kyosho EP

[daytrader]

Is any-one flying the kyosho Ep, I build it as standard but with lightweight servo's and carbon blades, can any-one reccomend any other modifications that might help improve performance/battery time.

[Mack]

Is this a new heli or the old EP Concept?

[daytrader]

Hi Mack,
Its my new heli there is a pic under my name of it. it is a kyosho SR-K I am using 9.6 volt 3300mh battery with standard motor, it takes a lot of power, motor gets hot and battery gets warm and does not last long.
Same battery in eco 8 lasts 10 mins. all in all the heli seems to work very hard to get a short flight. If you can suggest anything thanx

[Ade_Law]

the standard motors in helis generally are only enough to get the model flying and thats about it. it may be work looking. In this case a brushed motor big improvements have been made in electric technology. especially with li-po and brushless motors.

I have no idea what motor to recomend. How big is the heli?

Picked this up off another forum

I picked up a Kyosho SR-K about 6 months ago. This is a slight redesign of the decade old Concept EP. The fact that it is a 10 year old design shows. It is not for sale in the USA - and I guess I found out why soon enough.... so let me share:

Within 2 hours in the air, my main gear had melted. The reason is that the ANCIENT RC CAR style gearbox of this POS heli allows the top of the Main Gear to drag on the gearbox.

I landed (forced auto) without damage. I then waited FOUR MONTHS for $10 worth of parts. After I got the parts and got inside the gearbox to replace the main and idler gears, I realized what a POS design it was. So I am just going to sell the F'ing thing on eBay.

There is NOTHING to keep the main gear from dragging on the gearbox. If you decide to fly one of these, I'd recommend you use plastic gear grease on the top of the main gear, and drill holes in the top of the gearbox for inspection and regreasing - so you don't have to pull the gearbox apart to regrease & inspect your gears.

I spent a lot of time on this heli, fabricating a custom brushless motor mount and micro servo adapters, plus some scale boom supports and detailing with paint. I wish I would have realized before doing all that - what a waste of time it was going to be.

I used to be enamored with Kyosho - but this has really left a bad taste in my mouth and it is unlikely that I would ever buy another Kyosho product again. If they would have just let the Concept EP die out - they'd still have at least one extra fan of their products. Reintroducing this was a mistake in my opinion - maybe they have a warehouse full of parts they need to get rid of.


I was going to buy the new Kyosho 400 - but instead I'll add TREX NUMBER 3 to my hangar. I never thought I'd see they day when I'd prefer products from Taiwan over Japan...

Before the old CONCEPT flyers chime in - let me say this: the SR-K frame/gearbox IS NOT the same part as the CONCEPT gearbox. It is a different part with different part numbers. So please don't waste your fingertips comparing your experience to mine. Something about the SR-K gearbox is bad for business - in my humble opinion.

might be worth checking your gearbox it might be chewing power.

Ade

[daytrader]

Thank you this explains a lot I have already had the melted gearbox, my husband turned a collar on the lathe that stops the main gear rising on the main shaft. I tested a set of MS Carbon 380mm blades this evening and it has given more lift and hopefully better efficiency, I was thinking of going brushless but after reading your post I dont think it worth the expense.
I really like the look of this heli so I won't get rid of it but I am not wasting any more time on it. I admit I would not buy another kyosho this has really put me off.
I own an old concept and as a project for my web site raised the head on it as it was a bad design.
many thanx for your info it has helped me a lot

[Ade_Law]

What about fabricating a normal drive gear layout for it? Not had a good look at the mechanics so i dont know.

what diameter is the mainshaft?

Ade

[daytrader]

Hi Ade,
Thanks for the advice but I am not going to put any more effort into the kyosho. The forum post you found for me really knocked it on the head because whatever I do basically the design of the gearbox is bad.
I am keeping it for 2 reasons 1) It was the first kit I ever made and 2) I don't believe in passing on duff goods.
thanx a lot sue

[MartinM]

Hi, I found this guy has done some work to make it better !! Worth a read..

http://cchan.freehosting.net/heli/project01.html

In standard form, he only got 3 mins hovering per battery pack !

[Ade_Law]

link doesnt work?

Ade

[bandicoot]

yes it does...try copy and pasting it into a new window..?

[MartinM]

Works for me in the office just clicking on the link, I will also try from home if you both had problems.
Thanks