Helimax Form 500 User Manual

INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

SPECIFICATIONS

Span:

Size:

Height:

13.6 in [345 mm ]

19.7 in

9.25 in [235 mm ]

[500 mm] diagonal span

Weight

RTF:

Flight Time:

3.91 lbs (1774 g) with 5000 mAh LiPo

Up to 15 minutes

WARNING

Please fully read and understand this manual and the operation and all safety aspects required of you for the safe operation of this product. Before use, if you feel this product is not for you, please return it to your place of purchase.

Heli-Max products are to be used by ages 14 and over.

Manual Specications and Description Changes

The instruction manual, warranties and other associated documentation are subject to change without notice. Hobbico assumes no responsibility for inadvertent errors to this manual.

BOX CONTENTS

1. FORM500

2. (4) 12 x 4.5" Self-Tightening Propellers

3. Duratrax Onyx Lipo 11.1V 5000 mAh

4. Duratrax Li-24 Charger

5. Tactic TTX810 Transmitter with TR825 Receiver

6. (4) AA Alkaline Batteries

7. USB Cable for PC Interface

8. Instructions

9. 3 mm Hex Wrench

FEATURES

● Utility Rails to Mount Accessories

● Headless Flight Mode

● Altitude Hold

● Low Voltage Return to Home

● GPS Position Hold

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Heli-Max™ FORM500 quadcopter. We are certain

you will get many hours of enjoyment out of this model. If you should have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at: helihotline@ hobbico.com.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections for the FORM500 please visit the Heli-Max web site at www.helimax-rc.com. Open the “Quadcopters” link, and then select the FORM500 quadcopter. If there is any new technical information, changes or important updates to this model a “tech notice” box will appear on the page. Click the “tech notice” box to learn more.

When you see this symbol, please pay special attention and heed all warnings regarding the information within.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in injury to yourself and others.

● Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away from the rotating

plane of the blades whenever the battery is connected. Keep loose clothing,

shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket pockets away from the rotors.

The spinning blades of a model quadcopter can cause serious injury. When

choosing a flying site for your FORM500, stay clear of buildings, trees and power lines. AVOID flying in or near crowded areas. DO NOT fly close to people or pets. Maintain a safe distance from the quadcopter.

● Your FORM500 should not be considered a toy. Because of its performance

capabilities, the FORM500, if not operated correctly, could cause injury to you or spectators and damage to property.

● DO NOT alter or modify the model. Doing so may result in an unsafe or

unflyable model.

● When and if repairs are necessary you must correctly install all components so

that the model operates properly on the ground and in the air. Please check the operation of the model before every flight to insure that all equipment is operating and that the model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check connectors and the propellers before each flight. Replace them if they show any signs of wear or fatigue.

BATTERY WARNINGS & USAGE GUIDELINES

Please read and understand the following regarding the usage of LiPo batteries.

Through the use of the included LiPo battery you have assumed all risk and

responsibility regarding a LiPo battery and its use.

Battery Warnings

● ALWAYS unplug your battery from either the charger or quadcopter after use.

NEVER store your quadcopter with the battery plugged into the quadcopter.

● DO NOT attempt to charge your battery if it becomes swollen or hot.

● It’s best to store your batteries in a cool, dry location at 1/2 charge (11.4 V ).

Storing a fully discharged battery may cause irreversible damage to the battery.

● NEVER disassemble, puncture or modify the battery pack in any way.

● NEVER allow the battery temperature to exceed 150° F [65° C].

● If your battery begins to swell or “puff” during charge or discharge or becomes

damaged in any way, stop using it.

Charge Warnings

● Only use the included charger with the included LiPo battery. Do not attempt to

use the provided charger with NiCd, NiMH or batteries with other chemistries.

● DO NOT leave the charger unattended while in use and always charge your

battery in a  re-resistant location.

● Disconnect the battery and remove input power from the charger immediately

if either becomes too hot to touch!

● DO NOT allow water or other foreign objects to enter the charger. Keep the

charger away from moisture and DO NOT submerge in water. DO NOT block the air intake holes of the charger; this could cause the charger to overheat.

● Please keep all electronic components out of the reach of children!

WARRANTY

Heli-Max™ guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Heli-Max’s liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Heli-Max reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice. In that Heli-Max has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the user assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability. If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

To make a warranty claim, send the defective part or item to Hobby Services

at this address.

Hobby Services 217-398-0007 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1 productsupport@hobbyservices.com Champaign, IL 61822 USA

Include a letter stating your name, return shipping address, as much contact information as possible (daytime telephone number, fax number, e-mail address), a detailed description of the problem and a photocopy of the purchase receipt. Upon receipt of the package the problem will be evaluated as quickly as possible.

FORM500 COMPONENTS

1. GPS Module

2. Flight Controller

3. Receiver

4. I/O Port

5. Firmware Button

6. LED Indicators

CHARGING THE BATTERY

Remove the battery tray with the battery from the FORM500.

Power up the Li-24 Charger. The status LED on the charger will be green and start flashing.

Plug the charger’s charge adapter into the 4 mm sockets on front of the charger.

Set the battery type switch on the charger to LiPo.

Set the charge rate on the charger to 3A.

Connect the battery’s balance lead to the center balance port on the charger and the battery’s main power connector to the charge adapter.

The Charge Status LED will turn red and the 3 Cell Status LEDs will come on

when the charge cycle has started. The Charge Status LED will turn Green when the battery is charged. If the Charge Status LED is flashing, unplug the battery from the charger and consult the charger manual for an explanation of the error code. Typical charge time for a fully depleted battery will be around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

SETUP

Remove the arm bolts and extend the arms. Tighten the arm bolts with the included 3 mm hex wrench.

Please follow this diagram when installing the propellers.

Tighten the propellers by

holding the motor and spinning the prop in the direction indicated on each propeller.

Pre-Flight Check List

Before you fly, we suggest that you go through the following pre-flight checklist.

Verify that the batteries are fully charged. A small voltage monitor that connects to LiPo balance plug is a good tool for this purpose.

Make sure that the props are tight and not damaged.

Put all transmitter switches in the proper positions.

Turn on the transmitter and make sure the controls move freely in all directions.

Connect the battery to the FORM500 and place it on a level surface. Wait for the controller to get a GPS lock on at least 5 satellites.

Calibrate the compass if the Red LED is not steady or if the quad is not at the same location as the last flight.

Calibrate the sensors.

Power up and check any accessories that will be operated during the flight.

When the Green LED is flashing, arm the motors and take off.

Hover and make sure the quad is responding to stick inputs from both sticks. If the quad is making any unusual sounds or vibrations, land and investigate before continuing the flight.

FORM500 INDICATORS AND ALARMS

LED Indicators

Blue LED ● Steady light indicates that the controller is receiving signals

from the transmitter.

● Flashing slowly indicates that Headless mode is active. The

LEDs on the bottom of the rear arms will flash at the same time.

Red LED ● Steady LED indicates compass is OK.

● Flashing slowly or off at startup indicates the compass needs

to be calibrated.

● Flashes briefly during compass calibration procedure

Green LED ● Steady light indicates 3 or 4 satellite signals are being received.

● Flashing light indicates that 5 or more satellite signals are

being received.

Audible Alarms

Single Beep – Indicates the controller and receiver are linked to the

transmitter. Slow Beeping – Battery voltage is low Rapid Beeping – RTH, or Headless mode is active.

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