RE: axe cp thread
 

RCS,

thanks man!! that will work, I've done that before (while building guns, not heli's)

RE: axe cp thread
 

As far as removing the main shaft from the main gear, I've found that you need to support the gear with a screw driver stuck through the frame so the gear doesn't "tilt" and bind on the shaft. It still requires a convincer (hammer) though. Haven't tried the freezer method.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Strat when I replaced my first mainshaft I had to hammer it out with a punch. So before I installed the new one I polished it with some aluminum polish. It still fits snug, but will pull out fairly easily when it needs to be replaced. I just stick an Allen key through the top hole after removing the rotor head and yank in out. It also allow for smoother swashplate movement on the shaft.

A drill or Dremel makes the job easier. If using a drill just be sure to protect the part of the shaft in the chuck with a piece of hose or tape so it doesn't get marred.

Good Luck!

RE: axe cp thread
 

What an addiction!! I have had my Axe CP for about 3 weeks. I have no simulator or instructor. I have went throught one set of wooden blades and am now using plastic traner blades from Tower. I have went through six blade grips. Have crashed I don't know how many times in the living room. The chair and sofa likes to eat blades and grips. I have made short hovers in the yard when there is no wind. So, someday I think I will be able to fly the thing. arobatics is out of the question so far. I have never seen anyother heli except the hoppy shop so can't commit. But between Tower and a local hobby shop I have now trubble getting parts. I have red all tyhe post and please keep them going.

Thanks

RE: axe cp thread
 

Frankly, I'm amazed that you have been able to fly it at all with no simulator or other help. It is NOT a beginner's helicopter. If your LHS has a simulator set up (many do), get in there and practice on a trainer .30 size and you'll be amazed how much better you will do. I have the Axe CP and T-Rex 600 and the T-Rex is mucn, much easier to fly!

RE: axe cp thread
 

Need to gloat: I don't want to suck up extra server space, but if you want to see an Axe CP with night blades, here you go...

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5839587

:) They're pretty cool, but you need time and TLC to make 'em fit.

Now on to the EL wire....

EDIT:
Just ordered the EL wire, a green and a blue w/the power module.. [sm=shades_smile.gif]

RE: axe cp thread
 

Yes, the larger helis are easier to fly but if you can fly the smaller ones just think how much better of a bigger heli flyer you will be. I went from a micro helicopter to a 450 size heli with no problems.
You will also see posts from larger heli flyers who want to try something small for indoor and around the yard flying who have a really hard time with the smaller helis even to the point they just give up. Im up to about 20 helis now and still buying[&:][:@]

RE: axe cp thread
 

You're right. When I first tried the simulator on the Axe CP, I would crash almost instantly. (I had NO heli experience at that time, though.) After learning on the Dominion 90 3D, I found I could go back and fly the heck out of the Axe CP, doing all kinds of stuff with it. It is different for sure and I am just getting the hang of my real CP. It does NOT fly anything like the simulator, frankly, even after changing out servos, other things. I'm still trying, though. Just put the fourth flight on my T-Rex 600 and boy, is it sweet. Happy Landings!

RE: axe cp thread
 

Alright I still didn't get rid of my axe. It has been sitting in the box for three weeks. I just tested it again and it still doesn't fly right. Whats to wable. I still think it is the e-board, the large black component is getting hot. It gets so hot that if it were any hotter I wouldn't be able to touch it. I an pretty sure that this is not normal. And this is after flying for only about a minute. Just to check how hot do yours get. After a minute and a half of flight it becomes completely uncontrolable.

RE: axe cp thread
 

r/cheliman,

the black chip on 3in1 if getting that hot.. then it is definately your 3in1 defective. I had the same problem after 2 weeks of flying.. and finally after getting a replacement everything went back to normal.. now it barely gets warm.. but i still only fly for 5 mins and 5 mins segments.

Call the dealer and ask for replacement before it runs out of warranty.

good luck..
squadri.

RE: axe cp thread
 

You should just send it back to Hobby Services. They will either repair or replace your heli. I sent mine in and instead of fixing it they sent a new one probably because it had the old blade grip spindle installed. The new one hovers so silky smooth with the updated servos it's like night and day. Give Hobby Services an email and explain what's going on and request a replacement e-board.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Well I am extremely confused. Just flew again, by flew I me it worked perfectly no wabling. I thought maybe the lipo was running to many volts through the e-board, wasn't that.
But again it was relativally cool out. When I flew earlier it was hot and humid. The cool air is keeping the e-board cool, but it wasn' any hotter than where some of you are flying so I'm going to give tower or helimax a call and see what they can do fo me. My heli might be out of warranty so if they can't do anything I will only fly at night.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Wow! Just read the last post I made, BAD spelling!!! We have a Hobby Town USA in Tulsa which is 50 miles from home. The next time I'm there I will ask if they have a simulator I can try. One thing that happend, the screws on the tail rotor worked loose and the gears disenguaged. I was only about 1 ft off the ground but broke two more blade grips!! Back together but too nervice to try tonight.

RE: axe cp thread
 

@bvillepiper: Geez, that must've been a gut puncher. Hover one second then total disintegration the next. I'd just stand in shock for a couple minutes.

Anyway, anyone ever have this happen to them: After landing and allowing the chopper to stop completely, you turn off your transmitter, and doing so causes the main rotor to spin up real quick then slow normally to a stop. This of course wears down some of the teeth on the main gear. I've had this happen to me twice and fortunately I didn't have my hands near the blades of death. Lately, I've been turning the transmitter off while blades are still spinning down to avoid this.

RE: axe cp thread
 

s_mcflurry,

Do Not turn the TX off first.

