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All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> Walkera Helis - Dragonfly, etc.. >> 53Q3 parts/build quality?
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53Q3 parts/build quality? - 8/31/2009 6:47 PM   
Fly-a


 

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From: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		I'm in the market for my first RC heli and am looking to get the Walkera 53Q3.

I have been warned off buying Walkera helicopters as some people here in Australia have had bad experiences with them. I suspect that this advice may be based on older models, and aren't necessarily relevant to current models. The large coaxials seem to be relatively new, and are not very popular here in Australia, so I'm after advice from people that have experience with these large coaxials, in particular the 53Q3.

The recommended alternative was the Blade CX3. So how does the 53Q3 compare to the CX3 in terms of quality of electronics/parts?

< Message edited by Fly-a -- 9/1/2009 4:05 AM >

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 9/12/2009 12:19 AM   
Mr.Roberts


 

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Status: offline 		I happen to have a 53Q and i find it to be reliable and stable. Also it does not suffer from blade strikes like the blade cx.

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 9/15/2009 5:42 PM   
Fly-a


 

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Status: offline 		Thanks for the reply Mr.Roberts.

I just got a 53Q3 yesterday. It's a very nice looking heli, but I am having trouble with actually getting it to fly. It will power up OK for the first 30 seconds or so, and then the top rotor will stop spinning. I have never been able to get a decent flight in yet. This frustrates me so. I have unplugged and re connected all the connections, as was suggested in another forum, but that didn't help too much. I suspect that once the electronics get a little warm, it doesn't like it. Hopefully I haven't got a dud.

I will have to contact the retailer and ask them what they think. The helicopter had a cracked vertical stabiliser from shipping too, and they have emailed me back asking what I would like done to rectify the situation. I don't really want to go to the hassle of sending it back, but it may be my best option if I can't figure out this electrical bug...

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 9/15/2009 8:51 PM   
heliaction



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From: Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		It powers up for 30sec or so then looses rpm, if you let it sit for a bit and then try again will it do the same thing? What im trying to say is could it be the battery? If you loose power and then have to recharge, it could be either battery or charger.

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 9/16/2009 2:59 AM   
Fly-a


 

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Status: offline 		Nah, def. not the batteries. I have 3 - all are the same voltage and capacity. I have checked the voltages with a multi-meter and are all ok, they are new so they should be.

It is either a heat or vibration problem, I am going to do some runs with the canopy off in order to troubleshoot the issue. Hopefully it's not the 4 in 1, but something simple.

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 9/17/2009 5:50 PM   
Fly-a


 

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Status: offline 		OK, I've taken the canopy off and I've done some tests. The helicopter still only flies for 20 to 30 seconds before the top rotor refuses to work above about 20% power - before it can even get off the ground. I have checked the gear mesh, wires, connectors etc. The motors don't get very hot (both are roughly the same temps to the touch. There is no more rotational drag on one rotor compared to the other. So this leads me to conclude that the problem lies in the 4 in 1.

I have read that this problem has come up in other peoples 53q helicopters before. I have contacted the retailer and they say that the manufacturer claims that this is normal for a coaxial and that more power will start the top rotor spinning again. However, it does not. No matter where the trims on the TX are set, the heli will not run the top rotors with more than about 20% power. I will have to see if they are willing to send a replacement 4 in 1 RX so that I can actually get this thing flying as it should... stay tuned.

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 11/17/2009 1:27 AM   
bmrlvigil


 

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Status: offline 		Okay here is what I came up with in regards to the top rotor not spinning.

I bought the 53Q3 and had the same problem. Researched it to death and then the solution hit me like a ton of bricks.

Think of this in terms of the gyro, in this case it is a built in gyro in the 4in1.

PROBLEM..... When you first power up; both rotors are turning at a good rate. Now if you just let it sit there OR if you gradually give it power, the top rotor stops spinning. The reason (as best as I can explain) is that the built in gyro is not sensing a need for the top rotor to counteract the rotational force of the bottom blades. In other words the heli itself is NOT spinning and the gyro does not see the need to turn on, or increase speed on the top blades. Hence they stop turning or slow down sometimes to a stop.

SOLUTION.... When you power up, give it enough throttle (quick) enough to get it off the ground. Once you do this the built in gyro senses the bottom rotor trying to spin the heli one way and therefore it tells the top rotor to counteract the spin by increasing or decreasing its speed. I still believe that there may be a problem with the 4in1 as sometimes, the "problem" does occur at random. During these times, I have found that the best solution is to just unplug the heli, wait a few seconds and then replug. Most of the time that does the trick.

I dont know if this makes any sense or just made you guys more confussed, but that is what I have discovered. Hope it helps somebody out.


