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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.

"Helicopter will not turn on (no Lights On)"

Cause: Battery is dead

Fix: Recharge battery.

Cause: Battery wire has come off ESC.

Fix: Remove canopy to check if negative or positive battery lead has come off.  If it has, re-solder back on to appropriate terminal.  

"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: Batteries inside remote are dead or dying.

Fix: Replace with fresh batteries

Cause: Syncing steps in manual were not followed correctly. 

Fix: Follow these steps.

1. Turn on Remote (Flashing Green LED).
2. Turn on Helicopter (Lights should come on in 1-3 seconds)
3. Move left (throttle) stick on the remote fully up, then fully down.  The Green light should go solid.
**If green light does not turn solid, batteries may be dead/dying **
4. 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/vulnerable 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.

Cause: starting surface is carpet or some type of fabric. 

Fix: Start from smooth surfaces as some fabrics stick to landing gear causing uneven balance during take off.

"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 noisy.

Fix: Replace gears with part #285-414 and #285-415.

Cause: Pinion gear has come off motor shaft.

Fix: See here >>>>

Cause: Lower rotor mount slips on shaft.

Fix: Replace lower rotor mount with part #285-414

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

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

Cause: Debris in rotor shafts, gears or mounts.

Fix: Clean debris so all parts move freely.

Cause: Pinion gear has come off motor shaft.

Fix: See Step by Step Instructions here: >>>>

Cause: Lower rotor mount slips on shaft. Check to see if lower mount has moved from original position.

Fix: Replace lower rotor mount with part #285-414.

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

Fix: Replace motor using part #285-405

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 #285-414 and #285-415

"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 wires (small red/green) has come off from ESC part #285-409

Fix: Remove canopy and solder wire back on. 

"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 (285-411), upper rotor mount (285-413), two connectors (285-416) and metal pin (285-20).  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: Pinion gear has come off motor shaft.

Fix: See here  >>>>

Cause: Lower rotor mount slips on shaft.  Check to see if lower mount has moved from original position.

Fix: Replace lower rotor mount with part #285-414.

Cause: Main drive gears are stripped or missing teeth.

Fix: Inspect and replace if you no longer have lift. Part #285-414 and #285-415

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

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

Cause: Damaged A/B blades.

Fix: Replace blades. Part #285-402 (A-Blade / B Blade)

"Helicopter loses sync and causes loss of control"

Cause: Batteries in remote are dead/dying.

Fix: Replace batteries with fresh ones.

Cause: Flying in direct sunlight, bright lights, or in front of T.V screens.

Fix: Keep from flying in these areas.

Cause: Facing opposite direction than helicopter.

Fix: Always fly with remote pointed in direcion of the helicopter.

Cause: Helicopter is flown too far from remote.

Fix: Keep within 30FT when flying your Litehawk Pro.

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

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