Lite Machines LMH-110 User manual

Warnings
WARNING! THE RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL HELICOPTER BUILT FROM THIS KIT IS
NOT A TOY, AND IS NOT MEANT FOR CHILDREN. IT IS A FLYING MACHINE
CAPABLE OF CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND SERIOUS BODILY HARM
TO THE OPERATOR AND SPECTATORS IF NOT BUILT AND OPERATED
CORRECTLY AND RESPONSIBLY. ROTATING COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY
THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, ARE AN EVER-PRESENT DANGER.
WARNING! Helicopters, by their nature, are not positively stable. Even if assembled and
adjustedproperly,helicopterswillnotholdaparticularflightpositionwithoutconstant
control inputs from the pilot, and will not automatically recover from an unwanted
flight attitude without pilot intervention.
WARNING! It is your exclusive responsibility to correctly and responsibly build, maintain and
operate this helicopter. Lite Machines has spent considerable time making this
product reliable and easy to build, but only the operator can ensure that it is safe.
Because the safe operation of this helicopter is beyond the control of the
manufacturer and distributor, the owner/operator assumes all risk of use.
WARNING! THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS CHEMICALS WHICH ARE KNOWN BY THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS AND/OR OTHER
REPRODUCTIVE HARM. Many common materials, such as metals, plastics, glues,
fuels, lubricants and coatings contain chemicals in varying amounts and
concentrations which will cause harm if introduced into the human body. Lite
Machines strives to produce safe and reliable products, and is interested in the
well-beingofeveryuserofitsproducts.Formoreinformationonchemicalscontained
in Lite Machines’ products, please contact Lite Machines Corporation. For further
information on toxic or dangerous chemicals, please refer to California’s health and
safety codes sections 25249.5-13.
Operator's Guide Warnings
LITE MACHINES

Acknowledgments
We thank all of those people who helped make Lite Machines Corporation possible.
WeespeciallythankMomandDad.Withouttheir helpandconstantencouragement
we could not have done this.
David and Paul Arlton
Lite Machines Corporation
Purdue Research Park
1291 Cumberland Avenue
West Lafayette, IN 47906
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.litemachines.com
PATENT
NOTICE Most aspects of Lite Machines helicopters including, but not limited to, the main
rotor, main rotor blades, tail rotor, tail rotor blades, Arlton Subrotor™ stabilizer,
Arlton Gyro™ stabilizer, swashplate, fuselage structure and configuration, radio
installation configuration, landing gear and drive train are either patented (U.S.
5305968, 5597138, 5609312, 5628620, 5749540, 5879131, 5836545, 5906476,
6053146,6142419;Australia 681287,686883;Europe 0605656,95918276.7-2312,
95932305.6-2312, 96928019.7; France 0605656; Germany 69221307.4; U.K.
0605656), patent pending or patent applied-for in the United States and in other
countries. For information concerning patents and licensing, please contact Lite
Machines Corporation.
© Copyright Lite Machines Corporation, 2001. All rights reserved.
Revision VP8.3 1001
Operator's Guide Acknowledgments
LITE MACHINES

Table of Contents
Model Helicopter
Safety 1-1
Fuel Safety ...................1-1
Flight Safety...................1-2
Electric Power Safety ..............1-3
General Safety .................1-3
Terminology
and Controls 2-1
Helicopter Controls ...............2-2
Holding the Transmitter .............2-4
Electric Motors 3-1
The Corona Electric Helicopter .........3-1
Basic Theory of Electric Power .........3-1
Batteries.....................3-2
Electro-Magnetism and Electric Motors .....3-2
Brushed motors .................3-3
Adjustable Timing .............3-4
Brushless Motors ................3-5
Problems with Brushed Motors .........3-6
Three-Minute Motor Overhaul..........3-6
The Fusion 35 Speed Controller ........3-9
Arming the Fusion 35 ..............3-10
Optional RF Filter ................3-11
Cable Connections ...............3-11
Battery Elimination Circuitry (BEC) .......3-12
Charging Batteries ...............3-12
Battery Chargers ................3-13
Flying Weight ..................3-14
LITE MACHINES
Operator's Guide Table of Contents

