Raptor 30 tail rotor

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Harry Spillett - 05 Feb 2006 23:01 GMT

Hello,

I have noticed the tail rotor on my heli stops and starts briefly as I spool
up the main rotor before take off. once the main rotor is up to speed all is
well and it flies ok. the last time I flew it the "snatching" of the tail
rotor became more violent so I packed it in for the day.

I presume this is an indication that the clutch is slipping, is that right?
I cant imagine the tail drive belt is slipping as the tension seems ok. I
don't want to drop the engine out and disturb the setup needlessly.

If the clutch is at fault is there any real benefit from replacing it with
an after market version such as the Quick "heavy Duty" one while I have it
apart? I have heard a lot for and against the original clutch system.

On a similar note do any of you upgrade the tail rotor components on the
Raptor 30? Again I have heard that some helis shed the tail blade grips when
the bolt shears off in flight. My tail system is all stock and does seem to
have a lot of slop in it. Does anyone recommend a good partial or full
upgrade for this area of the heli?

Thanks,

H

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Peter W - 06 Feb 2006 22:20 GMT

H;
I have a high time Raptor 30 V1 that exhibited the same "snatching" of the
tail rotor you describe. The problem was with the main drive gear. The
teeth were worn so that the tops of the teeth on the gear and pinion would
briefly jam against each other. It only ever happened during spool up,
though I'm sure it would have eventually developed into something nasty in
flight.
Only the main drive gear might need replacing but I replaced both since I
already had it apart. No more jamming up.
My clutch is the original stock unit. When building I installed a brass
shim to ensure that the clutch shoes didn't rub on the fan hub. It's never
been apart since and has been entirely trouble free.
Peter

Harry Spillett wrote in message ...

>Hello,
>
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>
>H

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Simon Robbins - 10 Feb 2006 00:14 GMT

> I have noticed the tail rotor on my heli stops and starts briefly as I spool
> up the main rotor before take off. once the main rotor is up to speed all is
> well and it flies ok. the last time I flew it the "snatching" of the tail
> rotor became more violent so I packed it in for the day.

That's not your clutch slipping. Sounds more like the drive gears as
suggested already or the belt tension is incorrect or the belt itself is
missing teeth. Does it slip or is there any stiff spots if you turn the
main rotor by hand?

Si

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Harry Spillett - 28 Mar 2006 11:47 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions,

The clutch finally failed the other day. When I landed after a flight and
the engine returned to idle it was still trying to drag the blades round.
The shoe had "sprung" a fraction too far as the liner wore down. When I
dropped it out to have a look one shoe almost fell of in my hands where it
was cracked.

While I had the heli apart to change the liner and clutch shoe I had a good
look at everything else too. the main gear and pinion both seem OK. I think
the tail flicking problem was due to the belt tension decreasing with the
cold the last few times I have flow. It has been bitter here. I have now set
the belt I touch too tight so it has a bit of room to move when it gets
cold. I have not flown it yet so I will let you know what difference this
has made.

H

>> I have noticed the tail rotor on my heli stops and starts briefly as I
>> spool
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Si

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / March 2006

Raptor 30 tail rotor