It's a very simple tool with the key being to get things level, My first TRex I just eyed it while with my 2nd V2 I guy loaned me one and it worked out pretty good. Many guys where I fly just eye ball it.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind when I am ready to get another charger / balancer setup. For right now, I don't want to purchase another balancer. I found [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSEK1&P=M]this adaptor[/link] on Tower, so it looks like I won't have a problem with these packs with my current setup. [8D]

Over the weekend, I started on the CCPM setup. First, I bound the Rx to my DX7. I had already set up a new model in the DX7 and set up all of the defaults. I then connected all of the servos to the Rx and started testing for proper movements and for servo horn 90 degree positon.

I first found that I had to reverse channel six to get the left front (pitch) servo working properly. At first, I thought that I had to adjust the swash menu, but it turned out that the servo just needed to be reversed. Once I did that, then all of the motions were correct. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I got the "Finless-approved" swash setting tool from Fireup over at HeliFreak. I started by leveling the swash to the tool and then started working my way up. Tonight, I'll continue to work up from the swash until I get to the blades. Then, it will be time to put the blades on and install my pitch gauge!

More pix tomorrow!

Okay! As promised, last night I completed the CCPM setup! Fireup's swash spacer tool made the setup quite easy. The block makes it easy to set the initial height and level of the swash plate, and then it was very easy to work my way up from there. [8D]

I started out with about a 24 degree pitch range and then dialed that down to +/- 10 degrees using the swash menu on my DX7.

Tonight, I am going to go back and start almost completely over and get it perfect. Once that is done, all I will have to do is to enter my throttle and pitch curves, setup the tail servo and gyro, and then attach my training gear!


THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL! Soon, I will be joining the ranks of TREX pilots!

One potential problem, though: my servos are making a "clicking" noise. I have recorded a video clip whee you can hear the sound fairly well. I would appreciate it if someone (or several someones) could watch it and give me your feedback on whether or not I should take these back to the LHS where I bought them.

NOTE: The clicking sound DOES NOT correspond with servo glitching, i.e. no movement on the servos at all with this sound. Servos function normally and do not make any grinding sounds or anything like that. I have tried to isolate this sound to a single servo, but all three of the cyclic servos make the sound when plugged into the Rx.

Here is the link to the video.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...voclicking.flv

Did you follow finless vid on the installation. I elongated my screw holes a little as they wouldnt go straight through. Although it was only a little bit and most people might not worry about it, i wanted the servo to be installed with zero stress on the casing. Finless mention this mod in the servo installation vid for the hs65. Not sure if that you problem but mine do not make that noise.

I actually had plenty of "slop" in the servo mounts, so I don't think that's the problem. However, when I get home tonight, I will definitely check on that. Thanks!

Can you be sure it is the cyclic servos and not the tail servo. If you were bumping the bench slightly (and i mean ever so slightly) it might cause the tail servo to make those noises. If it is your cyclic servos then i would suggest pulling the screws out, offer the servo to the frame and make sure the wholes line up 100%. Even the slightest bit out will cause the casing to distort.

Yes, I can be sure that it wasn't the tail, as I don't even have the tail / gyro plugged into the Rx yet!

I will be sure to make sure that the servo cases aren't subject to any distortion when I get home. Hopefully, that's an easy fix.

Like I said, though, the servo arms aren't moving at all when this sound happens, and they make normal noises when you move the sticks.

Well, it sounds as if the sound is normal. A couple of guys on a different forum with the same servos said that this noise was normal for digital servos.

So last night, I went back through the CCPM setup again. I'm glad I did. I had a couple of things out of adjustment. Now, she's dialed in with the swash at the right height and a full 20 degrees of pitch travel. I also checked for proper pitch on aileron and elevator. I finished the night by setting up my throttle and pitch curves!

Tonight, I move on to the tail servo / gyro setup. I have the DX7, GY401 and the 9650. Does anyone have any advice for making this setup go smoothly? I have read a lot about setting up the tail in rate mode first and then switching to HH mode and tweaking it from there. Is that necessary? I am a n00b and don't plan on flying it rate mode at all.

Holy Sh*t!!!! I think I am done. Yes, done!

I got the tail servo and GY401 set up last night. There was a bit of confusion, though. I downloaded and followed Jermo from HeliFreak's video on setting up the DX7 for the TREX 450. In the part about gyro setup, he tells us to change input select on the GEAR channel to GYRO mode and use the GYRO SENS menu to set each point at 72%. The problem was that if I did that, I could never get the gyro into rate mode to test for range of travel and get the servo positioned correctly on the boom.

My friend that I have been working with told me to do it a different way. He told me to set the GEAR channel to GEAR, and then control the GYRO mode by flicking the gear switch. He also had me set the travel adjust on the gear channel to U72 and D100, When I did this, the gyro acted normally and would toggle between HH and rate mode.

The only thing I have left bto do beore spinning her up is to program the ESC and then balance the blades.

I can't believe it, but I am almost done with my build!!!! [8D]

A new TRex is on KnifEdge's site for download. Pretty good.
[link]http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=3417[/link]

Thanks! I have that one already. Do you find tfhat the new V2 model flies failrly similar to the real; thing?

Last night, I FINISHED MY BUILD!

Yes, I am finally done! It has taken me almost a month, but it is finished!

I cleared my final hurdle last night. I plugged her in after programming teh ESC and she would spin on the ground uncontrollably. [] Luckily, it was an easy fix: reverse the gyro direction! I did that and now, the tail is rock solid!

I took a video clip of spinning her up and doing a couple of tentative hops in the garage last night. The audio on this clip doesn't do justice to the incrdible sound coming from this Heli! There is a LOT of power there! [8D]

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t=c6ecf0e9.flv

So, this officially ends my TREX 450 V2 build log. From here on out, I will post questions, pix and video under separate topic headings. I hope that you have all enjoyed the ride and that this was beneficial for some of you who may be on the same track as I. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to continue to post here, but this will be my last build post.

Thank you to everyone who posted here. [sm=thumbs_up.gif] Your input comments and suggestions have helped me finish this beautiful Heli! Here are some pix for you to enjoy.

Congrats BryFlyGuy67!

Is similar. I find the sim's controller too sensitive even on low rates. I havn't hooked up my regular transmitter yet.

I don't see the Align stickers on the canapy.

Did you ever use that 16oz claw hammer I see on your work bench on TRex?

LOL! No, thank God I didn't! I never even got frustrated enough to consider it!

BTW, P47, you have been one of the regulars contributing to my build thread and I would like to thank you personally for your Help.

As far as canopies, I don't know if I will put the stickers on that one or not. I think that the stock ALign canopy will be my "flying" canopy. I have two others that are meant for vanity only right now. One of them is a clear plastic canopy that I will be painting this weekend. I may put the stickers on that one.

I think you will really enjoy flying Rex around.

In my 1st real crash the canapy was damaged pretty good. Epoxy fixed it up pretty good and that is the canapy I fly around with - just incase.

For show I use the original canapy (a new one) with stickers. This winter, I am going to try out my artistic ability and air brush the crashed canapy.