I am a new flyer and I have a E Starter with the geared 400 engine. I have experienced 2 crashes (in two flights) that were not all that bad (the plane is repairable) but the motor has not been so lucky. Both times the bushing on the "geared" side has broken upon impact. I am very disappointed in this and would have thought that the motors would last a bit longer. The motor seems find but the bushing gets pushed on the shaft.

I guess that what I need to know is if I should continue buying these motors or go to direct drive. Or maybe try to repair these motors that I currently have.Has anyone else out there experienced the same problem? Are there repair kits for these motors?

Thanks for your reponses in advance.

Joe

How did you crash? did you nose it in? I've never had that problem but, post a pic so we can see the motor.

well.....i took off and noticed that my ailerons were opposite (no time to hit dip switches on my radio) so I got confused when
it was flying towards me and nosed it in at about 30 degrees. Prop broke and wing cracked. No visible damage to motor until you try to spin it and I noticed it didn't spin very well anymore and upon further inspection found the large geared shaft was loose. This is the 2nd time this particular thing has happened to a GWS 400 motor.

Thanks for the reply and will try to get you a pic.

Joe

I suggest you forget the 400 and put in a 350 with a C gear and use a 9 x 7 prop. You will get good speed and much better endurance due to the weight saving. The 400 is amp hungry and heavy. I speak from the experience of owning 3 E-Starters which I still fly though 2 are brushless now

I'm not even sure why GWS went to the 400. The only good thing I've heard about it so far is that it helps with potential tail heaviness.

But I met a guy who just recut the battery bay so the batteries would sit further forward--no weight penalty.

I ordered one, thought I was getting the 350C and got the 400 instead. Not even sure if I want to keep it with the 400.

What I found out was that there are two bushings on the large gear for the 400 motor. When I went nose in, the shaft was pushed in and the front bushing became lodged on the splined end by the gear. Was able to get the bushing off and "tack" it in to the motor mount. Working fine now. Took my original motor into my hobby shop with the same problem and the guy that was helping me said the bushing "disintegrated" when he tried to remove it from the shaft. I now know that what happened was that he lost the bushing!

Have repaired my E-Starter and am now ready to fly again. Aelerons are right now and can't wait. You are right about the balance problem. Had to put some fishing weights in the rear of the plane to get the CG right. Flew fine when I had it going.

Am intrigued re:350 motor. Does that motor mount onto the wooden "stick" as the 400 does? Where can I get the motor/prop combination you are talking about. I may try my hobby shop. Those guys aren't too helpful though.....very unorgainized.
Guess what I need is a brand name etc. so that I can look them up online or something.

What type of take off do you recommend?? I taxied off the first couple of times. Is the throwing method better?

Thanks for your help! Getting frustrated but now that the plane is back together I can breathe easier!

Joe

When you say bushings, are you talking about the bearings that support the shaft that goes through the gearbox?

Anyway, the Estarter used to come with the 350 motor (a modified 300 motor to make it more powerful) with C gearing (5.33:1) and, I think, a 1080 or a 1060 prop. The gearbox mounts on a 3/8" stick.

In Canada, I like dealing with www.backyardflying.com. Prices and service is good.

As far as taking off, if you can take off from the ground and like doing that and have no problems doing that, what's to stop you. I used to ROG my Slow Stick and BLT, but mostly toss them now. After I put the wing or the batteries in, the plane is already in my hand, so I just give it full throttle and send it on it's way.

Bystanders are more impressed with a proper take off though!

Ok, thanks for the info. Will check out that site. Have been having fun taxiing the plane but will toss it next time. I guess it is personal preference.

The first order of business is getting used to the e-starter though. I have to get a flight that is longer than 1 min.

Will let you know how it goes. Going from an aerobird to 4 channel is scary.

Joe

The 350 mounts on the same stick. www.allerc.com and www.aircraft-world.com are good places for GWS motors and parts.