My S300 is having trouble. When powered up and off the ground the top rotor will stop or become intermittent, unresponsive and or the heli will spin, just looses power and drops. It has near 100 flights now and is a daily fun flyer, I'd love to resolve the issue and get back to touch and goes on the coffee table and other important missions like in the face nose in hover etc.

Tried to re-bind and checked all 3 batteries to make sure they are charged, so far nothing seems wrong or binding. No real bad crashes either. Any ideas?


Joe<br type="_moz" />

Boy this sure sounds like what happened to my CX2. Turns out in my case that it was a motor failure. Try holding on to your heli and power it up to full speed and watch the rotors. In my case it was the upper rotor that would suddenly decide to slow down to a crawl after about 30 seconds.

The effect in flight was pretty dramatic: the heli looked like it glitched out and forced me to throttle down immediately. Of course the bird dropped like a (spinning) stone.

I retried the test several times and decided that either I had too much friction due to mechanical failure, or upper rotor motor failure (which indeed could have been its bearings). I couldn't find any mechanical resistance to speak of, so I replaced both motors with X-treme 180's and the problem went away. My conclusion was that the upper rotor (right) failed or was failing.

By the way, my CX2 has less than 100 flights. I'd say approximately 25.

Hope this helps.

Mack

Thanks Mack, that is very much what is happening to my machine. What x-treme 180 motors are you speaking of? Got a link? Was it easy to remove and replace the motors?<div>
</div><div>Joe </div>

Same behaviour with my CX2 in the past, and had to change the motors. I too chose the XTreme 180 (you have to get an A and a B type motor)

CX2 parts here, including the Xtreme 180 motors (A and B):
http://www.xtreme-production.com/xtr...&amp;Itemid=31

For the MCX, you will probably have to replace the 5 in 1:
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLH1065

Gilles

It looks like the 180 motors are too big for the MCX. Why would the 5-1 be bad?<div>Horizon shows the stock replacement here,</div><div>http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH2210</div><div>
</div><div>Anybody have experience replacing these?</div>

I got mine from Boomtown Hobbies in Oregon http://www.boomtownhobbies.com/

But I think the mCX might use different motors. If I were you, I'd just replace the bad motor first with the manufacturer's replacement. I wouldn't think it would cost more than $10. The reason I went for the Xtremes was that my LHS didn't have a replacement motor and I was planning on Xtremes for some time already.

If it turns out that the motor was at fault, you can then plan any "upgrades" separately from your current problem.

Since the mCX is such a tiny heli, Iwouldn't put too much money in it unless that's what floats your boat. Personally I'm trying to wean myself from any more upgrades as I plan to get a bigger heli once I've convinced myself I can handle it.

Mack

Mack, I called the LHS and they have the stock replacement, also I described the problem and number of flights it has on it, they said it only sounds like a bad motor. I'll bring it in with me as well. <div>I do understand what you are saying, these smaller things can be money pits but I am amazed at how much fun I am having indoors with this excellent entry level micro. I've only simmed helis before and flew GS and jets. I'm seeing the heli hobby as something maybe to approach later if this fun continues. Good luck and thanks for the link!</div><div>
</div><div>Is it strange that no one from eflight is here on the board? I was away from RCU for a while, is there a problem?</div><div>
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</div><div>
</div><div>Joe</div>

You are absolutely right on the 5 in 1. It`s been a long time since I looked at the parts for that heli (I don't crash that one). I saw the part on the eFlite site, and thought what I saw were the motors mounted on the board. My appologies. Of course, the 180s are for my CX2, not my MCX. I was only commenting what they were, not for use with MCX.

Sorry about the confusion.

Gilles</p>

No sweat Gilles, we do appreciate your input, and especially your confirmation that it was likely his motor (comparing your experience with mine).

I think the mCX may be lots easier to handle than the CX2. Everyone seems to be freely flying around the house while I struggle to keep things together flying mine.

Mack

Went to the LHS today and bought 2 motors, one left one right. Replaced right (yaw) and back A-1 condition and cleared for active flight status! Flys great again! Thanks you guys and eflight! What a fun little machine! <div>
</div><div>Joe</div>

OK that's one more symptom we newbies know how to diagnose. Now if only I can keep from crashing...

Mack

Mack, yes that is a plus, with anything I do in RC it's a building process. Knowing what to do when thing problem comes up has now been solved. It's a motor issue. I only changed the right motor, will change the other when it gives out. Was concerned about it but once I started it the old one came out and the new one in very fast and all while talking on the phone. This is a great little heli for me and I hope eflight and others keep them coming. Might want to try the aluminum swash upgrade soon, need more action.

I have the aluminum swash on mine and didn't reallly notice much difference. It's so light you can hardly feel it in your hand so I don't think it adds much as far as extra weight.