New 200 build

[Buzzkill]

I was going through my ever-growing pile of parts today and discovered I have more than enough to build a 200 from the ground up. So to satisfy my heli cravings I'm going to put one together as if it was a kit. I don't have a video camera or I'd do a build video. I'll try to get some pics together of the build. Here are a few to get going. Please note I wont be using lock-tite on anything because I'm not using any directions so I don't want to use until it's together. I'll disassemble it after I'm sure it's right and do a proper build.


Pic 1 my pile of parts

Pic 2 The Fred Sanfordish place I do this

Pic 3 I started with the upper frame assembly. I elected on occasion to use an exacto knife to open the holes in the CF slightly (very very little) to help get the screws started. I'm sure I'll be doing this a lot.

Pic 4 Upper frame partial assembled. I left off two screws for the CNC tail boom mount for adjusting tomorrow. Also the boom supports will be tomorrow also.

Pic 5 Lower frame assembly

Pic 6 Lower frame assembly done.

It's a pretty easy build so far I use my other 200s as a reference. I do recommend small smooth needle nose pliers and/or hemostats.

[Buzzkill]

Well I just noticed I dont have a swashplate guide and it looks like its only availible with a frame kit, I E-mailed Gaui to see if I can get it. I hope they respond with good news. Another problem may be the belt guid spacers.

[robl]

swash plate guy is definately available separately, check heli direct or someone that has ep100 parts.

[Buzzkill]

I did, frame is different on the ep100 and I didn't see it anywhere seperately.

[robl]

the guide should be the same. I took the guide off my ep100 se frame to use on the v2 frame after I broke the guide on v2 frame by dropping the frame by mistake.

http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=279&products_id=3572 not completely separate, but it is avaialble. Gauis lack of spare parts easily available is troubling though.

[Buzzkill]

Damn, $11.50 for a plastic part.

[Buzzkill]

Got an E-mail from Gaui today. They asked that I send them pictures of the parts I'm asking them about and they'll send me some for free!! Now thats customer support !! Hopefuly in a few days I can get back to building this bird!

[robl]

gaui is in taiwan, do you think they are going to ems them to you?? Thats a great offer, but I wouldn't expect them in less than 2 weeks.

[Buzzkill]

Well looks like it may be a few weeks then. Regardless just the fact that they responded at all is a plus. Not to mention offering to send some on their nickle. +2 points for Gaui.

[robl]

absolutely, it was fantastic of them, great company to do business with for sure. just didn't want you to have unrealistic expectiations of when you would get it.

[Buzzkill]

LOL I've waited on MicroHeli for eight days. DHL tracking shows the tails were delivered today !!!

To be honest, the wait kinda feels like Christmas when I was a kid. Now just if I could find a RC Heli calander with a piece of candy behind each days foil wrap :thinking

[robl]

LOL I've waited on MicroHeli for eight days. DHL tracking shows the tails were delivered today !!!

To be honest, the wait kinda feels like Christmas when I was a kid. Now just if I could find a RC Heli calander with a piece of candy behind each days foil wrap :thinking

what the heck man???? How is the tail? We are all dying to know, don't keep us in suspense :)

[Buzzkill]

Ok, got one on finally. First you'll definitely need a magnifying device of some sort. This thing is tiny!! Very well made but super small so be ready to have a good clean work surface away from the abominable edge of never returning screws. Drop one of this baby’s screws or nuts and it's history. They could get lost in a pile of salt.

After a careful installation I adjusted the limit on the 401 Gyro because the tail will bind just like the stock plastic parts. First spool up’s where very smooth. The quality of the tail is very good. I’d have to say there is a very noticeable reduction in slop and an increased intolerance for improper setup because the plastic parts will flex if there is too much throw or if it’s just slightly rubbing the tail pitch control arm bracket (which is where I believe people are having binding issues?) so I was very careful setting the limit and getting the servo in the right position.

That being said I like it a lot, again very smooth and precise. I was only able to hover and kick the tail at rapid 90’s to test the holding power. I don’t hover in idle-up inside my small apartment so when I would hit full collective the tail held surprisingly well with the increased torque and load on the head. I’ll be able to get better results Friday at the dome.

Honestly, you’d have to ask Rstacy and people like that to really know because I’m by no means a good pilot or Heli setup expert. I have however run at least 100 packs through my Gaui and for me, it feels better. I’m sure I’ll crash at the dome so maybe I can give some good crash report info Saturday. Luckily I got two tails just incase.


Pros: Good quality and precision in a small package.
Decreased tail slop very smooth.
Tougher than plastic.
Pitch slider and blade hub/grips can be used with stock tail
Bling!!
.

Cons: Tiny parts make it difficult to install.
Requires near perfect tail setup to function correctly.
Less than poor customer support from manufacturer.
No replacement parts. Break a tail, buy a whole new tail.
.5-gram weight increase on the tail

Bottom line. I’ll give it solid 8.0 :thumbup:

[robl]

the tail shaft is a stock part right? lets hear how the flying in the dome goes. looks like a nice piece. Any binding issues like peope were talkinga bout?

[Buzzkill]

Yup shaft and pulley is stock. No binding so far.

[robl]

how do you get a 3.9g weight increase on the tail. looks like you only weighed half the parts in one picture and all the mh parts in the other.

[Buzzkill]

You know thats a good point. I was in a hurry and didn't add the stock tail hub and grips. I'll re-weigh and edit the post. Thanks for catching that !

[robl]

You know thats a good point. I was in a hurry and didn't add the stock tail hub and grips. I'll re-weigh and edit the post. Thanks for catching that !

maybe the mh stuff ends up lighter than stock. :)

[Buzzkill]

Turns out there's a .5 gram difference the MicroHeli is heavier slightly. I am still waiting on a couple parts. The swash guid isn't availible without the frame set neither is the belt guide spacers. Luckily a LHS is getting them for me. Just dont know when.

[scarr]

Hey, just curious if anyone out there knows anything about this tail,

http://flying-hobby.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=3_5_9&products_id=2434

Looks nice but expensive....

Thought I would bring it up as it seems to be the weak point on the heli

[Buzzkill]

I've looked at it on that site but couldn't get myself to pay almost 25% of the kit for the tail I know nothing about.

[mjr_larkin]

Didn't Gaui send you some free parts? Sounds like good constumer support actually.

p.s. any other tips on tail setup? I'm nervous

[Buzzkill]

I havent heard from Gaui since I sent them the info they requested. Probably will take a week at least.

The only problem I've had with the tail other than the plastic parts breaking is the binding.
The binding is easily overcome if you set it up right. At least for my less than stellar flying.

I got a cheap video cam so I'm gonna do a quick setup video tonight. Hell who knows, I might even be doing it wrong but mine works fine.

The only other thing which I havent mentioned but has been mentioned before is to put about 8 degrees of pitch on the tail rotors (right rudder) instead of zero pitch at center stick. I havent tried it myself but I've seen it in a Finless video for another heli and have read it in a few post.

[robl]

Yes, This is what you need to do, but as I've said all along, try doing that with the stock slider, it won't work. You will pop the links off when trying to get enough pitch :(

I
The only other thing which I havent mentioned but has been mentioned before is to put about 8 degrees of pitch on the tail rotors (right rudder) instead of zero pitch at center stick. I havent tried it myself but I've seen it in a Finless video for another heli and have read it in a few post.

[mjr_larkin]

Looking forward to that video Buzkill! :thumbup: