425 FES tail control rod

[n8sx]

Thanks in advance for any help.

I have a 425 fes that I have not flown due to not being able to set up the tail control rod the way I feel it should be. It is as if the rod is too long. With the servo mounted and centered and the tail centered the rod is a good 3/4 past the centerline of the centered servo wheel. I can take pics if this doesn't make sense. The fes is not like the basic 425. The basic rod bends and runs the the outside of the frame but the fes is a straight rod that goes inside the frames. Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?

Nate

[SQRT(-2)]

When the servo is centered, the tail blades should not be. The tail should have about as much pitch as it would need to keep the tail in position while hovering. (8 deg or something like that on some helis??)

At least that is the way I understand it.

[n8sx]

This is much more dramatic than that. Here is a couple pics of the tail slider with the tail servo centered.

[n8sx]

2nd pic

[SQRT(-2)]

You are not kidding.

[n8sx]

Tell me about it. It obvious I have something assembled wrong but I have gone through it time and time again and found nothing. Hoping another fes owner will enlighten me.

[Imho]

I had no such problems with my 425 FES (straight rod).

Can you measure the length of the rod and let me know, I will compare it to mine when I get home.

PS. It isn't just a case of the tail servo being in backwards? I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but stranger things have happened.

[n8sx]

The tail rod is 21 7/8 inches long. The tail servo is correct. If I flip it the linkage won't even come close. Thanks for the thought though.

JC from team Gaui just told me there should be a coupler in the kit. Apparently you have to cut the rod and use the coupler to get the right length. Guess I need to order a coupler.

[Jerrymac]

Yep, this is what you need......

http://rcdumbthumbs.com/G-204661.aspx

[Imho]

My pushrod is 22" centre to centre of the ball links. I don't have any coupler, nor do I remember one, but it's literally years since I assembled my 425. There is no threaded adjustment I can see.

[n8sx]

My measurement was without the ends on the rod. I did find a posting somewhere that gaui had made a mistake in packing and sent out long tail rods with short booms. The fix was this coupler. I've had this kit for 1.5 years and just never put it together. Thanks for the help guys

[ukgroucho]

I thought my 425 FES came with a coupler....I am certainly using one with it!

I still have a dogleg with mine but am using the Gaui 204655 EP-425 CNC TAIL PUSHROD CONVERSION FOR H425 H550 .. about $20 - $25 if you can find one. Gives a z-link free connection to the tail but still allows a side exit for the servo horn which is easier to set up.

[n8sx]

JC got me hooked up with the coupler. Heli is together just need to finish setup and programming. Changed out the gaui fbl unit for a 3G (cause I had one laying around). The blades in the kit were cracked at the root so I just threw a set of aligns on till I can order something else. Put in a 1600 kv scorpion motor and matching esc. Should be fun to fly.

[ukgroucho]

I'm running a Scorpion 3026-1400Kv, kontronik Jive 80+ LV ESC (governor mode) and 2650 6S packs - with a BeastX FBL controller.

It ROCKS... you do need pretty decent servos... I ended up with DS610s after some issues using 'cheap' (but allegedly high spec) Blue Bird units - the elevator servo pretty much caught fire after a dozen or so flights.
I love the way it flies... big enough to see, very very nimble but stable.

You should have a lot of fun!