Glow-Fuel Engines 4-1
General Operating Considerations .....4-1
Fuel Mixture and Compression .......4-1
The Importance of Clean Fuel .......4-3
Synthetic Oils ................4-3
Breaking-In a New Engine .........4-4
Engine Starting Summary..........4-4
Preferred Engine Starting Procedure ....4-5
Alternate Starting Method..........4-9
Adjusting Fuel Mixture and Compression..4-10
Inspecting SpiraLite Speed Glow Plugs...4-11
Electric Starter Effect on Glow Plug.....4-12
Main Rotor
Stability and Control 5-1
Rotor Blade Designations..........5-1
Blade Tracking ...............5-1
Dynamic Balancing .............5-3
Helicopter Stability .............5-3
Adjusting Main Rotor Blade Pitch......5-4
Stability and Climb Performance ......5-4
Learning to Fly 6-1
Training Gear ................6-2
Step 1: Learn the Left Stick .........6-3
Step 2: Practice Small Hops ........6-3
Step 3: Learn the Right Stick ........6-4
Main Rotor Controls.............6-5
Forward Flight and Translational Lift ....6-7
Circles....................6-8
Figure 8’s and Nose-In Hovering ......6-10
Descending from Altitude ..........6-11
Landing ...................6-11
Piezo Gyro Stabilizers ...........6-12
Adjusting the Arlton Gyro Stabilizer.....6-13
Tail Swing and Revo Mix ..........6-13
LITE MACHINES
Operator's Guide Table of Contents

Zen and the Art of
Helicopter Maintenance 7-1
General Maintenance ..............7-1
Engine Maintenance ..............7-1
Brushed Motor Maintenance ..........7-2
Radio Maintenance ...............7-2
Tail Rotor and Arlton Gyro Maintenance ....7-2
Main Rotor Maintenance ............7-3
Power Train Maintenance............7-3
Field Equipment Maintenance..........7-3
Making Repairs with CA and Glass Fiber ....7-4
Making Repairs with CA and Baking Soda ...7-5
Fixing a Bent Tail Boom.............7-5
Straightening a Bent Main Shaft ........7-5
How Helicopters Work 8-1
Introduction ...................8-1
Background and History.............8-2
Standard Helicopter Configuration .......8-2
Main Rotor Control ...............8-3
Main Rotor Stability ...............8-6
Retreating-Blade Stall ..............8-7
Anti-Torque Systems ..............8-8
Gyro Stabilizers .................8-9
Trouble-Shooting
Glow Engines 9-1
Trouble-Shooting
Brushed Motors 10-1
Operator's Guide Table of Contents
LITE MACHINES

Model Helicopter Safety
This section contains important safety information regarding proper handling and
operation of Lite Machines helicopters and accessories.
Fuel Safety
1. Use ONLY commercial fuel developed for model engine use. NEVER USE
GASOLINE, DIESEL, OR ANY OTHER FUEL! These fuels will ruin model
engines, and can explode and burn causing injury to YOU and OTHERS.
2. DO NOT OPERATE MODEL ENGINES INDOORS! Hot engine parts and
exhaust could ignite carpeting, drapery or furniture. Engine exhaust also
contains large amounts of unburned oil that will soil interior furnishings.
3. Never fuel or prime with the glow-plug battery connected to the engine. Sparks
from the electric connection could start a fuel fire.
4. Never fuel, prime, or operate your model while smoking.
5. Store fuel in a cool dry place protected from sunlight and from potential ignition
sources (anything burning, or anything that could start a fire if exposed to fuel
such as shorting or sparking battery terminals or the furnace in your home).
6. Remove excess fuel from your model with a cloth after refueling or priming. Raw
fuel can damage paint and is a potential fire source.
7. Do not store fuel in your model.
8. Fuel is poisonous and can cause death or blindness if swallowed. If swallowed,
induce vomiting and call for medical assistance immediately.
9. Fuelisaneyeirritant.Incaseofcontactwitheyes,flushthoroughlywithwater.
10. Raw fuel will damage certain types of plastic. Prescription plastic lenses and the
clear plastic commonly used on radio transmitter meters will be damaged if
exposed to raw fuel (such as droplets sprayed from the engine during starting).
Wipe off immediately using spray window cleaner.
IF FIRE SHOULD OCCUR:
1. MODEL FUEL BURNS WITH A NEARLY INVISIBLE FLAME, BE VERY
CAREFUL!
2. Useafireextinguisher,orsmotherfirewithaCLEAN,heavycloth.Iffirepersists,
GET AWAY! Better to lose the model than risk severe burns.
Operator's Guide Model Helicopter Safety
LITE MACHINES 1-1

