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General RC Heli Discussion Discuss general topics on rotary wing aircraft, including construction, Servo's, Gryo's and Stabilizer discussions.
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Topic Review (Newest First)
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| 06-29-2011 10:15 PM | ||
| jmcintosh |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update The drum that the cord attaches to split in half. The metal to metal joint was fine but the large drum which the cord winds around was black plastic. The engine seems to be hard to turn over and it could be because it is new. Again it is used from my friend but the drum on the pull start should not split in two as he very little time on it. As of now I am using the top start and it should be fine. The engine starts easier that way anyhow. I am going to ask Century for help in this manner so we shall see how it goes. |
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| 06-29-2011 06:39 PM | ||
| AJCoholic |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update Just to clarify - what exactly is the issue with the Century pull start? I looked at mine today. The housing is black plastic, but the part that jumps up (when you pull on the cord/handle) and engages the engine's metal piece is also metal on mine, not plastic. All I know is I got it direct from Century. And it was in a Century branded bag, with the mounting plate for the heli. And it works awesome! I cant see the thing wearing out, all contact parts are aluminum or some kind of cast metal. Just the handle and the housing are not metal. AJC |
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| 06-29-2011 10:48 AM | ||
| Phil Noel |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update Quote:
http://www.helifreak.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55 That is where many of the fellows who are involved with the development of any of their helis hang out. We try our best to help any and all Century heli fliers there, so it seems to attract a lot of the Century fliers. Another helpful forum is the Century forum on RR: http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/f48p1/ There you will find a number of "stickies" at the top about setting up and building the various models. But most of the Century fellows have moved over to the HF Century forum over the years as RR became ever less friendly in their gasser forums and main forums. As for the plastic starter from Century. I cannot comment on yours and how it was used as I was not there. But as you can see, Andrew thinks highly of it as it has worked well for him as it has for many others who have it. But again. there is always the more expensive one from Zenoah that you can use. As for helping those who have purchased from the USA. I do not mind doing so, as I did with a fellow at the recent Quebec Provincial Heli-Fun event. He could not get his engine started and had spent a lot of time and money buying high end filters and manifolds, trying to do so. All was due to a very bad throttle servo arm, to throttle carburetor arm installation. Once that was rectified, it fired up with his HD Sullivan top starter in a flash. I also spent a couple of hours with him rectifying some other errors in his set-up that would have made it hard to fly. After re-working the set-up, we had a happy heli. 
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| 06-28-2011 09:55 PM | ||
| jmcintosh |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update Thanks for the feedback Phil. As I bought this unit from a friend I can only go by the service he got from Century direct. When he first bought the chopper he upgraded the head as he had an issue with the blade grips. He had some soft bolts that did not hold up well when I took it apart due to locktight and the smaller bolt head. The one way blew up after three flights and was replaced at a cost of fifty dollars to him as Century said the kit was to old after one year. I took over this heli from him and can only report what I know so it is good to know you would stand behind the kit if purchased from you. I will try larger blades but had the 600mm's on hand I simply do not like the advice without something to back it up. I will look into the Zenoah pull start but for now the electric start is working better. The plastic Century pull start is junk. |
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| 06-28-2011 07:24 PM | ||
| AJCoholic |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update My pull starter works (and I have a lot of starts) excellently. No sign of wear yet. I have had to date, excellent service from Century. I had a few screws provided that were slightly short and stripped out of the head central hub. The parts were promptly replaced. I was also given a very good price on the new Sprague auto hub, basically took off the cost of the original which had locked up on me a number of times. Although I am interested in the 30, two are enough for now AJC |
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| 06-28-2011 03:55 PM | ||
| Phil Noel |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update Quote:
This will match the rotor loading better to the torque of the Zenoah G20 engine and also make for easier auto rotations. |
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| 06-28-2011 03:42 PM | ||
| Phil Noel |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update Quote:
Don't always believe everything you hear. There are many threads on a number of Century forums (e.g. RR & HF) that complement Century on their service and quick and positive actions relative to any issues. If you had purchased this heli NEW, from any hobby shop here in Canada, who had received it from us (LEISURE-TECH Products - exclusive Century Products wholesale distributor in Canada) I am sure we would have looked after any issues you may have had. 1 - There was a recall on some of the auto bearings used in the first production - replacements were available at N/C 2 - The initial LT version used the same blade grips as they used on their 50's that have worked faultlessly for over 10 years in their 50 nitro helis that used 600 to 610 blades. These were replaced at N/C for the Version 2 units that are heavier duty items, more suited for use with blades as long as 640mm. My personal Radikal G20 is the basic version with the stock plastic head, with the V2 grips and the RT 620mm blades. My 3D idle up turns the rotor at 1900 and I have never had an issue with it...as have many others I know who use the same head. 3 - What screws are you referring to? The Radikal uses 3mm bolts almost everywhere. The only place they used screws are for attachment of the servos. The bolts used on the outside of the frames are even the more expensive button head type, rather then the standard 3mm hex bolt, to enhance the looks. Unfortunately, these type of bolts use one size smaller hex drivers, so it is very important to use good, tip hardened drivers. Using softer allen drivers can result in stripping the head. They do supply servo mounting screws that are a bit soft, but most use of us use the mounting screws that come packaged with the servos used. 4 - As for the plastic cog, used on the relatively inexpensive Century version, I agree that if you have an engine that is difficult to start it will wear faster then the much more expensive metal unit used on the optional version from Zenoah. But one can always go that route if one desires. As for me, I much prefer just using the top start with the same starter I use for my 90 nitro. It is powered by either a 3S/2500/20C or 4S/2000/20C lipo. Using this, a blip of 2 or 3 seconds is all it takes to get the G20 or G231 in my Predator started. |
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| 06-28-2011 12:43 PM | ||
| jmcintosh |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update The blades are fine at the head speed I have dialed in. There is lots of room for adjustment. I have a metal head with thrust bearings and it is not overspeeding by any means. If you read the instructions they specify 600's and up. |
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| 06-28-2011 12:00 PM | ||
| Jimmy P |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update Joel I am amazed you haven't blown the head off your Radikal with those 600's the minimum blades are 620's PLEASE replace at once... |
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| 06-28-2011 05:34 AM | ||
| jmcintosh |
Re: Century Radikal G20... Update I bought a Radikal G20 from a friend and have been enjoying every minute of it since. There are a few issues I have experienced though. 1- One way bearing on main gear has been replaced. 2- Pull start fell apart after ten flights. 3- Stock screws suck. 4 - Plastic rotor head had to be replaced with a metal one which had no instuctions with it. I fly it on 600mm fibreglass blades with Align carbon tail blades. Once I had the battery power to start with an electric starter it is very easy to handle and flies a treat! I have no flybar wieghts and stock paddles, very stable and agile. Lots of power and cheap gasoline. I have yet to address the issue of a plastic reel in the pull start with Century but I have heard they are crap for backing up the product line. I would like to try a G30 to get rid of the ignition battery as I have not found a difference from the electronic ignition to the magneto ignition on my airplanes. I have been trying to sell some nitro helicopters to buy the G30 that is how much I like it. |
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