Modifications and Maintenance

I have done two fairly major (I would say) jobs on my PiccoZ. I did them both at the same time - it just happened that way - but either one can be done, it just means splitting the fuselage again. I bought a Carbon Fibre rotor shaft from HeliDirect and a few days later a new battery as well. The battery died after the PicooZ inadvertently landed in the drink - well the washing up to be exact. When it first went in the helicopter was dead so I took it apart and noticed some moisture under the piece of film covering the battery circuitry. Once this had been dried out it was OK but after a week or so it died again. Was this damage caused by the water or do these batteries not last very long? Time will tell...


The instructions for fitting the CF shaft are here. Be warned you need good eyesight as some of the components are very small:

This is one of the ballraces for the shaft! Other than the scale the operation is pretty straightforward. Similarly for replacing the battery - it's just a question of scale. Just remember to make a note of where the battery connections go before you take them off!