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All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> Walkera Helis - Dragonfly, etc.. >> Walkera 36 not all that bad Page: [1]

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Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/21/2006 9:18 PM   
DomingoFlores


 

Posts: 23
Score: 100
Joined: 3/2/2006
Last Login: 7/21/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Guys

I am a newbie to the world of rc helicopters and have really benefited from all of the information that you as flyers have printed. To start, I like many other wanted to get into the hobby at a low cost. For a couple of reasons.
1. have a family so wife put me on a budget
2. did not want to spend a lot on something which I didn't know if I was going to enjoy or not.

After reading some of the reviews stating that the Walkera 36 which I had purchased (on ebay like so many others) was a piece of junk, I was pretty discouraged. (My best friend also read the threads and decided he would go to the LHS and he bought a TREX, which is all they sold.) I thought, what did I do. I just spent a 150 on a piece of junk. Well I decided that there was nothing I could do about it now and decided that I was going to make the best of what I thought was a no win situation.

I started reading about the problems people were having with their helis and the responses with the possible solutions.
I started reading all about starting the tx and heli, trimming, balancing, screw tightening, remote switches and on and on.
All of this was incredibly helpful because as we all know the instruction manual that comes with this heli is garbage.
All of this before the heli even arrived.

Well the heli arrived

I unpacked the heli and went through my checks
First thing I do is make sure all is in good condition, seeing as some helis have arrived damaged.
screw checks (all tight except for those that reqire some play - rotor blades)
balanced the blades (very important because weren't balanced)
unplugged motor and attached battery after turning on tx with throttle stick all the way down as instructed in the threads (all works, servos, gyro ok after adjusting sensitivity)
plugged motor and tracked blades and adjusted the pitch using the pzt and plt knobs (all good)

The Heli came set up very nicely with no broken pieces which made me very happy.

Next thing was to put training gear on.

Now for the fun part. I realized that after reading all of the threads, that I would not be up and flying right away. I knew that it would probably be a couple of months before I would be doing that. If you are a newbie don't even think it is going to happen right away. You are just fooling yourself and will make this a more expensive habit than it has to be and probably lose interest.

I found a nice pavilion with a huge level cement slab on which to practice near my house. You really need to have a wide open space for this hobby. I chose the cement slab because I didn't want my landing gear getting snagged in the grass and causing a more devastating crash. (I was prepared for a few crashes) I have only been doing this for 1 1/2 weeks and am still learning to hover. I am not very high yet. Maybe 5-6 inches but I am happy with that. At that height I can bring the heli down (sometimes roughly) without any damage to it. Let me tell you, just watching the little heli come off the skids and hover is really cool for a newbie. All of this practice time helps me become familiar with the tx and what to do when the heli yaws or rolls or goes forward and backwards. Plus it helps me make more adjustments to the trimming which I found out is best done when the heli is in flight. People don't realize how important it is to become familiar with all that the heli can and will do.

I am not going to say that I have not had any accidents because I have. Being that I do practice on a cement slab I did lose control and the heli slid (not flew) into the leg of one of the tables after I brought it down from the towering height of about 3 foot. It got away from me, started rolling slightly and I got nervous when it got up to that height. (remember i am just a newbie and I could hear my wife in the back of my head complaining of how much it wasn't going to cost to repair) Nothing damaged other than the blades. Put the spare on and up and practicing again. Again, all this is part of the learning curve.

People need to realize that it takes practice and preparation to fly helicopters. I can say that, because my best friend who also bought the TREX has also had trouble flying his heli. It wasn't a breeze to fly like some people say just because it is made by ALIGN. And he had his setup by the LHS owner. He has had the same accident and having more trouble controlling his heli just as well. Why I don't know. I am concentrating on mine right now and learning all about it.

I have the stock motor in it and it does fly, but only after adjusting the pitch of the main rotors. It would not fly out of the box. So please people don't trash the heli because of this. Just be patient, learn about the heli, make the proper adjustments and it will fly.

I do recommend getting Li-po batteries for your helis. I ordered mine with the 1800mah and charger. (charger works fine by the way and light does turn red when battery is charging and green when fully charged) I ran a test based on one of the threads which stated that if battery is 1800 and charges at 1a battery should charge for about 1.8 hours (1hr 48mins). Plugged the battery in, set the timer and like clockwork the light turned green at 1hr and 48 mins. (cool) Haven't attached to a voltmeter to check on it but I am assuming by the run time and by the fact that it does not get hot or swell that it is charging properly. The longer battery life (about 15 mins) is a plus because I enjoy practicing with my R36 and having to cut it short because of loss of power is a bummer. Plus you will notice more blade speed with the Li-Pos. Be careful when going to this battery and throttling up if you have been using the mah. Just be patient and ease into it. I plan on getting a couple more of these. Also plan on getting a brushless motor and esc but only after I have become more comfortable with flying with the current setup. I understand that a brushless motor has a little more power and think that I should wait on that for now.