After bringing heli to a complete halt- undo the power supply to the heli than turn the TX off.

Turning the TX off should be the last step.

Yes- if you turn the TX off first, it can cause heli speed up and can even jump up cause of no signal coming to the reciever thus causing glitches-

Thanks,
squadri.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Usually you want to turn on the Tx before plugging in the battery to the heli and turn off the Tx only after the battery from the heli has been unplugged.

RE: axe cp thread
 

I have turned off the transmitter before the battery was unplugged a couple of timesby mistake, but fortunatly I didn't have any stray radio signals in the area so the heli didn't even twitch.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Oh wow, I must be dyslexic or something...I swear it read it as "battery then transmitter on and reverse for power down". I guess I've been real lucky up until this point. [sm=omg_smile.gif] Thanks all for the responses.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Yes I would say that you have been lucky. I think that in the manual it lists the proper start and shutdown process 2 or 3 times. LOL

RE: axe cp thread
 

whEEeEEeEEEeeEEEeeeEEEee!!

So Im outside flying nose into a gentle florida breeze when that gentle breeze suddenly became a gust!! The heli shot up into the air to about 15 feet off the ground. Mind you I have never flown higher than eye level. Panick set in and I dropped the throttle and watched as my heli plummeted down to the unforgiving ground (during this time eerything seemed to move slower). As I watched the Axe fall I remembered reading something Markind (my inspiration to just go out and fly) wrote that went something to the effect of "... throttle is your friend...". So I figured, "It's gonna break wen it hits the ground anyway, may as well try to save it.". So I get back on the throttle just as the heli is about to smash into the ground.

So about a foot off the ground the heli flares and starts to clim back up, VERY QUICKLY!! OoOps too much throttle!!!! Now the heli is about 25 feet in the air AND nose-in!!!!!! I kept my cool and slowly brought the tail back towards me (because Im not good at nose-in hovering) and slowly let off the throttle and gently landed the heli on a patch of grass. I didn't crash it! I actually flew it!! WHAT A FKIN RUSH!!! Next time I'm out I'll try to purposefully fly it up high!!

I think Im going to try some FF next time I go out... Just go for broke and try it.

RE: axe cp thread
 

good recovery! Go for it!

RE: axe cp thread
 

Nice reco ATB![sm=thumbs_up.gif]

RE: axe cp thread
 

Ah, that's a great and inspiring story, ATB! Makes me want to leave my sheltered patio and subject my Axe to the elements. LOL.

In other news, I tried autorotations on my RealFlight G3.5 demo (can't afford the full version) and it's pretty fun, even though it's on my keyboard.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Hey all I'm back! I've been getting a little stick time here and there but its been windy in the mornings lately, so I dove in to a total mechanical overhaul and inspection when my 'feathering spindle upgrade' finally came in.

WHOA!! Glad I took her down!! The plastic bit that the Top Button screws into was on the verge of breaking and fell apart into several pieces during a bench test!! I totally saved a crash! Whew! I can't emphasize enough about regular mechanical checks! I attacked her with my Pitch Gauge and I think everything is close to default. I cannot set the blade Tracking until I replace the broken part.

Just then, my DX7 showed up!! :D So, I began the tedious process of creating a new program...

It will be a little while before I can get her to hover confidently again... :eek:

I also found out this nasty problem during a bench test - if the radio is shut off, the Throttle kicks up to FULL. Bad! Terrible safety problem!! I think I need to go through the Binding procedure again... ?

Glad to hear about all the progress you guys have made with your helis! And, sorry about the crashes... Remember most crashes are avoidable so always double- and triple- check everything and be calm and calculating about your next move. Be the ICEMAN. Execute with precision. Use SMALL stick movements. ANTICIPATE what the model wants to do, and be on the correction ahead of it.

If you possibly can, install DSM radio you'll love the freedom from channels and interference and the ability to program in a gentle response for the Axe CP which helps the beginners learn to hover more quickly and confidently.

If you possibly can, get help from experienced modelers. Really, really this helps soooo much...

If you possibly can, dump that stock NiMh pack and go LiPo!

If you possibly can, install a Gy240 or better. I did and I really freakin' LOVE IT!!

THE THROTTLE IS YOUR FRIEND!! Way to avoid that crash, ailenteabagger!!! You know what its like to ROCK now, dude!!

The next step is really hard to swallow - ALTITUDE IS YOUR FRIEND!!! I know, I know, it goes against the grain, big time. Very scary, AT FIRST. Make sure you have plenty of sim time under your thumbs. Once you are confident at 'hovering around' here and there, the ALTITUDE will buy you TIME - the critical time you need to recover from a mistake or a lost orientation.

I heard one guy at the park say 'get her 50 feet up there - you need to practice without having the ground so close'. I though he was nuts at first but this really where the experts want you to be when flying your first circuits. Its TIME TO LEAVE THE COMFORTABLE NEST OF MOTHER EARTH AND SOAR!! :D

Some of this sucks but I plan on crashing (not!) the Axe a few more times before stepping into a TREX. :D Prolly next year... No rush - the Axe is FUN!!

RE: axe cp thread
 

well, I got some stick time sunday, some dumbass forgot to extend the antenna which resulted in a crash, ouch!

with that said, my main CP is sitting on the shelf, it will spin up but not lift off, I've put an entire new head on it and still the same deal, batteries are good, I tried three packs. This is the same thing my original did, I'm beginning to think it's electronics (reciever or ESC) and leaning towards the reciever because it's the only electronics left that are stock..

anyhow, tonight, I'm going to combine two heli's into one and get airborn again...