Heli-Max HMXE0205 User Manual

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

HMXZ7011 for HMXE0205 V1.0Entire Contents © Copyright 2005

Champaign, Illinois

[phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1

Champaign IL 61822

USA

™

WARRANTY

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

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

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

INSTALL THE PUSHRODS & SERVOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

FINAL ASSEMBLY & SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CHECK THE CONTROL DIRECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

BLADE BALANCING & INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . 10

ADJUST COLLECTIVE PITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SET CONTROL THROWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

ADJUST BLADE TRACKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RANGE CHECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

MX400 PARTS LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PARTS DRAWINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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

The Heli-Max MX400 Pro 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 Pro is no “toy” helicopter. With its
double-damped head, belt-driven tail rotor, and aluminum
frames, this is a “real” helicopter, ready to fly anywhere you
can find a safe landing pad.

Take care to build str aight 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 Pro visit the Heli-Max web site at
www.bestrc.com/helimax.Open the “Helicopters” link, and
then select the MX400 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro and assemble it as
shown in this instruction manual.

Transmitter

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

Servos

You will need four servos for the MX400 Pro. 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 Pro 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 suff ering 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 y ou 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 Pro 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 have included the Heli-Max
6-pole brushless motor (HMXG1001) in this kit.

Speed Control

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

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 2x8 mm machine 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.

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4

❏ 3. Glue the tailboom suppor t ends onto the carbon fiber

tailboom supports with thin CA.

❏ 4. Secure the tailboom suppor ts to the rear frame using

two 2x10 mm machine screws and a rear frame spacer .Use
a drop of thread locking compound on both screws, but be
careful not to get any on the plastic parts.

❏ 5.Secure the tailboom supports to the horizontal stabilizer

bracket with two 2x8 mm machine screws. Use a drop of
thread locking compound on both screws, but be careful not
to get any on the plastic parts.

❏ 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 .

INSTALL THE PUSHRODS & SERVOS

❏ 4. Install the rudder servo as shown, using the hardware

that came with your servo and two plastic servo nuts. The
servo mounting lugs should be on the outside of the frame.

❏ 5. Center the rudder servo and install the servo arm.With

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

❏ 6. Install ball links onto the ends of the elevator, aileron,

and collective pushrods.

❏ 7. Install the aileron servo using the hardware that came

with your servo. If using the recommended Futaba servo,
you will need to install the metal eyelets upside-down and
install the servo under the tray, with the screws running up
into the tray.

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

❏ 8. Drill 1/16" pilot holes in the outer hole on the aileron

servo arm and install a ball in each end. Center the ser vo
and install the arm onto it.

❏ 9. Install the aileron pushrods onto the aileron servo and

control horns. With the servo centered, the two aileron
control horns should be even with one another. If they are
not, adjust the length of the aileron pushrods until they are.
Once you have the aileron control horns even, check to
make sure that the swashplate is level in the left/right
direction. If it is not, adjust the length of the linkages from
the aileron control horns to the swashplate.

❏ 10.Using two plastic servo nuts, install the ele v ator servo

as shown.

❏ 11. In order to achieve the best possib le geometry for the

collective pitch servo when using the recommended Futaba
servo, it is necessary to install it inside the frames.Remove
the two circled screws from the frames to allow this.

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