gaui EP 425 build is here

[jerry]

If you guys are looking for some decent priced lipos for the 425, you might want to check out the Mega-Power 6s 2500mah batteries at HeliDirect.

I picked up 2 of them for my 425, and I think I might just get a couple more for that price.

www.helidirect.com/mega-power-lipo-battery-2500mah-25c-6s1p-222v-trex-500-p-7887.hdx

[Doozer]

hey Jerry! Nice find man. Thanks. I'm going to put my build up on the other forum once I get all the electronics in. Which... are out for delivery from the brown truck guys.

I really like the head on the 425 and I can't wait to test it out. It's similar to my G5 head and that is my favorite heli. The plastic blade grip head speed tolerance is a little suspect though. But I guess that's why they make the hop up parts.

I like to fly FAI , F3C style, so I never really ramp up the head speed. but it is nice to have the power if I need it. I'll fly it all plastic for a while and see what happens. If this heli ends up getting a lot of attention because of wear, I'll switch over to metal.

Nice cats btw!

[jerry]

Hey Robby, I am not sure if there have been many problems with the plastic grips on the 425. Most guys recommend using the CNC grips on the Hurri 550 when running 550mm blades though.

I put the CNC grips on my 425 mainly because I had them already. I bought them for my 550, but, then I got a real good deal on a complete Gaui CNC head assembly and bought it for the 550.

I am actually still using the complete stock plastic head on the 550. Figured I might as well wait till I crash it, then install the CNC head during the rebuild. Been lucky so far though, haven't crashed it yet.


Oh, and the cats, lol, thanks. The Seal Point is my favorite.

You gotta put that avatar on the Gaui forum. I laugh every time I see it.

[thisstrangeengine]

I thought about buying this kit and that's how I got here. Someone told me about this build thread and so I joined just to watch the progress. I found a place in Texas I think, that has this kit for $75.00. Still thinking about it...

[Doozer]

Hi TSE,
I've flown this heli about 8 times now and I'm really liking it. I own quite a few helis and this one flies as well as any of them. I had to add a little elevator sub trim, but after that, it tracks quite well. I've kept it plastic and very light. The plastic frame is rigid, but the main rotor grip arms are a little spongie. I think if you're going to fly 3D, metal grips might be the way to go. I don't so I'm going to leave it as is.

The 1470KV Tonic X motor barely gets warm. This week, the weather has been in the mid to upper 80's and the motor was 104 degrees post flight on two occasions, and 113 on another (I tightened the belt a little). My Phoenix Ice 75 speed was 95,93,98 degress, so it stayed rather cool. My batteries (x2 2100 mah 3S hyperions) were just short of 99 degrees on my last run.

I've gone over every nut, bolt and screw twice and they are all holding. I did use blue thread lock on anything that went into metal and a little CA on anything that went into plastic (which were only a couple of frame screws). This kit is plastic done right.

There are a few sites that are carrying the kit for $70 bucks. JR is selling it's DS821's for $30 dollars. Cheap batteries from China and you could be flying nice for a good price. However, Gaui is comming out with a new 500 called the "X5." This may be why they are dropping the price on this kit.

[jerry]

Hey Robby, glad to see that you got the Gaui 425 finished. Haven't seen ya over at "Gaui Helicopter Talk" in a while and thought maybe you abandoned that 425 project. Also glad to see that you like it. Those Tonic-X motors do run cool, and pretty easy on the batteries too. Lots of guys use the Z-30 1100kv in the Gaui 550.

I don't really think Gaui lowered the prices on the 425 kits much, as mine was one of the IRCHA kits when they came out last year and I only paid $59 for it. A friend from another forum attended the jamboree and picked it up for me while he was there.

Hope you enjoy the new heli.

[Doozer]

I'm sorry I haven't gotten over there in a while. I've been working a lot and life is happening all around me. I "guest" visit a lot from work though. I've had several crashes due to mechanical failures and poor inspections.... flying... kids in college.. daughter graduating high school and very ill... my two oldest are getting their AS degrees and moving on to Arizona State.... So I've been a little busy. These forums, threads, and posts are a respite though. I just can't get to them as much as I would like. I'm intending to throw a build up on the Gaui forum soon... I have all the pictures, but my build threads tend to take a while for me to post.

I'm probably going to pick up another kit just to build or have spare parts. I noticed in the your pics on HF that you modified the battery tray. I didn't see that mod posted in the Gaui forums. I'd be interested in doing that. I think I'm wearing these two 3S 2100's out fast. They both temped out at 113 yesterday. That's the highest they've ever been. I did tighten the tail belt though and I worked the heli a little harder.

Anyway, I'll get over there soon.

later
Robby

[jerry]

Yeah Robby, life goes by ya fast. It seems like I was changin the grandson's diaper just last year, and now, already he is 10 years old and wants to learn to fly helis with me,lol.

I am pretty sure that I posted some pics of my battery tray mod in my build thread on the Gaui forum. If not, I think I put some up on the 425/550 board in the "options" thread. I can easily fit a 6s 2500mah battery under the stock canopy, and the CG is spot on, although I had to slide the battery forward a little since I have my tail servo mounted on the tail boom instead of in the frame.

I still have a little tail 'bounce' problem with mine that I haven't been able to correct yet. After a quick piro, the tail bounces a little when I return the rudder stick to center. I don't have that issue with my Gaui 550 and I am running the same gyro on both.

BTW, can I "borrow" that crazy avatar for the Gaui forum for myself?

See you later,

Jerry