HK 500 GT Build

[rotorfan]

Well recieved the kit last thur. and just had time to open and take a quick peek to my surprise it was well packed and everything looked really good( - instructions). So I started the build last night by downloading t-rex 500 manual for refrance then removing any pre assembled parts and replaceing the screws with screws from rcscrewzs (loctite of course). The bearings seemed smooth with no slop so chose to give them a try. The bags were not marked but still not much of a problem because the contents of each bag once opened were all used at that time. I also pulled apart the pre assemled head and tail main and feathering shafts straight also to my surprise. Thrust bearings were greased but regreased anyway. The main gear was slightly warped but with a little convincing was easy to make it turn true. Was not missing any parts the only problem was one of the flybar paddles was stripped so I just used the set screws to secure it to the flybar untill I get the new aligns. And I will replace the cheap plastic canopy with a fiberglass one. All in all very pleased but time will tell waiting for my Turnigy Typhoon motor and ESC. Still deciding on servos and gyro. Will post mor pics could only figure out how to do 4.

[robv]

nice

[teef_au]

I'll be interested to hear how it flies.

[rotorfan]

Me too! may be a couple weeks till virgin flight still need servos and gyro. Anyone have any for sale?

[joeyhatch11]

I got my 500 from Valuehobby.com. Here in the US kit was only $75, same as the Trex 500/HK500 GT. I'm using Turnigy MG930 servos on the cyclic, 80A Turnigy ESC and a Hobbycity 500 motor w/12T pinion. I found a Align 750 gyro on here for $80 shipped and bought my Outrage tail servo on HeliDirect for $50. From what I'm reading that tail servo should be tits. I'm doing the servo install and centering today at work. Here's a link to the tail servo I got. I'm hopping to get everything done and mounted by the end of the day, if I'm not too busy.

http://www.helidirect.com/outrage-os...vo-p-11041.hdx

[esmoglo]

What motor did you buy? I am looking for one now do you know? Can you give the Hobbykink link?


Angelo

[rotorfan]

Hey Angelo I bought the Turnigy Typhoon from www.hobbyking.com for $24.99

[rotorfan]

Getting closer to virgin flight! Purchased dx6i, ar6200 Turnigy MG930s installed for cyclic waiting for futaba GY611 gyro to do final setup adjustments. Stay tuned more photos to come and first hover results. (kinda scared)

[Epoweredrc]

Originally Posted by rotorfan

Getting closer to virgin flight! Purchased dx6i, ar6200 Turnigy MG930s installed for cyclic waiting for futaba GY611 gyro to do final setup adjustments. Stay tuned more photos to come and first hover results. (kinda scared)

From what I have read unless you have replaced or even if you have replaced
WARNING WARNING YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Do not stand inline with the tail blade's put the heli offset to you so if one lets go you will not get hit I have read this is the #1 issue. i never stand behind my b400 always offset it people scare me hovering right inline with them.
I knwo the main blades are bigger and hurt you too if let go but those tail blades are spinning like 5 times faster then the main blades.

just be safe everyone.

[rotorfan]

I always stand to the side! But I do have a cnc tail on the way. Thanks

[shizack]

The problem with the tail blades on the clone 500s made by Skya (HK500GT, EXI 500, maybe a few more) seems to be the weak bolts.

Most of the ones I've heard about flying off were due to the bolt that holds the grip to the hub snapping. Some blades have broken at the root, but that was a while back and rare even then. Usually with gung-hos trying to get away with 3300+ rpm head speed which isn't wise anyhow.

I replaced mine with good bolts before spinning it up for the first time. I have the plastic EXI 500 kit and haven't had an issue...yet.

[rotorfan]

I have replaced almost every screw (either loctite or super glue) with the 500 kit from rcscrewz and the few I didnt replace I removed and re loctited. Hope it all works out will post more pics as the few remaining parts arrive early next week. And details on the first pack I run through her.

[belcom]

I know the bolts supplied with the EXI 500 kits are crap. I took off a couple hats just by trying to unscrew them the rest were stripping bad. RCscrewz stainless ones are good and much stronger. I bought one of those kits and there are more than enough to replace all critical screws plus some less critical in 2 heli kits (maybe even 3). Some smaller M2 screws can be used on 450 helis too.

A set of Align hard steel screwdrivers is a MUST!

[rotorfan]

+1 belcom its a great kit well worth the money

[CF_Machete]

on the 930's.....i have the old packaging tower pro's. I have to run them at 6V to get worth while performance, and they are still very docile. Surprised you didn't go for the hk 401B gyro. Would have went that route on my 500gt, but i had a spare gy401 lying around.

[rotorfan]

I got a good deal on the gy611 from this site it arrived yesterday

[CF_Machete]

better than $13.00? Well $18 w/shipping?

[Bodizapha01]

Hey guys, just wanted to add the experience I had today. Built my HK500GT yesterday. Pulled all screws, locktited, and lubed the thrust bearings. I took a chance and decided against my better judgement to fly it with the stock tail . I put 3 packs through it yesterday. Mainly just hovering, and some forward flight. I was having issues with blade tracking so I was dealing with that. I put 2 more packs through it this morning, dealing again with blade tracking, and on the 3rd pack (thank goodness I was checking tracking on the ground) one of the blade grip bolts snapped, and caused distruction of the entire tail case. I heard a Whoop sound and the heli did a 180. Powered down and saw the tail case laying on the ground, snapped in half, and missing one entire blade grip. No other damage to the heli. My local HS didn't have an Align metal tail upgrade so I built the entire tail with the Align plastic parts and hardware. I sure hope the Align stuff holds up better. Now my concern is the head. If the bolts in the tail are soft, whos to say the bolts holding the head blade grips together arn't soft. Has anyone experienced a head failure yet? Oh and by the way my electronics are all Align! 510's on the cyclic, 520 on the tail, 1600kv motor (13t), stock esc, and Sparting gyro. Please, Please, Please replace those tail parts guys! Don't be stupid like me and think it wont happen to you.

[Digger66]

I am waiting on my HK500GT to arrive, and I guess a tail assembly replacement is in order. Is the Metal version from HobbyKing/ CopterX any better, or should I just get the Align one and be done with it?

[Bullitt5094]

The only thing I see that's weak on the CopterX is the landing gear. I upgrade it to an align set. I have a lot of experience with 450s but this is my first 500. From my experience everything is good quality on the CopterX.. I think it's a heck of a deal for $124 including some pretty good CF blades.