msr questions
 

Hello, first post here. I've got a msr and having a real problem with it maintaing a straight heading, I have to trim it all the way to the left and still have to correct it with the stick if I let go of it it will turn in circles. I'm new to helis but flown fixed wing. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

Hi, Check your swashplate, they are pressed together and sometimes come apart, here is some great info for your heli.

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/blade-msr-tips.html

REPAIRS / IMPROVEMENTS
As is the case with all of E-flite’s & Blade’s micro helicopters, the swashplate halves are press fit together and can slowly separate over time or during a sudden hard crash. The result is an uncontrollable heli since a separated swash has the same effect as a backward and right cyclic command, the more it is separated, the more severe the effect.

This is not the problem.........it flies level, the tail rotor seem like it should run faster to keep it going in a straight line.

With those tiny things, check for even a hair or carpet thread wrapped around the tail rotor shaft. Also make sure the plug for the tail motor is plugged in good to the board in front.

No hair, wires all good, do the motors get weak? I bought this heli used so I'm not sure how much its been flown or if that even makes a difference.

Yes, I think I've read they can get weak. They are just tiny brushed motors, I guess. Haven't gotten there myself, I guess I don't fly them enough! Not too expensive, anyways:

Horrizon Hobby MSR tailboom w/motor

Since you say you got it used, I wonder if the tail rotor blades are, or even can be, installed backwards? I don't know if they have little tiny airfoils on those little tiny blades. I guess at that point there is even the outside chance the gyro function of the board is out, though I don't think I've ever heard of that happening. Do you have a LHS where they carry Blade stuff? Maybe they could help troubleshoot it and reduce your chances of buying parts you don't need?

Its been getting progressivly worse so I should be on the right way. I've only had it about three weeks so I'm pretty much clueless as how to set it up and keep it flying right.

Well, once you get that tail rotor sorted out, I'd recommend this:

How to get the most out your MSR/X & 120SR

It's $10, but if you have a computer radio and are not a heli expert (I'm not!) it's got some educational stuff. I feel it was worth it.

Unofficial Blade mSR Troubleshooting Guide!
 

Maybe this info might help.

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=165025

:mad: Thanks for the help, I hope I found the problem. I inspected the tail motor and the housing where the wire go in the back was cracked and loose. Would that have any effect on why batteries don't last? I usually fly about 5min and charge but I can't seem to get the batteries to last very long, I got about 4-6 charges out of the last 3 batteries.:mad:

I think that may be the problem, a new tail rotor motor should take care of the problem, the crack and loose housing could be causing the motor to drag and eat up battery current.

3. Will the tail hold steady without drifting?
Yes? Proceed to step 4
No? Inspect your tail motor carefully. Look for distorted tail rotor, broken tail rotor, hairs wrapped in the bearing. Adjust your rudder trim against the direction of the tail drift. If your already at the trim stops, its probably about time to get a new tail motor. Stop operation and order one, you could run the risk of overcurrent and fry your 5 in 1.

I just changed the blades on my Blade Scout and it wants to fly sideways. Could I be having the same problem?

Well, you better double check how you put it back together. Must be that since it started after you changed the blades. And without a tail rotor on the scout, it can't relate to the MSR issues above.

Well I finally got a new tail motor and it works like a charm, problem solved. Thanks for the input folks. :)