Honeybee issue or user issue?

[Jaybee]

Hello!

Along with my Raptor 30 v2 I decided I would buy a Honeybee V2 as I didn't think it was too wise to train on a £600 piece of machinery.

Anyway, I set it all up today and sat it down in the garden with the training gear on and here is where troubles just began to mount up.

All the videos I have watched the HoneyBee seems relatively stable, mine had serious issues crabbing to the left even before take-off and had issues staying at a fixed point without tilting off.

I haven't had too much time to train because... well it brings me onto the next issue, my Dad had a go and reversed the throttle accidently, it quickly found itself in a tree with smoke coming from the motor before I could get to it, this pretty much trashed the engine and only the tail motor works.

So my questions to you on this lovely slice of the interweb are:

Should it be so unstable?
Are motor's expensive?
Does anyone know of anything going on around Portsmouth where I could either bring my nitro heli along to or just come along for a chat to get a little more keyed up on this interesting hobby? I checked Hayling Heli's but they look like they are winding down for the winter.

It made me think of just keeping the 30v2 as an ornament.

[terryk2000]

I had a honeybee as a first heli...not an ideal machine to learn on IMO.
Go with the Raptor. I did and have never looked back really. Find a club in your area (look here British Model Flying Association - BMFA - Search for affiliated clubs by county) I think if I had stuck with the honeybee i would have given up long ago. Once the Raptor is set up right it is a very good machine to learn on. Just take your time and have fun

[tiddler]

mine had serious issues crabbing to the left even before take-off

Yup thats perfectly normal and you will need to get into the habit of applying a small amount of right aileron to counteract this until a little height is gained.

and had issues staying at a fixed point without tilting off.

Its possible your heli is slightly out of trim but its normal for single rotor helis to drift about and you will need to be constantly counteracting this on the sticks.

it quickly found itself in a tree with smoke coming from the motor before I could get to it, this pretty much trashed the engine

Are you sure its the motor? Esky speed controllers are well known for burning out (or even catching fire)


Hint.
If you want a safe way of learning Get Phoenix

[Jaybee]

Are you sure its the motor? Esky speed controllers are well known for burning out (or even catching fire)

The smoke was coming from the motor and it smells even a couple of hours after the incident of strong electrical burning, is there a way to check if the speed controller has gone as well?

Surely it would effect the back motor as well?

[tiddler]

The smoke was coming from the motor and it smells even a couple of hours after the incident of strong electrical burning, is there a way to check if the speed controller has gone as well?

Surely it would effect the back motor as well?

OK then it probably is the motor.

I don't think there too expensive. Try doing a Google search, Im sure youll find plenty out there.

[inferno]

I had a hb king 2, I upgraded to brushless moter and esc right away. Is it on 2.4g? I switched to 2.4 g and Heli was great, before that very tempremental.

If I could start over I'd go straight for my 600n, training gear, and practice with an experienced pilot on standby . Also try Phoenix sim.

[Jaybee]

Ok so I replaced the motor today and it will not spin up What is the next thing to look at? Tail rotor is working fine.

[heliward0]

nasty nasty little heli...not being funny but get rid fast!! it will end costing you loads to get it somwhere near okay.. just throw your cash on a secondhand (or new if funds allow) T-REX 450 you will not look back. trust me!!!

[Jaybee]

No funds I bought a Raptor 30 v2 combo and this to learn on.

[tiddler]

Ok so I replaced the motor today and it will not spin up What is the next thing to look at? Tail rotor is working fine.

Well in that case its probably the 3in1 controller: Gyro, mixer, ESC gone duff

I have to agree with heliward0 on this one tbh. You'll only end up spending a fortune trying to get the honeybee to fly anything like properly.

Better to dump it and cut your losses.

Spend your dosh on Phoenix, Its a far far better investment

[Jaybee]

Well in that case its probably the 3in1 controller: Gyro, mixer, ESC gone duff

I have to agree with heliward0 on this one tbh. You'll only end up spending a fortune trying to get the honeybee to fly anything like properly.

Better to dump it and cut your losses.

Spend your dosh on Phoenix, Its a far far better investment

Just checked it It is the 3in1, if I plug the main motor into the tail rotor it will receive power but the pins for the main motor aren't sending any power through

Is it worth taking the thing apart? I am just really freaked to learn on the Raptor :|

[tiddler]

I wouldn't be messing with the 3in1 If its burnt out, its just not worth the hassle.

Replacements are available EK2 0701 3 in 1 Controller 35MHz HoneyBee From Heliguy.com
But as previously mentioned its just ploughing good money into bad

Do yourself a favour. Forget the Honeybee and buy Phoenix

Something tells me you probably wont take this advise and will carry on chucking money at a lost cause But trust me sooner or later you will come to the same conclusion.
I know I've been there and done that

Oh and as long as your Raptor is set up correctly, It will be a far easier heli to learn on than you might think

[Balders]

Just to echo some of the advice above...although from a slightly different angle. My Trex 450 is far easier to fly/more controllable than my Walkera 4#3B. I spent a lot of time on Phoenix and also the 4#3b before spinning up my trex.

The Trex is super stable compared to the 4#3b, it's just the crazy rotor speed that makes you think it's better to learn on something small. From personal experience, buy Phoenix, spend many many nights on it, then fly your "good" heli

[Jaybee]

I am relatively confident on Phoenix, and thanks for everyone's advice I am going to hold off and try the raptor when I can pluck up some courage

I am going to try and start it for the first time this evening but I am having a problem with this piece of kit:



I am having to REALLY push the hex starting pole into it to get it to sit and even then it is off balance, is there a trick to this? Surely you don't just jam it in there?

Thanks... Again - I feel like I am learning a profession all over again :P

[Jaybee]

Ok so a little update after I have it all setup outside, I am having all sorts of problems trying to get the nitro bird running.

First of all this P.O.S torque power thing spun out at high rpm and split the other guys thumb and the glow plug seems to be ice cold?

Does the glow plug igniter get warm when it is pulled back on its springs for anyone else?