X50F tail control rod broke in flight

[geoffh]

Hello, I have ran 1.5 gals through my X50f and today the tail control rod broke in flight. I some how was able to recover and land with no damage. It broke in the middle of the bend radius at the front bend. I have verified the alignment and travel to check for binding and could not find a mechanical cause for this to break. I did a search and saw some mention of tail rods breaking when the X50's where first coming out. Is this the same location the previous rod issues where? Has the been any new development or replacment parts developed to solve the problem?

[johnbs8]

put shrink wrap on the bend. 2 pieces. this is what the team pilots were doing. i cracked one at ircha this year. luckily i saved it. when i talked to them that was what they do and i inspected their machines.

[esmoglo]

Any photos?

[geoffh]

Here is a pic of the break.

[texasclouds]

nice save. i don't like the looks of a bent pushrod on a heli tail (personal preference).

how would shrink wrap help? i don't see any structural advantage.

[Elgyn]

Originally Posted by texasclouds

nice save. i don't like the looks of a bent pushrod on a heli tail (personal preference).

how would shrink wrap help? i don't see any structural advantage.

I would keep it together long enough to get on the ground

[YBNORMAL]

I did this to my X50 the other day. Wiped the rod down with alcohol and put on a length of 1/8in shrink so that it covered both bends with room to spare. Then I put a slightly shorter length of 3/16 shrink over that just for added strength. I figured the added security against unexpected piros was worth the extra weight.

YB

[Rob43]

I've yet to figure out why they use this design. The machine is so excellent otherwise. Anyone tried another solution?

[YBNORMAL]

Originally Posted by Rob43

I've yet to figure out why they use this design. The machine is so excellent otherwise. Anyone tried another solution?

There was a picture I have seen floating around where a guy installed an Align style see saw link right about where the boom goes into the boom clamp.

Not sure where I saw it though.

YB

[Elgyn]

Originally Posted by Rob43

I've yet to figure out why they use this design. The machine is so excellent otherwise. Anyone tried another solution?

I agree

tail mount from the X50E? Although these are tail heavy enough.

[tr911]

Why not move the servo to the boom like the R50 Titan SE?

[Adam F]

That's what i did . I had a carbon tail servo bracket from my old raptor that had a crash . I installed it and so far it is working out great . That's my best suggestion.

[Davenportc]

Hi,

I'm building my new X50 now. Has anyone considered putting a couple small trianges of balsa at the bends for strength? I was thinking about doing this after reading this thread.

Chris

[YBNORMAL]

Originally Posted by Davenportc

Hi,

I'm building my new X50 now. Has anyone considered putting a couple small trianges of balsa at the bends for strength? I was thinking about doing this after reading this thread.

Chris

It is worth a shot........I don't have many hours on mine and have not had the rod fail on me. Iike I posted above I used the shrink tube mod in case it would break. My gut tells me this is a vibration/stress fracture type of problem.

I am using a JR MP80G servo on the tail and it is very fast and known to buzz a little when stopping back at center. So I installed a length of fuel line on the straight stretch of control rod, closest to the servo and zip tied one end of the fuel line. My hope is that the fuel line acts as a damper for the vibrations, The servo buzzing stopped after the rubber fuel line was installed.

YB

[Ickleroc]

After having issues with my tail, as a last ditch I tried one of the Raptor tail boom mount kits from Quick UK. Instant success, Okay it moves the CofG back a little but a little weight upfront (or bigger Rx pack ) sorts that.

I Prefer the slightly heavier heli with a tail i can trust to fly and not break mid flight, or wag like a puppys tail.

http://www.quickuk.eu/products/169/t...kit_rt-24.html

[Voma]

My tail rod broke in half around the middle of the boom on my X50, resulting in a complete totall. Just sheared in half during flight. I got another airframe and i mounted my servo to the tail boom and used the Trex 600 carbon tail rod and guide. Problem solved. Alot of these rods are breaking and its bullcrap
JOHN

[KnoxHeli]

I purchased the Align 600 carbon/dual clamp tail boom bracket and am going to use a fiber rod, however can't seem to find a tail rod guide (Align 600E). Does anyone know a P/N?

[tr911]

If it were me I'd go to the hobby shop and get a piece of hollow fiber rod and make my own.
I guess that is what you are asking..

[KnoxHeli]

Something like this, that I think goes on a TREX 700? Not sure if boom diameter is the same?

[tr911]

Got it, I haven't seen one for a x50. I have made a control rod for one of my R50's and didn't use a guide. The fiber rod I used was 4mm if I remember correctly, stiff enough that I didn't need a guide. This one may work..

http://www.heliproz.com/PV1377-Rod-G...ctinfo/PV1377/