Step 1
Before starting lets remove the head from the T-Rex 500. This will be required to use the swash plate leveler and removing it first eliminates the possibility of spooling up on the workbench. Simply remove the head block bolt and the 4 links that attach to the swash plate.
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Step 2
Next we need to clear out any unwanted settings in the transmitter. These numbers will be re-adjusted using the swash plate leveler.
Check to be sure that the sub trim is set to 0 for the elevator and aileron channel.
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Step 3
Check to be sure that the sub trim is set to 0 for the pitch channel.
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Step 4
Check to be sure that the travel adjustment for the elevator and aileron channels are set to 100 in both directions.
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Step 5
Check to be sure that the travel adjustment for the pitch channel is set to 100 in both directions.
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Step 6
Next you need to move your collective stick to center. Use the pitch curve adjustment page to ensure you are at exactly 50% pitch. Make sure that you are in throttle hold or the motor is not connected.
By moving your collective stick to center the 3 CCPM servos should be in the center of their travel.
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Step 7
Place the control horn on the servo on the left side of your
helicopter. Make sure it is on the spline which keeps it as close as possible to exactly 90 degrees. If your control horn has more than one arm, rotate the arm and try them all for the one with the best angle.
Note: Your control horn may require the use of sub trim to get exactly 90 degrees. If you are using a horn with 4 sides its very likely that one of them will be correct. If you are using a horn with a single arm, it will most likely not be at the correct angle. In this case it is okay to use some sub trim on that specific servo to get the arm to 90 degrees.
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Step 8
Next we will center
the elevator servo. Like we did for the pitch servo, first put
the servo arm onto the servo so it is closest to parallel with the
servo case. Some sub trim is acceptable if necessary to get to 90 degrees.
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Step 9
Place the last control horn on the servo on the right side of the helicopter. Again be sure to use the best arm on your control horn and a small amount of sub trim if necessary to get it level.
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Step 10
Now that all your
servos are completely centered we are ready for the leveling
tool. Double check that your TX has the collective stick centered and all 3 CCPM servo arms are
where we set them.
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Step 11
Slide the swash
plate leveler down on the main shaft and onto the swashplate. At
this point we will be leveling the swash at 0 pitch. Because we
have already done the centering to the servos, all adjustments will be
made with the link lengths.
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Step 12
Match the tool arms up with the swash plate CCPM
points. For a perfectly level swash you will need to adjust the links until the tool touches the swash at all 3 points. I usually leave the elevator servo link as a reference since its more of a pain to adjust. Adjust the aileron and pitch servo links until the leveler touches all three points.
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Step 13
Here is a photo of the point at the correct length. Check to make sure all 3 of the points are touching the swash plate and no light can be seen between the leveler and the swash.
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Step 14
Now that center has been leveled, we need to level the
endpoints. Move the collective stick to full positive
pitch. Now recheck your swash with the leveling tool. I'm
willing to bet that it is no longer level. This is because your
servos are not perfectly matched.
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Step 15
To level these points you need to adjust the endpoint
travel of each of the servos. The rods are already the correct
length, and the servos are already where we want them, so messing with
those will not help the situation. For the points that are not
touching the leveling tool, just add some extra travel until that point
comes up and touches the tool. You may also decrease the travel
of those points that are too high, either method works. The end
result should be a level swash the same as we have at center stick. The photo is of the travel menu in the DX7 before adjustments have been made.
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Step 16
The last step in getting a perfect level setup is leveling
the negative part of the collective range. We will do this
exactly the same as we did for the positive. Move the collective
stick all the way to the bottom and again adjust the travel of each channel until the leveler hits all 3 points on the swash plate.
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FINISHED!
You now have a perfectly leveled swash plate. Put
the rotorhead back on the helicopter and go fly. You should find
the helicopter is trimmed out after using this tool. Should the
helicopter not be in trim, read the page called "Trimming your T-Rex"
for more details.
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