I bought a used Raptor with a Century Bell 222 fuse. I did two flights and both almost ended in a crash. I am convinced the servos are the problem. It has Futaba 3003 servos which I am told are real cheapies. I own two pod and boom Rappies and both have JR 8231 servos which I like.

Any suggestions? Should I use JR 8231's or Futaba 9353's. Anything out there slightly cheaper that would work well? I don't like ultra cheap stuff, usually it costs you more in the long run.

Gary

9202.
They are good servos. Sorry to here about the crash.

What crash?

Gary

Futaba 9202's have held up really well in my Ergo 60. They cost around 50.00 each.

why do you think the servos are responsible for the "almost" crash? either they work or they don't (fail). i flew for years with 3001 which have the same torque and speed than the 3003. i know of guys which fly with 148 in their raptors. i do not recommend it though.
i use JR servos and have a really strong one for pitch (110oz) and decent ones at the rest of the swashplate (90oz)

I can stop the swashplate with my pinky for one. I can't stop the swash on my other heli's when I put some pressure on them. These 3003 servos have no torque.

I know how to fly, been doing it for years. I can't fly this ship, so it must have to do with the servos. I used to fly a 222 Junior 50, it was a lead tank and it flew fine. This 222 just has no feel. Hard to explain, but I never flew with cheap servos before. I am not familiar with Futaba servos, I assumed they were ok, but after looking them up, I think I found my problem.

Are you sure the problem is with the servos and not pilot error? Do you have much flying experience beyond a Raptor? I understand scale helis can be a handful. Maybe you should find someone with more experience in your area to check the heli over and help get you started. I know some people in the area who might be able to get you pointed in the right direction.

" I did two flights and both almost ended in a crash"

Why did you fly it a second time that sounds very unsafe? Is the battery good, is it supplying enough current to the servos? How about the ball links are then tight or nice and smooth? When I started out fly I used 148 in a 30 size machine with success.

with all respect, after doing it for years you should know what servos to use, kinda common sense if you know about rc-helis ...
and like the other guy said, why did you take it up a second time after having problems the first time...

I would have someone else check out how it's flying before running out to by servos you may or may not need. What's you skill level if you don't mind me asking? If I owned that heli the only servo's a would use would be a Futaba 9202 or whatever is equivalent to that in a JR. A scale heli will tend to be a bit heavier and more susceptible to wind, thus it will req's more stick work to maintain a steady hover.

Here's a vid of gquiring troubled machine-
http://emco4.emcosales.com/bell222/Bell222-liftoff.WMV

can somone say blades stalling.

Before people get the wrong idea, Gary has been flying helis since they were steam powered (ok mid 70's). He's a very good, and very safe flier. The heli was flown, adjusted, and flown again. He's just looking for some good recommendations for servos that are high torque & reasonably priced. I was just having fun with him.

Guys, let's stick to the question at hand - servos. I am tired of these remarks when you ALL don't know the details. I did not fly the heli twice in one day. I went home made some changes and tried again on the next day.

i was born in the mid 70's and i probably know every single servo on the market and if not i know where to look up the specs... and if he is a safe flier he should have not flown if the swashplate is movable while the tx/rx is on...
peace...

if you are tired of it... then post the details... or do your own research on the manufactures sites...

pitch jr 4721
cyclic/throttle jr 4735
tail 8700G

there you go...

Damm I should have known it was you Dave, I did not look at your location, I thought you were another as*h***.

The new DS811's are still not available. It's too bad as their price is around $40. I ordered the 8231's which were $70 each. It's a pricey servo, but considering my other heli's have them, I know they are very reliable.

And for the other comments 'I should know what to use', I am would like to know if YOU think you know EVERYTHING about servos. It's always nice to ask, something new might be learned.

I total agree, to many people are self appointed experts and safe fliers.


The Answer to the question is -That the problem is with the flier and or setup, your head speed appeared to be to low to maintain proper lift for a 8 +/- Ilb heli. Have a more experienced person fly it for you.

gquiring...
no i do not know everything... but there is a wealth of info available on the web from the manufactures. as to with what brand to go with, that is personal preference, i fly only JR (except way back the 3001's), why? NEVER had a servo failure with them, others fly futaba, multiplex, hitec... why? because they had good experience with that brand...
so... if you have been in the rc hobby for 30 years i believe you really should have you preference by now. you also should know that skimping on the electronics in helis will only cause trouble (but you should know that anyway...)

after ALL the input from others... you go with what you have in your other helis... my point...

peace and be safe...

Aw C'mon Paul, that's not a very good Team spirit, is it?

Paul, who's Paul ??

Uh, aren't you Paul G?
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...threadid=95970]

Uh... No. D

But would recommend you checking out Servocity.com a good source for futaba and Hitec . And at a much cheaper rate with FREE USPS PRIORITY SHIPPING

Nothing is wrong with the flyer or me being considered an expert. I can fly a heli more than well enough to lift it off the ground Paul. Since we know who you are now, it's pretty pitiful that you hide behind some new name. Your cover is blown.

LOL!! FUNNY!! Interesting how 3-d expert first posted that post on 04-04-2002 12:10 PM, then christianzx posted the Aren't you Paul post on 05-20-2002 2:43 PM, then 3-d expert denied the you were paul on 05-20-2002 2:49 PM, and just 2 minutes later 3-d expert edited his almost 2 month old post at 05-20-2002 2:51 PM.

LOL, great laugh! D