2 indoor rc copters with rotors malfunctioning
01-13-2014, 10:32 PM
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2 indoor rc copters with rotors malfunctioning
I'm wondering mainly whether these sort of indoor copters are worth dyi repairs, of it it would be considered too technical.
One is a syma s107 whose tail rotor has died, and won't start. The battery seems tiny with very thin wires attached, does it mean replacing tail rotor battery would require some experience in fiddling with and soldering such small components? It doesn't look easy to replace the tail rotor battery, yet it seems many are or have attempted or done it, so am not sure if it's worth trying or not. Wouldn't want to spend hours on it, to be sure.
The other heli is a similar sized and priced of generic make, that after one big crash had its bottom main rotor stop working. The bottom rotor turns if I turn the bottom-most gear manually, and turning the top-most gear turns the top rotor, but when manually turning the rotors themselves, only respective rotor turns, not the other.
Is it likely a gear issue then? If so, what could it be about the gear that causes it, and would it be worth trying to fix myself with limited soldering etc experience, vs sending it in for repair vs replacing the heli?
One is a syma s107 whose tail rotor has died, and won't start. The battery seems tiny with very thin wires attached, does it mean replacing tail rotor battery would require some experience in fiddling with and soldering such small components? It doesn't look easy to replace the tail rotor battery, yet it seems many are or have attempted or done it, so am not sure if it's worth trying or not. Wouldn't want to spend hours on it, to be sure.
The other heli is a similar sized and priced of generic make, that after one big crash had its bottom main rotor stop working. The bottom rotor turns if I turn the bottom-most gear manually, and turning the top-most gear turns the top rotor, but when manually turning the rotors themselves, only respective rotor turns, not the other.
Is it likely a gear issue then? If so, what could it be about the gear that causes it, and would it be worth trying to fix myself with limited soldering etc experience, vs sending it in for repair vs replacing the heli?
01-18-2014, 12:19 PM
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What you're calling a tail battery is probably the tail motor. They burn out pretty quick on the cheaper helis with brushed motors.
If you are going to get into this hobby, then yes - you will need to get pretty good at soldering. If you need help there are some good how to solder vids on youtube.
Those little 3 channel helis are really just toy grade stuff - the controls don't even work the same as a hobby grade. They are a cheap way to get into the hobby, but I don't think they are worth the cost of repairing. My personal oppinion is now that you've tried it, step up to at least a 4 channel fixed pitch like one of the blade helicopters or even one of the 4 channel from wltoys. A little more difficult to fly, but much more fun once to get it under control. Parts are much easier to find and they're worth repairing while you learn the flying skills you'll need for a 6 channel collective pitch.
If you are going to get into this hobby, then yes - you will need to get pretty good at soldering. If you need help there are some good how to solder vids on youtube.
Those little 3 channel helis are really just toy grade stuff - the controls don't even work the same as a hobby grade. They are a cheap way to get into the hobby, but I don't think they are worth the cost of repairing. My personal oppinion is now that you've tried it, step up to at least a 4 channel fixed pitch like one of the blade helicopters or even one of the 4 channel from wltoys. A little more difficult to fly, but much more fun once to get it under control. Parts are much easier to find and they're worth repairing while you learn the flying skills you'll need for a 6 channel collective pitch.
01-18-2014, 01:06 PM
#4
There are replacement parts available for the Syma: http://www.xheli.com/56p-s107-14.html
As mentioned, if you want to really try this then you should get something from Blade. They are more expensive but really hold-up to abuse ,parts are readily available , and Horizon Hobby stands behind them.
As mentioned, if you want to really try this then you should get something from Blade. They are more expensive but really hold-up to abuse ,parts are readily available , and Horizon Hobby stands behind them.
01-19-2014, 03:54 AM
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Great answers. Not sure why I called them batteries, obviously they're the motors, duh.
So in that case, I might look at a soldering video to see if it looks doable, otherwise maybe go for a replacement. Not ready for an upgrade at this point due to time and space restrictions.
A final question: Do some kinds of electric repair shops, like appliance repair shops, fix these things, like rc copters, too? If so would they be worth it, considering these copters cost less than $30 new?
So in that case, I might look at a soldering video to see if it looks doable, otherwise maybe go for a replacement. Not ready for an upgrade at this point due to time and space restrictions.
A final question: Do some kinds of electric repair shops, like appliance repair shops, fix these things, like rc copters, too? If so would they be worth it, considering these copters cost less than $30 new?
