VERY IMPORTANT!!! Castle Creations Hydra Ice Recall

[Raydee]

ICE HV, Mamba XL & Hydra Ice HV

Warning & Recall advisory 2011-03

Aug 20, 2011




The performance of a component used in the Castle ICE HV 60, ICE HV 80, ICE HV 120, ICE HV 160, Mamba XL and HYDRA ICE HV controllers has changed from the original specifications for that part. This tolerance change may lead to failure of the affected controllers.

For your safety, we request that all customers cease operation of these controllers immediately. Send all of these controllers back to Castle for modifications required to improve the safety and reliability of these products. This recall includes all controllers labeled as V3. There are no charges associated with this modification.

The only controllers that are properly modified and are approved for operation will be labeled clearly as ICE HV (Amp Rating) 2, Mamba XL 2 & HYDRA ICE HV 2.

We understand that you may not wish to return your controller. Those that have served you well are likely to continue doing so; however, controllers that you may have recently purchased should be assumed to be assembled with the problem components.

If you insist on using these controllers, please be advised that the risks of continued usage begin with severe burns to you and/or others, as well as property damage to your RC vehicle or surroundings. Please wear fire-proof gloves when connecting any HV controllers that use 8 or 10 gauge wire to their power source.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

Click this link and follow the directions of advisory 2011 - 03 to process your return if you have any of the following controllers.

Phoenix ICE HV 60



Phoenix ICE HV 160 & ICE HV 160 LITE




Phoenix ICE HV 80



Mamba XL




Phoenix ICE HV 120



Hydra ICE HV






North American and all non-European customers:

Please return controllers to Castle in Kansas via a traceable delivery service:

CASTLE CREATIONS, INC

120HV SERVICE / Service Department

540 N.ROGERS RD.

OLATHE, KS 66062




European customers:

Please return controllers via a traceable delivery service to our new European repair center:


CASTLE CREATIONS EUROPE BVBA

120HV SERVICE

GEELSEWEG 80

2250 OLEN

BELGIUM

[LarrysDrifter]

So, this excludes the Hydra Ice 240? It doesnt say HV on it. Have to call them Monday amd make sure.

[Raydee]

Larry this recall is MOSTLY just for the HV esc's. I think the Mamba XL is the only exception.

[LarrysDrifter]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[JIM MARCUM]

I just bought a second Hydra ICE HV 200. Is this ESC a part of this recall??? JIM

[Raydee]

Yes....all the HV controllers from the 80HV up are on the list.

[JIM MARCUM]

Thanks. I just read the recall notice at Castle. Anyone needing more info can check it out at Castle's website. The recall link is on the opening page & will lead you through the return process. JIM

[1truckerdan]

ICE HV, Mamba XL & Hydra Ice HV

Warning & Recall advisory 2011-03

Aug 20, 2011



The performance of a component used in the Castle ICE HV 60, ICE HV 80, ICE HV 120, ICE HV 160, Mamba XL and HYDRA ICE HV controllers has changed from the original specifications for that part. This tolerance change may lead to failure of the affected controllers.

For your safety, we request that all customers cease operation of these controllers immediately. Send all of these controllers back to Castle for modifications required to improve the safety and reliability of these products. This recall includes all controllers labeled as V3. There are no charges associated with this modification.

The only controllers that are properly modified and are approved for operation will be labeled clearly as ICE HV (Amp Rating) 2, Mamba XL 2 & HYDRA ICE HV 2.

This is from the E-mail I received from Castle Creations 8/20/2011.

Daniel

[Fluid]

I have been called many names....including Genius !Why would a 'genius' re-post the same Castle recall statement that was posted in initial post in this thread???:olleyes:


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[Raydee]

I was starting to wonder if maybe my post was invisible ;)

[1truckerdan]

OOPS :doh:LOL ......some times called Genius .......:tiphat:
Daniel

[Fluid]

Don't sweat it, I've been called far worse...... :tape:





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[Steven Vaccaro]

Thanks for posting Ray. I was just going to do it.