Flight Safety
1. ALWAYS WEAR APPROPRIATE EYE PROTECTION WHEN OPERATING
YOURMODEL. Fueldroplets,looseparts,andairbornedebrisejectedfromyour
model could cause serious injury or blindness. Select comfortable, well-fitting
eyewearwithhigh-impactresistancesuchasshopglasses.Prescriptionglasses
made of glass are dangerous because they could shatter if struck sharply.
2. ALWAYSWEARAPPROPRIATEHEARINGPROTECTIONWHENSTARTING
AND ADJUSTING YOUR ENGINE. Many car, airplane and helicopter modelers
ignore the sound produced by the engines on their models. High volumes and
highfrequenciesproducedbymodelenginescandamagehearing.Thisdamage
can be cumulative. Ear-phone and ear-plug style hearing protectors (sold in
sporting goods stores in the gun section) are inexpensive and effective at
reducing the most damaging and annoying qualities of engine sound. Once your
model is started and flying, hearing protection is usually not necessary.
3. NEVERSTANDOR PLACEYOUR EYES ORFACE IN-LINE WITHROTATING
MAINROTORORTAILROTORBLADES.Loosepartsordebristhrownoutward
from rotating rotors could cause injury or blindness.
4. NEVER, EVER FLY NEAR OR OVER PEOPLE. Always keep your model at a
safe distance from yourself and spectators.
5. Use only those model engines designed specifically for your Lite Machines
helicopter. Use of more powerful engines (such as racing engines) is potentially
dangerous and voids all warranties.
6. Do not use fuel containing more than 35% nitromethane. The added power and
heat of high nitro fuels can damage both the engine and your model.
7. Never allow main rotor speed to exceed 2000 RPM (as by operating with blade
pitchsettoolow,orusing ahighpowered enginewithhigh nitrofuel).Rotor parts
couldseparate fromtherotorheadandcauseserious injuryorpropertydamage.
Very high speeds can also damage the engine.
8. Flyonlyatapprovedflyingfieldsorinopenareasawayfrompeopleandproperty.
Do not fly in residential areas.
9. Before turning on your radio, ensure that your radio frequency is not already in
use. Flying clubs have organized frequency sharing procedures.
10. Range check your radio prior to the first flight of each day. If your range check is
lower than normal, do not fly.
11. Priortothefirstflightof each day, check all mechanics for smooth, unobstructed
operation. Before the main rotors reach flying speed, gently move all flight
controlsandconfirmproperfunction.Donotflyifanythingisoutoftheordinary.
12. Check for hidden damage after crashing, and replace any damaged
components.
13. Beginners should have the main rotors tracked, and model adjusted for flight by
an experienced modeler.
Operator's Guide Model Helicopter Safety
1-2LITE MACHINES

