Any tail issues?

rotorsup · 07-09-2010, 09:43 AM

Hello all - Just ordered my 425 with Pro 3D 430mm blades from HeliFlightCenter.com. They offer free shipping on orders over $100, and the total came out to $101.41. Pretty good deal I think.

http://www.heliflightcenter.com/HURR...p/g-204399.htm

Anyway, my question is related to the tail design on the 425/550. It's my understanding that the 425 and 550 share many parts in common, so I began watching Finless Bob's build videos. The very first one (an update), describes a problem with the tail at high head speeds. The video can be found here (again, it's the very first one):

http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=31211

This is a pretty old video, so maybe Gaui has corrected the problem by going to a thrust bearing in each grip. But my question is: Has anyone had the tail lock up (causing a severe piro) when running at higher head speeds? Bob's "fix" is to use a portion of a tail from a different heli. I was hoping NOT to have to do this.

Just wondering if anyone has had problems with this.

Thanks.

Jerrymac · 07-09-2010, 11:55 PM

Gaui makes a thrusted tail grip assembly now. I can't remember if my 425 kit came with it or not, but I had one on hand and installed it during the build. I never really looked at the one in the kit to see if it was the newer one.
Never had any problems with tail kick yet and running a head speed of close to 3000.

Epoweredrc · 07-11-2010, 07:39 AM

so how would you be able to know for sure? take the tail grips off and take out the bearings and look at them?

rotorsup · 07-11-2010, 08:51 AM

Epoweredc - In the video I mentioned in my previous post, Bob shows the disassembled tail grips and bearings. If you remove one grip from the tail assembly, you will be able to get to the bearings and check whether they match what is shown in the video.

As he points out, there is very little lateral support for the bearings, which makes them prone to binding up at higher rotation speeds. Again, I don't even have my heli yet, and the video is about three years old. Maybe Gaui has improved the situation. I'm simply questioning if this has been a problem for anyone.

Epoweredrc · 07-11-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorsup

Epoweredc - In the video I mentioned in my previous post, Bob shows the disassembled tail grips and bearings. If you remove one grip from the tail assembly, you will be able to get to the bearings and check whether they match what is shown in the video.

As he points out, there is very little lateral support for the bearings, which makes them prone to binding up at higher rotation speeds. Again, I don't even have my heli yet, and the video is about three years old. Maybe Gaui has improved the situation. I'm simply questioning if this has been a problem for anyone.

yeah i some how looked over that video when i downloaded them all and watched them.
looks like mine I just got witch someone got at IRHA last year so it looks just like the video.

fraser1818 · 07-14-2010, 09:10 PM

Your purchase is one of the finest deals in rc heli's anywhere. The tail works great. The whole heli flies great. I know it's cheap in cost but imo it is by far the nicest flying 500 size heli out there. I fully upgraded one of mine and it is spectacular looking. I also bought mine from heli flight center. After trying mine, 12 other people from our club bought one. Some days at the field it looks like a Gaui convention. Good luck with it.

Mikej · 07-15-2010, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraser1818

Your purchase is one of the finest deals in rc heli's anywhere. The tail works great. The whole heli flies great. I know it's cheap in cost but imo it is by far the nicest flying 500 size heli out there. I fully upgraded one of mine and it is spectacular looking. I also bought mine from heli flight center. After trying mine, 12 other people from our club bought one. Some days at the field it looks like a Gaui convention. Good luck with it.

Nice one Fraser - good to hear that you are all enjoying your Gauis - have any of you tried them with 500mm blades yet ? Makes them even better IMHO - you can make the change for about $30 !!!

rotorsup · 07-15-2010, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the info Fraser. The heli came in last night (late delivery from FedEx Home Delivery). Worked on it much of today - and if I had been smart enough to order the pinion, I'd be ready to maiden tonight. I held out hope that my Align pinions would work. I should have known better.

I'm very impressed with the quality. Little things, like the ball link on the pitch slider arm that actually connects to the bell crank (thought I had something wrong till I figured it out). For $80, I'm amazed. Hope it flies as well for me as it does for all of you...

Epoweredrc · 07-15-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorsup

Thanks for the info Fraser. The heli came in last night (late delivery from FedEx Home Delivery). Worked on it much of today - and if I had been smart enough to order the pinion, I'd be ready to maiden tonight. I held out hope that my Align pinions would work. I should have known better.