All in all I am very happy with this helicopter. It flys and that is what is important. I am not going to compare it to other helis since I am new and have never flown another heli. But I can say that it can be just as easy to fly (for those who have flown helis in the past) or just as difficult to fly ( for the newbie as myself) but it needs to be properly adjusted. This I can say because of the difficulty I see my best friend having with his TREX. (just because it is a TREX doesn't mean it is easier to fly, even after he spent almost $650 for the base kit, and electronics) (ouch!!!) If people want to upgrade this heli, they can. Just wait until after they have become better flyers. Why spend a lot on something you are going to break and have to replace. Break the inexpensive first and replace with inexpensive. Then when you can fly your heli buy the expensive upgrades. (that's my philosophy)

The bottom line (at least I feel) is this. Don't go into this thinking you be up and flying right away (with any helicopter) Those videos that you see are for marketing and those heli flying veterans make it look it easy. It takes practice. Buy what you can afford. Your local hobby shop may not sell yoru heli or replacement parts for your heli but you will find that most are more than willing to help with questions, flying and setup. (they have been selling helis for a long time and are familiar with heli setup and flying) You just have to ask. They love that you have taken an interest in this hobby and want to you to enjoy it for a long while.

Also forums like this are a blessing. I can't thank you all enough for all the information. It has really made this fun.

I will keep practicing, hopefully improving and reading these threads looking for some more great information on this heli and flying in general.

thanks again




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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/21/2006 9:49 PM   
ewr101


 

Posts: 257
Score: 100
Joined: 8/27/2005
Last Login: 5/5/2009
From: spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		very well put. and the right attitude to go with it.

part of the fun is learning to fix the thing when it breaks or you crash.

you will be flying quickly the way your going.

good luck. EWR

p.s.- what part of Texas are you in?

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/21/2006 10:05 PM   
1kingbee


 

Posts: 6
Score: 100
Joined: 1/1/2006
Last Login: 5/24/2006
From: Wooster, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I also purchased a Dragonfly 36d and found it to be not that bad of a heli.. Being that I'am also a newbie to this hobby, I have had my share of near fatal crashes replaced a few parts here and there but over all find it right exciting to fly. As far as set up goes, mine was not able to fly out of the box. But after trial and error and some minor adjustments, I can now keep her in the air for the life of the battery. What I need though is a pitch gauge that will work on the stock blades, I purchased a "universal gauge" only to find the main rotor blades are slightly undersized to use this gauge. Does anyone know where I can purchase the correct pitch gauge for my 36D?
Like I said, it seems to fly fine other than the fact I think the motor is "over working" to get in the air, and from what I have read it is because the pitch is not at it's optimum setting or degree? Any info or input would be greatly appreciated.
Ken B.

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/21/2006 11:21 PM   
DomingoFlores


 

Posts: 23
Score: 100
Joined: 3/2/2006
Last Login: 7/21/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hey ewr

I am in san antonio.

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/21/2006 11:27 PM   
DomingoFlores


 

Posts: 23
Score: 100
Joined: 3/2/2006
Last Login: 7/21/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hey kingbee

Sounds like your pitch is to much on the positive. Had that problem intitially. Put a lot of stress on the motor (from the sound of the prop) I don't have a pitch guage either so what I did is just use the pzt and plt and (eyeballing it) with the motor disconnected to decreased the pitch a degree or two. Again it was trial and error. It took me a couple of adjustments but now it flied fine without what i think is too much stress on the motor.

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/22/2006 12:49 AM   
ewr101


 

Posts: 257
Score: 100
Joined: 8/27/2005
Last Login: 5/5/2009
From: spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		ya, you got to find that sweet spot with the the 2 knobs on tx.

when you do, it might suprise you just how fast the blades will spin!!

just make sure you unlock them by flipping the #8 switch on the back of the tx. otherwise you can turn them all day long and they won't do a thing.

this will also help make sure the tail rotor spins fast enough to hold the tail in position.

less main blade pitch = faster tail blades = more tail authority.

the first time i got mine right, i flew it all night long. i didn't want to stop because i was afraid i wouldn't fly like that again!! lol

domingo, i was hoping you were a little closer as not many around here (just north of houston) have electric helis.

but i guess relative to the size of Texas you are close.

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/22/2006 6:22 PM   
DomingoFlores


 

Posts: 23
Score: 100
Joined: 3/2/2006
Last Login: 7/21/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hey ewr

Yeah I know the feeling. Not many that I know of around here that fly electrics other than myself and bestfriend. I do of a local group in san antonio who fly nitro copters on saturdays at a local field. Went to see them and that is how i got interested in heli. Just couldn't afford the 1500 to 3000 dollar setups which they fly.

How are you enjoying your walkera?

any upgrades planned in the future?

