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How to Balance a Lama Blade

The E-Sky Lama is an electric-powered, 4-channel radio controlled helicopter. The Lama features two counter-rotating rotor blades powered by a 7.4-volt 800 mAh lithium battery pack. The twin-blade coaxial design cancels out rotational torque that makes hovering single-rotor copters difficult. However, the use of two blades also makes rotor blade balance even more critical. Rotor blades which become even slightly unbalanced can generate vibration, damaging onboard electronics and the motor drive train. Blade balance can be checked and imbalance remedied by using a commercially available blade balance scale.

Things You'll Need

RC model blade balancer
Hex wrench
Modeler's trim tape or striping tape

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the four rotor blades from the ESky Lama by taking out the single hex screw holding each blade to its gripper.
- 2
  Install the two "A" blades on the blade balancer mounting points. Determine which of the two blades is heavier and mark the heavier blade for reference. Remove the two blades from the blade balance mounting points.
- 3
  Place the heavier blade on the center fork of the balancer. Adjust the blade to the left and right to find the balance point. Mark the balance point on the blade.
- 4
  Lay the two blades exactly side by side on a flat surface. Mark the heavier blade's balance point on the lighter blade.
- 5
  Place the lighter blade on the center fork of the balancer with the balance mark aligned with the pointer on the balance gauge.
- 6
  Apply a strip of modeler's trim tape or striping tape to the lighter end of the blade in sufficient width and weight to make the blade balance evenly on the balancer forks.
- 7
  Re-install both "A" blades on the blade balancer mounting points. Apply another strip of trim tape to the balance mark of the lighter blade only.
- 8
  Remove the "A" blades and repeat the balancing procedure for the "B" blades.
- 9
  Reinstall the blades on the helicopter.

Aviation