Apache AH64 D
Danny D.
Apache build Len Mount 800 size
FRH mechanics , Hacker Turnado BL motor , Kontronik ESC.
Ridgid rotor head.
Modified 4 blade 55 ° ofsett tail rotor
Flex drive to Torque tube conversion for a flex free tailrotor drive
Modification from the original Flex drive to a rigid torque tube drive.
70° angular gearbox - Align torque tube drive shaft.
New PSG mechanics (Germany)
Installing new mechanics due to stripped gear on the existing FRH mechanics.
The FRH mechanics was designed for a 2Kw Zenoah engine, the current power of the electrics setup is 5.3Kw, witch explains why the gear stripped.
Milling subframe for the new mechanics starting from a Alu 50 x 50 x 2 mm profile.
Machining front and ESC support plate
Milling away some non structural material, in order to make lighter.
Making mounting holes for the Kolibri ESC.
New PSG rotorhead
New PSG rotorhead, no swashplate follower.
New avionics support plate machined and installed.
Update torque tube drive
Adapting the torque tube drive to the mechanics.
Using a Rotex flex coupling.
Blades arrived for the new Apache rotorhead.
Rotor blade set arrived
M Blade S type 55mm cord - 800mm long Aluminum
Final assembly of the rotorhead
Final assembly of the rotorhead.
installing the control rods on the swashplate.
Adjusting the Axon FBL controller.
Prototype modified tailrotor pitch control
Due to significant backlash, i modified the rudder pitch control system.
The previous Bowden control rod had to much friction and backlash at the 70° angle to the tailrotor.
This rotary system is backlash free, and can be used on any angle.
Prototype installed in the fuselage for design fine tunning.
The final system will be ballraced for friction free operation.
Pitch torque tube will be carbon fibre.
To be continued.....
Torque tube rudder pitch control
Final version of the Torque tube rudder pitch control.
Backlash and friction free.
The servo rotary tube adaptor and torque tube is are Soxos Strike 7.1 heli parts.
New tailrotor for the Apache
Due to excessive friction in the "X 55° " pitch control linkage i decided to replace the Vario TR gearbox by a Baumann helicopter version.
Installed a longer stainless steel shaft in order to fit the dual tailrotor setup.
Pitch control of the four TR blades is now with hinged ballinks, witch have no friction.
Gearbox cover has to be modified, this is for the next chapter....
Modified Tail fin to fit the new TR gearbox
Turning the base model for the cover disk
Some tiny glasfiber work using 20 and 40 gr/m² glas fiber tissue.
Painting the tail fin top cover.
38 Comments
I look forward to seeing additional chapters on this beast!
I saw this one.... It is a stunning helicopter.....
looks great. I like the angled gearbox in particular...
I made new sideplates to have the 70° angle, the original side plates where for 60° angle.
Tip: I use my kitchen marble to verify if the TT is straight, looking for any light passing below. Very acurate.
If absolutely wanted and no replacement part available, little corrections can be eventually made with bending gently manually, with practice, lot of patience and time .. as well accept the risk of things getting worse... I managed to enhance couple of these and they went perfect, here TT 800L out of stock worldwide, so no way to replace.
Disclaimer: Ain't fix if working well. A slighty bend TT isn't necessary an issue
since there are bearings and dampers around. Preliminary practice highly recommended as at risk.
Great tip, thanks. A straight TT is always better.
Fantastic work on the IGB.
B
Flippin SWEET!!!
The PSG stuff is amazing. 👍
Those mechs are tight!! Is that a Len Mount fuse?
Yes it is.
Danny you're on fire....
Danny,
Your build(s) are amazing. I use a similar style coupling for NBK for my drive train needs. They are more robust than others out there which is always a plus.
B
Thanks Butch, i like to do it the right way, than you only have to do it once. 😄
Best and most beautiful blades ever!
You can not go wrong with M-Blades. Been flying them for many years on several models.
Excellent choice for sure
B
Thanks. Very efficient blades, less drag, longer flights.
Now you need to paint them...
Nice clean setup...
I like to make the servo wiring short and simple, FBL unit and Reciever on the opposite side of the ESC if possible.
you gave us a very good idea for zero friction of tail pushroad,thanks!
Very interesting…
SUPER COOL!!!!!!
I have the same esc but I am a bit stumped on how to properly set it up in constant rpm mode for both the esc and the transmitter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
With the K-Konfig USB interface, you can easely select governor mode, witch allow you to set the required headspeed. If you want RPM telemetry feedback, you have to set the pole count and gear ratio right. Works nice. Kontronik is one of the best regarding governor speed stability, even at very low head speeds.
Ok thank you very much. Sounds like I need that interface to set it properly
Hi Randy, you shurely do. With the K-Konfig USB interface you can config all updatable ECS. The user interface gives you acces to all the parameters of the ESC, including Bec voltage, cutoff voltage settings, motor pole setting, gear ratio, and online ESC firmware updates. With the stick/beep configuration , you have only the very basic settings.
This is the K progunit interface that you need.
The required K konfig application, you can download from the Kontronik website.
Thank you very much! I really appreciate you taking the time to help
With pleasure !
Very nice!
Thanks pal !
Great choice on that TGB.
B
Thanks, the angular gears are al lot bigger (module 1) so they can handle more torque.
In case of a four blade TR a lot safer and more durable.
It is almost the only way to establish an backlash free rudder ptich control at the 70° angle of the Apache.
Any "Sullivan" type pushrod has to much backlash in the curve upwards the tail gearbox.
Very interested
Nice recovery. That little bump is worth it to accommodate your new TGB TGB.
B
Yes it is. Always nice if your can cover the mechanics a bit. 😄