Blade 550x/600x tail slop

[mba83]

Hi,

The tail slop seems to be excessive on my heli (Just built it, with 5 flights on it). It seems to be from a few places combined (tail grips a bit looks, links a bit loose on the grip balls, and the pitch slider has some slop). Any tips for removing the slop? And how much slop is normal?

Thanks!

[Frequency]

The tail blade grips will have some slop. But when the tail spins up it tightens up.


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[crashcopterman]

Can't imagine having a bunch of slop after only 5 flights. Would you be able to post a video to show what's going on, perhaps then we can help you pinpoint the issue(s).

[mba83]

Attaching a video of the slop. Is this amount normal? Thanks

Edit: Deleted the video since I now added a better one.

[vebbyson]

Have you shimmed the umbrella gear?

[crashcopterman]

That was a very wobbly video bud. Hard to see what was going on, but tailshaft appeared to be play-free. The issue appears to be the clearance between the pitch slider and the lever pins, is that correct? Maybe even some play on the slider arms at pivot point?

Steve

[mba83]

No shim, the tail shaft is solid. Most of the play seems to be in the grips and the pitch slider. Especially those plastic links, the holes in them seem to be too big for the grip balls.

[crashcopterman]

Whoa, that's weird and not good. Should be zero play there. Have they become damaged some how? I would get a new pitch slider, there's no way should there be play there being so new. 100-ish flights on mine and they are still tight.

[mba83]

No, they were like that when I assembled it. I was surprised that those holes are so oversized. I will contact H.H. Are there any aftermarket pitch slider options out there?

[crashcopterman]

Never seen any other options, doesn't mean another brand won't work but you'd have to see if there's one that would match. I'd just order a new one and go from there.

[mba83]

Got a reply from Horizon that this amount of slop is normal (sent them the video). I think it's not, and want to make those links hold the balls on the grips better. Is there anything I could do? Perhaps try heating them and then squashing them, or any other tricks? Thanks!

[crashcopterman]

NEVER do that! Bad idea. Just replace the slider, not worth messing around with a dangerous machine. Can you post a better vid with less camera movement? It's really hard to see just what is sloppy. Inspect piece by piece, find what's ill fitting at a certain component and just replace it.

[mba83]

Thanks for advice everyone. I am attaching a better video now. Want to know if this is normal for this heli? It flies well, but I do get some tail kick on punch out that I'd like to get rid of (want to increase gain further). Thanks!

[Rotarywing]

I'm at work right know, but wow those look loose to me. I'm checking mine when I get home,cant help ya right now.

[crashcopterman]

Much better video, nice job. The first 5 seconds tells the tale of that tail, those links are toast, replace the slider assembly for sure!! Sorry man.

[mba83]

Originally Posted by crashcopterman

Much better video, nice job. The first 5 seconds tells the tale of that tail, those links are toast, replace the slider assembly for sure!! Sorry man.

Thanks! that's what I thought. The parts are brand new though! I am wondering if there are aftermarket options available? Don't want to buy a new slider just to experience the same slop.

[TomC]

Originally Posted by mba83

Thanks! that's what I thought. The parts are brand new though! I am wondering if there are aftermarket options available? Don't want to buy a new slider just to experience the same slop.

After many flights I still have very little slop on mine. If I were you I would just replace the pitch slider (and maybe the pitch control arm) and see if the replacement(s) works better and if so, send the other one(s) back to HH. Otherwise just fly it as is. Not much chance of a big problem imho.

Cheers,
TomC

[mba83]

Here is a reply I got from Horizon:

"We made a comparison with the 600X that we have had lots of flights on and the pitch slider on the 600X in our department has the same amount of play as in your video. We do not feel that there is anything missing in your 600X, that the play in the slider is just natural."

Sounds like the play is "normal". I don't want to buy another 600x slider if it will have this same amount of "normal" slop. So wondering if it's worth spending $10 on or not? Thanks.

[Rotarywing]

I checked my 2 550x's when I got home from work and see I have a little play here and there, but all in all they fly great.

[xenophobe]

Yes, the Blade design does have a bit of slop.

My 550 DFC with the dual control tail slider system does not.