[26missgeico]

i was running my miss geico they other day i have the castle hydra 240a esc i drive it out about 300 feet and then it stopped, luckily i had a chase boat in the middle so i could get it back.... then i put it back in then i went out about 40 feet and turned around... the boat came at me full throttle then took a hard rite and crashed wen this all happened i had no receiver signal(just put in a new mr200 before the run) any idea what is wrong??

[Steven Vaccaro]

i was running my miss geico they other day i have the castle hydra 240a esc i drive it out about 300 feet and then it stopped, luckily i had a chase boat in the middle so i could get it back.... then i put it back in then i went out about 40 feet and turned around... the boat came at me full throttle then took a hard rite and crashed wen this all happened i had no receiver signal(just put in a new mr200 before the run) any idea what is wrong??

Please post this in another thread. this thread is about a warranty recall. You will get more response that way.

[JIM MARCUM]

Castle has a recall out on all HV E$SCs. Check out thier home page, click on recall, fill out the form & mail your ESC to them. It will take 3-4 weeks cuz ther're still working on a beta version of the fix. But at least it won't crash your boat. But FIRST, check your out receiver for any issues by using another ESC on the bench at low throttle. If it's still screwed up then it's the receiver. Either way you gotta send your Castle ESC back eventually. The problem with their HV ESCs have been them catching on fire. Not good. JIM

[Fluid]

Jim, you're two weeks late. This thread is about the recall, see post #1. :wink:



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[1truckerdan]

FYI.... I just got off the phone with Joe ford at Castle Creations and he informed me that All air HV escs are in the recall ...
BUT......
ONLY the Hydra Ice HV 200 (12s) part #010-0087-00 is in the recall.......

NOT the Hydra Ice 240 (8s) part #010-0086-00

[427srule]

Has anybody received their contollers back yet?

Thanks,
Mike

[liteumup69]

NO!!! its been 2 months GRRRR its gona snow soon :(

[Raydee]

Castle posted on a couple different sites that they are extremely backed up and didn't anticipate the problems with the recall. They have a post on RC Groups in the Castle section.

[JIM MARCUM]

Smoked one of my Hydra IC@ 200 HVs too & mailed it to Castle weeks before the recall. That was on 11 August. I held onto my second 200 HV, but it blew the caps at the Legg Lake SAW this weekend and won't respond when I try to download the datalog. Guess I'll have to send it back too, but wonder if I will will EVER se either one of the again. JIM

[sigelitest]

240 HV just went back to castle i got 2 runs on it. seems very expensive for two runs it was only 1 month old.has anyone found one by another MFG that is the same amperage and voltage. I want to buy it as a back up while i wait. oh now i have a 5s that is a 4s because of the ESC guess u can never have too many 4s bats:sarcasm1:

[sailr]

I'm sitting here with 3 of the danged things. I'm waiting a while to let 'em clear the backlog, then I'll send 'em in. I'm not in much of a rush. Just gonna sell 'em as soon as I get 'em back anyway. I'm having much better luck with cheaper controllers like the Swordfish.

[Rumdog]

Castle marine esc's = JUNK.

[Jesse J]

Rummy, care to inform us on your reasons? your post is not informative and since we are here to share information, I for one am interested in why you say that.
Please report your bad experience(s), even though this is the recall thread...

[Rumdog]

This thread is one reason. Use the search function and check out the reviews for their old HV line as well. Pure junk.
They are HIGHLY overpriced. They obviously are manufactured cheaply. (cap issue with the current Hydra Ice) I can buy a Turnigy esc for LV apps, and a escfrom fightercat for HV use. Both of which will be a fraction of the cost. How many guys dropped big bucks on these things and have burned them down, ruined a boat, cells, rx, and are now sitting with no esc. Even if it didn't burn, and they sent it in... they have no esc.

I've owned 4 LV 240's. Old version. They were great esc's. I never ran over 5s however and was warned numerous times about even tying 6s. I do LIKE the LV 240's however.
On the other hand, I'll trust a T-180 more than a CC LV 240. And, look at the price difference.