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/22/2006 11:43 PM   
ewr101


 

Posts: 257
Score: 100
Joined: 8/27/2005
Last Login: 5/5/2009
From: spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		hey, alittle tlc and these fly just fine. i'm still working on nose in hovering, it's a b***h but it flies well.

so far i have upgraded the the whole tail to a cnc t-rex se version, carbon fiber main and tail blades, 2100mah lipo, t-rex landing gear (took a little modifying but it works and i think the stock landing gear is a little stronger. i haven't broke them just going by feel), align 430l brushless motor with align 35amp esc, all hitec 55 servos and some cnc head parts.

crap, when i look at all i have done, THAT'S ALOT OF MONEY!!!

oh well it's been worth it this thing is a blast!!!

next is going to be a futaba 401 gyro. after that either the dx-6 tx/rx combo or full cnc head.

i highly recommend the align motor and esc upgrades. that's when it went from fun to just plain awesome.

i wanted a nitro bird 5-10 years ago but your right $1500 to $3000 was way out of my price range, soot it still is!!

i almost bought a t-rex se with everything included to fly for $1000 with my tax refund but i ended up getting a night ranger II.(smaller 4 ch. fixed pitch heli) and i'm glad i did. it really helped me to fly the 36 alot better!! plus it was $850 cheaper.

now i'm just going to upgrade the 36 when i can afford it.by the time i can fly really good i'll have a sweet looking bird.

i just don't know which will be first though! good flyer or good looking heli!! probably good looking heli!!!

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/23/2006 4:02 AM   
DomingoFlores


 

Posts: 23
Score: 100
Joined: 3/2/2006
Last Login: 7/21/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Sounds like a nice heli ewr.

I think that my first upgrade will be the brushless motor and esc. I am debating with walkera (due to price) and some of these outunner motors. Here the outrunners run cooler and use less energy. What have you heard about them. Also trying to find a way to set my antenna. Haven't had any glitches but haven't been very far away from heli yet. Just don't want it to happen when I do let it get a little farther away. Thinking about running it to the tail and back through a tube which I have seen attached to the landing gear.

Eventually I would like to go to the carbon fiber blades. I like the look and understand they are stronger and lighter.

My gyro works just fine for now. My tail servo was binding a little at first but found out it was because the servo was up a little high on the tail boom and the wire going to through the plastic sleeve was a little curved. Just loosened the servo, rotated it down slightly until the wire was straight and viola, better response. Also let some wd 40 run through the sleeve to increase the slickness. I figure it will take some of the load off the servo to increase the longevity of the servo.

I think that eventually I would like to upgrade the servos. Have seen the Hitec 55 and some towerpros. Which do you think are better and more responsive?

Yeah looks like i will be spending more money also, but want it to be on upgrades and not on repairs. At least I would like it to be that way, but we both know that will be impossible.

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/23/2006 5:26 PM   
ewr101


 

Posts: 257
Score: 100
Joined: 8/27/2005
Last Login: 5/5/2009
From: spring, TX, USA
Status: offline 		i say go with the align motor and esc. best money i've spent so far on the heli.

i tried the walkera brand and it smoked after a few flights. don't waste your time or money on them. the align motor and esc cost a little more but it's a dependable and quaility set-up. you won't regret it.

i have had good luck with the hitec servos. i'm still using the first four i bought so i don't have any experience with any others. sorry.
they seem to do the trick so i will probably stick with them if/when they go out.

that's how i built my heli. everytime i would break something, if there was an upgrade for it and i could afford it, i got it.

can't wait to get the new gyro. the stock one works ok but it seems to drift alot. it's going to be nice to fly and not have to constantly hold the tail still.

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Helicopters on the ground and revos on thier lid suck!

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 3/23/2006 6:17 PM   
thecheatscalc



Posts: 1228
Score: 100
Joined: 8/13/2005
Last Login: 4/17/2009
From: fayetteville, GA, USA
Status: offline 		yeah, I've got a 401 on the way! it's going to be interesting having something that will actually keep the tail still!

Dominigo, I've got to say that you seem to be enjoying it, I had the same thing happen, after buying I found everyone saying "it's crap, doesn't fly, won't work" I got it, and after a few hours of staring at it when something was acting wacko I eventually came to understand the whole heli!

I'd go for the align420LF and a 35A ESC as well, it'll be a good amount of power, so be careful with that throttle! for me it's THE best purchase I've made! The Hitech HS55 feather servos are actually SLOWER than the stock ones, imagine that ! They do work nicely however, and I'd definatly recomend them.

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 12/23/2006 1:47 AM   
akeiko13


 

Posts: 1
Score: 100
Joined: 12/22/2006
Last Login: 2/4/2007
From: oceanside, CA, USA
Status: offline 		im really new at this, i got mine 2 days ago, im still trying to mking this thing to hover, i been trying to fix the picth and nothing yet, does anyone knows a better way or a faster way to have the heli hover, plus the controler is the #2 i think

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RE: Walkera 36 not all that bad - 12/23/2006 1:05 PM   
Chophop


 

Posts: 1904
Score: 100
Joined: 7/13/2006
Last Login: 6/28/2009
From: Greenup, KY, USA
Status: offline 		My 430L 3550 lasted 2 hours. And it was sorry sucker. I think the JGF DH400 may be better for the 36, at least for learners. Look around at those 430L's. They fall apart.

SB

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