CCPM Confussion

[Cape Cod Copterguy]

I have a new Align 450 x heli and am using a JR 9303 radio. I have tried numerous times to setup the control on this heli to no avail. I followed the setup and with the servo reverse switches and the swash mix appeared to work correctly on the bench. On the floor with the esc and motor hooked up every time I apply power to lift off it spools up but refuses to lift off now matter how much I change the pitch values. The heli will however get light on the skids and dump over on its side when passing thru mid stick on the way down.
I have flown and setup standard Raptors and currently have a MX400 Pro that I am setting up and flying now. This is my first CCPM setup and it seems to keep me at bay and unable to figure it out.
Just wandering if someone might have any ideas as to what might be wrong before I fix the T-Rex to try again.

Thanks, David

[AaronS]

There are many things that could cause this. It is hard to say what it is for sure without more info. It could be that the head speed is way too low. Make sure you have the full pitch range available, you should have 9 or 10 degrees of pitch at the top, but it should lift off about half that much pitch. It could be you have way too much pitch and loading the motor down. Can you give us some more info on headspeed and setup? you mentioned you changed the pitch values, are you talking about the values in the radio? and if so, did you check the pitch range to see if those changes are working?

[Cape Cod Copterguy]

Head speed is definately not too low. I am running an align 430L 2800 motor with a 13 tooth pinion and stock blades. Pitch was originally setup in hover mode with +9 on top and 0 on bottom. I do remember something else. When the heli is run and throttled up the rotor seemed to tilt and the more throttle given the more it tilted and seemed to be forcing the heli harder against the floor. This must explain why when the throttle is reduced and the heli got light on the skids it tipped over hard.
This all happens only when the heli is run. Nothing appears to go in any wrong directions when operated on the bench without the motor connected.
I also had a similar problem with my X400 Pro when I had a blade strike an object and broke a linkage on the head. I didn't relize anything was wrong until I spooled it up and it wouldn't lift off as only one blade was getting pitch commands. My T-rex however did not have anything broken on the head.
Hope this is a little better info and thanks for trying to help.
David

[AaronS]

Make sure you don't have any mixes going that shouldn't be there. Do you have all of the servo horns set at 90' when the head is at 0'? Are all of the linkages the same distance from center on the servos? It sounds like it is something that should be obvious if you know what you are looking for, can you find any local flyers that can take a look at it? I would be glad to do that myself, but you are on the other side of the country. Sometimes it just takes another set of eyes to see something you are overlooking, but it is very difficult to diagnose something like this without seeing it in person, but keep trying, you will figure it out.

[kcasner]

I have a new Align 450 x heli and am using a JR 9303 radio. I have tried numerous times to setup the control on this heli to no avail. I followed the setup and with the servo reverse switches and the swash mix appeared to work correctly on the bench. On the floor with the esc and motor hooked up every time I apply power to lift off it spools up but refuses to lift off now matter how much I change the pitch values. The heli will however get light on the skids and dump over on its side when passing thru mid stick on the way down.
I have flown and setup standard Raptors and currently have a MX400 Pro that I am setting up and flying now. This is my first CCPM setup and it seems to keep me at bay and unable to figure it out.
Just wandering if someone might have any ideas as to what might be wrong before I fix the T-Rex to try again.

Thanks, David

Make a new model or clear the one you have for your trex. in the model setup menu... select swash type of 120 degrees. I'm not sure if you have a futaba or JR receiver. JR is channels 2/3/6 for the swash. At this point, only reverse switches
, dont' mess with any other setting, to make sure the swash moves up and down evenly. Now stare at the front of the heli, left front swash arm is channel 2, right arm channel 6, back arm, channel 3 (Off the top of my head, hope I remembered that correctly). Now set your collective on the trasmitter to 50%, centering all sticks. From the swash up to the top of the head, adjust the linkages so everything is level (except the main blades). Once that is done, then adjust the linkages that attach to the main blade grips until you are at 0% pitch.

Once this is done, you should be flying as is... you may want to add some expo, but I wouldnt' suggest anything above 40%, and setup throttle/pitch curves.

Hope this helps.

[Cape Cod Copterguy]

I am using a Hitec Electron 6 channel reciever. When I steup the heli I seem to remember not being able to get the swash to move correctly without changing the swash mix.
Aaron, yes all linkages are at the same distance and I did center all horns before final setup.
I have no local flyers here. I have been teaching myself as I find time in between the work schedule and unfortunately I know more about heli's than my local hobbyshop. I am almost tempted to catch a plane and bring it to you but that won't happen, not now anyways.
I guess I will repair the damage and try again. I read the article in RC Heli about CCPM and still didn't work but it has to be something I can't see right in front of me.
Thanks for all the input. I know it's hard to diagnose something sight unseen as I am a fleet mechanic and often have to do just that over a phone to workers in the field.
I do love the RC Heli magazine and it's the best subscription ( Xtreme RC cars is 2nd)
that I have ever had!!

Thanks, David :)

[AaronS]

keep at it and at the very least, try to make it to a fun fly, local or otherwise. that is probably your best bet for finding local help. I never heard for sure if you have the swash working properly, ie it moves up and down with collective and tilts with cyclic. if that truly is working correctly, it has to be either something on the head, or headspeed. can you post a picture of your setup?

[Cape Cod Copterguy]

When operated on the bench without going thru the motor the operation of the swash moves in the correct direction with control input.
However, when run up on the floor it would appear as if the swash at half throttle and up pushes the front part down.
Unfortunately I have no picture/ computer type gear. The heli is broken and in need of repair so the info I have given is all I can remember since its demise.
I am currently searching to find any area in Massachusettes where heli guys hangout.

Thanks, David