Heli-Max HMXE0200 User Manual

READ THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FIRST. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY
AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

HMXZ7010 for HMXE0200 V2.0Entire Contents © Copyright 2005

Champaign, Illinois

[phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Rotor Diameter: 23 in [588mm]
Weight: 20.5–23 oz [580–650 g]
Length: 25 in [630mm]
Height: 9 in [225mm]
Motor: 200W brushless, 28mm diameter

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.

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.

WARRANTY

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1

Champaign IL 61822

USA

™

INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ASSEMBLE THE T AIL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

INST ALL THE PUSHRODS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

INST ALL THE SERV OS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

FINAL ASSEMBLY & SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CHECK THE CONTROL DIRECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

BLADE BALANCING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ADJUST COLLECTIVE PITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ADJUST BLADE TRACKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

RANGE CHECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

MX400 PARTS LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

PARTS DRAWINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PITCH GAUGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The Heli-Max MX400 ARF is a fully aerobatic-capable helicopter ,
offering the performance and flying manners of a 30-sized
machine in a much smaller and more convenient package.The
MX400 is no “toy”helicopter.With its double-damped head, belt­driven tail rotor, and aluminum frames, this is a “real” helicopter,
ready to fly anywhere you can find a safe landing pad.

T ak e care to build straight and true.Misaligned parts will hurt the
helicopter's ability to perform the extreme aerobatics it is
designed for.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to
the MX400 visit the Heli-Max web site at

www.bestrc.com/helimax.Open the “Helicopters” link, and

then select the MX400 ARF. If there is new technical
information or changes to this model a “tech notice” box will
appear in the upper left corner of the page.

In the hands of a capable pilot, the MX400 is an impressive
3D performer. But for this helicopter to perform to its full
potential, it must be properly equipped with all the right gear
(servos, batteries, receiver, speed control). There may be
more than one type and brand of radio equipment that can
be used. But based on extensive testing, following is the
equipment we recommend so you can get the most
performance out of your MX400 and assemble it as shown
in this instruction manual.

Transmitter

At a minimum, this helicopter requires the use of a six-channel
helicopter transmitter capable of mixing between the throttle
and collective pitch channels. However, to unleash the full
aerobatic potential of the MX400, you will need a computer
radio capable of at least two sets of throttle and pitch curves.
The Futaba®6EXH radio is an excellent entry-level r adio for use
with this helicopter. For more programming capability, any of
Futaba’s higher channel-count computer helicopter radios will
work very well. FUTK60** or FUTK61**

Servos

You will need four servos for the MX400.The servos should
weight less than 10 grams apiece, and should have a
minimum torque output of 14 oz-in. A good speed rating is
also important for helicopters, and we recommend that you
choose servos with a speed of 0.12sec/60deg or less. We
recommend the Futaba S3103 (FUTM0037) and S3107
(FUTM0025) for use with this helicopter. Note: The Futaba
S3108 servo will not mount to this helicopter without
modification, and is therefore not recommended.

Receiver

You will need a 6-channel receiver for this helicopter. A
small PCM receiver is strongly recommended for the noise
rejection and failsafe capabilities that PCM offers. We
recommend the Futaba R146iP receiver (FUTL0601) You
will also need a single conversion crystal to use with this
receiver. While most Futaba receivers are sold on high and
low bands, the R146iP is not banded and can use either
high or low band crystals.

Low band (channels 11 – 35) Crystal FUTL62**
High band (channels 36 – 60) Crystal FUTL63**

**Replace the “**” in the order number for the crystals with
the preferred channel number. For example, if you want to
fly on channel 33, order crystal number FUTL6233.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

CAUTION: Be aware that the MX400 is

operated on the same frequency band as larger R/C
models. If flying your heli within five miles of an R/C
site, there is a real possibility that you could be
operating your model on the same frequency (channel)
as another R/C pilot. If this happens, a crash will
result—with the person flying the more expensive
model suffering the greater loss (and having greater
potential for property damage or injury).The best thing
to do is to join an R/C club and fly at the site where
frequency control measures will be in effect. If you
insist on flying elsewhere, always be aware of your

proximity to R/C flying sites.

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Gyro Recommendation

We recommend the use of a heading-hold gyro with this
helicopter. The Futaba GY240 gyro (FUTM0809) is an
excellent choice.

Battery

The MX400 requires a 1200-2000 mAh 3-cell Lithium­Polymer (LiPo) battery capable of delivering 15A of current
continuously. We recommend the ElectriFly™3S 1250 mAh
pack (GPMP0823).This battery will deliver approximately 7
minutes of flight time with the recommended motor and
speed control.

Motor

You will need a brushless motor capable of handling 15A of
continuous current, and up to 22A in bursts. The motor
should also have a kV rating of 2500-3000 RPM/V for use
with the included pinion. We recommend the Heli-Max 6­pole brushless motor (HMXG1001).

