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E-flite . Next D . Fast Lad Performance

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Beginners Corner > Are nitro Helis hard to keep clean?
 
 
Mr. Wiz
Heliman
Location: Linden, Michigan USA

I'm very new to helicopters. I've only been flying the real thing (Trex 450 SA) for a few day's but I'm already contemplating my next bird. I'm thinking I might pick up one of the nice used 50 to 90 size birds I see advertised here in the classified section, but the guy at the LHS it trying to talk me out of getting a nitro bird. He says that they get very dirty due to the dust they create and oil residue in the exhaust. He insists I'll be very unhappy with the nitro heli mess.

Now, I'm well aware of dirt and nitro goo. I've been flying RC airplanes for over 20 years. It's only been about 4 years that I've been a completely electric power flyer. My problem is that getting a large electric heli seems prohibitively expensive and the pictures of the helis I've seen look pretty clean. Are they fairly clean, or are people tearing them down and cleaning them up all the time?

In your opinion, is a large nitro heli generally more enjoyable than a small 450 sized one? Can the bigger ones handle more wind?

TIA

Wiz
05-01-2008 12:41 AM
 
 
george0079
Elite Veteran
Location: Terra Firma

Once you go nitro, you'll never look back.

The larger the heli, the more stable it is. And, the better it will handle windy conditions.

Personally, I don't find them nearly as messy as people say. And I don't mind wiping them down at the end of the day.

The older I get, the shorter my attention....... Oh look. A shiny penny..

Steve
05-01-2008 12:45 AM
 
 
Ghostrider
Key Veteran
Location: San Diego, CA

Quote 
Once you go nitro, you'll never look back.

The larger the heli, the more stable it is. And, the better it will handle windy conditions.

Personally, I don't find them nearly as messy as people say. And I don't mind wiping them down at the end of the day.

I completely agree!

Don't get a 90 unless you have deep pockets. About $350-$600 a crash.

Currently flying:
600N Pro, BW Stratus, & Aurora (x2)
05-01-2008 12:48 AM
 
 
Mutt
Veteran
Location: t ca usa

once you go fueld you wont go back to the electrics. Nitro a mess to clean I dont feel it is if you have the exhaust directed right and dont hover in its own smoke it stays pretty darn clean.
05-01-2008 12:49 AM
 
 
doorman
Elite Veteran
Location: E.Berne, NY

Nitro Dirty/Messy!!!!

There is no way that a nitro heli is as bad as they are made out to be and you having flown planes for so many years will know that they are blowing smoke up your A**....
I use a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol and just spray it on the mechanics when I get home.... and while wiping the heli down I also inspect and check each and every bolt to make sure that I won't find out what it was holding The hard way... and this has saved me many times by just doing that simple inspection... and there are a LOT of fliers both nitro and electric that DON't do this and wonder why they crashed or why that bolt fell out...
And as stated, with the diverter pointed down and away there is just about no mess at all if you are in forward flight... only if you stay in a low stable hover in a lot of smoke and then it still isn't that bad....
As far as the power.... I like both types.... the electric for it smooth right now power and the nitro for its fire breathing, smoke'n rippin power... there is something to be said for both...and I do fly both!!!!!
Nitro, refuel and fly
Electric, install extra battery while the other is charging... and go fly...
Good Luck with whatever you choose and HAVE FUN!!!! Stan

If there is a cure for this, please don't tell me about it!!!
05-01-2008 01:04 AM
 
 
Mr. Wiz
Heliman
Location: Linden, Michigan USA

Quote 
I completely agree!

Don't get a 90 unless you have deep pockets. About $350-$600 a crash.

Currently flying:
Trex 600E CF, Trex 600N Pro, BW Stratus

At $350 to $600 per crash the 90 size birds seem a little too rich for my blood. I wonder why the nicer used 50 size birds sell for nearly as much as many of the 90 size birds.

It has been my experience that electric power is more dependable than glow, less messy and the vibration isn't an issue, hence it's easier on the gear. It's also been my experience that electric cost a lot more up front and the batteries don't last nearly as long as some manufactures would like us to believe. So there are advantages and disadvantages to both. IMHO, for wooden planes up 10 lbs electric power is the only way to go. For helis...?

From your signature line I see that you fly both the Trex 600E and 600N. Do you really find the 600N more enjoyable to fly? If so, do you derive the extra enjoyment from the opperation of glow a engine itself, or does the 600N really fly better than the 600E?

Wiz
05-01-2008 01:10 AM
 
 
Pull-n-Pitch
Veteran
Location: Mt. Dora, Florida (USA)

I agree with Doorman!
I use Iso Alcohol and just wipe it down, Q-tips on tight locations..
Sure, They do need cleaning (nitros) but I consider it a "cost of love".
I too use the clean up time to do the thorough post flight thing and look for future problems, Preventative wise...
Hey, my advice is give it a try and see if it's for you!
Let us know how you make out!
05-01-2008 01:47 AM
 
 
2LTime
Veteran
Location: Walworth,NY

Mine get pretty messy, but I give them a slight cleaning every six months wether they need it or not. It's not that bad.

Jeff

If you can't learn to do it well, learn to enjoy doing it badly.
05-01-2008 01:53 AM
 
 
george0079
Elite Veteran
Location: Terra Firma

Quote 
I see that you fly both the Trex 600E and 600N. Do you really find the 600N more enjoyable to fly? If so, do you derive the extra enjoyment from the opperation of glow a engine itself, or does the 600N really fly better than the 600E?

A 600N will never be able to match the performance of the 600E (At least the first 90 seconds of the 600E). But, the combination of longer flight times, consistant performance, and the nitro engine factor, make the 600N much more enjoyable for me.

Plus, I don't like having to worry about a $300 battery. I push myself. Threrfore, I do crash. And trashing one of those batteries is painful.

