RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread  
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    • All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread
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    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/14/2006 2:29:01 PM   
    KrashMaster


     

    Posts: 19
    Joined: 3/24/2006
    From: Liberty, TN, USA
    Status: offline     		My Equipment list=
    Here is my X400 with helicam ,
    Align 6 pole brushless 420-LF
    TITAN ESC 50a;
    Spektrum Radio/Reciever
    HighTek HS 65MG Servos accept
    Airtronics 9476 with the GY401 Gyro combo for the tail
    Cheap 100 dollar video cam and reciever 1.2 Ghz
    Mounted in the nose, with a 6 volt camera battery [9v was to heavy].

    Align Pro 315 woodies.
    CNC Main Rotor hub
    CNC Swash
    All CNC Tail rotor.


    I put the extended tail boom on for more tail stability but, it didn't need that so much as I needed more tail weight to counter act the wireless cam mounted in the nose of my Cappy.
    I am having second thoughts about the Align 420-LF motor, after 3 months it is getting hotter, ESC is getting hotter, power curves/pitch curves/weight/battery suppy and FRICTION over all has NOT changed.
    My Buddy has the same on a TRex and seems as though every 6 months he roasts the bearing in this motor due to HARD 3D flying,
    My added weight [1-OZ] from the cam may be responsable for early wear and tear but I suspect the Hackers or other 90 dollar range motors will be better, seems the Align starts pulling a ton of amps when the mags loose there strenth or the bearings start to poop.
    For 40 bucks Align 420-LF is hard to beat but don't expect it to run for 1000 hours trouble free either.

    My Friend tried the AON motor and for close to a hundred bucks he was Pi$$ed when the motor emeadeatly burnt out on the 5th flight.
    It is in under warranty but I will scrap that idea after seeing that.

    The D@m% tail rotor speed in my MX400 is WAY to fast!!! I don't care if I have to change the cog gear mount in order to retro fit the 4.25/1 TRex gear to fit I wiil!! That tail rotor is touching 18000 rpms at 3D mode , though I don't fly that mode it explains why I cannot put deceant carbon tail blades on the tail rotor due to all carbon tail blades being slightly larger, the tail over re-acts to the gyro/servo commands and goes into a wag. even with my new tail mounted servo and carbon rod upgrade, forget it the tail rotor needs to be taimed and the tail rotor blades need to be machined perfect [cg] carbon carbon/fiber to work better. I ordered the tele-bee head lock gyro for a spare to do "Swap-Out" bench tests with, I suspect either my Gyro[ Fut-401] is getting squirrely or the Airtronics 70 dollar digital servo is taking a poop. So I ordered the cheapest digital servo I can find , the HDS-877 from HeliDirect was 25 bucks and will serve the porpose of swap out testing. My tail is twitching now and it Pi$$%s me off

    Heres a link to the infamous drunkard move that crashed the chopper into an apple tree, the twitching started after a total rebuild of head rotor, tail boom and tail rotor shaft replacement and to much to list, after 2 successfull smooth flights THEN the twitching started.


    I had the Cappy-Cam ON at the time so you can get an on board view of the Heinekin stupidity .
    http://media.putfile.com/Flying-Under-Influence


    < Message edited by KrashMaster -- 6/14/2006 2:37:08 PM >

    (in reply to jh4db536)
           Post #: 226

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/14/2006 5:07:25 PM   
    johnnyf



    Posts: 65
    Joined: 2/24/2006
    From: hamilton, ON, CANADA
    Status: offline     		picking up my mx 400 pro on friday for father's day!!
    i can fly my blade cx -pretty scared about the mx after reading all these posts
    hope i am not going too far with the mx400 but can't wait any longer for the cp pro to come out and
    don't want to spend any more money on small choppers
    figured i would go for it all now!!

    (in reply to KrashMaster)
           Post #: 227

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/14/2006 8:00:37 PM   
    KrashMaster


     

    Posts: 19
    Joined: 3/24/2006
    From: Liberty, TN, USA
    Status: offline     		As you noticed in my last post the biggest safety risk and mechanical failure in my instance is the LOOSE NUT behind the remote controll, The MX400 or X400 is a great helicoptor, I will match it with the TRex any day. Don't fear. ALL Helicopters have engineering flaws even the 3000$ 90's have them, Just stay posted in the groups and buy all means if you can buddy up with someone at a local AMA Fun fly field do so, I did and most of those guys will give you the heads up on what's hot and what's not just don't fly drunk like I did.