So to recap, IMO.. Castle has been left in the dust as far as esc's for marine apps. I wont buy one unless it's the old style, and I get a screaming good deal.

[Fluid]

You of course are welcome to your opinion. Castle HV Marine ESCs were a mixed bag, the lower amp versions worked well as proven by my club members who used them. The 240HVs not so much. A great new product is the Hydra ICE240"LV" - good to 34 volts. It is fine to use for 6S. I used one on my SAW record holder, running 17 pairs of 6S passes and 2 pairs of 4S passes averaging near 300 amps - and it didn't miss a beat. This is extreme use and will easily burn up a marginal ESC, but not this HydraICE. I used the BEC feature too, not a bobble.

I also run an ICE200 in my P Sport Hydro (pretty much the same as the Hydra240LV minus the water cooling), averaging 180+ amps on 4S. A year and a half of heavy racing use and that ESC hasn't missed a beat. I've won a lot of trophies with that boat....

Live in the past if you want, it's a free country. And if you'd rather buy a cheap ESC, that's fine too. Some of us want low price, some want value. The definition of the latter word 'depends'.



.

[Doby]

For the price, Castle controllers should not be having the issues they are with performance or their manufacturing processes.

They are marketed as the Cadillacs of controllers and as such, should be held to a higher standard.

[Rumdog]

OK
Lets live in the present. Their top of the line big boy high dollar esc is a turd. What is meant to be their best product is their most unreliable. People who have bought them are left with no esc as of now.

It gets a little old hearing the "cheap" or "China junk" thing. Turnigy/Seaking and Swordfish esc's are fantastic units. They are priced much better than Castle's gear, and are proving more reliable. Cheap? Sounds more like valuable to me.
If they hiked the price up $150.00 or so, I'm sure a lot of the "pros" would feel better about using them.
You DON'T always get what you pay for, and this thread serves as proof.

Does anyone really believe that a Hydra ICE 200HV is a better esc than a Swordfish 240HV?

[sigelitest]

Anyone know of a HV ESC at 240 amps besides castle
i am looking for one and can't find one:confused2:

[Rumdog]

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=hef-sword-240hv
Also fightercatracing sells quite a few HV escs.

[Fluid]

Lets live in the present. Their top of the line big boy high dollar esc is a turd. What is meant to be their best product is their most unreliable. People who have bought them are left with no esc as of now.
Perhaps if you knew the reason why the current HV products have issues you'd be objective. But you continue to live in the past.....

One of Castle's suppliers changed the specs on a single part of the control board, but didn't tell Castle. They lowered the strength of the part, which causes the board to fail. Now Castle has hundreds (thousands?) of HV controllers with the same problem. They are trying to repair and make new controllers, and it is taking a long time...too long perhaps. Too, the ICE controllers have been well-proven in the aircraft versions for years, and the 3D and helicopter guys abuse them about as bad as boaters do.

BTW I watched two Swordfish 240s fail in just a few runs - at the same SAW event where my Castle ICE came through with no issues after 19 sets of passes. The Swordfish racer had no logging results to see how hard he was pushing the ESCs either. So yes, I trust the ICE more than I would the Swordfish for heavy use.

But you don't care, you clearly have a hard-on for Castle. Fine, it's a free country. I just wanted folks to know the whole story so they can make up their own minds, instead of just reading a diatribe of hate......


.

[Jesse J]

My experience: I got two swordfish 120s that worked fine on 4s and very mild set ups ( like 30-40 amps mild). After a few weeks on the shelf, both - yes twin setup - did not arm and continue to not. The I recommended that a buddy use 240s and he has had repeated spontaneous failure. That said, I do have two brand new cadillacs sitting at the castle plant needing the updated parts. I can say that I understand why each of the cc speedies I have smoked; I can't explain why the each of the lower dollar ones have gone. I suspect that the "memory" for abuse may be better in the cheaper ones.

This latter point makes me wonder if it's an over rating issue and QC/QA issue, or a combination.

