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Abenn · 06-16-2014, 02:01 PM

I plan in the near future to upgrade my T-Rex 500e flybarred heli to flybarless.

I've identified the appropriate Align fbl main rotor housing, main rotor holders, washout control arms, and longer linkages that I need to replace the flybarred bits, but I have a couple of questions:-

Can I reuse my existing feathering shaft, dampers, and bearings in the fbl gear, subject to condition of course?
Can I use my existing main shaft, which has a grub-screwed collet instead of a welded-on ring?

aburn09 · 06-17-2014, 04:51 AM

I've just recently converted my Align 500esp with an after market flybarless head.......however I know with mine I can use the same feathering shaft, main shaft, and blade grip bearings if that helps ? I assume you've decided what flybarless unit your going to buy I did try the Align 3gx v4 which you can pick up new for around £50 or the spektrum ar7200bx which I've settled on but costs three times more ?

I did find my Align 510 cyclic had to be replaced as they were getting old and didn't seem to like being used on a flybarless unit.

Abenn · 06-17-2014, 06:41 AM

Thanks aburn09.

I'm guessing with Align the shaft etc. are the same for flybar or fbl, for my vendor doesn't list them with the fbl head items; I have to go to his regular flybarred 500e page to find feathering shaft, bearings, dampers etc. I suppose at the worst I'll not order them, try the ones I've got at the moment, and if they don't fit I'll just have to find and buy fbl-specific items.

As for controller, I'll not be using 3Gx. I didn't get on with the one that came with my 550, so I swapped it for a MicroBeast and sold it. I'm very happy with the MicroBeast, but asking around, I know it's now perhaps old technology, so I'll be looking at Mini Vbar or one of the other newer ones. One thing I value is the ability to lift off and land slowly, which people keep telling me confuses many fbl units, though I've never had any problem with my MicroBeast.

aburn09 · 06-17-2014, 07:39 AM

I think the Align DFC flybarless head requires a smaller height shaft although I think it's the blade links that determine what shaft you may need......admittedly I did shave a little off the thread both ends to get the right pitch as they seemed too long for what I needed ?
My 500 is in an Airwolf fuselage I haven't had time to field tested it yet but hovering in the back garden it seems ok for slow take off and landing using the spektrum ar7200bx flybarless

rob78 · 06-17-2014, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aburn09

I think the Align DFC flybarless head requires a smaller height shaft although I think it's the blade links that determine what shaft you may need......admittedly I did shave a little off the thread both ends to get the right pitch as they seemed too long for what I needed ?
My 500 is in an Airwolf fuselage I haven't had time to field tested it yet but hovering in the back garden it seems ok for slow take off and landing using the spektrum ar7200bx flybarless

There is a DFC-specific shaft. There's an EFL (std. flybarless) specific shaft.

The DFC shaft is shorter and has a permanently attached "collar" (EFL shaft collar is removable with grub screw).

Abenn · 06-17-2014, 02:14 PM

Thanks guys. I don't want DFC, just the regular flybarless, so it looks like my current main shaft is fine. I'll just have to make sure I get appropriately sized links -- maybe I'll get some of those new turnbuckle ones to make adjustment easier.

rob78 · 06-17-2014, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abenn

Thanks guys. I don't want DFC, just the regular flybarless, so it looks like my current main shaft is fine. I'll just have to make sure I get appropriately sized links -- maybe I'll get some of those new turnbuckle ones to make adjustment easier.

The EFL shaft is only slightly shorter than the FB'd mainshaft (within several mm).

You're going to have to program the FBL controller for pitch curves/zero pitch anyway so it's no big deal.

BUT, if you're like me and flying a Compass tracx head that works on both the FB'd and FBL shafts, you'll have to make some changes to pitch curves to compensate for slightly shorter shaft.

TR450ZS · 06-17-2014, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob78

There is a DFC-specific shaft. There's an EFL (std. flybarless) specific shaft.

The DFC shaft is shorter and has a permanently attached "collar" (EFL shaft collar is removable with grub screw).

You are correct about the two specific shafts for DFC and EFL.
However, the EFL shaft has the same type of "permanent collar" as the DFC shaft. The only difference is the length of the shaft above the collar. The DFC shaft is shorter than the EFL shaft.

KSHeli · 06-17-2014, 03:56 PM

I upgraded my 500e to FBL in the fall of 2012, I did use the newer fixed color shaft and shimming which is required with this shaft, but I believe you can get away with the original shaft since the lock collar would eliminate the need for the shim. I still have the original shafts I could use, but since going with the BD3SX FBL unit I haven't crashed needing a new main shaft.
The feather shaft is the same, yes the pitch links need to be longer. I like the belt tail and want to keep that.

rob78 · 06-17-2014, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR450ZS

You are correct about the two specific shafts for DFC and EFL.
However, the EFL shaft has the same type of "permanent collar" as the DFC shaft. The only difference is the length of the shaft above the collar. The DFC shaft is shorter than the EFL shaft.

I just ordered two new efl shafts that don't have fixed collars. I'm getting ready to install one in about an hour.

