140 degree option

[Don S]

Anybody install this? Looks like you use the existing swash (with extended balls) and new bellcranks.

[Bob O]

You're correct on that.

I ran both 140 (in the beginning) and 120 later on with my X50B.

[Don S]

You preferred the 120 then?

[Bob O]

No, I prefer 140.

I switched to 120 after two mishaps that bent a forward swash plate arm each time. I believe the cause of that was due to the longer forward ball mounts giving more leverage for force to bend the arms.

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread...19#post3730219

[Don S]

Did your mishaps cause the bending, or did the bending cause your mishaps?

[Bob O]

No, the mishaps were my own doing. One a minor crash after a tail failure and the other a botched inverted auto.

The aluminum in the stock swash seems fairly soft. I was able to bend the swash back into shape, but didn't feel comfortable with it after bending it back the second time. Comparing it to my other helis (in crashes), one of which also had a 140 degree swash setup, this is the only one where I bent the swash plate twice.

I had two additional mishaps after going to 120 degree and didn't bend the swash in either one.

[Don S]

thanks for the info

[Bob O]

Good luck. The X50 is a very nice heli.

[Don S]

Took a while to get it dialed in (previous owner), but it flies nice now. I'm hoping the 140 swash will make it fly even better.

[tr911]

Let us know if the 140 feels better. I have a 140 setup but never used it.

[Don S]

Will do.

[KouDy]

I went for 140 right away. Theory behind being that elevator servo lifetime is saved 140 because it doesn't have to move twice more than the two in front. Flying wise i would think that you will get used to it and then fly it fine. I am total beginner so to me it makes no difference.

[Don S]

I doubt I can appreciate the difference myself, but when I move the cyclic I visually see "collective" jumping when using the 120.

I haven't made the switch yet, but this weekend is looking rainy, so....

[Don S]

Finally installed the 140 parts. Should be able to try it out this weekend.

[tr911]

If you get a chance post some pics of the setup. I'd like to see what zero looks like on the arms and stuff.

Thanks

[Don S]

Sure thing, as soon as I get it all sorted out.

[Bob O]

Originally Posted by tr911

If you get a chance post some pics of the setup. I'd like to see what zero looks like on the arms and stuff.

Thanks

Not sure what you're looking for exactly. Zero should look the same whether you're using 120* or 140* bell crank setup.

https://www.helifreak.com/showpost.p...4&postcount=25

[Don S]

My problem is the flybar system interfering with my swash leveling, so that I'm chasing my tail. I may or may not have a head issue, but I have to square the swash first.

[Bob O]

Sorry Don, I guess I just don't understand what you're looking for. What do you mean squaring the swash?

ADDED:

If you're talking about leveling the swash, make sure you do that in your FBL controller Setup. In whatever step that is, the servos won't move and you will then be able to adjust the linkages to get your swash leveled.

[Don S]

It's still a flybarred machine (my only one). I leveled the swash with the allen wrench trick, but then noticed that I could not get the same pitch angle on the grips with identical length pitch links.

I think I have a flybar issue, but I need to get the swash dead level before I can figure out the flybar. I'm going to remove the flybar, link the grips direct to the swash, then level by checking the grip pitch at the cardinal angles.

I screwed with this so long the other night that I ran down a 2100 LiFe pack! Thanks for reposting that picture. It had vanished on my screen.