Hi all,

I was cruising around on the web, and stumbled across tons of different Dragonfly's and clones (Feda, GWS, Century).
Some had direct drive tails, some had different ESC boards, and what not.

So I was wondering, Howmany Dragonfly types are there, anyway? And whats the difference between them, and how can you tell one from another.
Because recently Ive bought one, and id like to buy the best parts available, and some might be compatible amongst different brands and names.

Any advice on how to soup up this little micro a bit, would be much appreciated.


Best Regards,
Sven

All GWS Dragonfly helis are FP( fixed pitch). There are two versions: one is direct drive the other is gear drive. Get the 2004 model , i have it in gear drive.

I got this Dragonfly kit on e-bay for $119.00. Can you identify which one it really is? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

There isn't any brand name anywhere on the box at all. No manufacture, nothing. I was impressed when I 1st opened it because I notice that it has ball bearing everywhere, not plastic bushing (compared to Ikarus Fun Piccolo) however, it has some serious vibration issues. It will hover for a few minutes and then all of a sudden just start shaking violently. I can usually get it back on the ground w/o destroying it but I cannot figure out what is wrong with it. I can take off again and it will seem fine, then a few minutes later, it does the same thing, just starts shaking violently.

I have an Ikarus Fun Piccolo which was twice as much money but seems to be a much better kit. Any thoughts?

The link does not work.

A lot of things can go wrong with a micro:

1) most probable cause is the battery pack wobbling causing the center of gravity to shift violently. secure the pack and battery mount snuggly and after each hard landing , check again.

2) check also that the flybar paddles are PARALLEL to the ground and NOT angled. again, check after each hard landing.

3) make sure that the screws that hold the main blades are not loose but also not very tight, you should be able to swing the blades by hand and feel just a slight resistance. prior to take off, allign the main blades so that they are perpendicular to the the flybar paddles.

4) If the main blades and/or tail prop are not in good shape and condition , replace them.

5) Finally, balance your heli , it is necessary for proper flying. Adjust the flybar paddles and main blades as mentioned above. Then put the heli on a flat surface with the battery pack installed (but not connected). Turn the rotor head by hand so that the main blades are parallel with the heli's centerline and the paddles perpendicular to the heli. Now lift the heli using your right index finger and your right middle finger to hold the heli from the flybars , WITHOUT rotating the main blades/flybar assembly.

If the nose (cabin) of the heli pitches up, you are tail heavy (not good). If the nose pitches down you are nose heavy ( again not that good) . I suggest that you balance your heli so that when lifting it as mentioned above, it is parallel with the flat surface. To achieve this, move the battery pack forward or back accordingly.


What gyro and mixer board are you using??

I have checked the balance on it and it looks fine. Does not usually pitch up or roll/slide to one side (trims seem ok). It will be hovering smoothly but as I said, after about 30-40 seconds THEN ON ONLY THEN does it start to vibrate. I am thinking that your advice about the main rotor blade tightness may be the issue. I have seen that if the main blades are too loose, it will vibrate immediately, as soon as I start to spool up the blades.

The heli is a Dragonfly kit but not the one that I have seen with the white canopy. This one is a cheaper version I guess from hong kong. The canopy has a clear windshield which is different from the Dragonfly I have seen on the internet on other web sites. The ESC, RCV,Gyro are all housed inside a small black box. It came completely assembled and ready to fly.

I have a Fun Piccolo, and I do not have any of the problems with that one that I am having with this Dragonfly.

Thanks for your help. I'll check the main rotor blade screws again and see if maybe they are now too tight.

If the problem is not caused by the main blades then i am sure that the motor is not working properly and is nearing the end of its life. The vibrating is caused by the main motor not functioning consistently which means that it does not hold a steady RPM but it rather works in "bursts" of power. You will have to replace it with a new one . If your heli is gear drive (tail) then install a GWS 280 heli main motor (also known as EDP150/H) available from Tower Hobbies. You must also install heatsinks in both the main and tail motors otherwise they will overheat , not run smoothly and eventually fry. Heat is the worst enemy of an electric motor (especially micro and tiny ones). Also , adjust the mixer gain value to a 2 o'clock position and the gyro gain to a 3 o'clock position.

Good luck.[sm=thumbup.gif]