Orange Rx 3-Axis Stabilizer in a HK Bixler Mk I
I added the Orange Rx 3-Axis Stabilizer to my Hobbyking Bixler Mk I. If you fly in windy conditions like we have here in Hawaii, it is well worth the $14.99 investment.
At the time I purchased the stabilizer, there were no installation instructions and I had to go internet hunting to find instructions for similar gyroscopes. However, installing was still relatively straightforward and successful. Now, there are excellent instructions by MyCoolRC.com in the "Files" folder at the bottom of the stabilizer web page on the Hobbyking site (
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uploads/933532603X60576X56.pdf ) and a very nice installation video by MMerry2 here on the Flitetest site (
http://flitetest.com/articles/OrangeRx_Stabilizer_Setup_on_a_Bixler ). Installation tip: For the wires, "black to back"; for the stabilizer itself, "pots to the front."
I placed my stabilizer just aft of the ventilation hole on the belly interior of the Bixler Mk. I. This puts the stabilizer as close to the center of gravity as possible while still allowing access to gain controls ("pots") and reversal switch (dips). I secured it to the interior belly floor with Scotch Indoor/Outdoor Mounting Tape, which holds more securely than the 3M white foam tape and is readily available at a hardware store.
When holding the stabilizer up with the gain control pots on top and the wire pins on the bottom, the pots turn from the 7:00 position, through the 12:00 position, and ending at the 5:00 position. From 7:00 to 12:00, there is no gyro input; from 12:00 to about 2:00, there is minimal gyro input; but from 2:00 to 5:00, the input is VERY sensitive.
After trimming out the Bixler with no gyro input (all gain control pots at 12:00), I landed and moved the 3 gain control pots to the 3:00 position. After getting the gain control inputs corrected, the difference in smoothness of flight was amazing.
From my flights, I have discovered the following:
1. For the most part, the Orange Rx Stabilizer does not adversely affect your ability to control the plane; it just helps smooth out wind gust effects. One caveat is that it does affect the ability of the Bixler to do rolls. With the Orange Rx Stabilizer engaged at 3:00, the Bixler hesitated before launching into a much larger roll. On my next flight, I will move the control wires in 1 notch on the control horns to see if this helps alleviate the problem.
2. Since the Bixler is elevator sensitive to begin with, it is also elevator sensitive with the Orange Rx Stabilizer engaged. At 3:00 on the elevator pot, I got pitch oscillations at half throttle. I backed the elevator pot back to the 2:00 position and that seemed to cure the problem.
3. In a high speed, full throttle dive, I noticed some roll oscillations otherwise not present when the aileron pot was set at 3:00. I may back down the aileron pots to about 2:30 to see if this cures the problem.
As I noted at the beginning, at least for the Bixler Mk I, the Orange Rx Stabilizer is well worth the $14.99 investment.