The older I get, the shorter my attention....... Oh look. A shiny penny..

Steve
05-01-2008 01:56 AM
 
 
Mr. Wiz
Heliman
Location: Linden, Michigan USA

Steve,

I know what you mean about the power at the very beginning of a fresh charge. The voltage with lipos is still very consistant compared to other battery chemistries. That said, I have the feeling that helis tend to reveal the power reduction due to voltage drop more so than an airplane. You'll also find that new batteries hold their voltage through the discharge cycle for a lot longer than an older pack. My recient ESC voltage cut-off crash with a two year old battery is a good example.

I once told myself I'd never go back to flying glow, but I might just have to eat those words... I'm feelin' a Raptor 50 or Trex 600N in my not too distant future. I'll just have to see what deal, if any presents itself to decide which one it will be.

Wiz
05-01-2008 03:35 AM
 
 
nrad2000
Senior Heliman
Location: USA

I started out with a Century Swift - nice electric helicopter. The reason for the electric was that I can practice in my back yard and driveway without disturbing the neighbors. But after spending some time in Runryder and viewing the photoes of others with Nitro heli's. I just had to get one. I went with 50 size heli and I love and hate it at the same time. I love the sound of the motor, the constant power, and the smell of the exhaust fumes. I hate it because I can't just fly it any time of the day. I try to be a considerate neighbor and to fly over my yard during late morning and until early afternoon (while everyone is out working or at school). I do take it out to the flying field but it's so convenient to just fly in my back yard or to show it off to the neighbors teenage kid. I had the same question about the messy ness of nitro heli's. I had no idea that it was going to be drippy and greasy with oil. I even asked the same question on Runryder. I soon learned that RC nitro heli is prone to messy fuel and greasy helicopter. but because i enjoy the hobby so much that I don't care how messy it is. I just bring along my cleaning bucket. In it I have a role of Paper Towel, Kitchen degreaser in a spray bottle, and baby butt wipes. My process of cleaning is pretty simple. I take a paper towel and wet it with the kitchen degreaser - I first wipe the blades clean. second I fold up the blades and pick up the heli so that the nose is facing the sky. I let the oil drip out of the muffler and with a new wet paper towel - wipe the underside. Lastly, i set it down and wipe the tail section and boom.

In a nut shell, if you enjoy this hobby as much as I do - cleaning is the least to worry about.
05-01-2008 07:29 AM
 
 
Zman9545
Veteran
Location: The Golden STATE

Hurting Mangina

Quote 
He says that they get very dirty due to the dust they create and oil residue in the exhaust.

And he is probably the type that would never change oil in his car.

Just when I thought I’ve heard it all, that one is a classic. Seriously.........the messiness that everyone perceives it to be will never outweigh the thrill that it will provide you. It is no different than cleaning your weapon after shooting at the gun range. The topic of cleanliness in retrospect to electrics has always and will continue to be controversial. If and when you crash it, the mess is all the same.


In my opinion of course


Trex600N Pro
Kinetic 50

-The ONLY way you fail is when you quit.-
05-01-2008 07:47 AM
 
 
Lomcevek1
Senior Heliman
Location: Eagle River, Alaska

I cant really speak much about electrice but I can say that cleaning up my nitro heli (raptor titan) is not different than cleaning one of my airplanes. A paper towel and some alcohal is what I use.

Also once again it is a great time to check things over. Does not take that much time and your heli will thank you (and your pocketbook)
05-01-2008 09:01 AM
 
 
TipSpeed
Senior Heliman
Location: Glenside / Telford PA

You will notice when you start flying backwards and flipping the crap out of it your going to get exhaust all over the heli. It's just another joy of owning a nitro bird. I love cleaning my 600N at the end of the day!

-so I called up twenty mike-mike and I rolled in for the pass
05-01-2008 12:39 PM
 
 
TRACERBOB
Senior Heliman
Location: Panama City, FL USA

If you stay out of ground effect as much as possible, it won't be that greasy. Plus I really don't mind the cleanup. It gives me a cahnce to do a post flight inspection of the linkages.
05-01-2008 01:27 PM
 
 
Dilbeck
Key Veteran
Location: Springdale Arkansas

It takes less than 3 min to clean a nitro heli after flying, So whats the fuss all about? It takes me 30min to wash my truck, 20min to vacuum the house, 30min to do the dishes, 6min to shower. 3min to wipe down your heli, come on its fun. Also the oil in the nitro helps keep the bearings and gears lubed.

If it doesn't fly sell it!
05-01-2008 01:57 PM
 
 
Mutt
Veteran
Location: t ca usa

Quote 
It takes less than 3 min to clean a nitro heli after flying, So whats the fuss all about?
It is called being lazy.
05-01-2008 02:40 PM
 
 
nivlek
Elite Veteran
Location: Norfolk England

Quote 
Are nitro Helis hard to keep clean?

Nah , I wipe mine down at the end of each season , whether they need it or not .

At the end of the day , it gets dark .
05-01-2008 03:22 PM
 
 
FBoss
Veteran
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

OR a 30-50 size electric running on A123 batteries. 10s battery is no more than $150 with deans, balance taps and shrink. Wont burn your house down, charge in 15mins, very crash surviable, and good for 1000= cycles. Of course you can only fly for 5 mins........That said, first bird, Id go for a Century Raven 50 Nitro at $300 its a good deal.

The good ole times are now ,000132
05-01-2008 03:47 PM
 
 
enahs
Veteran
Location: Valparaiso, IN

Plus, while you clean it, you can check it over for anything out of the ordinary.

---------
Shane Eagan
05-01-2008 03:58 PM
 
 
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Beginners Corner > Are nitro Helis hard to keep clean?
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