    Another note about the Blade CP Pro, I in my Honest Opinion I think Blinging out the CP is like putting 40,000 dollars into a Volkwagon Beetle, It dosn't make sense. The Whole idea of the CP is to keep the cost down and fly indoors. A tail rotor driven by an electric motor will never fly tight and give the pilot confident controll in fancy manuvers, I think CNC upgrades in those models is Exentric to say the least. You are better off with your recent choice, X400 are more docile then the TRex's and that makes for a good beginners all collective pitch helo. after this a year down the road you may want the high speed controll response from the TRex and in this case you can plop a TRex rotor head on your X400 and get the same thing
    The tail rotor speed wont be a problem for you untill you are ready for 3D or are one of the rare types that like a high rotor speed in normal mode [like me]. stick with 2000 rpm's in the main rotor head and you will survive.

    I have a neighbor that owns a machine shop and am working on a fix for this over speeding tail rotor. Seems as though there is a cog gear out there that can be replaced with the one that comes with it with fewer teeth on it, deeming it "Un-neccassary" to move magor mechanical parts to retro fit the TREX gear. Later.
    Scott

    < Message edited by KrashMaster -- 6/14/2006 8:14:04 PM >

    (in reply to johnnyf)
           Post #: 228

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/14/2006 8:14:22 PM   
    johnnyf



    Posts: 65
    Joined: 2/24/2006
    From: hamilton, ON, CANADA
    Status: offline     		thanks krashmaster-now if i could only convince my wife that my spending
    1000$ on this is better than wasting it on a cp pro - all would be nice
    i cashed in 2 weeks of vacation at work for this

    (in reply to KrashMaster)
           Post #: 229

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/15/2006 2:38:42 AM   
    Nankin Hobby


     

    Posts: 148
    Joined: 5/25/2006
    From: Westland, MI, USA
    Status: offline     		The MX400 Pro is a great heli. I have had mine for a few weeks now. I love it. Yes it is nothing more than an X-400 pretty much. For most here that dont know the guy that designed the T-REX also designed the MX400 It is a great flyer. Also to all those who whine here saying it isnt as good at 3D as the T-REX.....you need to go learn helis. It isnt because of the heavy ass flyar,weights,and paddles. Lighten those up and set max throws....its a T-REX now. I would not reccomend getting the alum. tail blade grips.....the tail spins too fast for the added mass. They just blast off the heli after a coupld runs. Parts for this heli are ALWAYS instock at great planes. They are cheap also. Main blades..... $12.....the T-REX ones i think are 15-18 ish.....and the sho gun...well we wont go there. That is the most overpriced heli around. I would reccoment it because of the great stibility and its parts avaliability and great pricing. Anyone has any questions about it let me know.


    _____________________________

    Mike Galunas
    Tech/Sales

    (in reply to heli-cuzz)
           Post #: 230

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/15/2006 1:53:10 PM   
    johnnyf



    Posts: 65
    Joined: 2/24/2006
    From: hamilton, ON, CANADA
    Status: offline     		what do you mean about the tail blade grips? is this something aftermarket

    (in reply to Nankin Hobby)
           Post #: 231

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/15/2006 2:42:13 PM   
    KrashMaster


     

    Posts: 19
    Joined: 3/24/2006
    From: Liberty, TN, USA
    Status: offline     		Yes the alum tail grips are after market or are standard with some "Pro" models.
    Personally I wouldn't run my chopper without the all aluminum tail rotor that I bought , it is ALL metal and not a hybrid mix or plastic and metal, He is right though, the alum will improve some safety factors with the tail rotor it's self NOT comming apart [just my experience and opinion] but the high speed design of the belt drive can and HAS easily bent the tail rotor shaft from WAY to high an RPM during those macho moments when I like to "Give it the Gas" for a few seconds and climb fast. IF the tail blades aren't perfectly balanced [most of them are not ] The off center energy will rip a blade off the grips and the remaining blade will tear the $%$#@ out of whats left of your tail rotor. I put on HIGH dollar Carbon fiber blades and find them TOO punchy for the RPM, [they are bigger in design, so I couldn't use them untill I ground some material off and made them smaller, and balanced them up here at the College I work at with a 20,000 dollar laser operated scale , What a pain in the $#@@ to solve this problem for the high RPM's you WILL save head aces and time buy sticking with the stock tail rotor due to PLASTIC is lighter then Aluminum and slight flaws do not cause so much trouble. BUT it also means your blade grips themselves can fly off as well as the tail rotor blade giving way.
    Any instance where a METAL blade grip leaves the rotor is 99% gauranteed a grip screw was installed with NO loctite added, witch I concider operator error more then anything. I am experimenting with a second helo [mx400 crash kit] and am trying to design a simple way to SLOW down the rotor, I won't be selling anything out here but I will reffer you guys as to what PARTS I used to get the job done. MSC Industrial Supply Co. in New Jersey looks like a promising sourse for different size Gears and special order shafts. I buy pure drill stock from them to make my own tail rotor shafts out of. Their drill stock is near carbon steel hardness and doesn't bend easy, it BREAKS!! But the speed of the x400 rotor is enough to bend the "Butter" steel that comes with it as stock I figured this for a fix, 660 hardended drill bit stock , 4 foot lenth 5 bucks hard as glass, I cut to lenth as needed 45mm; my all metal tail rotor is spinning real fast and no vibration, BUT all of this can end with one little woops and back to the drawing board , chisleing down another set of tail rotor carbon blades IT won't make sense to accept this as a cure, slowing the rotor down will. Wish me luck.
    Scott

    (in reply to johnnyf)
           Post #: 232

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/15/2006 3:41:11 PM   
    johnnyf



    Posts: 65
    Joined: 2/24/2006
    From: hamilton, ON, CANADA
    Status: offline     		so if mine has aluminum tail grips- what should i do??

