ESky - Honey Bee King 2 - Suggestions for parts

[carrotcake]

Hi, I'm new to R/C helicopter, but I have decided to get the Honey Bee King 2 - in terms of price and performance it's one of the best choice for electric helicopter in the market now I believe - regardless I am going ahead with HBK2 :D

Anyway, other than the Carbon blades and extra batteries I am going to get...Do you guys have any suggestion on spare or upgrade parts I should buy/order together with my first Honey Bee King 2? For example, which part(s) would likely to be broken most easily for the Honey Bee King 2?

Thanks!
Carrot :cool:

[billyzelsnack]

Head over to the micros section for Honeybee King2 infos.

[Necron Xen]

I would do what billy said if I was you, you'd get more input there. I could give some info though, aluminum parts aren't really a benefit unless you crash often. A user told me his heli was lighter and flew nicer before he upgraded to all those aluminum parts. The aluminum parts are also quite expensive, I wouldn't look into them anytime soon.

[carrotcake]

Thanks Necron Xen...I actually was looking into the metal parts...well some of them..because I would think I would crash a lot in the beginning, like the main blade and tail grip...but then I look more closely to the stock one...and I think it's okay, it's not that easy to break...the plastic is pretty thick.....in the worst case I would buy an extra spare stock one for like 4$ US vs 20$ metal upgrade. Plus under extreme condition, the metal part is not invincible. :)

[Necron Xen]

Glad to hear I can help out a bit. I haven't really looked into the aluminum parts yet myself, I don't even have any. Another user told me that the aluminum parts aren't interchangeable with the plastic ones, it's either you get it all or you don't. Then another user told me that you can, so I'm a bit confused. Only one way to find out who's right. Though, I saw how the aluminum parts look on the King in a youtube video, they're quite different from the plastic parts, and the guy had the complete set. I'd ask more people how the aluminum parts may fit with the plastic ones if you plan on getting them

[carrotcake]

Hey Necron, any suggestions on the parts I am going to order? (as per below)


HBK2 body kit - model # is: EK1H-E017D

“EK1-0289 FlyBar for Honey Bee King II” X 1
“EK1-0350 Electric Speed Controller For Brushless Motor (25A)” X 1
“EK1-0502 Plastic Tail Blade (Yellow) For Honey Bee King II” X 1
“EK1-0512 Plastic Paddle (Yellow) for Honey Bee King” X 1
“EK4-0004 Wooden Blade 275 x 32 x 4.5mm for Honey Bee King II” X 1
“Brushless motor, 25A-3900kV” X 1
Battery X 2 (not sure which kind/brand is good...)
Battery charger - optional - do I need another charger like those expensive balance charger they sell online?

[carrotcake]

some people said it's better to use the 3800kV brushless motor, but I read some post this motor doesn't fit the King 2

[Necron Xen]

You should also get 2 flybars, and a spare servo. The stock charger will do just fine, I don't have those really expensive ones, and I haven't seen too many people have a spazz about them here. Unless you got nothing else to spend money on, I'd get a charger that can charge two batteries at once and do all the fancy functions. I'd ask other people about what kind of charger. Oh, and just to let you know, the E-flite chargers will work on the Esky batteries for the King 2, it'll just take longer to charge.

The reason about getting flybars is self-explanatory, but the spare servo is questionable. A spare servo is a good thing to have if you ever crash. There's a good chance one of the gears in one of your servos is damaged. Replacing that gear from the gears in the spare servo will fix it.

So, you got a yellow one huh? Mine is white, figured I'd get white if I'm going to make it a night heli, Canopy would look nice when its lit up :)

[Necron Xen]

some people said it's better to use the 3800kV brushless motor, but I read some post this motor doesn't fit the King 2
You have so make some slight adjustments to make it fit. I'm not sure what they are, but I'm guessing you have to cut away some stuff, or make a hole bigger or something

[carrotcake]

Thanks for the tips Necron, again. For the motor, do you know for a fact that the 3900kV works for the King 2? Do you use stock or have something else? Some told me the stock one gets overheat easily. BTW, what's your experience with the HBK2? Were you an expert on helis before getting that?

