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*Read this first* - Mechanical vs Electrical issues

Unfortunately, distinguishing between a mechanical and electrical issue can sometimes be quite difficult, and both often create the same result or symptom.  It is important you take this into account when trying to assess the problem as you may find yourself taking unnecessary steps.  By following this trouble shooting guide, you will be able to confirm which of the two is the actual problem using a simple process of elimination.

i.e If your helicopter will not lift off the ground, it can either be a part failure (Mechanical) or it could be some sort of power issue (Electrical)

Symptoms/Scenarios/FAQ

*Each problem has a cause and fix, please read both entirely*

"Remote controller does not turn on (no red LED)"

Cause: Batteries are not inserted correctly.

Fix: Make sure they are inserted correctly. Refer to manual for correct orientation.

Cause: Batteries are dead.

Fix: Replace with new batteries.

Cause: Defective remote.

Fix:  Contact us at litehawk@borgfeldt.ca for replacement.

"Helicopter will not turn on (no lights on)"

Cause: Battery has not been re-inserted into the side of the helicopter after charging.

Fix: Re-insert battery plug into side of the helicopter after charging. The slot is located next to the on/off switch.

"Helicopter/Remote will not sync to each other"

Cause: Either helicopter or remote is OFF.

Fix: Make sure both are in the ON position.

Cause: Syncing steps in manual were not followed correctly. 

Fix: Follow these steps.

1. Turn on Remote(Red LED comes on).
2. Turn on Helicopter(Lights should come in cockpit area)
3. Move left(throttle) stick on the remote fully up, then fully down.  The Red light should go solid.
4. Make note of small flashing red LED inside the cockpit of the helicopter. Once solid, it is synced.
5. You are ready to fly.

"Helicopter moves around or topples over during lift-off"

Cause:  Helicopters of all sizes are always most unstable/vulunerable during take-off as they must fight a force called "ground effect".  The apparent effect occurs because the ground is pushing back on the air being forced down by the helicopter. As the helicopter moves higher the force pushing back become less.  Anything above 8" is considered "safe".

Fix:  Use more throttle/speed to get out of the "ground effect" zone.  Doing this quickly will result in easy to control take-off behavior.

"Helicopter will not lift off"

Cause: Battery is not charged.

Fix: Recharge battery.

Cause: Drive gears are damaged (stripped or missing some teeth).  Helicopter will be noticeably noisey.

Fix: Replace gears with part # 285-312

Cause: Rear tail boom is loose causing vibration.  If loose, you can see the tail assembly vibrate.

Fix: Tighten the two screws that hold the tail boom into the main chassis(one on each side).

Cause: Damaged battery. Refer to proper charging procedure in manual to ensure damage was not a result of over discharging.

Fix: Order replacement XL Battery here  >>>> 

Cause: Defective charger

Fix: Contact us at litehawk@borgfedlt.ca for replacement.

"Only one set of rotor blades spin OR one spins slower" **Can be either A-blades or B-blades**

Cause: Failed motor (Front motor controls B-blades / Rear motor controls A-blades)

Fix: Replace motor using part #285-308 or #285-309.

Cause: Trim Knob on remote is not set correctly

Fix: Adjust trim knob as per manual.

Cause: Stripped main drive gear (upper/lower)

Fix: Replace gears with part #285-312

"Helicopter does not go forward fast OR moves forward & backwards by itself"

Cause: "Coaxial" design helicopters are limited to how fast they move forward & reverse as they must rely on tail rotor speed to manipulate the pitch.  The stability provided by this design limits their maneuverability greatly, but is what makes them perfect for beginners. 

Fix: Add weight to the front or rear of the helicopter to change weight bias.  Add weight to the front to create more forward momentum or add weight to the rear to create more rearwards momentum.  Standard weight balance for all Litehawk models is 50/50.

Cause: Battery has moved forward or backwards inside the chassis causing weight balance to shift.

Fix: Remove Canopy and move battery forward or backwards to get desired effect. 

Cause: Missing parts from front or rear of helicopter changing weight balance.

Fix: Add/replace parts that are damaged or missing.

"Tail rotor does not work"**Please note that the tail rotor will only be operational once throttle is applied.  When stationary (blades not spinning), the tail rotor will be inoperable**

Cause: Tail rotor is too tight allowing for it to make contact with the plastic housing. 

Fix: Make sure there is .5-1mm gap between tail rotor bade and plastic housing.

Cause: Tail rotor connector has come un-plugged from ESC part # 285-303

Fix: Remove canopy and plug in the connector

"Helicopter hovers in circle - toilet bowl effect"

Cause: Friction in upper rotor assembly (A-blade mount).

Fix: There are four parts that make up the upper assembly.  Stabilizer boom (285-305), upper rotor shaft (285-306), two connectors (285-318) and metal pin. Remove each part individually to find the part that is causing the friction.  All parts must move freely while connected to each other. 

"Helicopter vibrates or makes screeching sounds"

Cause: Main drive gears are stripped or missing teeth.

Fix: Inspect and replace if you no longer have lift. Part #285-312

Cause: Blades are too tight where attached to rotor mount.

Fix: Loosen blades to factory tightness.  They should move freely in there respective mount.

Cause: Damaged A/B blades.

Fix: Replace blades. Part #285-316 (A-Blade), #285-317 (B-Blades)

"Helicopter loses sync and causes lose of control"

Cause: Antenna damaged or not installed.

Fix: Replace antenna if damaged or install antenna that was included in the Litehawk packaging.

Cause: Antenna located on helicopter (black wire wrapped around landing gear) is damaged.

Fix: Remove canopy and replace antenna wire or entire ESC (part #285-303).

Cause: Batteries in remote are dead/dying.

Fix: Replace batteries with fresh ones.

Cause: Helicopter is flown too far from remote.

Fix: Keep within 40FT when flying your LiteHawk XL.

This is simply a "Quick Trouble Shooting Guide" for LiteHawk XL.

We have a wealth of detailed, and up to date info on our LiteHawk Forum right here: >>>>

Rest assured, we will have you flying again!

LiteHawk Canada
50 Konrad Crescent
Markham, Ontario
L3R 8T4
Canada

1-800-268-5797
litehawk@borgfeldt.ca