Blade 550X, E-Flite 130-amp ESC (EFLH3130H) Bulletin

[tomatwalden]

Following a number of failures of the stock eFlite ESC in the 550X combo, HH have decided to withdraw the ESC from sale. Personally, I think it's a good move - as the eFlite ESC was without a doubt, the weak link in the 550X proposition.

T

I do wish the yanks would spell cheque correctly though ....


(Copied from HeliFreak : Blade 550X, E-Flite 130-amp ESC (EFLH3130H) Bulletin - HeliFreak )

On Behalf of Horizon Hobby:

PRODUCT BULLETIN: E-flite 130-amp ESC (EFL3130H) Included with the Blade® 550 X

May 17, 2013

Product: E-flite 130Amp ESC (EFL3130H)

Issue: Horizon Hobby is aware of a small percentage of Blade® 550 X owners who have experienced a failure of the E-flite® 130-amp ESC (EFL3130H) resulting in a loss of power to the motor. The actual number of ESC failures is still relatively low and our data indicates it is currently around 6%. This is only affecting a proportionately small number of Blade 550 X owners, but it is higher than what we consider reasonable. We have been working on a solution, but at this point have been unable to re-create the failure mode pattern as indicated by most customers reporting the problem. It is not required to stop use of the EFL3130H 130-Amp ESC.

If you decide to discontinue use of the 130-amp ESC included with your 550 X, Horizon Hobby will issue you a $100 check. A sales receipt and return of the ESC is required to receive the check. If you decide to continue using the EFL3130H ESC, the original warranty is still valid, but any product support that necessitates replacement of the original ESC due to failure, will result in the customer receiving a $100 check. Horizon Hobby will no longer stock or issue replacement EFL3130H ESCs
.
For customers who decide to return their 130-amp ESC, Horizon Hobby suggests the following products as possible alternatives:

ESC Product Part Number/ Notes

Castle Creations Phoenix Edge 100* CSE010010000 The red wire must be removed to disable internal BEC per the Castle Creations instruction manual. This option is only recommended for 14-tooth pinion/sport flying

Castle Creations Phoenix Edge 130* CSE010009900 The red wire must be removed to disable internal BEC per the Castle Creations instruction manual.

Castle Creations Phoenix Edge 120HV* CSE010010400

*Soldering is required
Other required components:
E-flite EC2™ device connector w/4” wire (EC2EFLAEC04)
E-flite EC5™ device connector (EFLAEC501)
E-flite Gold bullet connector set, 4mm (EFLA249)

If you decide to return the 130-amp ESC:

1. Please complete the Return Request form.
2. Upon receipt of the completed form, a prepaid shipping label will be sent to you. Return your ESC, along with a copy of the Return Request form and sales receipt to Horizon Hobby. Upon receipt of the ESC, Horizon Hobby will issue a check in the amount of $100. Please allow 14-21 days for processing and delivery.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Horizon Hobby Contact Information Address
Horizon Service Center
(Repairs and Repair Requests) http://www.horizonhobby.com/content/...service-center
4105 Fieldstone Rd
Champaign, Illinois, 61822 USA
Horizon Product Support (Product Technical Assistance) http://www.quickbase.com/db/bghj7ey8c?a=GenNewRecord

888-959-2304
Sales sales@horizonhobby.com
888-959-2304
For customers outside of the United States and Canada, please contact the retailer you purchased the product from.

Also note there will be a price change for the 550X, as the ESC will no longer be included.
BLH5595 550X Kit $539.99
BLH5595C 550X Combo $899.99

__________________
Product Development
Horizon Hobby

[tomatwalden]

US$539.99 for the kit is roughly £355 in UK money. Assuming the kit still includes the motor (1350Kv, and proven to be quite good) and 10amp BEC, that does in my view actually represent quite a bargain for a solid airframe that's swinging 550mm revolution blades.

I don't think there are many 550 kits for that price ?

[Jamin_00]

People have been saying that the ESC was not up to the job. I had not seen reports of failures but then I not really looking for them.

Still, find myself strangely attracted to them lol. The heli, not the ESC lol.

Edit* Stu's just created a forum for the 550 so moved here

[tomatwalden]

Brian James (HH) has just confirmed on HF that the kit will still include the motor. Already, many people have been replacing their eFlite ESCs with YEP or YGE120s with great success. It seem the ESC was always the weak link, and with a decent ESC, even the stock motor is actually pretty good. I've heard no complaints whatsoever about the performance of the motor.

As I say, assuming that US price translates into UK money on par (ie £355), for a true 550 heli I think it is good value.

The heli airframe itself is really good I think - I did a personal review of it here : http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/main-d...0x-review.html

[heathy]

Blade 550X, E-Flite 130-amp ESC (EFLH3130H) Bulletin

Love the way they recommend a CC esc. Brilliant lol

[tomatwalden]

Blade 550X, E-Flite 130-amp ESC (EFLH3130H) Bulletin

Love the way they recommend a CC esc. Brilliant lol

Top quality units, castle.

[Bhujang]

Did your esc fail Tom? Are you sending yours back? A very interesting move by HH...

[tomatwalden]

Nope, mines been fine so far. I am going to take them up on this offer though and replace mine - probably with a castle 120hv as I can't seem to find anywhere that stocks the castle Phoenix edge 130. Fundamentally I can't ever see me running more than 6S on this bird so an HV ESC seems overkill.

The other option I'd considered was a YEP120 HV from HK. Difficult to ignore a 120amp ESC for less than £80!

im going to keep the stock 10amp BEC.

[tomatwalden]

UPDATE : Horizon Hobby UK have clarified the stance on this in the UK. Basically, £89 cash-back - better than I expected to be honest as $100 =/= £89

Bulletin for Blade 550X ESC (EFL3130H)

T

[TheDarkPassenger]

Fair play to HH for that.
I've been watching reports of this heli since it launched and on the back of this level of support, I've just ordered one of these bad boys, super excited now

[Bhujang]

Will it come with out the esc or will you have to send off the esc for the refund?

[TheDarkPassenger]

This one is already in stock from where I bought it, so I will have to send off for this particular order.

Another shop I spoke to earlier in the week, mentioned that HH are taking the ESC out and re-listing the product at the end of week. So new units directly ordered from HH will come without and the price will be adjusted to reflect this.

I wonder, whether there is a way of testing an ESC to see if it is faulty?

[tomatwalden]

Blade 550X, E-Flite 130-amp ESC (EFLH3130H) Bulletin

This one is already in stock from where I bought it, so I will have to send off for this particular order.

Another shop I spoke to earlier in the week, mentioned that HH are taking the ESC out and re-listing the product at the end of week. So new units directly ordered from HH will come without and the price will be adjusted to reflect this.

I wonder, whether there is a way of testing an ESC to see if it is faulty?

No. HH can't find the failure pattern themselves and I think in all honesty that they might have stopped testing now that it's been pulled.

There's loads of stuff on HF about this. Fundamentally I would not consider staying with the stock esc. I'm still using it until my new esc arrives as I don't want to ground it, but as soon as the new esc arrives, the stock will be posted off for the refund.

Talk to your retailer though before buying another esc as the refund is a voucher, not cash.

[tomatwalden]

Fair play to HH for that.
I've been watching reports of this heli since it launched and on the back of this level of support, I've just ordered one of these bad boys, super excited now

You'll love it! It is an easy build and it's very solid once constructed. Handles really well too!