Whoa hot topic! Easy y'all, they are just toys. I do want to echo jays unending diligence for fairness in the story. Thus the question and me sharing my experience. Btw, I do have three dead sf escs that don't have a trade in value .....

[Diesel6401]

Here's the my opinion (and i am a big castle fan), i LOVE there motors, and enjoy (not love) there esc's. I have a ICE Hyrda 240lv i run on 6s2p and it failed on the second run (setup was a CC1717 on a x447/3) and it quit (warranted) and I don't know why. In the years of boating I myself have toasted one 1 esc and i was pushing the hell out of it (seaking 120) and it finally let go. Like I mentioned I love and most importantly I trust there motors, but I do not however trust there esc's. I also am a avid flyer and have read so serious horror stories of castle esc's failing in expensive planes. Fluid I know you are HUGE on the whole "you get what you pay for" thing, but I gotta disagree to a point with you on that. The Hobbywing esc's and I am talking land, air and sea I use them all have been simply unbelievable and amazing in every single application i have used them in. I honestly trust my hobbywings more then castle esc's. I have eagle tree data logged 170+ amps in my seaking 180 on 4s and it asks for more everytime. The Hifei esc's have been hit or miss for me for the reason that 1 drop of water ruins them. Since I have started waterproofing them they also have been simply flawless, but I still find the hobbywings the more complete value. Hifei air esc's are very very good (no water lol) and they also have just come out with a datalogging feature like the ice esc's that I cant wait to get my hands on. IMHO with dealing with RC's and that's boats, planes and cars the hobbywing esc's and gens ace batteries are hands down the best value for the money you will ever get and I choose those over Castle esc's and the gens aces batteries over other brands not because I can't afford the $$$$$$$, simply because I trust them!


I will be adding a 55" wingspan T-34 balsa plane (next year, after my son's heart surgery) to the fleet and with being said the plane will be equipped with everything I trust, that means spektrum radio gear, hitec servos, gens ace batteries and yup a Hobbywing esc!

[Rumdog]

Did you buy the Swordy's from OSE Jesse?
I'm not sure how I'm being unfair here. I have experiences as well. I'm no SAW racer either though.
I feel like the only reason anybody supports thes esc's so strongly is because Castle is a U.S. company.
I recieved a DOA from the first batch of Swordfish HV 240's. Returned it to Steve, and got a new and upgraded version that performed flawlessly within 2 weeks. From what I've seen, the Chinese companies are great at fixing quality issues with their product and getting the new units out quickly.

[Diesel6401]

Did you buy the Swordy's from OSE Jesse?
I'm not sure how I'm being unfair here. I have experiences as well. I'm no SAW racer either though.
I feel like the only reason anybody supports thes esc's so strongly is because Castle is a U.S. company.
I recieved a DOA from the first batch of Swordfish HV 240's. Returned it to Steve, and got a new and upgraded version that performed flawlessly within 2 weeks. From what I've seen, the Chinese companies are great at fixing quality issues with their product and getting the new units out quickly.

I think that's part of it. I know myself I try to support them, because of that but it is hard to support all the us companies. I do try to avoid Apple, HP and some other major US companies based on there relations with Foxconn, but it's damn near impossible. I love Vizio TV's and am a Amazon kindle fan lol... Can't win them all, Samsung rocks though!

[Jesse J]

Yes Ose, one was replaced but I didn't feel like pushing Steve to keep replacing them. He seems confident and said that over 95% (I forget the exact stats), worked flawlessly.

I misspoke: I mean complete. Don't take my comment against you; your experience adds to the whole story and that is what I meant.

[sigelitest]

thanks rumdog that will be my next buy at payday Hope OSE still has them in stock by then:unsure:

[Moxus]

I got to agree that cheap ESCs is the way to go.
The T-180 is the only ESC that have been able to stay up to my abuse (6s - 2200kv Leopard motor in a Surge Crusher) for a prolonged period, and it costs nothing.
A friend of mine wanted to save money, so i pushed it a bit further: a 200A Suppo (HobbyKing) airplane ESC that we converted for watercooling, waterproofed, and stuck it into a Apparition hull with 6s setup and a 1650 kv Leopard motor.
It's too working flawless after one summer of absolute abuse.

