Kestrel 500 DX Co Axial (Hi Definition)

The Kestrel has proven to be a good RC Helicopter after some sorting out. I have included some tips below:

After the first brief flight I had to adjust the "Proportion Trimmer".

From the beginning there was a slight vibration in the tail and there were several things I had to do to fully cure the vibration issue. I found the manual to be a good source of information and written in clear to understand English.

1) Gradual adjustments were made to the Gyro Gain Control Note: We are talking about making VERY slight turns of the Gain Control Screw, (about a fifth of a turn at a time) then flying the helicopter...then making another adjustment....and so on until the gain is set correctly. Time consuming but the issue does not seem to require any more adjustments once it is set correctly.
2) Battery is not particularly easy to remove. Place a small rubber band tightly around the battery. This not only makes it easier to remove the battery, but prevents the battery from moving around in the battery compartment where it can cause vibration. In the event of the battery compartment ever coming unlatched in flight, the battery is less likely to fall out and potentially cause the heli to crash.
3) Before each flight: check that the landing skids are pressed firmly in position. If they come loose they allow the cabin to vibrate. Also check the the cabin and tail assembly are pressed firmly together on the pin which joins them together and goes through the frame. If they are not pressed together firmly the tail will get a high pitched vibration which will be noticed by both the shake of the tail fin and the helicopter not being as easy to control. (I put an additional tighter fitting rubber grommet from a Blade 120 SR on each side of the pin which secures the tail assembly and cabin to the frame to keep them from working loose in flight.
4) I found my Kesrel's upper blades did not trace the same path and needed to be adjusted. The manual refers to this as "Double Blades". When double blades occurs the helicopter vibrates. It is a very easy to correct the path of the blades and the manual advises how to do it.
5) The blades eventually become too loose in the blade grips. Check them regularly and tighten if required. NOTE: The blades should still be able to move freely - take care not to over tighten the screws holding the blades in in place.

SUMMARY:

As we can see there is more than one issue which can cause the helicopter to vibrate but there is a simple fix for all of them.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Nine Eagles
• Kestrel
• Kestrel 500
• Kestrel 500 DX
• Kestrel Co Axial
• RC Helicopter
• Radio Controlled Helicopter

[wookswealthy]

ok my top blade is vibrating like crazy the bottom one is smoth as silk how do i adjust the top blade ???

[Helirazor1]

@wookswealthy OK, it is definitely 'double blades'. Unclip the ball linkage rod which connect the upper blade, turn it one turn, replace and check if it still vibrates. Experiment with the adjustment until the vibration disappears. Just one turn on the thread will usually fix it. You may have to shorten the length of the adjustment by turning the link on thread or lengthen it. Has it done this from the beginning or after a crash? If after a crash something could be bent.

[richiersgofast]

i dont know where the control link on stabilizer is ...if you can tell me,thanks

[Helirazor1]

@richiersgofast Page 05 of your manual refers to it by another name "Upper ball linkage rod". It is the small rod which connects with your flybar.

Nine Eagles have assigned Control Link the number 006 in the Kestrel 500 DX manual.  You will see what it looks like on the exploded parts diagram on Page 04.

[richiersgofast]

my heli vibates like crazy,have the same one,mymanual just says to adjust the control link on stabilizer set?????...help

[Helirazor1]

@richiersgofast With regard to adjusting the control link on the stabilizer. If you confirm you have "double blades" (see photo on page 16 of your manual) only turn the control link HALF a turn at a time. Hold the heli safely away from you so the blades will not come into contact with your hands, face or body. Gently apply throttle & watch the path of the blades. You will be able to see both blades travelling on the same plain and feel the reduction in vibration when correctly adjusted.

[richiersgofast]

ok,got that,i will mess with that,see if it helps,thanks very much for help!!

[Helirazor1]

@richiersgofast Adjusting the control link on stabilizer is the cure if "double blades" is the issue. A number of things could be causing the vibration. I have provided the information you need in my original comment notes. Work through it methodically. ONE THING AT A TIME. Start with the simple things first, such as checking your landing skids are pushed in tight, cabin & tail set fit tight on the pin etc. Test fly. Then move on to the next step. It is a process of elimination.