X5 in Oz. Build thread

[torana74]

With a huge thanks to Jack at Empire Hobby for their terrific effort in
getting a kit sent to Oz. This hobby needs more like him and his teams efforts
in promoting the Gaui name and also helping it's loyal followers.

***** this thread was originally written for the Oz heli forum "Archeli" and therefore i haven't gone into too many details about this and our Hurri's. Please yell out anything you guys want more info on and i will try get the answers*******************

I'll keep re-editing this post as i find better words/more info etc

For now, some pics of the box Very happy chappy today )





A few "What's in the box pics"

I must say that i'm very impressed with the presentation of this. Nicely
fitting sub-boxes all printed with what's inside



The instruction manual was sitting right on top. ie read this first!!
They are trying to take my fun away




First box as according to the destructions.
The frameset and bits nicely slid in with the canopy.



The canopy looks quite good. Sturdy aswell. Will report on that more later as
we go.



The bag bits unlocked.



The CNC work looks quite nice. Very smooth and neat.
I'm not sure about the motor mount.Looks like they stayed the way of the
Hurricane and can be a bit fiddly to set mesh. Requires the mount to be removed to access the bolts for the motor. No biggie,but could have been improved. But i still haven't read the instructions



Putting the frame together was a super simple and very quick affair.Was together in less than half an hour.(with coffee)
Even the wife commented on how quick it was...... something like, you won't have to worry about time after your crashes with this...

The instructions are well written but do need some work. Would be nice if the frame assembly pic was larger and easier to work out were the few different bolts went. Again no biggie as most bolts are M3x 6mm , just 2 are 4mm.
Common sense works and is very easy to see one bolt will go into a bearing if too long.
The instructions seem to bounce around. No real order. If you are up to a certain spot, need to flick through the
manual to find what you are seeking.

Also noticed a little piece of paper in with the bolts. An ammendment to the manual regarding a washer for the lower canopy mounts.
The manual does state on the front cover to download the latest version.

Also in my travels, i noticed that not all bits in frame box are for the frame(as i thought and got concerned when a few screws were left over) and needed to open other boxes to find required bits.Obviously packing requirements have dictated the spread of parts throughout the various boxes.

Pic of cnc bits mounted to one side frame


Pic of landing gear assembly.


The actual legs are the same as the Hurri 550,but now only use one bolt per leg to mount to the lower frame.



I do like the chrome skids and think they will be replacing all my others.To replace the landing gear in the future would just require the removal of 2 bolts and out it comes. I'm really liking the base of this heli.The double carbon keeps it very rigid, there are no tabs etc waiting to break, and from experience, the legs will give way in hard landings lessening the load to the frame.

The manual states to put the landing gear together first, then mount to the main frame. I did for the pics but originally did the lower frame/main frame together and found it less fiddly.

Completed main frame and landing gear about to meet.


To say this frame is thin is an understatement.
It really has been a very low parts count in the frame assembly and it weighs almost nothing


---------- Post added at 12:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 AM ----------

Moving on upstairs.

The main gear/ head assembly.



The maingear/tail drive/one-way came preassmbled. 3 screws hold the 61tooth tail drive gear(ex Hurri main gear) onto the sleeve that goes through the one-way bearing.


The main gear has 4 screws that bolt to another housing that holds the one-way.

(pics didn't come out i noticed,so will dismantle again tomorrow and take again)


Main gear/shaft assembly bits. The little washer sits on top of the tail drive gear and under lower mainshaft bearing.Collar on top of upper mainshaft bearing.
Mainshaft is solid,8mm diameter.


Installed in the frame.Trick here is to make sure no up/down movement when tightening the collar




Moving onto the head assembly.
Having been used to the Hurri 550 head and sizing, all i can say is WOW.
The swash on the left is the X5 ,right Hurri 550.
The X5 swash certainly looks the goods and has a nice feel .



All the balls have 1.5mm allen key heads in them and were tight and pre-locitited.


The head came pre-assembleb but i took it apart for check.
The spindle is 6mm, and the dampers are cylinder shaped.
There were "red" dampers installed but i noticed in the packs that there
is a black set. Doesn't mention it in the manual as what's what.
I have left the red in there for the time being.
Also the bolts that hold the blade grips onto the spindle are larger than previously.Everything was tight and loctited.