[carrotcake]

I will definitely add servo to my list too :) X 2

[carrotcake]

I am getting the Yellow because as Honey Bee implies- Yellow - but the white is nice, especially if you make it a night heli - show off :)

[Necron Xen]

I'm quite an expert at flying my CX2 really fast outside, I know a lot about it. But to tell you the truth, I've had my Honeybee King 2 for just over a week, but I've gotten loads of information from experienced users. I'm only doing simple things with it until I get spare parts and my motor upgrade. Oh yeah, everything is stock, but my list of parts is quite identical to yours. I'll be getting the same motor. I can assure you that anybody else, even those who have had a HBK2 for a long time, would advise to get the same parts as I have said, and would say the same things.


Add-on Edit:
The stock motor is WAY over-worked. Idk why Esky even puts them in the Honeybee King 2, no matter how nicely you take care of them, they're eventually going to burn out. Mine is getting pretty close to being dis-functional. After every flight, I'd let the "chemical-rocket-hot" brushed motor sit in front of a fan for as long as needed until the motor is cold to the touch. It's lasted me a week so far, but my flight times have been getting shorter and shorter. It's not the battery, I'm sure because I've measured the voltage. I've also noticed that there is "black dust" all over the white gear and other parts of my chopper. Its a sign of the brushed motor burning out, and its brush particles are going everywhere. It's normal with a brushed motor, its just a nice little reminder to get a brushless motor :)

[mattbroomer2000]

Hey Necron, any suggestions on the parts I am going to order? (as per below)


HBK2 body kit - model # is: EK1H-E017D

“EK1-0289 FlyBar for Honey Bee King II” X 1
“EK1-0350 Electric Speed Controller For Brushless Motor (25A)” X 1
“EK1-0502 Plastic Tail Blade (Yellow) For Honey Bee King II” X 1
“EK1-0512 Plastic Paddle (Yellow) for Honey Bee King” X 1
“EK4-0004 Wooden Blade 275 x 32 x 4.5mm for Honey Bee King II” X 1
“Brushless motor, 25A-3900kV” X 1
Battery X 2 (not sure which kind/brand is good...)
Battery charger - optional - do I need another charger like those expensive balance charger they sell online?


Iv heard that the stock motor gets so hot the wires unsolder them selves.

think about going brushless

less heat and more power. This will require a Brushless ESC to power the Brushless motor.


also where are you located? i am in the UK and i was going to buy one of these but there to seems to be a lack of stock at my local shop. so i didnt want to have a heli that takes weeks to get parts for so I brought a Mini pred 3D which is similar

[carrotcake]

Ok, so the Brushless 3900 kV upgrade for sure then!!! Do any of you know what kinds of steps I need to do inorder to install this motor upgrade? Like any soldering require to install the motor/controller or any wiring from the motor/controller to any other places?

I am in Canada, I usually have friends traveling back from Hong Kong and I would ask them to get some stuff for me or if I travel to Asia myself. I think HK has the cheapest parts/helicopters in the world.

This is more complicated than it seems for the HBK2, maybe I should go for the Honey Bee instead......but i've got to hurry and make up my decision soon...

[carrotcake]

Iv heard that the stock motor gets so hot the wires unsolder them selves.

think about going brushless

less heat and more power. This will require a Brushless ESC to power the Brushless motor.


also where are you located? i am in the UK and i was going to buy one of these but there to seems to be a lack of stock at my local shop. so i didnt want to have a heli that takes weeks to get parts for so I brought a Mini pred 3D which is similar

Try this: http://www.rchelicoptershop.com/catalog/index.php

Hope this helps!

[mattbroomer2000]

Honey Bee King 2 is loads better then the Honey bee

Go for the HBK2 or the mini pred 3d (also known as the falcon 3D) for reasonable price Heli. For higher quality but more money go for the T-rex.

IMO every thing else isnt worth it

Ok, so the Brushless 3900 kV upgrade for sure then!!! Do any of you know what kinds of steps I need to do inorder to install this motor upgrade? Like any soldering require to install the motor/controller or any wiring from the motor/controller to any other places?

I am in Canada, I usually have friends traveling back from Hong Kong and I would ask them to get some stuff for me or if I travel to Asia myself. I think HK has the cheapest parts/helicopters in the world.

This is more complicated than it seems for the HBK2, maybe I should go for the Honey Bee instead......but i've got to hurry and make up my decision soon...

[carrotcake]

Just a sumary of questions if anybody can help me out that would be great.

1. How do you install the Brushless 3900 kV upgrade/ 25A ESC upgrade? What kinds of steps/preparing I need to do inorder to install this motor upgrade? Like any soldering require to install the motor/controller or any wiring from the motor/controller to any other places?
2. Brushless Motor Gear 100% needed for the motor upgrade? if so, which ones? the 9T, 10T, 11T, or 13T?