I'm very impressed with the quality. Little things, like the ball link on the pitch slider arm that actually connects to the bell crank (thought I had something wrong till I figured it out). For $80, I'm amazed. Hope it flies as well for me as it does for all of you...

What motor you get?

rotorsup · 07-15-2010, 07:09 PM

I'm using a Tonix 1620kv motor I had in a Trex 500. With the setup I'm using - 13 tooth pinion on order, I should get a headspeed of about 2600 rpm or so. Hoping this will power it well enough.

Epoweredrc · 07-15-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorsup

I'm using a Tonix 1620kv motor I had in a Trex 500. With the setup I'm using - 13 tooth pinion on order, I should get a headspeed of about 2600 rpm or so. Hoping this will power it well enough.

Oh... alright then, didn't know you had a setup already.

07-09-2010, 09:43 AM	#1
rotorsup Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2007	Any tail issues? Hello all - Just ordered my 425 with Pro 3D 430mm blades from HeliFlightCenter.com. They offer free shipping on orders over $100, and the total came out to $101.41. Pretty good deal I think. http://www.heliflightcenter.com/HURR...p/g-204399.htm Anyway, my question is related to the tail design on the 425/550. It's my understanding that the 425 and 550 share many parts in common, so I began watching Finless Bob's build videos. The very first one (an update), describes a problem with the tail at high head speeds. The video can be found here (again, it's the very first one): http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=31211 This is a pretty old video, so maybe Gaui has corrected the problem by going to a thrust bearing in each grip. But my question is: Has anyone had the tail lock up (causing a severe piro) when running at higher head speeds? Bob's "fix" is to use a portion of a tail from a different heli. I was hoping NOT to have to do this. Just wondering if anyone has had problems with this. Thanks.

07-09-2010, 11:55 PM	#2
Jerrymac Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western Taxsylvania, USA	Gaui makes a thrusted tail grip assembly now. I can't remember if my 425 kit came with it or not, but I had one on hand and installed it during the build. I never really looked at the one in the kit to see if it was the newer one. Never had any problems with tail kick yet and running a head speed of close to 3000. __________________ I don't need the latest and greatest. I just need more time to fly what I have. Helipro 450se, Gaui 200, Gaui 425 x 2, Gaui "HeadHunter 500, Gaui 550

07-11-2010, 07:39 AM	#3
Epoweredrc Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Buchanan, GA	so how would you be able to know for sure? take the tail grips off and take out the bearings and look at them? __________________ ,B450 w.HS65MG,ZYX Tarrot Head FBL, Billowy Batterys ,MCPX BLack dragon oversky 10a, Blade CP pro BL

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07-11-2010, 08:51 AM	#4
rotorsup Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2007	Epoweredc - In the video I mentioned in my previous post, Bob shows the disassembled tail grips and bearings. If you remove one grip from the tail assembly, you will be able to get to the bearings and check whether they match what is shown in the video. As he points out, there is very little lateral support for the bearings, which makes them prone to binding up at higher rotation speeds. Again, I don't even have my heli yet, and the video is about three years old. Maybe Gaui has improved the situation. I'm simply questioning if this has been a problem for anyone.

07-14-2010, 09:10 PM	#6
fraser1818 Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2008	Your purchase is one of the finest deals in rc heli's anywhere. The tail works great. The whole heli flies great. I know it's cheap in cost but imo it is by far the nicest flying 500 size heli out there. I fully upgraded one of mine and it is spectacular looking. I also bought mine from heli flight center. After trying mine, 12 other people from our club bought one. Some days at the field it looks like a Gaui convention. Good luck with it.

07-15-2010, 05:44 PM	#8
rotorsup Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2007	Thanks for the info Fraser. The heli came in last night (late delivery from FedEx Home Delivery). Worked on it much of today - and if I had been smart enough to order the pinion, I'd be ready to maiden tonight. I held out hope that my Align pinions would work. I should have known better. I'm very impressed with the quality. Little things, like the ball link on the pitch slider arm that actually connects to the bell crank (thought I had something wrong till I figured it out). For $80, I'm amazed. Hope it flies as well for me as it does for all of you...

07-15-2010, 07:09 PM	#10
rotorsup Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2007	I'm using a Tonix 1620kv motor I had in a Trex 500. With the setup I'm using - 13 tooth pinion on order, I should get a headspeed of about 2600 rpm or so. Hoping this will power it well enough.