Electric Power Safety
1. Electric power systems can be very dangerous. High electric currents can heat
wires, cause sparks and lead to fires and personal injury. DO NOT TO TOUCH
EXPOSED ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, AND NEVER FLY AT A SITE
LOCATED NEAR FLAMMABLE MATERIALS.
2. Electric motors are almost silent, and the main rotor and tail rotor blades of an
electric helicopter can start tuning unexpectedly causing serious injury. MAKE
SURE THE TRANSMITTER IS SWITCHED ON BEFORE CONNECTING THE
SPEED CONTROLLER AND BATTERY ON AN ELECTRIC HELICOPTER.
ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FROM THE SPEED CONTROLLER
WHEN CARRYING AN ELECTRIC HELICOPTER.
3. ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE MOTOR POWER CABLES WHEN ADJUSTING
THE RADIO SYSTEM ON A HELICOPTER SO THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES
CANNOT START TURNING. TO AVOID A SHORT CIRCUIT, BE CAREFUL
NOT TO TOUCH THE ENDS OF THE POWER CABLES TOGETHER.
4. Electric power systems, electronic components and batteries contain chemicals
such as lead and antimony which are known by the state of California to cause
cancer and birth defects.
General Safety
1. Periodically check tightness off all bolts, nuts, set screws and pins. Loose parts
couldbeejectedfromyourmodelcausinginjuryorcausingthemodeltocrash.
2. Replace broken or worn components with original parts only. To prevent
recurring problems it is important to locate and understand the cause of failure
(including pilot error).
3. Never modify any part of the main rotor, tail rotor system or drive train.
Modifications could lead to part failure.
4. Always replace the main and tail rotor blades in sets if damaged.
5. Donotstoreyour model indirectsunlight.Prolonged exposure toultravioletlight
can weaken some types of plastics.
6. When flying in very cold conditions be aware that metals and plastics (even
flexible ones) can become brittle and break or shatter.
7. Keep your model, radio and field equipment clean and in good repair. While
cleaning and maintaining your model you can often find and fix potential
problems (such as loose or damaged parts) before they occur.
8. Do not use solvents to clean or degrease rotor blades. Solvents can attack the
plastic and cause the blades to fail unexpectedly resulting in serious injury.
Operator's Guide Model Helicopter Safety
LITE MACHINES 1-3

Terminology and Controls
This section contains information on helicopter terminology and flight control
functions. Review the figures and become familiar with the names and functions of
themajor componentsand controls.Formore informationonhelicoptercontrolssee
the How Helicopters Work section of this Operator’s Guide.
Hint: Ifyouwantlastingrespectfromhelicopterflyers,don’tcallthemainrotorandtailrotor
blades “propellers”, and don’t call the right-left cyclic (pronounced sigh’-click) and
fore-aft cyclic controls “aileron and elevator”. This reveals your true identity as an
airplane person and diminishes your credibility among helicopter pilots. Also, don’t
call the swashplate, “that thing with bearings in it connected to the main rotor.”
O-Heli part names
Operator's Guide Terminology and Controls
LITE MACHINES 2-1
Figure 2-1.

Helicopter Controls
Toflyamodelhelicopter you must first understandthefunctionofeachflight control.
Fig. 2-2through Fig. 2-5illustrate the flight motions produced with the right cyclic
(pronounced “sigh-click”) stick on the transmitter. The right stick tips the rotating
main rotor in the direction of the stick motion and controls the direction of horizontal
flight.
O-Stick Roll
As shown in Fig. 2-2, moving the stick left and right tips the main rotor left and right
(like aileron control on an airplane).
O-Stick pitch
As shown in Fig.2-3, moving the stick forward and backward (up and down) tips the
main rotor forward and backward (like the elevator control on an airplane). When
learning to use the right stick, it is helpful to think of it linked to an imaginary control
stick mounted vertically on top of the main rotor. As you push the transmitter stick
forward, you also push the imaginary control stick forward and tip the main rotor
forward. Imagine the same for backward, left and right.
Operator's Guide Terminology and Controls
2-2LITE MACHINES
Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-3.