450 Clone Project/s (PRLSR's)

[prlsr]

Hi y'all,

I have two partially complete 450 clones I am putting together - slowly. I say "slowly" because I am new at this heli game and need to learn as I go, which I AM (btw).

One of them has a carbon fiber frame & CNC parts - and one has a metal frame and plastic parts. I am starting on the metal-n-plastic version first. That one is the EXI450 from XHeli. www.xheli.com/exial450ve2r.html

The other one is called a T-450 SE and comes from another Hong Kong distributor called KC Supermall/K&V Hobby Shop.
Here is the web link. kcsupermall.com/tsecaedarfal.html

Both are nice birds. But both are set up the same way, unfortunately.

What I mean is, both have upside down motor mounting (pinion up) rather then the mount on top up in front of the rotor head (pinion down). A buddy of mine has a PIGEON that is almost identical to T REX and I was going to get one of those clones. But, I didn't and got what I got. They are a lil harder to work on doing some installation and removal tasks. That is the main downfall of that mounting system.

Other then that I like em BOTH and feel once they're finished BOTH will be excellent, smooth flyers.

Hopefully you guys can help me by offering your own expertise and advice as I piece these things together and hopefully make em flyable.

Taking a rock and giving it wings seems pretty cool to me and is gonna be fun making it happen.

Back with some pictures - and more details, later!

[19000rpm]

Motor placement is a function of the designers take on optimum performance, one the most critical factors being; how the weight is distributed around the roll axis. Designers try to optimize component placement so the heli is neither bottom or top heavy. Different design approaches dictate different motor placement.

The other critical factor is where the servos need be mounted to get the most control surfce movement with the least amount of attachements, control rod movement and flexing. Sometimes, to get optimum servo placement, as per a certain design, there isn't enough room on top for the motor too and other times the motor placement might work either way and it just becomes a matter of personal preference of the designer.

Happy landings

[prlsr]

Thank you for the edification, 19000rpm! It doesn't fall on deaf ears. That makes complete sense regarding "roll" axis and CG balancing. I got what I got so I will "make do".

Here is my heli that I received from KC Supermall. "Bare bones" right now. Gutted at present. Needs all servos, motor-n-ESC, batt., etc.


And here is the EXI from XHELI


I have an EXCEED Alpha 400 in it. I also installed an ESKY 0704B GYRO. I also have a JR Heli servo kit (servos) for it. The servo kit with the big high torque tail-rotor servo.

So, I still have to install the servos, ESC, RX and batt., and make sure she's all balanced. I'm gonna acquire some small nuts and bolts. I like them for servo linkages and such. I used screws till I saw a VID that warned against using them due to possible splitting while in flight. That wouldn't be good.

I will report back for advice as things arise.

[19000rpm]

Those look like decent components for a first build. There should be lots of good advice from the members when you need it.

Happy landings

[BTCat]

Jun 15, 2009 16:27:53 GMT -6 19000rpm said:

Those look like decent components for a first build. There should be lots of good advice from the members when you need it.

Happy landings

Yea, we should be the kings of EXI info by now. And that other one you have looks like a good 450 SE V2 clone, so it should build pretty smoothly. I'll bet it flies well, too.

[prlsr]

Thanks to ALL who have replied for the interest in my build/s.

I DO hope that when they're both done and RTF they BOTH fly well and help me to gain much more knowledge in both the areas of building em, AND, flying/piloting them.

I have some parts on order at this point. Another motor and ESC (different brands) and some essential tools for proper mechanical work. Things like ball-link pliers and a reamer for the connectors to make them fit the ball just right.

Lil by lil I am adding to my tool box those things necessary for proper maintainance (sp?). "The right tools for the job" - as they say!

[prlsr]

Ok, I got motor and ESC. I got them from "CNCHelicopter".


The ESC is a 30A for brushless motors. www.cnchelicopter.com/servlet/the-752/CNCHELICOPTER-XME-dsh-30A-ESC-for/Detail

The brushless motor was sold as a 450 size motor and had enough KV output for a 450 size - but has "no name brand" stamped or written on it. www.cnchelicopter.com/servlet/the-525/OK-dsh-500-dsh-KV3500-Outer-Rotor-Brushless/Detail
Also, upon trying to size up whether it fit or not, it did NOT due to mounting holes being "off" by quite a bit. How the hell can I adapt the motor so it'll fit the frame? It's an upside down style motor-mount and sits within the frame of the heli.

[McKrackin]

There are four mounting screw holes in the motor.
Very often two are different from the others.
Have you tried all four?

[19000rpm]

Ern's right. 90% of the time all you need is to rotate the motor and you'll find a different set of holes that fit the screws.

Happy landings

[prlsr]

Sorry for not responding quicker. I became concerned and overreacted too quick first time I fit the motor into it's place. I see the size difference and discovered it does work when turning it 45 degrees. Thanks guys!

I'll B bak to report further..........

[prlsr]

Question:

What "size" and "type" of screws and nuts would you suggest using for servo mounting? I want a nuts-n-bolts kind of mounting system rather then using wood style screws /w/ no nut. I have never done that before and don't know where to start.

[elkmaster01]

PRLSR,

It would be hard to tell you exactly the size you need,,,you are going above and beyond what most folks do,,,nothing at all wrong with that. Here is a place that sells Stainless Steel screw kits. I got the kit for the T-Rex 600 when I built my 600,,,,they are very good quality and I used them for the whole build. I also have the t-rex 450 screw kit,,,it has enough screws and bolts to replace everything on a 450 heli,,,and then some. I'm sure you can find something in that kit that will work,,,,and,,as time goes by and you do repairs, you can replace most of your screws as you go along. Take a look!

www.rcscrewz.com/index2.php/rcparts/stainless-screw-kits-heli/cPath/350

Randy

[prlsr]

elkmaster01-
Thanks for your info. I appreciate it.

I also appreciate that you mentioned I was going "above and beyond". I thought so too.

It just seems (from a logical standpoint - that's my PROBLEM, logic...) that the added stress of the screw being somewhat "forced" into a hole would make that hole potentially weaker, thus possibly even prone to catestrophic(sp?) failure due to that added stress. With a bolt that fits the hole properly that "problem" is averted. Yes?

Newbies, huh?

[elkmaster01]

Can't argue that. But the main force exuded on the servo mount screw is a shear-load not tensil force,,,,I haven't heard of any problems with those screw/plastic nuts but I'm sure it happens. I always use CA on the screw when it is installed into plastic,,,,,and locktite when metal to metal.

With your attention to detail,,I'm sure you will have a solid durable heli!! You go guy!!

[prlsr]

elkmaster01-

I see what yer saying as far as sheer vs tensile. Makes sense too. Logic - I love it! I suppose I will just get the bolts and nuts. A lil more work at the installation time but more security when it counts.

Thanks again, Randy.

~Phil