    (in reply to KrashMaster)
           Post #: 233

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 6/16/2006 1:12:57 AM   
    KrashMaster


     

    Posts: 19
    Joined: 3/24/2006
    From: Liberty, TN, USA
    Status: offline     		Make sure you don't over speed the tail rotor, generally it happens when people test there drive train with the main blades removed and give it to much throttle, The second most common instigator of over speed is trying out settings on your radio to fly 3D mode and the head speed hits 3000 at mid stick = WAM!! tail blades a fly , The least common is of course yours truly , [me] Trying to get 2700 rpm or more in normal mode at a hover, that could through a tail blade if you have cheap out of balance tail blades and or a slight bend in the tail rotor shaft. I hate to encourage SLOW head speeds because that causes instability and sloppy crashy landings in the wind, so make sure I haven't spooked you into reving down so slow you wreck.
    A local Hobby Store that knows heli's should be glad to scope your rpm for you, when they get it set record it on a casset recorder of those micro mp3 recorders, now in the future , Match the tone of the engine/blades spinning to the recording, sure it's not accurate but it will keep you with in a resonable proximity of the original setting. 1900 to 2200 should be more then good enouph for begginers class hovering and putsing around in circles.
    Scott

    (in reply to johnnyf)
           Post #: 234

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 8/11/2006 6:26:50 PM   
    Kaw1000



    Posts: 54
    Joined: 7/5/2006
    From: Cinti, OH, USA
    Status: offline     		Need a tail servo for my mx......I want a digital one...any suggestions???

    (in reply to KrashMaster)
           Post #: 235

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 8/12/2006 5:59:37 AM   
    bdavison


     

    Posts: 3318
    Joined: 8/23/2004
    From: Warner Robins, GA, USA
    Status: offline     		Your gonna have to go with a large one and mount it to the tail boom. All the micro digitals Ive seen so far are just too slow.

    _____________________________

    teamflyingcircus.com

    (in reply to Kaw1000)
           Post #: 236

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 8/13/2006 5:34:21 PM   
    KrashMaster


     

    Posts: 19
    Joined: 3/24/2006
    From: Liberty, TN, USA
    Status: offline
    quote:

    ORIGINAL: Kaw1000

    Need a tail servo for my mx......I want a digital one...any suggestions???


    I am using the Airtronics 94761 Digital micro, plenty of speed moderate tourque; However MORE THEN ENOUPH TORQUE FOR THE SMOOTH CNC TAIL ROTOR.
    Mounted on the boom with carbon rod for controll instead of skinny 1/16" wire stock the carbon rod tightens up the response removes slop/wagging etc...
    This little servo has lasted through 7 crashes , two helicopters and cost 70 bucks, but I have got my money back in longevity.

    Scott
    "Now if I could just get this $#$%^mn Briggs and Stratton lawn mower motor to fit in the belly of this $#@--%^%$$ thang"


    < Message edited by KrashMaster -- 8/13/2006 5:36:13 PM >

    (in reply to Kaw1000)
           Post #: 237

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 8/14/2006 3:58:47 PM   
    johnnyf



    Posts: 65
    Joined: 2/24/2006
    From: hamilton, ON, CANADA
    Status: offline     		i have had my mx 400 pro for nearly 2 months now and still haven't "flown"!!
    last week the screw fell out of the seesaw while spooling up
    it seems like everytime i get something fixed something else happens- waiting for parts
    glad i still have my blade cx to fly around-although i really would like to get this baby airborne

    (in reply to KrashMaster)
           Post #: 238

    RE: HeliMax MX400 CCPM heli "build" thread - 8/15/2006 5:06:09 PM   
    bdavison


     

    Posts: 3318
    Joined: 8/23/2004
    From: Warner Robins, GA, USA
    Status: offline     		I know what you mean johnny, keeping a MX400 in the air is a constant struggle.

    Ive been fighting with the head for months, trying to get parts, getting them, and having them not fit correctly. Trying to tune it up into a really sweet heli.
    Im almost at that point where Im ready to just trashcan it, and get a TrexSE. I like the way it flys, but its a pain in the arse to keep it air-worthy.

    So far Ive got it running 325mm