Please do, we love to see this sort of thread, Let us know every step, lol
Interested to know more about the kbar aswell.

Cheers ..

 

Just scored a 550 pro aswell mate finished the build and setup last night upgraded the skids to Lynx carbon gyro to spartan vortex and ordered a Xnova 4035 830kv

 

Thanks, Dude. It wont be the fastest build (RL, work and family), but I'll be sure to post back.

Nice looking heli, feral. Interested to hear more about that Xnova 830kv motor...

 

Ill let you know how it goes man

 

I can't believe it's built and flown already. It just went together so well. No issues with anything during the build. I took lots of pictures along the way so I'll post them here, with a bit of commentary, as I get time. Here's the final result:

 

The 550E is one of my favourite Helis. Go together pretty well and seem to be okay power wise as well. Very economical for a big helicopter.

 

The build begins... First up the head strip down:

All setup ready to go:







All back together. Haven't decided whether I'll use the head button yet, so it will stay off. This head has the older feathering shaft with the step down at the end. Align now has a new one that does not step down and allows bigger screws. The down side is the thrust bearings are smaller on the new one:





Phasing looks good:

 

Yes, after my first relatively gentle 5 minute flight, I only put back 2960ma. The motor was cold and the Talon 90 was also cold (ambient 15C, 100% flat throttle).

 

I have to say my 550 pro on spartan rocks 15 packs through her yesterday love it

 

Now for the tail:

This is a very nice tail unit. Good to see no hidden screws on the inside of the tail box holding on the bellcrank post. The tail blade holders were already thread locked, and since I had found grease in the head thrust bearings, I decide not to pull them apart.











The tail bevel gears were well spaced and operated smoothly. I later put dry fluid extreme gear lube on them:

 

Nice dude...

 

Excellent! Sounds like a good day.

I'm using the yellow/gold KBar in this one. It's a very good FBL unit.

 

Frame part 1 (only 10 pictures per post allowed):

The 550 is a little old school with the servos mounted on the CF frame side. Most helis now have the servos mounted on the main shaft bearing mounts or dedicated metal servo mounts, that allow better geometry. Even still the geometry is pretty good on this heli.









Make sure the open side of the main shaft bearings face down on the bottom bearing and up on the top. Fins on the motor mount face down.


The gyro mount slots required some filing to allow them to fit, but don't make them a loose fit. I also fit the boom mount and then fit the boom later.


Love the motor and the pinion seems huge.


I like to mount everything on the frame I can. In the next post I even add the elevator servo on this frame half. I prefer it sticking out on the right.

The 730MX motor must be fitted before the frames go together, unlike what it says in the manual. The motor and pinion are just loose at the moment. It can be accessed from the top/front when the main gear is installed.


continued...

 

Nice dude, going together pretty quick

 

Frame part 2

As mentioned, I've mounted the elevator servo on the right, since the tail servo is biased to the left. Don't forget the extra spacers on the elevator servo (ask me how I know). FYI, I use the grommets supplied with the servo kits. I find it best to push them in from the top. This takes the guess work out of crushing the grommets and the servos are still rock solid, when the screws come up tight. Tail servo can go in later.






Just the pitch servo mounted on the right side and the frames can then go together. I thread lock all of the threads with a tooth pick, before fitting the right frame.

Coffee, chips, dip and red wine helped the build progress:

 

Nice very nice @5Fidy likes to see 550's that motor looks sick how does it compare to the old set up 550 with the 1220kv
power plant? Also can't believe how fast you built it considering you took 11,000,000,000 pictures excellent work mate.
Can't wait till you get another chopper. Lol you know you need another one.

 

Same question how does the motor you are putting in compare to the old 1220kv setup?

 

Got the 730mx in for now the xnova should be here in a couple of weeks.

The 730 pulls a bit harder and sustains hs better than the 600mx.

The xnova should be better again its got another 500watts and better efficiency. If its anything like the one I have in my hd it should pull stumps

 

All the electronic up and running.

Yellow/gold KBar with single 3 axis digital MEMS and dual MPU's. Smoothest FBL unit I've flown (and I have quite a few). FrSky minima receicer (Hitec clone) with 1.5km plus range. Single wire connection to the KBar (PPM).






Voltage protection capacitor. I wont fly a heli bigger than a 500 without one. Minimum weight down low with this build.

I found a good spot for the Talon 90, where it gets good cooling. One cable tie supports the entire ESC and then two smaller ones lock it in place (one is visible). I used a 150mm 22awg extension lead to get the BEC lead to the FBL unit. The Microheli metal battery mount hasn't arrived yet. I like the Microheli one because it supports a second strap, that is captive.

XT90 connector, like all of my helis bigger than a 500. Plugs taped to the Rx (PPM and voltage protection capacitor).



FYI, here's a tip for fitting the skid end caps. Glue one end with CA, then, when dry, pour boiled water over the end already with the cap. Then CA the other cap. The heat will cause suction and the cap will get sucked in, as the glue dries. Always put the CA in the skid, not on the cap.