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Blade Nano CP X Square Tail Boom Mod

If you’ve flown Blade helis, you would know that they often use 2mm round CF tubes for their tail boom. To keep the tail rotor aligned to the main shaft, each end of the boom is keyed. In the shape of a D.

The tail boom is one I often fracture or break. Horizon Hobby does not sell replacement CF booms by itself. One has to buy the entire tail assembly for about $15. Many of us hobbyist simply purchase 1 meter CF tubes or rod, and cut to length. This is much more economical and keeps more money in our pocket.

Since learning to fly 3D with the Nano CP X, I have fractured more booms than I care to share. And I am sick of needing to carefully file the D shape, making sure not to remove too much material from each side. On top of that, one have to ensure that the flat part is on the same plane on each end of the fabricated tail boom to ensure the tail rotor lines up with the main shaft. It was a nightly ritual that I am done with.

I know some people have solve the issue of broken tail boom by using a 2mm round solid rod. Then they wrap the tail wires on the outside. I personally don’t like the wires wrapped on the outside. During crashes, the enamel coating can be rubbed off and the resulting short will burn out your tail FET. Using solutions like CAT5 wiring just seems to be heavy and clunky on the Nano.

Personally, I wished the Nano CP X uses the 2mm square boom that the v911 uses. It has more meat to it and there is no need to make the key at each ends of the boom to keep the boom from getting out of plum with the main shaft. Plus, it’s easy to purchase replacement boom for the v911 heli on the cheap that is already in a good length. In fact, when the v911 first came out, I purchase a bunch at $0.50 each but have not fractured the tail boom of the v911 yet. It’s the only heli I own that I can say that about.

Noticing that the Turnigy FBL100 and HiSky FBL100 heli both uses 2mm square boom, I purchased a spare FBL100 frame. Cut the rear portion and epoxied it onto the Nano CP X frame. It was actually very easy to do and line up since the flat surface mates to each other securely with epoxy.

Here’s some photo of the result. I am so happy I can simply put in a new tail boom or fabricate one by cutting to length.

16 Comments on Blade Nano CP X Square Tail Boom Mod

Blade Nano CP X Canopy Revisited

Previously, I posted on using v911 and Solo Pro canopies as alternatives to the pricey Blade Nano CP X ones Horizon Hobby sells for $13/piece. On HeliFreak, some Nano CP X owners experimented with Walkera canopies and found that they can be fitted on the Nano CP X with little modifications. One good thing about the Walkera canopy is they are the same weight as the stock canopy, once trimmed to fit the Nano CP X. Plus, it has the added advantage of being molded out of one piece of plastic and is very durable. See the video below for proof. And they are about half the cost of the stock Nano CP X canopies, with a few different colors to choose from.

I found that the following Walkera canopies are the same shape, with just difference in color and decals.

Isn’t it hard to decide on which canopy to order when it’s often hard to get a clear, large photo of the canopies? HacksMods to the rescue…

Here are the Walkera models and the primary canopy colors…

First off, we got the Genius CP, in a very easy to see Orange-Yellow paint scheme:

Next, we got the Mini CP in it’s metallic red/burgundy scheme. Looks nice and has a white under belly:

If you want something blue, kindda along the lines of the alternative Nano CP X canopy that Horizon Hobby has available for the Nano, here is The Walkera Super FP option:

Finally, for those who wants a bright green…you can purchase the Genius FP canopy:

And for those of you who dislike the Walkera branding, you can do what I did. I scrape off the decals with my fingernail. But later found that I can lift it in one piece with an xacto knife. Any sticky glue residue, you can use CA accelerator to remove. (You did know that CA accelerator does a good job of removing sticky adhesive residue right?)

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section.

Update: After using the canopy for longer. They aren’t as durable as the video below makes them out to be. I get cracks where it impacts the battery cage on my Nano. And the cracks gets longer if you don’t tape it. It’s still more durable than my stock Nano canopy. However, it’s not as indestructible as I had hope.

The v911 canopy on the other hand, is thus far indestructible. And I’ve put it through much more crashes than these Walkera ones. :)

Here’s the YouTube video someone made, attesting to the durability of these canopies.

5 Comments on Blade Nano CP X Canopy Revisited

1s LiPo Gentle Discharge Curve

Got brand new cells and starting to wake them up from slumber. So cycling them a few times at a gentle .6A discharge. Here are the graph so far…

I heard some brands such as Hyperion, if properly cared for, takes 40+ cycle to break in. Wow. I think I have been killing mine in less cycles than that. :)

Will test pulling 1A discharge to 3.8v next.

Categories: Test
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Hobby King’s New Turnigy 9xr Transmitter

Many of us in the hobby know that Hobby King has a new transmitter they designed inhouse that is due to be released any day now. Looks like we finally got some high res photos of the upcoming Turnigy 9Xr transmitter.

What’s exciting about this new transmitter is that it will utilize open source firmware, or be flash with one. Hinting at er9x compatibility down the line. Has the programmer plug built in and available inside the battery compartment. Has DSM2/DSMx compatibilities. And, to top it all off… they are aiming it at a $50 price point. The people’s radio they bill it as.

Supposedly the POTs are better too. Not sure what that translates to. All based on rumors for the past year. We’ll see once they start shipping and reviews fills up the forums.

Anyways, a post without photos are boring.

This beautifully lit and captured photo makes the radio look very professional indeed.

Here’s a closer look at the center area.

And here’s a look at the rear connectivity and glimpse of the module bay. Hobby King is working with FrSky to release a compatible module that makes use of the popular FrSky protocol.

Here’s the render of the rear module and the connectivity necessary so you can use the built in antenna. Much better thought out than the coaxial cable on the Turnigy 9x.

Categories: New Gear
7 Comments on Hobby King’s New Turnigy 9xr Transmitter

Blade Nano CP X Canopy Post Reinforcement

I find that it’s easy to break the canopy mount on the Blade Nano CP X. So, I think reinforcing them is a wise preventative measure. I know some people like to use a carbon rod and spiral wrap thread around nice and tightly. Then wet the thread with CA glue. I find this method is effective, but the CA and thread mixture looks rough.

Here’s a similar idea, executed a different way.

I have a bunch of split hollow, square carbon tail boom used on the v911, 9958, Solo Pro and other FP Heli. I like using these broken pieces to splint broken parts to add strength to the repair.

Here, a square hollow boom split down the middle, has a nice groove. 29.74mm is a perfect length. Take your micro round file and a couple of passes in the middle create a nice recessed point for the RX mount.

Fits perfectly. Some CA glue to fill the filet between the carbon and canopy post will strengthen the entire assembly with negligible weight gain.

I like to slip on a shrink tube to make the entire mod look finished.

Here’s a look at the front canopy mounts. One continuous reinforced mount. You can feel it’s much more sturdy.

Similar concept should be done to the two rear canopy post to reinforce those too.

This mod is a good preventative measure. However, it’s also good for those of you, like me, who already broke their canopy post. Simply gluing the broken post back together usually doesn’t work too well without lots of epoxy. The best method is to glue and reinforce with carbon like shown in this mod. The broken piece will fare much better than just glue alone.

Categories: Blade nCPX, Repair
3 Comments on Blade Nano CP X Canopy Post Reinforcement