Swash Limits

[chaos]

I'm just wondering what others do about keeping the swashplate within limits. I'm thinking of buying one of those circular things for my cyclic stick on the TX. Currently I'm just limiting the swash using endpoints so that it doesn't jam in the corners. What do you do about this?

Background, in case this isn't clear. The stick that we use for cyclic control is really designed for an airplane. It's range of motion is a square. That's fine for an airplane, where up/down and left/right actuate two different control surfaces. But on the heli we're using that stick to tilt the swashplate, and its range of motion should be a circle because the maximum possible swash tilt is the same in any direction. If you adjust the endpoints so that the maximum elevator stick gives maximum fore/aft swash tilt, and maximum aileron stick gives maximum left/right tilt, then if you put the stick in a corner you will be jamming the servo because you're trying to tilt the swash beyond its range of motion. If you back off the endpoints so that you don't jam the servo in the corners, then you will only have about 71% of the max possible tilt in the pure fore/aft and left/right directions.

Currently, I'm using endpoints to keep from grinding up the parts when the stick is in the corners, and I'm not such a hot pilot that I need every scrap of possible swash movement. But one day... and I was wondering how well that circle thing works. Does it stay put? Does anyone use it?

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Hi,

I Have come accross somebody with this problem before. The best possible solution to this problem is to buy yourself a cyclic ring. However if the ring is not an option. then the best way to avoid the dreaded main mast binding is to bring the swash as far as you can to the corners without binding. use your limit travel setting on your radio to prevent it binding on the mast.
This is not ideal however and what you will find is that you will not have full deflection in the elevator or the aileron. This cannot be avoided, The ring is the way to go if you want to be able to get full elevator and aileron.
With the radio stick area being almost square and the swash being circular this is a problem that you realy must be aware of if you are going to do moves like the caos. You dont want to slow the head down with binding.

So if you want to avoid binding you have 3 choices,
1 get a cyclic ring and set your radio acording to the ring.
2 set your ATV/servo travel limits on the angle to prevent the swash touching. (Beware you will loose elevator travel and aileron travel)
3 Just don't go into the corners of your stick gymbol on your radio.

[chaos]

Yep, but I don't like the idea of "be careful" around the corners because I know I'll forget in a moment of terror and I'm not keen on burning up a servo or busting gears and so on. So I just set the endpoints to keep me in the playpen no matter where I put the stick. But I was wondering if anyone here uses the ring and if it stays put when the stick is against it. I have visions of it poping out. I don't see any way to lock it in place. But, they're cheap enough that I guess I can afford to just go ahead and give it a try... use it as a frizbie if it's more of a pain than a help. I don't have any rc airplanes so I guess I could glue it in place. I'm not fond of that idea though.

[Jeff0r3]

Chaos, I use endpoints to limit my swash from grinding out and stalling. Although I was told that it will mainly just kill your headspeed if it does bind. I was told to just try not to "bang the sticks" hard. But I too have wondered, if I get in a situation and get excited trying a new trick and get in a hairy position and need everything I can to get out of that predicament, what exactly will happen. One of the best pilots at my club has one of those cyclic rings, but its in his tool box. I can't remember why he doesn't use it. But I may give him a call and find out and I'll relay his input on it. But as far as I know, everyone in my club uses endpoints to keep that from happening. Even if you do lose some elevator or aieleron, its better than losing your headspeed or tearing the heli up. I'm glad you brought this up, I'm going to call now.

Jeff

[chaos]

Thanks, Jeff0r3. I'm interested to know why he doesn't use it. I ordered one. Currently, I'm setting endpoints to prevent the corner bangs. It cuts the control to about 71% of max available, but I'm not such a hotshot that I need it all. I have enough fun and challenge for now and I don't need that extra 29% control. If I was so good that I could do maneuvers without forgetting not to tread in the corners, then I guess I wouldn't bother. Right now, though, I'm often terrorized and would surely fail to avoid the corners. I don't mind just loosing a little head speed, but I don't want to grind up a servo and loose the heli. If that circle contraption stays in place, if it works reliably, I'll use it and reset my endpoints. I was just wondering if it stayed put. Like, if terror strikes and you bang the stick into a corner, does the thing stay put or does it pop out. They're cheap, so I'll find out. If it tends to come out I guess I could try some double-side sticky tape. I like the idea of having full control at hand, but I don't wanna cause my servos to commit suicide. I can't afford a whole fleet of helis.

Well, I didn't win the lottery, again. But wow, wouldn't that buy a bunch of helis!