[kevs182]

Iv heard that the stock motor gets so hot the wires unsolder them selves.


And that is certainly no urban legend, as I found out just this afternoon!

Towards the end of a series of flights, my King 2 started "hiccuping" intermittently. My first thought was it was a radio glitch, but then it sounded more like the motor was cutting out. ESC perhaps? The rest of the controls were responding perfectly.

Minutes later, the motor suddenly died and I autorotated from about hip height onto the soft carpet (we were flying indoors in a large convention center).

You guessed it--the black wire had unsoldered! Good thing I was relatively low and head speed at the time was high. A timely application of collective actually made for a soft touchdown.

I won't bother soldering the lead back on. First thing tomorrow, the stock motor comes out and the brushless goes on! :)



I'll be pairing my 3800 kV brushless outrunner with an 11t pinion. That was the only thing the hobby shop had that would fit the motor.

[CuznWeakEyes]

Just a sumary of questions if anybody can help me out that would be great.

1. How do you install the Brushless 3900 kV upgrade/ 25A ESC upgrade? What kinds of steps/preparing I need to do inorder to install this motor upgrade? Like any soldering require to install the motor/controller or any wiring from the motor/controller to any other places?
2. Brushless Motor Gear 100% needed for the motor upgrade? if so, which ones? the 9T, 10T, 11T, or 13T?


carrotcake:

I am in the process of upgrading to a HBKV2, after flying a Blade CX2, and a Honeybee Fixed Pitch. This has been a nice transition for me for the following reasons:

1. I have flown R/C aircraft for 25 + years and have had to "unlearn" some basic R/C control habits......i.e. increase throttle = go up....not go faster, down elevator = go forward and, don't chop the throttle when in trouble!!!

2. The BCX2 is a very forgiving heli (coaxial rotors) and I can concentrate on orientation flying....i.e. tail-in, nose-in, side-in without having to worry much about keeping the beast in a stable attitude, and also good for learning the "thumbology".

3. The Honeybee FP is a low-cost very rugged indoor heli that definitely increases the "pucker power".....it is just touchy enough to increase my reaction times and be able to work up a decent sweat and adrenalin rush.....and I am now able to hover well over 5 minutes and do easy turns. It is a survivor......recently tangled with some overhead wires (outside calm evening) and it crashed down from 25 feet......damage repairs cost about $3.00.......you won't get that with a CCPM machine.......

Someone suggested you check the HBKV2 forums....this has everything you need/want to know about suggested spare parts, upgrades and installing them, including the motor and esc.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711776

I just ordered a 3900 kv motor and esc from here for US$40.00

http://www.nitroplanes.com/ek5-0005.html

Just a note, I am also a "plucky Canuck" and there seems to be few local resources available for the heli fan, so we seem destined to have to spend extra $$ in shipping...........

Good luck with your heliuva endeavour......!!

Cuzn

[carrotcake]

Thanks CuznWeakEyes. I know maybe King 2 is a far dream for me, but I am still going for it. I know there are a lot of things you need to watch out for, first is the proper setup, knowing the parts about the King 2 (i.e. never use stock motor - crazy overheat problem) and the movement is alot harder to control with the CP helis. Take into account I am a newbie and I dont' know a whole lot about CP, I am still going for the King 2, just cannot resist the loaded stuff with that thing. And I am prepare for the consequences for the broken parts costs and other expenses. I will try my best, at least to hover it properly at first, and try not to break it, go really slow at first.

Anyway, other than the FP Honey Bee and King 2, I cannot find another choice for my next heli

Thanks!

[CuznWeakEyes]

Thanks CuznWeakEyes. I know maybe King 2 is a far dream for me, but I am still going for it. I know there are a lot of things you need to watch out for, first is the proper setup, knowing the parts about the King 2 (i.e. never use stock motor - crazy overheat problem) and the movement is alot harder to control with the CP helis. Take into account I am a newbie and I dont' know a whole lot about CP, I am still going for the King 2, just cannot resist the loaded stuff with that thing. And I am prepare for the consequences for the broken parts costs and other expenses. I will try my best, at least to hover it properly at first, and try not to break it, go really slow at first.

Anyway, other than the FP Honey Bee and King 2, I cannot find another choice for my next heli

Thanks!

Here's another couple leads for ya.......
Servos (In Canada, yet!!)

http://www.greathobbies.com/search/results/?srchtype=AdvSearch&srchvendor=HIT&srchcat=QXS
They ship out of P.E.I. and Alberta, and are very good to deal with.