The spindle on the right is Hurri 550(5mm)


The flybar carrier was next. This was another with the little piece of update paper.(washer installation behind bolt head).
In my previous Gaui builds, i have had issues with bearing quality. These feel terrific and the bearing sit in the headblock.



Flybar cage, washout arms/flybar installed


Looks like Gaui have been watching people's tricks in increasing pitch and avoiding binding. Different to see the flybar visible through the seesaw.


.................................................. .

more installments tomorrow eve

[Mikej]

Looks fantastic mate - thanks for all of the pics

[torana74]

Tonight's been a bit slow Have two ladies here with the flu and they are making sure that they get the attention before the X5. It's a conspiracy i tell you but i know what's good for me.

Anyways, again we see Gaui using the solid plastic double links. Two sizes. A 30 and a 35. Some people i've come across don't like the double link and say they prefer adjustable ones to help get the setup correct.
In my opinion they are great. One less variable to worry about and if you need adjustment in these areas, hate to say but you would have an issue somewhere else that is causing it.

I do like that Gaui include a spare link of each size, spare rods and ball links,guide, bolt.



The servos chosen for this build are the BLS451/251 combo. Included in the kit are 3 servo horns(luckily futaba spline), balls,nuts and bolts and assorted little spacers to get the balls spaced correctly.
Also carbon servo retaining plates.The top plates extend out.I'm guessing for a little added protection and to keep the canopy away from the servo horn.
I've never been a fan of servos out in the open and have looked at possible crash damage. The aileron/pitch servos are fairly well hidden. The elevator and tail are fully extruded. Looking at it closely though, it really would have to be the perfect angle and a few things bent(ie really really hard stack) for them to see damage. One of those we'll have to see things.





Onto motor/esc next...... need power ..

[torana74]

Originally Posted by Mikej

Looks fantastic mate - thanks for all of the pics

Thanks Mike and your welcome. I think the pics etc will help all us Hurri owners have a better idea what we can do with ours in regards to conversions/part swapping etc.

Also looking at the tail drive assembly, wouldn't take much to convert it to belt drive. A spacer and the pulley .

BTW,, the X5 torque tubed boom should drop straight into the Hurri and be poss to run 500ish blades.
Will confirm as i get to that bit.

Please ask questions on anything you guys want more detail on.

Vas

[torana74]

nearly forgot.

The flybar paddles are Tiny!!!!
Held in by a couple turns and two grub screws. One at the front on the side and on the top.

My standard Hurricane ones weigh in at 18g, KDBB 50 size were 19g off memory.
These are 8 grams!!!!!. Might as well just have the flybar LOL.
We'll have too see how they go.

[torana74]

Big Motor

What's in the box???





Scorpion 4020 910kv..... yippee





I'm a bit complexed with the speedy.
On the speedy it states 3amp bec yet in the manual it states 4amp.
Will have to research a bit more as i had planned to use the onboard bec for now. I'm a fussy bast**d for keeping the weight to a min.
Was informed that Gaui team are running 8v and was thinking about a receiver pack and reg for tail eventually. Just not here on hand . Do have a sportsbec .Just means more stuff on the heli

Will 3amp be sufficient for 451's/251 with 500mm blades??????
Suggestions please.

[g-bru]

Hi Torana74

Awesome thread dude! Great pics, my X5 arrives on Monday, so these pics will be a great help with my build.

Sorry I cannot answer your question about BEC ampage, but I know a man who will. Damien (AKA - eDek) is the man to answer this question. Hopefully he will be along to advise the ampage or drop him a PM.

I need some help bro, I cannot decide on what servos to use in my X5. Can you please take a look at what I have got in mind and comment on each one. I am no 3D pilot, and when I do eventually get round to doing 3D it will most likely be some mild stuff. (The X5 was somewhat of an overkill purchase for my skill level - but hey its an AWESOME heli and look forward to receiving it.)

Without breaking the bank balance any further, the servos i have in mind are the following:

http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/kds-...e-p-10251.html

(Ideal price range but, will it fit, dimension is: 35.5mm x 15mm x 28.6mm)

http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/futa...vo-p-4148.html

(A little slow??)

http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/hype...o-p-10085.html

(A little rich for my flavour but if I have to......)

http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/k104...vo-p-8031.html

(I am not a very big fan of Align, however, if I really have to.......)

I am open to any other suggestions dude, just nothing over the £45 price range.

Thanks in advance.

