How important are governors???

[Scottydog]

this is my first gas heli and I was wondering how important is a governor and if so, when should I consider getting one?

thanks

Jon :banana

[creightoncarr]

Though it is possible to tinker enough with your throttle curves tp maintain constant headspeed under most conditions, IMO, if you are flying in your idle up modes, it would be wise to use a governor or limiter. Overspeeding of the head can quickly lead to engine damage far exceeding the cost of a governor. I'd install one during the initial build process, especially if you want to install it inside the frames for a clean look. A lot easier at the beginning than going back and doing it after the fact. Just my $0.02.

[wcc963]

IMO just buy one, it wont hurt to have it on there. its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it

[BarracudaHockey]

They really help with 3d where you are loading and unloading the head constantly.

[Rockohaulic]

I put off using a governor for a long time. Finally got one, and boy do I wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

One of those really worthwhile upgrades.

I think the fact that almost everyone I fly with speaks volumes on how important they are.

Anything inverted is so much better and smoother now. Worth every penny.

[ClayK]

I flew for quite awhile without a governor. If you don't know how to tune an engine, your governor will run crappy. You still need throttle curves in case the governor has a fault. You can do plenty with just throttle curves, but eventually you will want one. I'd get tuning down first, then proper curves, then a governor.

[Scottydog]

thanks so much for the advice!!!

[Mercuriell]

After a week or two of fiddling with my Futaba GV1 and one burned out clutch I finally had a good fly with it all yesterday set to 1800 and 2000 HS. The GV1 kicks in very smoothly over about 10 seconds and I had a ball flying - makes it all much smoother and less drama. It really helped my confidence and encouraged me into a few manouevres I hadn't dared before. Biggest asset besides the smoothness was preventing over-revving and engine screaming during rapid powered descents _ I have a feeling these contribute to early demise of quite a few motors. :glasses2:

[ShuNut]

I'm considering getting this heli but one of the things putting me off is the Gov\speed limiter issue.

I only have a 6 channel TX, so would i still be able to use a Gov\speed limiter with a 6cha TX or would i need to get a new 7cha TX ?

Thx

[docjoe]

You need at least 7 channels for a governor/GV-1, preferably 8 channels. I'm running a GV-1 with my DX7. To be perfectly honest, if you're thinking about getting more nitro helis, you may want to look into getting a higher channel Tx. Just my opinion. I'm going to upgrade to the JR 9303 2.4Ghz once it's out.

You don't have to run a governor. If you have some patience, you can fiddle with the throttle curves to help prevent engine overspeeding when not putting a load on the heli (usually the middle of the throttle curve).

Personally, once you use a governor/limiter, you'll love the constant power and headspeed. It's not too big of a problem on electrics (which is why most people run near flat curves on their TRex 450s) but it is a bigger problem on nitro helis.

[ShuNut]

Thx for the info, not the news i wanted to hear but IF i can really set it up so i dont overspeed the head then its not as bad as it sounded.
overspeeding the engine is the main thing i'm worried about as i'm not there yet but intend to fly hard 3D and i dont want to kill the engine prematurely.

A new TX is out of the question right now as i'm already pushing things to try and get one of these birds.

So i couldn't use a gov\speed limiter and set it from the unit its self ?

I'm a complete nuwb to nito helis, currently have one Rex 450SE.

[docjoe]

My uncle sport flies without a governor no problem. You just need to pay attention to your throttle curves. It's really not that big a deal but is better for 3D because you maintain constant head speed.

[Mercuriell]

You CAN set up the GV1 to work with a 6 channel radio by linking it to come on when the throttle stick is above a certain position, usually about 15% - this limits you to one speed though and I'm not sure you can stop it cutting out with low stick during applying full negative collective (any thoughts Joe?).

The bottom line is you don't need a governor and if you aren't used to glow I'd suggest you don't worry about it for now. When you're comfortable flying with glow and ready to U/G your radio is when I'd seriously consider it !!

[ShuNut]

Hmm Interesting. But stopping gov mode by full applying full -ive collective wouldn't be good when i'm inverted and need a hard climb out or trying fast rainbows, i'm not used to glow engines with heilis (got nitro RC truck) but i'm not new to flying and plan to fly it hard IF i get one.

So if i got this heli and ran without a gov like u suggest Mercuriell wouldn't i be risking the engine with overspeeding when flying hard & practicing 3D ? I'm not really bothered about the gov mode part keeping the HS at one speed but just concerned about killing the engine.

Is a limiter the same thing as a gov ? i'd need a 7th cha for that too ? so there no was i could set up a limiter so when i flick into idle up it comes on ?

Thx

[Mercuriell]

I think preventing overspeed when flying hard the best reason for a gov - BUT it is very cool having a nice constant HS - smooths things up and gives increased confidence about maneouvres.

As far as cutting out this shouldn't be a problem if you are running in idel up as it is the throttle setting - NOT the stick position that switches the governor mode:

From the Futaba web site:

If I use the stick switching can I still fly inverted? Do I ever HAVE to use stick switching?

Stick switching operates based upon the actual COMMANDED throttle position, not the throttle stick position; therefore if you are in an idle up even though your throttle stick is pulled all the way back, IF you HAVE A PROPER THROTTLE CURVE SET UP FOR YOUR IDLE UP (so that the commanded throttle position is not 0), your engine's throttle is commanded to be wide open by the throttle curve and would not shut off the governor.

If you are using it with a radio which doesn't have a spare channel for switching you MUST use stick switching (to be able to turn the governor off) or else use one of the 3 speed positions as off. Remember, regardless, you should always set functional throttle curves as a back up.

[ShuNut]

OOOOoooH, i get it now, well thats very good news to hear thx for that Mercuriell :mrgreen: , although i may get a new TX one day its out of the question for now and would stop me getting a nitro if i had to have a 7 cha.

But thats cool info, so am i right in saying that i can set up the gov in conjuction with an idle up mode and the gov will kick in, and to turn off the gov i flick into normal mode, is that right ?

Still not decided yet if its gonna be a 600N or a 500 electric but i'm now leaning more towards the 600N again :) .

So is it just the futaba gov that can do this "stick switching" or others too ? u got a link for that quote so i can read up more about it ?

I suppose they not cheap either !

Thx again

---------------
EDIT:
Its ok i've found the pages.
If anyone else is interested u can get the futaba gov info and manual here http://www.futaba-rc.com/faq/faq-gv1.html
Now i got some reading to do :roll: .

[BarracudaHockey]

Boys, the GV1 is old news.

Get a Revlock or multigov. Only uses 1 channel for full functionality, and can be run in manual mode if you dont have a spare channel. Its smaller, lighter, cheaper and faster than the gv1 and they work better.