Don't know if anyone mentioned it, but an R/C Simulator is a pretty good way to get the basics of heli flying down....apparently they are very realistic and you can find a heli that is comparable.....maybe Blade CP or something. I just downloaded the trial of Clearview and will try it........just purchased a USB cord for my Esky Tx.

Clear view here (about $40 US with lifetime upgrades)

http://www.rcflightsim.com/controllers.html

Steel pinion gears (there is a post in the HBKV2 lounge thread about the brass pinions wearing fast........) Not sure which type yet, but you need one for a 2.3 mm shaft (Esky 3900 Brushless motor) and I would probably get a selection of 9/10/11 tooth gears...the motors do not ship with pinion gear. Probably a good idea to get an extra HBKV2 Main gear also...

http://www.readyheli.com/RevCo_Pinions_s/109.htm

There's some more browsing for you........yummy!!!

Cuzn

[schoonybird]

i recently bought the hbk2 as my very first helicopter. lots i can tell you, but i'll stick to your parts/upgrade concerns. i've only been hovering so far. the only thing i've damaged is the main rotor shaft - i believe it's called the axis - i bent it when i bumped into the couch. looks like you got good advice so far - definitely go brushless - i did the 25amp ESC and 3100 brushless motor, both work great - and the heading lock gyro seems to make it much more stable. you HAVE to get extra batteries, and if you haven't figured it out yet, the higher the mah, the longer the flights. the brushless motor doesn't get nearly as hot as the stock motor, so with the extra batteries i can fly a lot more often - my learning curve should increase tremendously. i love this thing, although it's been frustrating - so much i don't know - and so much to check and adjust - thank God for the internet because the instruction manual is horrible! anyway - good luck, have fun!

p.s. anyone else think the stock radio/linkage has a lot of slop/play in it? maybe it's just me, but i'm tempted to put a whole new radio and all new linkage in the thing.

[wilsgrant]

Carrotcake, I *highly* recommend you buy your King II from jaghobbies. Get the 3800 brushless outrunner motor (most torque and it spins itself for self cooling). By getting it from Jaghobbies, he will pre install the motor and esc and do all the soldering etc for you so it is ready to fly out of the box with brushless.

Also, for ten bucks, he will balance everything and make sure it is perfect out of the box. I can't say enough good things about my experience with him.

[carrotcake]

Great Advices, Thank you guys!

[carrotcake]

Btw, what's the different between the brushless motor 3800 and 3900 kV? As Wilsgrant mentioned above, the 3800 might have more torque (a lot more compared to 3900?) and it has "self-cooling" when it spins - Does the 3900 have this feature too?

[wilsgrant]

Btw, what's the different between the brushless motor 3800 and 3900 kV? As Wilsgrant mentioned above, the 3800 might have more torque (a lot more compared to 3900?) and it has "self-cooling" when it spins - Does the 3900 have this feature too?

Nope, the 3900 is not an outrunner so it doesn't spin itself. Honestly if I was you I would just get the 3800. Don't just focus on the number, 100kv is meaningless and the advantages of the 3800 out weigh it. If you don't want to get a 3800 because of the light fitting involved, like I said, get it from Jaghobbies and he will do it for you :P

[KCinNC]

get you the HBK2...learn it...enjoy it...

Rule #1 is Take your time !!!

[Mr DIY]

Hey guys ... what has thread got to do with 3D?

[carrotcake]

Thanks wilsgrant and KCinNC!

[carrotcake]

I have done further research, reading stuff on forums, watching videos, tutorials and all and I have pretty much finalized my part list (including upgrades). I don't have a whole lot of $ to spend so this list is not based on unlimited $$ budget and "buy all you can buy" basis. These parts are things I think it's reasonably useful and necessary and make my life a bit easier. Hope this will save some time for other newbies like me wanting to start this hobby with the Honey Bee King 2.



