E-flite Showstopper Precision Variable Pitch Prop System - Manual

Showstopper Precision
Variable Pitch Prop System
Specifications and Items Needed to Complete
Diameter : 10 1 /
4
in (260mm)
System Weight : 0.7 oz (20 g)
Motor : 300- to 370-size, 1080–1360Kv brushless outrunner w/hollow shaft
Speed Control : 10A to 20A brushless (depending on motor)
Battery : 3S 11.1V 480–910mAh Li-Po (depending on motor)
Servo : Sub-micro with 17 oz/in (minimum) of torque
Radio : 6+ channel with helicopter and 5-point (minimum) pitch and throttle
curve programming
Recommended Setup
For models weighing up to 12 ounces (340 g) ready to fly (including the
SSVPP system):
Motor : E-flite Park 370 Brushless Outrunner, 1200Kv w/4mm Hollow Shaft
(EFLM1210HS)
Speed Control : E-flite 10-Amp Pro Brushless (EFLA1010)
Battery : Thunder Power 730mAh 3S 11.1V Li-Po (THP7303SJPL)
Pitch Servo : E-flite 7.5 Gram S75 Sub-Micro (EFLRS75)
Included and Replacement Parts
EFLPVPP101 10 1 /
4
" Diameter Blade Set
EFLPVPP103 Blade Grip and Center Hub Set
EFLPVPP104 Blade Grip Bearing, 3x6x2.5mm (2)
EFLPVPP105 Pitch Bridge and Link Set
EFLPVPP106 Pitch Bridge Bearing, 2x6x3mm (2)
EFLPVPP107 Carbon Fiber Pushrod and Nut
EFLPVPP108 Spinner and Hardware Set
Introduction
This manual will guide you through installation and setup of the Showstopper
Variable Pitch Prop (SSVPP) System on the E-flite
® Extra 260 3D Profile
model (EFL2300). And although only the Extra 260 is shown, the SSVPP will
also work very well on the E-flite Byp Yak 3D (EFL2325, if measures are taken
to keep the airframe as light as possible) or any other model that weighs
12 ounces (340 g) or less when ready to fly with the SSVPP and battery
installed.
Radio Requirements and Initial Setup
Before beginning assembly and installation of the SSVPP, it will be necessary
for you to take a few minutes to complete the initial setup and programming
of your transmitter.
Note: You will need to use a transmitter with 6 or more channels, equipped
with helicopter and 5-point (minimum) pitch and throttle curve programming
for proper setup and the best performance. You will also need to use a 6 or
more channel receiver that is compatible with your chosen transmitter.
 After selecting a new “helicopter” model, be sure that the
programming is set for Standard swashplate mixing and NOT 90- or
120-degree CCPM.
 Next, connect the rudder, aileron and elevator servos to the receiver as
you would for a typical airplane setup. Connect the ESC to the throttle
channel and the “Pitch” servo (used for changing pitch of the SSVPP)
to the “Pitch” or “Aux 1” channel (usually channel 6).
Model Preparation and Motor Mounting
The following steps outline installation of the SSVPP on an Extra 260
airframe that has already been assembled. However, many of the steps can
also be completed for an airframe that is not yet assembled.
Note: The Extra 260 comes from the factory with a slot in the vertical
fuselage that serves as a starting point for installation of the SSVPP.
All of the measurements shown are based on this slot, though they are
approximate and may need to be fine-tuned for your particular installation.
 Start by widening the slot in the vertical fuselage by 3–4mm above the
horizontal fuselage. Overall, the widened slot needs to be approximately
60mm long.
Approximately 60mm
Widen slot 3–4mm above
the horizontal fuselage
 Next, mount the E-flite Park 370 1200Kv brushless outrunner motor
(EFLM1210HS) to the plywood motor mount. If your mount has any
left/right or up/down thrust built in, we suggest shimming the motor
so that the thrust angle is zero in all directions. In the case of the Extra
260, you will need to shim the motor upward to eliminate the down
thrust that is built into the firewall. Do this by installing a #2 washer
between each of the two lower holes of the X mount and the firewall.
It may take 1–2 washers to eliminate the down thrust,
depending on the thickness of the washers used.
Install washers between the two
lower holes of the X mount and
the firewall to remove downthrust
Servo and Servo Arm Setup and Mounting
For the best possible performance, we recommend that you use a servo that
has at least 17 ounce inches (oz/in) of torque, like the E-flite S75 Sub-Micro
Servo (EFLRS75). You must also keep the distance between the center of
the servo output shaft and the pushrod linkage to 9mm or less.
DO NOT
exceed 9mm as it will require you to further reduce the pitch servo
travel for proper pitch range, in turn, lowering the effective torque
the servo is actually offering. Reduced torque can result in a lack of pitch
control in flight.