Speed Control

A 25-Amp or better brushless electronic speed control
(ESC) is required for this helicopter. We recommend the
Heli-Max 25A Brushless ESC (HMXM3000).

Charger

A charger capable of charging 3-cell (11.1V) LiPo batteries
such as the ElectriFly PolyCharge 1-3-cell LiPo charger
(GPMM3010) must be used. If using another charger, it
must be a LiPo charger or hav e a LiPo charge mode.Never
charge LiPo batteries with chargers not intended for LiPo
batteries or chargers on NiMH or NiCd settings.
Overcharging or explosion may result. In addition to the
PolyCharge, the ElectriFly Triton™(GPMM3150) and Accu­Cycle Elite™(HCAP0280) are also suitable chargers.

Battery Charging Leads

Many chargers (including the Triton and Accu-Cycle Elite
listed above) do not include charging leads, but rather have
banana jacks to plug the leads into. If this is the case with
your charger, you will need to purchase a charge lead to
match your battery. For the recommended 1250 mAh pack,
the correct lead is GPMM3105.

❏ 1. Remove the fin from the tail gearcase. Apply the

decals to the fin and reinstall it.

❏ 2. Apply the decals to the horizontal stabilizer. Install it

and the horizontal stabilizer bracket onto the tail boom with
two 2 x 8mm sheet metal screws. Do not fully tighten the
screws at this time.

ASSEMBLE THE T AIL

IMPORTANT!

INSPECT Y OUR HELICOPTER

Check all screws on the helicopter for tightness. If any
screws are loose, tighten them before flying. If any
machine screw that threads into a metal part is loose, be
sure to secure it with a drop of threadlocking compound.
This check should include the tail blade grip screws,
which will require removal of the tail rotor blades.

3

4

❏ 3. Secure two tail strut ends and the rear frame spacer

to the frames with two 2x10mm machine screws as shown.
Use a drop of threadlocker to secure each screw.

❏ 4. Secure two tail strut ends to the horizontal stabilizer

bracket with 2x8mm sheet metal screws.

❏ 5. Insert the carbon fiber tail struts into the strut ends.

Secure each end with a drop of thin CA.

❏ 6. Finalize the position of the horizontal stabilizer brack et,

and tighten the horizontal stabilizer screws to hold the
assembly firmly in place. Do not over tighten.

❏ 1. With the Z-bend towards the front, slide the rudder

pushrod back through both supports on the tail boom.

❏ 2. Screw a ball link onto the threaded end of the

rudder pushrod.

❏ 3. Connect the ball link to the ball on the tail rotor pitch

control horn. Check to see that the ball link runs freely on the
ball, and loosen it if necessary using the following Heli-Max Tip .

INST ALL THE PUSHRODS

❏ 4. Connect the aileron pushrods as shown. Check the

ball links and adjust the fit if necessary.

❏ 5. Connect the collective pitch pushrod as shown.Check

the ball link and adjust the fit if necessary.

❏ 6. Connect the elevator pushrod.Check the ball link and

adjust the fit if necessary.

❏ 1. Install the aileron servo in its tray. If using the

recommended Futaba servos, you will need to install the
eyelets upside down in your servo, and install the servo
under the tray, with the screws running up into the tray.

❏ 2. Center the aileron ser vo. Install the aileron pushrods

through the servo arm and install the servo arm on the
servo as shown. With the servo centered, the two aileron
control horns should be even with one another. If they are
not, adjust the pushrod until they are. Once you have the
aileron control horns even, check to make sure that the

INST ALL THE SERV OS

HELI-MAX TIP

How to adjust the fit of ball links.

If a ball link does not twist freely on its ball, squeeze it
firmly with a pair of needlenose pliers

while it is

installed on the ball.

5

swash plate is level when viewed from the front. If it is not,
adjust the linkages from the aileron control horns to the
swash plate until the swash plate is level.

❏ 3. Using two plastic servo screw nuts, install the elevator

servo as shown. With the elevator servo centered, the
elevator control horn should be vertical.If the control horn is
not vertical, adjust the elevator pushrod until it is.

❏ 4.With the elevator control horn vertical, the swash plate

should be level when vie wed from the side. If it is not, adjust
the length of the elevator swashplate linkages.

❏ 5. Install the collective pitch servo as shown. With the

servo centered, the pitch pivot tray should be level. If it is
not, adjust the length of the pushrod until it is.

❏ 6. With the servo centered and the pitch tray level, the

main blade grips should be parallel to each other .If they are
not, adjust the length of the linkages shown.

❏ 7. Install the rudder servo as shown. With the servo

centered, the tail rotor should be at approximately zero
pitch. If it is not, adjust the length of the rudder pushrod.

6