Maybe CC works too, but why pay the extra money when the cheap stuff does the job just as well?
And warranty is no valid argument for me. 3-4 weeks waiting time is just not acceptable for me, thats half the summer and I don't got that time to wait. So I would just buy a new ESC anyway.

[Jesse J]

Opinions aside, has ANYbody received their controller back yet? I was told "a few weeks" a month and a half ago....

[sigelitest]

I was told 2 weeks last mon

[6BOOST]

240 HV just went back to castle i got 2 runs on it. seems very expensive for two runs it was only 1 month old.has anyone found one by another MFG that is the same amperage and voltage. I want to buy it as a back up while i wait. oh now i have a 5s that is a 4s because of the ESC guess u can never have too many 4s bats:sarcasm1:

It's interesting that you had an issue with it and it's not one of the ones that are part of the recall....... Could the issue (or other issues?) relate to more than just those they have listed? I have 2x unused 240hv's, I don't think I will be using them anymore:-/

6BOOST

[sigelitest]

Yep must have been a bad batch the HS said they sent 10 back out of 20 and they were blowing bats or the ESC boards were burning through the shrink wrap. Fighter cat has one and swd fish

[Fluid]

Let's not confuse the two types - Hydra240HV and HydraICE200HV. There were well known issues with the old Hydra240HV controllers, most guys bought the Hydra180HV instead and had good luck. Don't know the reason so many 240HVs were bad, but it is unrelated to the current recall.


.

[sigelitest]

my hydra 240HV was 3 months old and i was told that it wouldn't have "the problem" one of my friends burned his finger pluggin in the bat on his. these were a new batch from castle

[Fluid]

Castle hasn't been making the Hydra240HVs since before the HydraICE came out early this year - because the ICE-HV controllers replaced the old HydraHVs. Sounds like you are confusing the newer ICE200HV with the old Hydra240HV. Who exactly said it wouldn't "have the problem"? What problem?


.

[desmobob]

This whole debate is intersting to me...

I've used Castle Creations ESCs exclusively in my airplanes and helis over the years and have logged lots of run time with their Phoenix, Thunderbird, and recently, their Phoenix ICE controllers with not a single problem. Last year I tried one of the budget ESCs from HK in a cheapy 450-size T-REX clone heli. It works flawlessly and has outlasted the cheap airframe and the cheap gyro I put in it. I ended up buying a few more for some airplane projects and have no complaints at all, but I still felt the CC ESCs were the top of the heap.

But it seems like in the past year or two, CC's reputation has taken a slide with too many reports of problems seen on the various forums. Two brand new CC Thunderbird ESCs both failed on me this spring when I hooked them up to my Castle Link to program them. It is at the point where when it came time to buy my first marine ESC, I chose a SeaKing over the comparable Castle product. True, the price made it easier to make the decision, but the bottom line was, all the CC horror stories scared me off. I know from experience their customer service is top-notch but I'd much prefer not to need it!

Take it easy,
desmobob

[sigelitest]

I am not sure what the deal was but I can only go by what I was told.
The hydra I picked up was a new batch from CC that was to be bug free.
I got it from fine designs about 3 months ago. I was told CC tested this set before shipping
Guess I was an unknowing test subject anyway I was told I would get another one in about a week in a half from now since they have to replace the bad ones I would think they will have to produce them

[sigelitest]

I think it may have said ice on the ESC but i don't remember the add on FD's website does not say ice but it was in white shrink with a blue label and silver writing. I know it was a 240hv castle. Anyway I have done rc for about 20 years and I have always tried to help others in the hobby I am not sure why some people want to give others a hard time. Should be fun not like work

[LarrysDrifter]

That was the older, no longer made Castle esc you bought from FD. The new ICE series have no shrink wrap on them. They look very similar to the Phoenix air speedos.

