Hi,
I'm thinking about trying a motor tail with a fix pitch propeller, to simplify my helicopter. I've seen some people doing so on some 500 helis (scale build) and looks like it's working but I've never seen any feedback of performance.
My purpose is to make my UAV more reliable, and also some curiousity is pushing me.
Is it possible to achive a very stable tail using a fix pitch tail on 450 - 600 class heli and if so, how to set it up?
At the moment I have some ESC loaded with BLHeli firmware, it allows the motor to have two way rotation, but I'm not very sure if I need it. Also the head speed of my 450 is very low (2000 rpm), I'm not sure how it will perform.
Replies
Thanks Randy, Rob and Joly. I'll have a try, and report back later.
I have a Turnigy SK3 - 2822-1740kv and a Sunnysky X2206 1500kv, the sunnysky is very light and seems capable but I need a longer shaft and 5mm prop adapter for it, and I guess 12A ESC should be enough?
Hi Xin,
The code is there, I think it works, but I haven't tested it myself. Joly and a couple other guys have, I'll try to get them to answer you here.
I did have a fixed pitch tail for a while, it performs very well indeed as long as you don't need to do 3D.
I used a 20A ESC flashed with simonk, and a 1600kv 85W Outrunner.
You don't need to spin it both ways, just one direction will work fine.
The rest is just fiddling with the servo trim etc.
Joly
So last you used it, that code worked out fine?
I would advise anybody use caution however, bench test without a prop to make sure it's working. There have been a number of changes lately and I haven't been back around to look if any affect this.
Rob Lefebvre is probably the best person to answer this but I know that arducopter for tradheli does support fixed pitch tail rotors. The TradHeli wiki is a little out of date but there is a "TailType" drop-down on the Heli setup page in the mission planner that allows you to select "DirectDrive Fixed Pitch"