Sticky Collective

thought i might add this in since its a new forum subject


the dreaded sticky collective!


On throttle up the helicopter refuses to lift off. The normal response from most pilot's is to add more throttle. So the head speed increases and still no lift off. Suddenly, without warning the heli rockets off into the sky.
Horizon, has stepped up, admitted the problem, and actively worked to fix it.

this was taken from http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...rodID=EFLH1100
here u can see other helpfull tips to resoalving this problem


Some customers have reported “stickiness” in the collective response due to drag of the washers/spacers on the bearings in the Main Blade Grips (037). To help prevent this you may choose to replace or reduce the diameter of the Washer (040) in the blade grips and swap it with the Washer/Spacer (039).

Please keep in mind that this may actually amplify the negative effect of a noisy or worn bearing. If you do still experience stickiness after making this change, you should replace the Bearings (014) in the blade grip. E-flite is working on a further improvement for future product after testing is complete.

First you will need to remove the Main Blades (042) from the main blade grips by removing the Socket Head Cap Screw (036). Then remove one of the two Socket Head Cap Screws (013) from the Spindle (016). This will require the use of two 1.5mm hex wrenches (one 1.5mm hex wrench is already included in the Mounting Accessories bag included with your Blade CP), one to hold the spindle and one socket head cap screw from rotating and the other to loosen the other socket head cap screw. After removing one of these socket head caps screws you will then be able to remove the main blade grips and spindle shaft from the center hub (after also disconnecting the Paddle Control Frame Pushrods [009] and Pitch Control Links [006]). Some force may be required, so be careful not to lose any of the Washers/Spacers (039, 040), Stepped Washer (015) or O-Rings (038).

After removing the spindle from the main blade grip, wrap the spindle with a cloth or paper towel and grip the spindle tightly with pliers. This will allow you to remove the second socket head cap screw from the spindle with a 1.5mm hex wrench. With both socket head cap screws, washers and washer/spacers removed you can choose to reduce the diameter of the washers (040) to approximately no more than 3/8” (~5.0mm) or replace them with two 2mm flat washers (like those available at most shops from Du-Bro; DUB2107).

Once you have reduced the diameter or replaced the washers, you will now need to re-assemble the spindle and blade grip assembly, reversing the location of these washers with the washer/spacers (039). The order of parts when assembled to the spindle will now be:

Socket Head Cap Screw (013), Washer/Spacer (039), reduced diameter/2mm flat Washer (040), Spindle (016)

Repeat this assembly order for the other end of the spindle once you have properly re-installed all the blade grip, stepped washer, O-ring, etc. parts on the helicopter using the exploded view for reference. Once you have confirmed all parts have been assembled correctly, paying particular attention to the fact that the reduced diameter/2mm flat washers should be contacting the inner race of the outer blade grip bearings (the bearings closest to the main rotor blades), use the two 1.5mm hex wrenches to firmly tighten both socket head cap screws in the spindle. Re-install the paddle control frame pushrods and pitch control links and the model will now be ready for test flying. Do note that some small changes to the blade tracking may be required, depending on the positions in which you re-install the pitch control links.

liljimmy162,
Thanks for the information and link, I believe this is happening to a kit that i just recieved... I had it at almost 3/4 Throttle and it was just skimming the floor and of course heading to the left. Since im new to Piloting Heli's and or any aircraft I took to the manual and forums and found that your was the most extensive.... Thank you for that. I am hoping after taking the parts off and swapping the washers this corrects things so that i can dial it in.... 1 quick question though after i do this and try to get the Trimming adjusted on the 4 in1 if it still turns to the left or only seems that it will bank left is there anything else i can try before bringing this back to the LHS where i got it for more assistance?

Thanks again great post!

Originally Posted by PTK502

liljimmy162,
Thanks for the information and link, I believe this is happening to a kit that i just recieved... I had it at almost 3/4 Throttle and it was just skimming the floor and of course heading to the left. Since im new to Piloting Heli's and or any aircraft I took to the manual and forums and found that your was the most extensive.... Thank you for that. I am hoping after taking the parts off and swapping the washers this corrects things so that i can dial it in.... 1 quick question though after i do this and try to get the Trimming adjusted on the 4 in1 if it still turns to the left or only seems that it will bank left is there anything else i can try before bringing this back to the LHS where i got it for more assistance?

Thanks again great post!

If you do the sticky collective correction make sure that o-rings (038) are properly set in the centerhub (008) in there seats and gaps are equal. Also, are you setting your throttle trim high enough to insure headspeed during the hover?? I always set mine up to the point that tail rotor is starting to turn prior to run up. The first time flight for me was much like what you describe and setting the throttle trim up made all the differance.
Good luck!! hope this helped...

hey sorry i havent gotten back to u in a wile PTK502, with ur question on how it turns to the left. Im not quite shure what would be the problem but give me till later on tonight to figure out the problem and ill try and get back to u as soon as possible.

hopfully the problem with the sticky collective is gone and u fixed that, but ill do my best with looking for the problem

-matt

hey i looked online for more information just in case it did still head left, um i didnt quite see anything online, i would test the helicopter my self if i had the e-flite blade cp but most of the time im working on my freinds e-flite blade cp so i cant really help u thier right now .If i it keeps heading left i would then at that point let ur LHS look at it and see what they say

liljimmy162,

Thanks I appreciate that, and for all and any information you come across. I havnt had a chance yet to fix it, I figure ill hedge my bets a little and im thinking that ill just rebuild the blade grips and get the 2mm washers and bearings that arent made by eflite and see what happens from there. Due to labor day my LHS was closed so im going to jump in on Tuesday and get what i need. I got a beautifal job in that i can work on the heli while takin calls... I of course I dont recommend or would even try to fly it while taking calls but hey... Ill report back once i have the parts in everything straightened out... Oh on a side note i did a quick test more of whats in the guide I anchored the Blade down and brought it up to like 1/4 - 1/2 throtte and used the controls to see if the rotor disk moved left right forwar and back well from what i can see if moved only in the left foward direction..... will see what happens when the swash and collective are fixed
l8rs

And here it is I thought I was a Moron for almost putting it through my ceiling today. I guess no matter what you buy you are bound to have problems! So far I've spent $350 on 2 seperate birds and still have to debug. Oh well guess I'll still have to go to work tomorrow to pay for this stuff!!!

Well I rebuilt the Swash and tried to get it trimmed, thought i had it set and tried to hover it and it decided to go left all on its own, then right and then after getting nervous and powerdown and crashed the bird on pavement... Ouch , $40 bucks in parts, after its togethor im going to bring to the LHS and ask him to Trim it for me and then go from there .....