A step up to a Blade 400

Tom Lauten · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:26 pm Post subject: A step up to a Blade 400

I just got clearance (the Missus) to get a second hand Blade 400 to begin new adventures on.

I got one with an CNC head, a CNC copterX tail assembly and a dark blue sharks head canopy for £85 including a handful of spares "odds and sods". I hope I did well. I seem to have seen good reviews of the 400 as a solid 400-450 size to learn on.

Any advice as to good battery (doesn't come with any), main and tail blade bargains to be getting on with? I assume I will break some blades so I don't want the top of the line, especially as I don't plan on flying 3D with this...certainly not for a long, long time.

It is fitted with a stock eflite gyro. I have a new Hobby King HK401B gyro...is that one a better gyro to fit it with?

I also have a AR6200 RX (the one with the secondary, wired rx module), would you recommend fitting this rather than the Orange one that is fitted? (I will be using my DX6i with this model).
_________________
If only I could fly as well as I spend money I don't have...

All Blades, all the time...
MSR
MSR X
MCP X
120SR
Blade 400

Skyepuncher · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:14 am Post subject:

Congrats TL. Sounds like a pretty good deal. I use Blue-Lipo
batts from Hobby Partz. 3-S 25 c. Less than $20.00 ea. I have 6,
& they have done well. The stock gyro is not good for 3-D, but
neither are You or I, lol. Not familiar with the HK401b, but chances
are it is superior, being aftermarket. I really don`t have a problem
with the OE unit tho, for general hovering around, even with a
scale fuse installed. The orange RX...... Never really heard anything
negative about the performance when bound to a Spectrum TX.
I would bind it, range check it, & go from there. If it checks out, then
the AR6200 won`t be needed, in My opinion. I have 2 400`s, & keep
plenty of spare parts, main shafts, spindles, flybars, etc, as they
are really cheap. Blades, I`d use the OE woodies. Aftermarket
blades in My case, almost always have a different thickness where
they mount into the grips, unless you go with E-Flite carbons.
Have Fun,
Scott

Skyepuncher · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:21 am Post subject:

Tom L.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/83p-2200mah-3s1p-111-25c.html

http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html

I have 6 of these batts, & 2 of the chargers.
All work perfectly for Me.

Carry on.......

Edit:...... I use Deans style connectors on everything. Personal choice.

nick_onelove · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:07 pm Post subject:

Congrats! Sounds like you got a pretty awesome deal!

On my B450 I use 30C batteries, but if 25C's are significantly cheaper and all you plan on doing with them is hovering, I think that'd be fine.

You'll have to decide for yourself if the stock gyro is satisfactory for your personal needs. Once you're comfortable with the heli, try some mini punch-outs and see how well the tail holds.

The receiver is another personal preference; I think 450's are small enough to get away with not using a satellite receiver, but if you want added signal security and have got an extra one hanging around anyway, go ahead and throw it in.

Anyway congratulations again!
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 279

I am having luck with the GY48V gyro. I had to adjust trim and such to level the rear rotor blades but after that, it holds well.
_________________
E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

Tom Lauten · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info everyone, it's much appreciated.

I'm hoping the heli arrives today.

I ordered in a pitch gauge, a bunch of spares (feathering shafts, tail shafts, main gears flybars and blades), some triflo, a one way bearing remover and a couple of batteries so I will be ready for the inevitable crashes! Knowing my luck I'll break the one part I don't have! LOL!

I got 2x Turnigy 2200mAh 20C/30C batteries for £26.70 including delivery so I figured THOSE were my "huckleberries" for learning on.

I'll post some piccies when it shows.
_________________
If only I could fly as well as I spend money I don't have...

All Blades, all the time...
MSR
MSR X
MCP X
120SR
Blade 400

Tom Lauten · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject:

WOO HOO!!

It's sweet. I got it and all my spare today. Wife is SOOOOOOOO happy about it! Rolling Eyes

Can't seem to bind the Orange RX to the DX6i though. Perhaps it's on a different stytem.

More to come.
_________________
If only I could fly as well as I spend money I don't have...

All Blades, all the time...
MSR
MSR X
MCP X
120SR
Blade 400

nick_onelove · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:43 pm Post subject:

Congrats again!

Are you using a Bind Plug in the receiver?
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

Tom Lauten · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:16 am Post subject:

Nope...

DUH!!!! Rolling Eyes

Now THAT'S better!!! Laughing

_________________
If only I could fly as well as I spend money I don't have...

All Blades, all the time...
MSR
MSR X
MCP X
120SR
Blade 400

Tom Lauten · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:20 am Post subject:

Now I realise that I have NO idea as to how to set up the DX6i!

I don't want to 3D, only hover and scale fly.

I have a blank DX6i a heli with no manual and NO experience of the Blade 400 at all.

Does anyone have TOTAL newbie Blade 400 DX6i settings they could share?

I need gental, no insane negative pitch, no "sports throttle curve" simple and basic "Welcome to you new, big, dangerous and expensive CP helicopter...scared huh? Well set you transmitter to exactly 'this'" kind of settings!
_________________
If only I could fly as well as I spend money I don't have...

All Blades, all the time...
MSR
MSR X
MCP X
120SR
Blade 400

Skyepuncher · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:44 am Post subject:

Tom. This is all I have time for right now. Bookmark it.
VERY handy. Later, Scott

http://www.slyster.com/heli/b400bible.html#thirteen

Scroll thru & check it out

Skyepuncher · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:01 am Post subject:

Tom, PM Me Your E-mail address. I found a pic of the B-400/DX6i
standard settings that I can send. I am having trouble posting pics
on forums from photo-bucket.

nick_onelove · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:15 am Post subject:

It sounds like Skyepuncher already helped you out, but the stock settings can be found in the manual:

http://www.heliproz.com/images/Blade4003DManual.pdf
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

Skyepuncher · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:23 am Post subject:

Good job Nick. I couldn`t find that.

Tom Lauten · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:30 am Post subject:

And so the questions begin...

All I have done is spool the heli up a little (in my very small living room) so I realise I haven't really done anything but...

I hear a very light "tinkling or jingling" noise from the heli when it is spinning...is this the tail rotor belt jangling in the tail boom? I figure it is but this is all new to me.

The heli seems to spin a LOT in one direction (with the direction of the main rotor) unless I give it a LOT of opposite rudder. Is this normal because of the relatively low rotor head speed that is all I dare achieve indoors? If not, how do I adjust the rudder on the heli? It's an Airtrix A500G. Should I perhaps use my Hobby King 401B gyro, it is apparently an excellent clone of the Futaba GY401?

I see the swash and linkages moving around intriguingly but it is all Greek to me. Should the swash tilt forward when the stick is forward and the same for the left, right and backward directions?

With the throttle hold on the pitch always seems to go from near full pitch with the throttle down to near zero pitch as I move the throttle up. This happens if I reverse the pitch or not on the TX. Is this do to the throttle hold function or is something else happenning/ not happenning?
_________________
If only I could fly as well as I spend money I don't have...

All Blades, all the time...
MSR
MSR X
MCP X
120SR
Blade 400