Heard news about the release of the new Blade SR and wondered about how easy a belt conversion could be done.
Picked up the Blade from a LHS on Friday and after tinkering over the weekend, the conversion was complete.

This was quite easy compared to the other mods I made like the Axe and CP Pro (www.freestyle-hobby.com)

The electrics allow only a tail servo (currently a Futaba S3114 analoge) to be added. Simply unplug the tail motor, unplug the signal plug from the gyro to the esc, and plug in th new servo.

Mechanically: a custom made alloy belt pulley and retainer for the main gear, spacer to drop the main gear slightly, an idler block for two flanged bearings to guide the belt down the stock boom, custom made belt, and a complete Skyartec tail unit (currently metal, will try plastic when I have more parts).

I adjusted the servo push rods (about two full turns each) to compensate to the main gear spacer, which lowered the head about 1mm.

It is totaly reversable with only three 2mm holes drilled into the heli. No other modification required.

Total weight, including battery, 370 grams.

Flight testing is continuing and hope to have some data (amp draw, flight time ect) and video this week.

Tail holds well and is precise. Flys best on idle up or flight mode 1 (higher head speed). I guess with a digital servo (the stock gyro has digital output) it will work best.
Like the rest of the heli, the tail responds nicely to stick moments and will suit the begginer.

Video links

First video starts with a little flight in normal mode and slower cicuits

blade SR belt drive first.MOV (2 min 14 sec)

Second flight is straight into flight mode 1

blade SR belt drive second.MOV (2 min 41 sec)

Very nice will be keeping my eye on the progress.

Wow. That didn't take long!

Wow, a 2-day hack of a heli that's only been in distribution a week? Awesome!

You kinda gotta wonder, if it's that easy, why Eflite didn't do it in the first place.

Holy cow! That was fast! I am very very interested in this mod. That looks factory!

Would you be interested in supplying all the parts for me to do it too? PM me and I can PayPal you whenever. I dont mind waiting a bit for you to work the bugs out and I can get a digital servo locally but I am really really interested. I am already getting annoyed at the tail wag on this thing after 10 flights.

Hi Rosella

very nice work , thanks for posting , regards

Excellent Job.
Thats how it should have come

........................................

Originally Posted by skeppley

Excellent Job.
Thats how it should have come

Thanks, I agree.

The conversion, once sorted, will take less than an hour to complete.
Best of all, all the stock equipment and radio gear can be used without any major adjustments.

Originally Posted by Rosella

custom made belt

How do you "custom" make a belt?
Ron

Originally Posted by A Rdnek

How do you "custom" make a belt?
Ron

The belt has been spliced to approx 2mm wide, with a shop built tool.

Originally Posted by Rosella

The belt has been spliced to approx 2mm wide, with a shop built tool.

OK, Now I understand.
Thanks
Ron

THAT IS F'N SWEET !

nice job.. send the specs and stuff to E-flite...

THIS IS WHAT IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN !

Rosella nice job on your conversion

Originally Posted by Balr14

Buy a GuruZ-Neon or Xeon conversion kit, swap the SR parts over to it and add a tail servo. We have been doing this for years using HBFP and Blade CP components. http://www.heli-fever.com/index.php?...kg5pa57mq5tr05

Yeah this is what i might go with if my other idea doesnt pan out since it is fairly cheap

Originally Posted by Balr14

Buy a GuruZ-Neon or Xeon conversion kit, swap the SR parts over to it and add a tail servo. We have been doing this for years using HBFP and Blade CP components. http://www.heli-fever.com/index.php?...kg5pa57mq5tr05

I would rather have his mod.