What did you do with your Blade 500x / 500 3D today?

[crashcopterman]

Sure you do, Tex!

[KellyVB]

I had a mild crash today with my 500 3D Took out landing skids, main gear, Main shaft and of course a set of revolution blades and the fly bar. Amazingly the feathering shaft was spared as was the tail section. She is all re-built now cuz I got bunches of spare parts for this day. Don't have the landing skids tho.

[chris-nc]

So I spent the day yesterday rebuilding after my tail blew up last week. Last week I had installed the all metal tail (case, grips, slider, lever), and one of the grips blew apart as soon as I hit idle up, pretty much ending my 500 flights for the day. When I rebuilt yesterday, I went back to the plastic slider, and also left out the shim between the main and thrust bearings. This provided a little bit of play and it seems to have worked. I was able to get 4 flights in before the wind picked up too much and I decided not to take my chances.

I will say, the sound of the blades chopping through that wind as it cruises across the field sounds pretty cool!

I also was able to get 3 flights on the 450X and 2 on the 300X.

[xenophobe]

Yeah, it does sound great flying through the wind... It has so much presence... even compared to the 450x... even though it's not a whole lot bigger. I like the much better flight times on the 500x.

[edin508]

I installed the AL tail grips today due to the fact I am afraid of the plastic ones blowing up.

[xenophobe]

I went to my shop and installed the 12t pinion and mounted a Western Robotics lipo monitor. Wires were too short, but I have it in place and ready to solder. I wonder how it'll fly with the smaller pinion...

[hoverfun]

I need to change to 12 tooth pinion, Tom from down under says it flies great.

[Flightchallenged]

Put on all new alum tail, liked it so much I ordered everything on the option list... can't wait for everything to show up.

[sn00p]

I prefer to run 13t pinion. it flies rather dull 12t for my liking.

[mike4884]

I agree snoop after flying the 500 for a little now wish it was a little faster! Might have to get better electronics/motor! But yea think I'm going to stay 13 T. Anyways got a few packs in today she flew great got some good practice on my inverted flight

[Centurian]

My experience shows more tail resonance issues at speeds where the 12 will run. Just a heads up. Notice the manual shows all idle ups at 100% on the 13.... almost an admission of a knowen issue IMHO.

[ahahn]

Originally Posted by Centurian

My experience shows more tail resonance issues at speeds where the 12 will run. Just a heads up. Notice the manual shows all idle ups at 100% on the 13.... almost an admission of a knowen issue IMHO.

The ESC maxes out at 70%, so there is no difference between a 70% throttle and a 100% throttle. I posted this somewhere in the forum already.

Notice the "normal" curves in the manuals peak at 60%. That is already 60/70 =85% of the throttle max.

I am not disagreeing with your comments about the resonances being less than WOT. Still haven't even hovered my 500X. I am still waiting for temps to get above freezing so that the snow bank that is blocking the entrance to our flying field has a chance to melt!

[xenophobe]

Flew 3 packs with the 12T. The 13T is going back on. I have IU1 at 75% and IU2 at 100% and there is a difference in head speed.... not much difference, but it's there.

[mike4884]

Originally Posted by xenophobe

Flew 3 packs with the 12T. The 13T is going back on. I have IU1 at 75% and IU2 at 100% and there is a difference in head speed.... not much difference, but it's there.

Yea 13 tooth is where its at. Head speed is a tad high for a 500 but it flies great lol so no complaints!

[xenophobe]

Well, it flew just fine with the 12t but it felt a little soft... I probably flew too many packs on the 13t and just got used to the way it flies. I'll fly a few more days with the 12t and get used to it and then put the 13t back to see if my opinion changes.

[ArmchairNinja]

The cold weather finally let up for a day, and I got my heli out for the first time this year. Happy to report that there were 0 crashes, even flying for the first time without training gear!

[Centurian]

Originally Posted by ahahn

The ESC maxes out at 70%, so there is no difference between a 70% throttle and a 100% throttle. I posted this somewhere in the forum already.

Notice the "normal" curves in the manuals peak at 60%. That is already 60/70 =85% of the throttle max.

I am not disagreeing with your comments about the resonances being less than WOT. Still haven't even hovered my 500X. I am still waiting for temps to get above freezing so that the snow bank that is blocking the entrance to our flying field has a chance to melt!

Running normal 80-75-70-75-80 and is at least 200rpm off straight 100% IU here. Have no idea how HH esc's are calibrated, mine's straight out of the box 100% throttle travel.

[xenophobe]

Went to the LHS and bought a Castle Lite 75 for my 500x. I didn't buy the right connectors, so I haven't wired it up yet. Will probably wait till the castle link shows up. I went with that so I could use the link with the Castle Lite 50 on my 450x that needs to be set up too. So I'll knock two birds with one stone. lol

[Centurian]

Originally Posted by xenophobe

Went to the LHS and bought a Castle Lite 75 for my 500x. I didn't buy the right connectors, so I haven't wired it up yet. Will probably wait till the castle link shows up. I went with that so I could use the link with the Castle Lite 50 on my 450x that needs to be set up too. So I'll knock two birds with one stone. lol

Come on now just strip somr insulation off and twist the wires together. If youre paranoyd after receint events get some lynx duct tape for the red wires. Them black ones is harmless

Think of all the solder ya can save!


sent without bling using "crappy" eflight electronics with 110% reliability.

[chris-nc]

Woohoo, ice storms on Thursday, 68 and sunny today! No power at home for 3 days, but I had 9 good flights today! 4 packs on the 500X, 3 on the 450X, and 2 on the 300X. The 500 seems to be flying pretty well and I haven't had any more issues with the tail.

Could have flown longer, but my deep cycle wasn't topped off since I have been using it with my inverter to power lights and stuff at the house. Recharging it from the generator now.

Hopefully power comes back soon, but they are still estimating Wednesday...