Solved: Shuttle acts fuel starved

[ArthurKnowles]

I was hovering my Shuttle Challange in the back yard a week or so ago (after I brought it out of storage - been sitting a while). Things were fine. I made no changes to the motor since the last time I flew it. Ran at least three tanks of fuel thorugh it practicing.

Next day, I fueled it up. Hovered it for a few minutes. Then toward the end of the tank the engine just died. I just thought it ran out of fuel even though the header tank was 3/4 full. So, I refilled it. Started it. Then tried to hover. Engine died about 1/4 stick.

I've pulled the engine. I've flushed out the needle valve intake with compressed air. I've replaced the glow plug (Enya #3). I've run it using just the header tank. With just the main tank. I've replaced the fuel tubing everywhere but directly to the carb (and I'll change that one too tomorrow).

I have a NIB O.S. 32 SX-H. I couold buy the collet and throttle arm and use it to replace the Enya engine. Or I could use my Shuttle to electric conversion kit and an electric motor.

Suggestions? Any idea on what else to look for with the Enya? Or should I just replace it? If repalce, with what (glow or electric)?

[SteveL]

I never had anyt luck with the Enyas. Put the 32 in it adn have fun flying instaed of tuning.

[ArthurKnowles]

Until this problem it ran rock solid. Never had to mess with it other than a tweak of the main needle.

Ah well, I ordered the collet (less than $10 delivered) to let me use the O.S. 32 SX-H I have, but it will be a few days before I get it. So I have time to fiddle with the Enya. If I just knew where to start.

[ArthurKnowles]

Problem solved. I removed the engine last night. DIassembled the carb and flushed it with carburator cleaner. Flushed the engine (removed the backplate & glow plug) and flushed it as well. And drained the muffler. Put it back together and started it up today.

I had better results, but it would only stay lit if I use an external glow plug ignitor. So I tried one more thing... opened a new can of fuel. Problem solved. Hovered a whole tank in the back yard.

[Shuttle RG]

Well, when you get tired of fiddling with it you can always convert it to electric like I did. I'm having a blast with it and no more fuel stuff to deal with. :glasses2:

[ArthurKnowles]

I have that same kit to convert it to electric, but do want to use the fuel in the Shuttle for now. I already have a few electric helicoptors, but if I keep the Shuttle long enough it too will be converted to electric.

What motor/battery/esc combo are you using in the conversion and how long are your flight times?

[Shuttle RG]

I am running a Kontronik Tango 45-08 motor, Castle Creations HV85 ESC, and a couple of Thunder Power TP4600 6SXL batteries for power. I only use one battery at a time though. The motor mount is here (http://www.ewtech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=hhi&Product_Code=QUISP72&Category_Code=Upgrades+for+HIROBO).

It started life as a Shuttle Top Start but, it has been totally upgraded to an all ball bearing ZXX. It has CMT 550mm carbon main blades. I upgraded the tail to the RG all metal version (0402-575) with Rotortech 85mm carbon blades. I also upgraded the swash to the all metal RG version (0402-572) as well as the RG delrin main gear and auto rotation set (0402-574, 0402-580). The servos are Futaba 9252's and a 9254 on Rudder with a Futaba GY401 gyro. I removed the front upright that attaches to the bottom plate so the TP4600 battery now fits perfectly between the frames with more than enough room to balance fore/aft. The servo tray is still anchored in all other places and is plenty sturdy without this part.

The AUW is 7.5lbs with battery however, I am hauling around 1.3lbs. of training gear (roto-pod). So for the time being, my AUW is 8.8lbs! Even so, I am managing 9:00 minutes per flight (hovering & basic flight). So, I suspect my flight times will rise a good bit once I lose the training gear.

I have an Eagle Tree Systems Data Logger on board with a display panel and Motor RPM/Headspeed sensor. I fly it at 1550 RPM.

So far, she flies great!

Clark

[ArthurKnowles]

Clark,

Sounds like it's a good flier and gives me hope for mine. I do plan to convert it some day, but right now I like the option of glow for one helicoptor. I have a gas Predator carbon SE to build and a Bell 222 with Hawk Pro mechanics (as an electric conversion). Right now I have a Lepton EX and Blade CX2 (to help me learn nose in).

I bought the Blade CX2 today after almost dumping my Shuttle when I decided that I could hover well while looking at the left quarter/side so thought I'd try it on the left looking at the right quarter/side. Orientation reared its ugly head and only a level descent saved it. That and the 60 size gear on it (Shuttle Challange).

Only took me one battery to tweak the Blade to a stable hover. I'm practicing with it now. :)

[Shuttle RG]

I too am still in the hover mode. You will love the Shuttle when you convert it.

I purchased the ZXX because I already had a Shuttle RG that I was learning to hover on, but I was really afraid of crashing it because of the repair cost. The ZXX gave me the confidence that I needed to get past the initial hover stage. Since then I have been upgrading and it flies excellent, very stable. I'm slowly transitioning to nose in hover with it and will bring the RG out again soon.

I have three Shuttles that I am converting to electric (I have given up Nitro), a ZXX (done & flying), RG, and an RG/M. The RG/M is the all carbon fiber version of the RG.

Good luck with all your helis! :D

[ArthurKnowles]

Wow! And I thought I was a diehard with one of the few Shuttles left. :) Most have moved on to other models from Hirobo. One of the reasons I am keeping it glow for now is weight and flight time. Electric is great, but the flight times are lower. Unless you have multiple packs. And for helicoptors of this size, that means major expense too.

I've had my Shuttle up in the air once. Got it back down in one piece too! But I need a lot more practice to feel comfortable. I'm more into scale than 3D and like to fly my helicoptors like a plane. Oval patterns. Aerobatics. Hovering to land. I can see the Shuttle better than any other helicoptor I have at a distance. And it is very stable. Even in wind.

I promised myself that this year I would learn forward flight. With 2 electrics (built), 1 glow (built), and 2 more in kit form I can bust up a few and still make it! :D