B

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 12/19/2009 4:49 AM   
Sky Soldier



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From: Livingston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hi All

Just got my second Walkera 53Q3 today.  The first one shipped from Banana Hobby arrived with the upper rotor not working at all.  After lots of email, some un-answered, I finally got the replacement today and it doesn't work right.  So much for 'quality control' and requesting flight testing before shipping replacement.

The rotors on this one seem to start uneven, but then spin up nicely up to 20% throttle.  Over 20% throttle and the upper rotor starts slowing down and stopping.  Pulling left rudder will stop the upper rotor even at 20%.  If I hold right rudder I can spin up to max with both rotors.

I'm assuming the problem is in the 3 in 1 control unit.  Any suggestions on where to get a good replacement unit ?

Since working on them is half the fun, I'll probably keep this one for experimenting and parts if not able to get it flying.  Maybe even try to fit the body on my Esky BOL.

Thanks
Jerry 


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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 1/25/2010 3:04 PM   
Sky Soldier



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quote:

ORIGINAL: bmrlvigil

Okay here is what I came up with in regards to the top rotor not spinning.

I bought the 53Q3 and had the same problem. Researched it to death and then the solution hit me like a ton of bricks.

Think of this in terms of the gyro, in this case it is a built in gyro in the 4in1.

PROBLEM..... When you first power up; both rotors are turning at a good rate. Now if you just let it sit there OR if you gradually give it power, the top rotor stops spinning. The reason (as best as I can explain) is that the built in gyro is not sensing a need for the top rotor to counteract the rotational force of the bottom blades. In other words the heli itself is NOT spinning and the gyro does not see the need to turn on, or increase speed on the top blades. Hence they stop turning or slow down sometimes to a stop.

SOLUTION.... When you power up, give it enough throttle (quick) enough to get it off the ground. Once you do this the built in gyro senses the bottom rotor trying to spin the heli one way and therefore it tells the top rotor to counteract the spin by increasing or decreasing its speed. I still believe that there may be a problem with the 4in1 as sometimes, the "problem" does occur at random. During these times, I have found that the best solution is to just unplug the heli, wait a few seconds and then replug. Most of the time that does the trick.

I dont know if this makes any sense or just made you guys more confussed, but that is what I have discovered. Hope it helps somebody out.


B


I had the same problem with my 53Q3.  The solution to my problem was adjusting the GAIN on the 4in1 unit CW.  After many tiny ajustments, with testing each time, both rotors were spinning up nice up thru full throttle.  When testing left rudder I found I needed a little more GAIN adjustment.

Now the bird flies great.  I can spin up slowly, add just a touch more throttle and hover just a few inches off the ground.   No need to over- power to get the bird up flying smooth.

I'm getting 14 minutes out of the stock battery.  I have the 2.4g metal version. 

This 'little bird' really flits around much like the real life MD500 in which I had my last ride out of the field in Vietnam. (yeah, I'm an old guy!)

In contrast, my Big Outdoor Lama uses the same size blades but has more languid flight moves.

Out of the box, I've found the CG to be slightly to the rear requireing max trim adjustment on the forward elevator to maintain hover.  I'm experimenting now with small bits of putty in the nose till I get the balance right with centered trim adjustment.

Night flights with the LEDs are really cool.  Got to add them to my BOL!

Jerry







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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 1/26/2010 1:55 AM   
macz


 

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From: middletown, DE, USA
Status: offline 		I wish the body wasnt plastic....I have to order a new fuselage and skids...a couple rough landings cracked body...but parts are cheap and this is my first real heli...

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RE: 53Q3 parts/build quality? - 1/26/2010 3:10 PM   
Sky Soldier



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From: Livingston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Macz,

I agree.  At least they should make the plastic less brittle like the 3ch Apache that I started out with.  It took dozens of crashes with no damage while I was learning.

My Little Bird ( walkera 53Q3) has suffered only one bad crash when a puff of wind took it out of my control during one of my first flights.  The several cracks in the body was repaired with CA glue and the bent flybar was straightened by hand and I was back in the air again.

I have since ordered lots of spare parts, including body, to have on hand when needed.  I noticed on their newest version of the Little Bird that they have many more vent holes over the motors.  http://www.besthobbysite.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=150_152&products_id=12817.  Think I will cut more vents on the new body before installing.

My BOL has also had one major crash caused by blade strike.  Destroyed 3 blades and cracked the cabin.  My Little Bird doesn't seem to have the same blade strike problem.  Also, the blades seem more durable than the ones on my BOL.  Will use the Walkera 53Q3 blades on both birds next time I have to change blades as they are the exact same size.

Got to go.  The wind sock is hanging straight down.....so it's time to fly!!

Jerry


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