EXI 500

[McKrackin]

Gonna be a couple week build at least.
Should be fun.
I have ordered the EXI500CF and it is enroute.
I have my servos.Three DS510's and a DS520.
I have my motor.Scorpion 3026 1400kv.

The Scorpion was damaged in a crash and I repaired it recently.
Got the shaft and clip kit from Innov8tive Designs for under $10 shipped.
I called them to check on a backorder status and they offered to send the parts free even when I told them it was crash damage.Cool.I told them maybe next time but thanks since I had already paid for it.

It was super simple.
You need a large vise or a 1 ton press.I used a press to take it apart and a vise to put it back together.



The magnets on these Scorpions are crazy strong.It was really hard to pull it apart but putting it back together is simple.Just sort of introduce the halves to each other.The first time I did it almost took my fingertips off.lol...



I also ordered the stainless fastener kit from Rcscrewz.com so I think I can replace the blade grip screws and use the stock tail.
We'll see.

I am also going to have to check out the EXI swash plate before I use it.Any thoughts or opinions on it?

Like I said,the heli is enroute and it will be a week before I order the FL-760 3G FBL kit.

Edit-I have decided against the FBL for now.
I'll wait for the bugs to get worked out and the price to come down some.

More to follow.....

[McKrackin]

Got the kit today.
It's a pretty sweet kit really.
Got some shoddy work here and there.
The holes in the frame for the servo mounts and wiring ties aren't completely through.I had to chase the holes and clean the debris with a razor.
At first I thought the main shaft was bent but after I tore it all apart I found the rotor button is off center in the head.

The frame out of the box...


I started by splitting the frame.
There is no better way to run the wiring and install the servos.



This is also a good time to install the main gear so you can set the gear height and gear mesh.I replaced the jesus bolts right then.Heard too many stories of the EXI bolts.



I went ahead and built the tail after replacing the blade grip retaining screws with stainless steel ones.


I'm stuck on money for a week or so now.
I did get a gift from Readyheli.They like me spending time and money on their site I guess.lol....
High speed blade decals just for me...



This is also from RH but not a gift.lol...


I used a spare RX to center the servos so I could finish the frame and install the swash.


Had to put the tail servo on the right side of the boom to get the tail push pull rod as straight as possible.
I might move the elevator servo to the left to maintain balance or maybe mount the ESC on the left instead of under the battery.
Not that a servo will effect balance much anyway....



Taking a break for a week or so.
More to follow...

[dubehigh]

one ? ern. dont you want to use a 1100kv with a 500, thats what i have one my swift. or maybe not cause i have a 1400 on my ep425 gaui.

just a thought ;D

[McKrackin]

I've had a 1400kv on the last four 500's.

The stock Align motor is 1600kv.

[15crewdawg]

Just waitin'

[McKrackin]

EXI shipped today.
Rcscrewz shipped yesterday.

I like this part.Watching the mailbox and pacing.lol.....

[flyinghigh]

The best part is when it actually shows up! Looking forward to watching this build -

[dubehigh]

Feb 26, 2010 15:09:49 GMT -6 McKrackin said:

EXI shipped today.
Rcscrewz shipped yesterday.

I like this part.Watching the mailbox and pacing.lol.....

ok ok ok just messing with ya. its bin awhile. and i no about the mail box. i am so board i just keep ordering things so i have a reason to get out of bed l.o.l

[15crewdawg]

Ernie - About how much $$ is this build gonna run? Not counting the FBL. Just askin cuz I may go the same route instead of rebuiling the 450.

[McKrackin]

Feb 27, 2010 17:58:58 GMT -6 15crewdawg said:

Ernie - About how much $$ is this build gonna run? Not counting the FBL. Just askin cuz I may go the same route instead of rebuiling the 450.

That's a loaded question...
The way I would go....
Align servos(cyclic)-$121
Spektrun RX-$100
Scorpion motor-$80
Align or CC ESC-$120
Align gyro/servo-$170
EXI kit-$147

So,$738......

[akent]

This is going to be a fun build!

I think you'll like the Exi, MC. Of course, you know what parts I have replaced with Align. I did buy another Exi kit for spare parts, but haven't used any of it yet. I hope the shafts and gears are better. It is definitely a different batch than my first one.

The allen frame bolts on the Exi are bigger than on Align. I don't think you'll even need the RcScrewz stuff. But their stuff sure is nice. I bought a kit for the 450. MUCH better screwz!

The swash on the Exi is not as good as Align, as you might guess. I am still running my original one, but it has considerable slop in it now. I also have a complete new Align head, so I'll put that on at some point. The Exi head still flies Ok, but 3d is getting slower. I also have a complete Align TT tail, but I haven't installed it yet, either. I like the Exi belt setup. It's all CNC and works very well. I just make sure to spray it down every now and then with silicon.

15, the 500 is way more stable than the 450. It flies with more authority and with the Scorpion has amazing power. The 500 is also way easier to see in the air.

I would highly recommend a 500 sized heli to anyone!
Kent

[15crewdawg]

Kent - Yep, going the 500 route this time. I like the bigger heli's anyway. ;D

[McKrackin]

Got my kit from rcscrewz.com today....

It's getting close to crunch time.
I just can't decide on flybar or flybarless.....

The difference in price is considerable.
If someone would like to buy the unused EXI 500 rotor head,the decision would be easier.lol....

Any offers?

[McKrackin]

I'm 90% sure I want the FBL system.
At least the weather is crappy so there's no hurry.

Maybe I'll put the rotor head on ebay.

[Doozer]

Ern,
If you don't go flybarless you still need a decent gyro and you're talking $100 to $180 for one of those. The system is still a big chunk of change though. However, one of the great things about the Align FBL system is it can go on any heli you have as long as you have the room, and the head. I don't know all that much about the other systems, but I know that the 3G flies well. When they get around to selling the programming cable, I'll be very happy (see the last post in my 250 FBL thread). If you hate pitch in your rolls, and in FFF you'll love this system.

Not trying to twist your arm or anything... just some food for thought.