Grant

PS, keep them awesome pics comin!

[eDeK]

Hi!

torana74 I use stock ESC and in-buil BEC set to 5.5V. I run 3 strandard coreless MKS servos and a BLS , standard size, on the tail. 'till now,no problems.
BUT,I'm still flying the prototype heli,with little differences like head dumpers,wich were remplaces and now are Red. All were corrected.My ESC is also different (the look),but I think the setting are still the same.

I've heard from Luca Brizzi,from Italian Gaui team, who use FBL on the X5 and 610 on cyclic that the stock ESC can be a bit to weak if you push it really hard,he recommends to use an external BEC.
But I think you can keep using it. Watch this video - here the same servo as yours were used! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNxXKldO1-0[/ame]


g-bru I would take the bulk of 3 Align servos. They have very good specs,stong and fast.

[g-bru]

Thanks Damian you are the man!

Align servos it is then.

G.

[dunkonu23]

Great thread... I"m watching with super interest! Thanks!

Scott

[nexgen]

Excellent thread. I need to get my hands on one of these puppies.

[g-bru]

Originally Posted by nexgen

Excellent thread. I need to get my hands on one of these puppies.

Rinse that Credit Card dude - you know you want one!

G.

[torana74]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

g-bru, the align servos are rebadged Savox if i'm not mistaken.
Work really well but draw some current.

The boys on here have been very happy with the hyperions. I'm not sure which ones exctly.
As Damian stated though, the 610's are a good servo and good value
For your non Bobby Watts type flying, i don't think you'll be stressing the bec too much either way I'm most likely at the same flying level as you if not less.
I went the BLS way,not for my flying but to have it as good as poss when others fly it.
.....................

Thanks Damian, will see what we can do today as far as chasing a receiver pack and spektrum reg. I've always liked not running a seperate pack but we might up the cyclic to 8v . Will keep informed. If i can't track anything down, i feel fairly confident running the esc bec at 5.4v for now

Also can someone please tell me what the 2 self tapping screws are for in the frame screw kit??????????????????? and what the grommet holes at front of frame, next to batt plate are used for.

Vas

[scott s]

Does the stock esc have a governer that works and if you want flybarless what head if any is offered or suggested?? What a great looking bird however flybarless is my new thing!

[hurricane.br]

It is nice to see what really changed between the 550 and the x5!

[torana74]

Tonight has been a bit difficult to get time to continue the build. Wife and little boss both with the flu and needing time/looking after devoted to them.
Along with the little boss deciding that i was having too much fun with the X5 and if she went to sleep would miss out so decided to refuse her bed till wayyyyyyy too late.

Admittedly my work was inspected and i was brushed aside and the cheif quality control officer took over. Managed to get the motor mounted and speedy mounted and the ccpm sorted.

What's that loose screw??


I got the sack


Pic of motor mount. The way the motor is screwed onto the mount, you can't get to the screws with the mount in the fuselage.I'm a bit disapointed with this bit. It was the same in the Hurricane. There are aftermarket adjustable motor mounts for the Hurri and really would have liked to see one on this.
To set the mesh requires having the motor screwed but moveable to the mount and trial and error. Took me six attempts to get the mesh as i wanted. It's really not that hard to do,but could be easier imho. The only real negative will be from impatient people that get frustrated after a few attempts and do the "she'll be right" and then have gear issues.
^^^^ above written for non familiar to Hurricane people
Ben's(Wazzer) easy mesh motor mount would be nice to have on this.
Motor mount is very similiar to the Hurricane but with the addition of two countersunk screws on the top that screw into the lower bearing/servo arm block



Motor and speedy in their new home


My apologises to all but the maiden will have to be next week
On the bright side, it gives me some time to chase a receiver pack and reg.

[torana74]

oh and another thing i noticed this eve. Looks like the headblock/grips etc will be a straight bolt-on on the Hurri. Will confirm this further but looks very promising

Vas

[nexgen]

Originally Posted by torana74

oh and another thing i noticed this eve. Looks like the headblock/grips etc will be a straight bolt-on on the Hurri. Will confirm this further but looks very promising

Vas

Very interested in your findings here.

[torana74]

NG, thought that you might like hearing that.
Bolt hole, to top is same distance, blade grip extension,line up fairly the same.

First opportun moment i get, i will unbolt and put on a hurri and see how close.

[Andreas97]

how is the size of this compared to your 550?