 Once you have selected your servo and servo arm, mount the pushrod
linkage to the arm using the supplied socket head shoulder screw and
hex nut. You will likely have to enlarge the hole in the arm to fit the
screw. Then, be sure to use blue threadlock to secure the nut on the
screw, making sure that the pushrod linkage is able to move side to
side on the slot and rotate around the screw freely.
 After installing the pushrod linkage on the servo arm, power your radio
system on and center the pitch servo at what should be the “zero pitch”
setting. This is usually easiest to accomplish by using the default pitch
curve programming of the transmitter with the throttle/collective stick
set to exactly the middle position. If your transmitter features a graphic
display of pitch curves, it may also be helpful to select this menu to
better determine the exact mid-stick position.
With the pitch servo centered, we suggest installing the servo
arm on the servo so that it will be as close to perpendicular
(90 degrees) to the pitch control pushrod as possible.
9mm or less
Approximately
90 degrees
With the servo arm installed on the servo, it will now be necessary to choose
where to install the servo on the model. In the case of the Extra 260, the front
edge of the servo should be about 33mm back from the firewall, with the
output shaft of the servo facing toward the rear and inside of the model.
Note: When choosing the proper mounting position for the
servo, the pitch control pushrod will need to be approximately
centered in the hollow motor shaft when the servo arm is
perpendicular to the pushrod. To check this, temporarily install
the pushrod through the motor shaft and into the pushrod
linkage on the servo arm (do not worry about cutting the
pushrod to proper length at this time). If the servo cannot be
positioned so that the pushrod is centered in the motor shaft,
remove foam and/or add shims as necessary until it can be.
 Once you have determined the servo mounting location, mark the
outline of the servo on the foam. In the case of the Extra 260, carefully
cut the first/bottom layer of foam around the outline that you made,
making sure not to cut in to the second/top layer. Removing this
section of the foam doubler will allow the servo to be positioned so that
the pushrod is very close to centered in the motor shaft.
Approximately 33mm
Remove section of first
layer of foam doubler
Output shaft faces
rear and Inside
Center Hub, Pitch Bridge and Pitch Control
Pushrod Installation
Note: All parts MUST be assembled with blue threadlock for maximum
security and reliability.
 Position the center hub and blade grip assembly on the motor shaft,
making sure that the blade grips are positioned so that the recess
for the nut is facing toward the motor and the rear of the model. The
rounded side of the center hub goes toward the motor, and the flat side
should be positioned flush with the end of the motor shaft. Use the
included setscrews (and threadlock) to mount the hub on the shaft,
making sure that at least one of the setscrews engages the flat spot on
the end of the E-flite Park 370 (EFLM1210HS) motor’s shaft.
 Next, install the pitch bridge assembly by snapping the ball links in
place on the ball ends of the blade grips. Then, slide the pitch control
pushrod through the bearings in the pitch bridge until the end of the
pushrod just exits past the rear bearing.
 Before sliding the pushrod into the motor shaft, it will be necessary to
slide the pitch bridge securing collar onto the end of the pushrod that
extends past the rear bearing of the pitch bridge. This collar must be
installed with the “cone” side toward the bearing in the pitch bridge,
and by using the included setscrews (and threadlock). However, do not
tighten the setscrews all the way down at this time.
 Slide the pushrod through the securing collar and motor shaft, then
past the servo arm and pushrod linkage as the pushrod will likely
need to be shortened in the next step. Once the nut on the end of the
pushrod is pressing against the front bearing of the pitch bridge, slide
the securing collar up against the rear bearing. Sandwich the pitch
bridge bearings between the securing collar and nut, noting that the
pitch bridge should spin freely, but with no play, between them. Then,
fully tighten the setscrews on the securing collar.
 During the following steps you will need to determine the final length of
the pitch control pushrod.
Note: Determining the final length of the pitch control
pushrod is a critical step and we strongly suggest that you
take your time to read through the following steps first. If you
do happen to cut the pushrod to a length that is too short,
replacement pushrods are available (EFLPVPP107).
In the case of the Extra 260, the pushrod will need to be shortened
to a length of approximately 105mm from end to end. However, be
sure to double check this required length after reviewing the following
steps first, as it may vary slightly depending on your particular setup.
 With the radio system powered on and the Pitch servo centered (at
what should be the “zero pitch” setting), slide the U-shaped “zero
pitch” tool into the blade grips. This tool will set the blade grips to
exactly zero pitch, and with the servo set to the zero pitch setting,
you will now be able to determine the correct length required for the
pushrod.
Pitch Bridge
Ball Link
Pitch Bridge
Spinner
Securing
Collar
Center Hub
Zero Pitch Tool
Blade Grip
 Once you have determined the correct length required for the pushrod,
making sure to allow as much length of the pushrod as possible to
pass by the securing screw location, cut the pushrod to length. Then,
insert the pushrod into the pushrod linkage.