Setting up a raptor 30

[BlackHawkMech1]

I am going to try to set up my Raptor 30 by myself. I am sure I will need help from everyone here if they are willing. I ordered a blade protractor and a paddle alignment tool as well as a blade balancer. I have some really basic questions
1. do you adjust pushrods from nominal length to get a desired blade reading.
2. do you limit blade pitch with the servo travel limiting feature in the TX.

I don't know if anyone has a how to up some were or not, but maybe that would be easier. I know I could do it myself with a little guidance. I guess a steer in the right direction.


Chuck

[chaos]

Hello Chuck. You absolutely can do it yourself. A pitch guage is needed and a swash leveling tool, such as this is desirable. Here are some videos that will help:

http://www.moretraction.com/helis/setup%20videos.htm

Blade balance:
http://www.helifever.com/articles/1/1/Blade-Balance

1. do you adjust pushrods from nominal length to get a desired blade reading.

I assume you're talking about collective pitch. If it's close don't bother, just go fly the thing. You can always come back and tinker some more. One of the things I like about this hobby is tinkering. But to your question, you can change the pitch by changing the length of the control rod that goes from the swash to the mixing lever. However, for as much as you increase pitch at one end of swash vertical movement, you loose it at the other end.

2. do you limit blade pitch with the servo travel limiting feature in the TX.

Yes. Make sure no servo is trying to drive anything farther than it can go.

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Hi,


There is some very good information on the setting up of the raptor series of heli's on the Rays Authoratative helicopter series DVD set.
He sets up a raptor 50 in the DVD set right through to flight and flight trimming. It is very informative and also has some very good tips to aid the setting up of the heli. Such as useing a ice lolly stick to hold the flybar yolk horizontal just a slight edge prep on the stick and you have the ideal tool. The DVD set is deffinatly worth the cost especially if your useing the raptor.

I have the set myself and it takes you through radio settings which can be used for most radio's. Ray uses the JR9303 radio but I use the Futaba and the advice he gives still made a lot of sence.

Other than this if your stuck for any advice just ask here and we will do our best to help you.

When you adjust your pitch settings with the radio TX, you can allso check your servo travel and limit it useing the ATV function, If any of your servos are buzzing then you have binding at some point. EXample: I have had buzing coming from my tail rotor servo and even though I had the stick centered it still buzzed this told me that there was some resistance against the servo arm. I found that the tail pitch adjustment rod was clamped too hard in the support hole. Drilling the hole slightly larger stopped the binding. If the servo's buz at the limit of there travel then you will need to use the servo limit function (ATV) to stop this by reducing the travel of the servo. when the buzzing stops your servo will no longer be stressing and your battery power will stay good longer.

[hawkman]

You will find that blade tracking will need to be done....I use red tape on one blade end and yellow on the other....I use it for balance too so the tape stays where it is....this way the heli can be hovered and the tracking checked....if the tracking is out you will see two blades...or two tips....the colour contrast will tell you which is flying high....the heli can be then landed and the appropiate pitch rod then adjusted to suit.

Rob