[sigelitest]

64368

[JIM MARCUM]

Got (2) new replacement castle hydra ice2 esc's in the mail today. Castle is now shipping the new hv controlers out in the order they were recieved.

They look great: See attached pics. Jim6461864619

[Rumdog]

Look great/work great 2 different things.
Good to see they're shipping the new ones, but dont get too excited till you run it a handfull of times. I really hope they get their crap sorted.

[JIM MARCUM]

64635646366463723 Nov 2012:

I received my two Castle HYDRA ICE2 200 HV controllers back today. They look great & I will test them this week.

You can tell them by the new stickers "HYDRA ICE2 HV 200' & a small round sticker stating "CEHV2" on the bottom of the ESC. I sent my ESCs in a couple of weeks before the recall came out, so I was in the front of the line. Others should see their Castle HV ESCs shortly.

Thank you Castle! Great customer service, American designed, and they really do stand behind their products. JIM

[Rumdog]

Re-post??

[Jesse J]

Not to get people bickering about Castle products again, but I did inquire today and got this reply...
I feel sorry for these guys. :sad:

Dear Jesse,
we are trying to resolve this as fast as it is possible.. but The main reason for the wait is us wanting to get a unit that has no issues what so ever to you. We do have one that will be going out soon.. the problem is we have tried to send at least one out. and the minute it got to the door we had to pull it to re test all units to make sure you are getting a quality product. If anything we are falling into the perfectionist trap just making sure all units that go out are perfect. So the minute we get them all tested and one more comes to stock for your other order, then we will ship them both over the next couple weeks. We just want to make sure you get 2 good units. We will get those to you as soon as it is possible.

[Jesse J]

One of two finally arrived just in time for yesterday's club meet!!!

[liteumup69]

Got mine back today!!!! to bad the pond is frozen :( oh well there's always spring!

[RIPFENCE]

got mine back after sending it out 9/16/2011...5 months exactly to the day!!! all i can say is im glad mr fightercat has those great esc's..

[JIM MARCUM]

Why is this thread still alive? Seems like most of us have our new Castle HV2s back already. Time to shut it down. JIM

[Rumdog]

Why shut it down? I dont get it. Is anyone even using the replacements yet?

[detox]

The lower voltage 240 version is rated up to 8s lipo power. I do not have a need for this higher voltage 200 version.....yet.

[sailr]

I haven't even sent mine in yet!

[RIPFENCE]

probably end up selling mine before i even attempt to use it

[RIPFENCE]

why is any old thread still alive? sorry i posted to it

[Steven Vaccaro]

Why is this thread still alive? Seems like most of us have our new Castle HV2s back already. Time to shut it down. JIM

Jim the only threads that are really ever shut down are the ones we all get heated on. Once we start trashing each other, I try to shut them.

[JIM MARCUM]

Steven, maybe this one was reposted by those Indian SPAMers? JIM

[Steven Vaccaro]

Steven, maybe this one was reposted by those Indian SPAMers? JIM nope, just the regular members posting.

[Joe Ford]

It's open because it's still an ongoing issue. There are several customers still waiting to receive their replacement units. A vast majority of those who sent them in have received them back, but there are still some that are just now getting them. Feel free to keep the discussion going. I'm listening and passing the word on for you gents. With the testing we did on the controller everything should be just fine...we put them through the ringer. I am interested to hear your first hand experiences though and get you back into confidently using the Hydra ICE HV Castle controllers. I don't have mine back either if that makes you feel any better, but customers first always. ;) Email me any time with updates. joeford@castlecreations.com

Put Hydra ICE HV2 200 as the subject so I'll know what it's pertaining to. Thanks guys!

[Steven Vaccaro]

Can you find out where mine are?

[Joe Ford]

I can try, but they give the techs the "dumbed down" software. You'd have to call repairs to know for sure where you are on the list. I can just tell you if/when it arrived and a general idea. Checked on HV200's just before I left yesterday...supposed to be getting more by end of next week and the rest of the following week. I don't know where you are on the list, but I don't think there are that many ppl.