previous gear.

[Cirkus]

I got my 5.8 Tx, the circular polarized antennas, and the camera I will use on the viewfinder of the DSLR for framing the shot.



I also got another Skookum power distribution bus. I use them on all my big helis.

[nightflyr]

Nice set of landing gear

One item you might consider..

The slots cut to accept the mounting flange you made will be the weak point..



I can see where the leg would fracture on a hard landing.

Might I suggest a different tact..
A piece of "U" channel installed inverted between the legs and screwed in place, this will also allow you to use the stock mounting positions.

Just a thought...

[MattFL]

Do you have the equipment to cut the parts yourself, or are you sending some CAD files to a service that cuts the parts out for you? I'm mostly interested because I've often wished I knew of such a service.

[Cirkus]

Originally Posted by nightflyr

Nice set of landing gear

One item you might consider..

The slots cut to accept the mounting flange you made will be the weak point..



I can see where the leg would fracture on a hard landing.

Might I suggest a different tact..
A piece of "U" channel installed inverted between the legs and screwed in place, this will also allow you to use the stock mounting positions.

Just a thought...

Thanks for the suggestion, you're right that point is the weakest place. However I did it that way to hopefully prevent the frame from shattering instead. I can spit out landing gear at will, but replacing my frames will require much more tear down. At any rate, if I have an auto that ends up breaking parts I think I will have bigger problems than just that to worry about.

[Cirkus]

Originally Posted by MattFL

Do you have the equipment to cut the parts yourself, or are you sending some CAD files to a service that cuts the parts out for you? I'm mostly interested because I've often wished I knew of such a service.

I recently bought a CNC router because I had a need for parts no one makes. I was proficient with the CAD software already so having a machine that could spit out those ideas was the next step.

[Cirkus]

Landing gear finished

Sorry for bad pics. I'll get outdoor pics tomorrow.

[Av8Chuck]

Originally Posted by Cirkus

I recently bought a CNC router because I had a need for parts no one makes. I was proficient with the CAD software already so having a machine that could spit out those ideas was the next step.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of router and how much does something like that cost?

[Cirkus]

Originally Posted by Av8Chuck

Just out of curiosity, what kind of router and how much does something like that cost?

Www.probotix.com. I got the V90, but I want to step up to a Comet when funds allow.

The base machine starts at about $600, but with electronics, tooling, clamps, and all the little stuff you end up buying with it it's about $2,000.

[MattFL]

That is beyond sweet, I didn't know those things were so affordable these days (relatively speaking). Of course I have to show my wife, that makes me look like a saint as far as hobby expense goes! I took some AutoDesk AutoCAD classes back in school (in the 90's) but have no practical experience since then, it must be great to be able to make your own parts. If you had the desire, I'm sure you could make some good cash making custom parts. There doesn't seem to be any other well known alternative right now so you could charge a premium.

Last question; on all these AP rigs I see the foam around the landing skids. What's the main purpose of that? Is it to prevent ground resonance when the heli is spinning up?

[Cirkus]

I think that is part of the reason, but for me it mostly helps in visual orientation while flying.

[nightflyr]

Nice work

[cbergen]

Looks VERY nice! Well done.

[teco]

Landing gear looks good bro, you gonna make a pair for me too,,,i like the machine too, it is easy to operate?

Teco

[Cirkus]

Originally Posted by cbergen

Looks VERY nice! Well done.

Thanks Chris, that means a lot coming from you, I know your work.