1. Helicopter bare bone body kit (The model # is: EK1H-E017D)

2. EK1-0289 FlyBar for Honey Bee King II X 1 set

3. EK1-0350 Electric Speed Controller For Brushless Motor (25A) X 1

4. EK1-0502 Plastic Tail Blade (Yellow) For Honey Bee King II X 1 set

5. EK1-0512 Plastic Paddle (Yellow) for Honey Bee King X 1 set

6. EK4-0004 Wooden Blade 275 x 32 x 4.5mm for Honey Bee King II X 1 set

7. EK5-0006 Brushless motor, 25A-3800kV” X 1

8. EK1-0351 – 9T Brushless Motor Gear X 1 set

9. EK1-0352 – 10T Brushless Motor Gear X 1 set

10. EK2-0500 Servo 8g – X 1

11. Batteries X 2 (more “mAh” more flying time, more “C” - more discharge rate = more power to the motor)

12. Battery charger (optional) – a good balance charger can get the most out of your Li-Po battery.

13. EK2-0704A - Esky Head Lock Gyro (#1 upgrade for good stable flight - helps the tail in fix position compared to the stock "rate" gyro)

Of course, remember to buy the Esky Honey Bee King 2 (Yellow colour) Model: EK1H-E017A

My advice is: If you're not sure or don't have much confidence in putting the motor/speed controller/gyro upgrade yourself like me, ask the seller to do it for you and have them setup/adjust/tune up your helicopter. Best to do it in person so you can ask them question while they're setting up your helicopter. This will cost you a little bit more but it's worth it I think. But in my opinion, you will need to learn how to setup your own helicopter and learn a little bit more (if not all) how the parts in this HBK2 all work. Because you will need to setup your own Helicopter at any point of time anyway. The first time will only get you started (Ready to fly out of the box) and get a feel or learn how's it's done. Even if you order online and the heli will be setup before sending to you, you can always go back and ask the seller questions. I think it's very reasonable and most of the sellers are R/C hobby fans who love this hobby, most of them should be willing to help.

Thanks for checking in.
Cheers

[InsomniaZZZ]

Hey guys ... what has thread got to do with 3D?

./agree

Thread belongs here: http://www.rcgroups.com/micro-helis-42/

[carrotcake]

Sorry, just wanted to give an update if anybody is still following this thread. Please goto the thread I have with the exact title line as this one in the Mirco Heli section. But just fyi on the most recent post I put there today (as per below):

--------------------------------------------------------------
Good News ! Just got a call and confirmed my Honey Bee King 2, parts/upgrades and all from Hong Kong! Everything (upgrades) are installed for me, tuned/adjustedt/setup, and flight tested right at the spot. Everything is ready! My friend was so amazed when she saw the King test fly at the shop she said the investment is worth it for this hobby compare to other stuff like R/C off road Buggies and etc :) - a statement from a person that doesn't like R/C stuff at all! I actually had the chance to talk to the owner too (over long distance) - i was half asleep at that time (5 am buddy!), he gave me some valuable recommandations on parts and stuff and I also learned something from him (nice guy and very expert). Well I wouldn't doubt about his expertise in this field, if you guys had a chance to look at some of the videos on YouTube about Honey Bee King 2 stunt flying you must have seen a crazy HBK2 stunt flying video with more than 20,000 hits of a guy flying the Honey Bee King 2 with the DX7 (Giant Power battery). Yes, that's the guy that tuned and setup my HBK2 :)

On a side note....I also paid around $173 Canadian dollars for a 1/18 - R/C off road electric motor truck by Team Associated - 18T RTR - (with an extra battery). I always wanted an off road buggy but I only want something simple, fast enough and not something at the lowest line. From videos and reviews, this thing is pretty fast and it's upgradable. This baby is coming to me on Sunday as well :)

So just give you guys a little break down, I spent around $294 Canadian for all the parts/upgrades/ the helicopter/ installation of the upgrade parts / tuning, adjusting and setup as I mentioned in my previous reply (except for the charger).

$173 (for just the car, remote, 2 batteries and a charger) vs $294 for what I got for the off road electric motor buggy and the HBK2 I think it's worth more of an investment for the HBK2 :) -- I really had to debate if I should get the off road buggy...oh well....might as well....and forget about it for a long time :D

I can't wait for my friend to come back this Sunday!

[pontos4ever]

hi, i bought an ESKY HONEY BEE KING 2 and as i am expecting quite a few crashes :rolleyes: i thought of buing some spare blades?

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE'S ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLASTIC AND WOODEN BLADES?
any suggestions please? :)

[MrRetro]

hi, i bought an ESKY HONEY BEE KING 2 and as i am expecting quite a few crashes :rolleyes: i thought of buing some spare blades?

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE'S ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLASTIC AND WOODEN BLADES?
any suggestions please? :)

If you plan to crash alot, think of the wooden blades as a sacrifice, because they will break first. If you use plastic or CF blades, they may not break BUT they will transfer the impact force to some other weaker parts in the head that WILL break. Those parts may be more expensive and/or more complicated to repair.