In align fashion, it's possible there are two versions of efl shafts. The fixed collar version wouldn't work for me.

KSHeli · 06-17-2014, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob78

I just ordered two new efl shafts that don't have fixed collars. I'm getting ready to install one in about an hour.

In align fashion, it's possible there are two versions of efl shafts. The fixed collar version wouldn't work for me.

I hope you ordered the shims, you'll need one or two.

TR450ZS · 06-18-2014, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob78

I just ordered two new efl shafts that don't have fixed collars. I'm getting ready to install one in about an hour.

In align fashion, it's possible there are two versions of efl shafts. The fixed collar version wouldn't work for me.

That is interesting. My 500 is an original EFL PRO and used part # H50156T as the main shaft. The shims are sold separately. But obviously with the locking collar you will not need shims.

Windmanquebec · 06-18-2014, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abenn

Thanks guys. I don't want DFC, just the regular flybarless, so it looks like my current main shaft is fine. I'll just have to make sure I get appropriately sized links -- maybe I'll get some of those new turnbuckle ones to make adjustment easier.

for the EFL head you need 50130 - 500 FLYBARLESS LINKAGE ROD SET (A)

Abenn · 06-18-2014, 02:25 AM

Thanks for all those replies, some real good info there. Wouldn't it be nice if Align would show the part numbers in their manuals, so we can find them quicker on the vendors' web sites?

I haven't needed a new main shaft in all the time I've owned my heli, so I've got a couple spare, which I bought because everyone told me I would need one sometime

So I'll go with the original shaft for the time-being.

06-16-2014, 02:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Abenn Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010	T-Rex 500e flybar to fbl I plan in the near future to upgrade my T-Rex 500e flybarred heli to flybarless. I've identified the appropriate Align fbl main rotor housing, main rotor holders, washout control arms, and longer linkages that I need to replace the flybarred bits, but I have a couple of questions:- Can I reuse my existing feathering shaft, dampers, and bearings in the fbl gear, subject to condition of course? Can I use my existing main shaft, which has a grub-screwed collet instead of a welded-on ring?

06-17-2014, 03:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
KSHeli Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2012	I upgraded my 500e to FBL in the fall of 2012, I did use the newer fixed color shaft and shimming which is required with this shaft, but I believe you can get away with the original shaft since the lock collar would eliminate the need for the shim. I still have the original shafts I could use, but since going with the BD3SX FBL unit I haven't crashed needing a new main shaft. The feather shaft is the same, yes the pitch links need to be longer. I like the belt tail and want to keep that. __________________ ~Jim~ Goblin700 Gasser TRM-300, BD Axon, Align700E w/HC3SX, and a Goblin 380 w/BD3SX, using Futaba 14SGH

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06-17-2014, 04:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
aburn09 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2007	I've just recently converted my Align 500esp with an after market flybarless head.......however I know with mine I can use the same feathering shaft, main shaft, and blade grip bearings if that helps ? I assume you've decided what flybarless unit your going to buy I did try the Align 3gx v4 which you can pick up new for around £50 or the spektrum ar7200bx which I've settled on but costs three times more ? I did find my Align 510 cyclic had to be replaced as they were getting old and didn't seem to like being used on a flybarless unit.

06-17-2014, 06:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Abenn Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2010	Thanks aburn09. I'm guessing with Align the shaft etc. are the same for flybar or fbl, for my vendor doesn't list them with the fbl head items; I have to go to his regular flybarred 500e page to find feathering shaft, bearings, dampers etc. I suppose at the worst I'll not order them, try the ones I've got at the moment, and if they don't fit I'll just have to find and buy fbl-specific items. As for controller, I'll not be using 3Gx. I didn't get on with the one that came with my 550, so I swapped it for a MicroBeast and sold it. I'm very happy with the MicroBeast, but asking around, I know it's now perhaps old technology, so I'll be looking at Mini Vbar or one of the other newer ones. One thing I value is the ability to lift off and land slowly, which people keep telling me confuses many fbl units, though I've never had any problem with my MicroBeast.

06-17-2014, 07:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
aburn09 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2007	I think the Align DFC flybarless head requires a smaller height shaft although I think it's the blade links that determine what shaft you may need......admittedly I did shave a little off the thread both ends to get the right pitch as they seemed too long for what I needed ? My 500 is in an Airwolf fuselage I haven't had time to field tested it yet but hovering in the back garden it seems ok for slow take off and landing using the spektrum ar7200bx flybarless

06-17-2014, 02:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Abenn Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2010	Thanks guys. I don't want DFC, just the regular flybarless, so it looks like my current main shaft is fine. I'll just have to make sure I get appropriately sized links -- maybe I'll get some of those new turnbuckle ones to make adjustment easier.

06-18-2014, 02:25 AM	#14 (permalink)
Abenn Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2010	Thanks for all those replies, some real good info there. Wouldn't it be nice if Align would show the part numbers in their manuals, so we can find them quicker on the vendors' web sites? I haven't needed a new main shaft in all the time I've owned my heli, so I've got a couple spare, which I bought because everyone told me I would need one sometime So I'll go with the original shaft for the time-being.

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