Castle Firmware 1.04

[cacofonix]

hi all

i have 3 hydra 120 , and all updated to 1.04 firmware
reading all thread frighten me ....
i don't notice anything BUT i don't check anything .....

just one thing on the last updated hydra : seem's that can keep neutral

i thing i will downgrade all ..

herve

[Flying Scotsman]

Steven, something is wrong, you must recalabriate as Joe Ford has detalied in a previous post before or you have another problem

Douggie

[Flying Scotsman]

I had a problem yesterday with this while trying to get a new Tx to work. Turns out the Tx was not set on full brake, or something having to do with the brake setting. I got it after a few tries.

Also, I have noticed that new Castle ESC's shipped from the factory as recently as 7/1/09 are still loaded with V1.03. If you don't have a Castle Link, find someone that does and check yours!

That is scary...very high setups and a a possible boom on certain motors

Douggie

[domwilson]

Has anyone had a problem with the Tactic/tower 2.4 ghz radios and this ESC?
I have to turn on throttle reverse for mine to work.

Anybody have a suggestion?

[G Doggett]

Also, I have noticed that new Castle ESC's shipped from the factory as recently as 7/1/09 are still loaded with V1.03. If you don't have a Castle Link, find someone that does and check yours![/QUOTE]

If that's true then Castle are being incredibly irresponsible.
Seems like the sales dept dont give a damn and rely on their aftersales to fix their cock ups.
Where would we be without Joe Ford.
Just another reason why I will never buy Castle again.
Graham.

[Fluid]

Anybody have a suggestion?

What is the problem? Some ESCs require "servo" reversing, some do not. This has been the case since brushed controllers. It is just a flip of the switch on the Tactic to make the ESC work.......




.

[properchopper]

What is the problem? Some ESCs require "servo" reversing, some do not. This has been the case since brushed controllers. It is just a flip of the switch on the Tactic to make the ESC work.......
.

I'm running 4 Castle SC's, all upgraded to 1.04 without a hitch. They're all linked to Tactic Rx's and all have the throttle control in the reversed position . I will say that my first attempt to go 1.04 some time ago with my Futaba radio didn't go well until I recalibrated the throttle { with Jan's helpful supervision}. Now, on 1.04 , I'm much happier knowing the correct advance settings are kinder on the goodies.

[Joe Ford]

We have been talking about making an ICE for boats. No updates as of yet. I am the boat guy now here at Castle. I have acquired a "few", and am convering a 43" beast right now for high energy testing when the time comes. I will be sure to keep you all updated.

Great advice from Steve guys (which I mentioned in the timing issue thread a while back). When you go to the latest software v1.04 you MUST re-calibrate the ESC to the radio. Put your endpoints out to 120% on both forward and reverse, then re-calibrate to make sure the ESC gets the full 1-2ms pulse it's looking for. If your radio is @ 100% but you are not getting a solid LED for full throttle, it is the RADIO, NOT THE ESC that is doing this. The radio is not sending out the full pulse band. Generally this is due to a bad pot in your radio, or one that is out of sync and needs to be serviced if you want it at exactly 100%.

Dom...the radio must have been made by Futaba...they're the only ones I know of that you have to reverse the throttle channel.

Any questions guys just let me know.

[cacofonix]

hi joe

i have 2 questions

1/ how to check that esc got full throttle without motor running ??

2/ i'm looking for an ESC that can work with ONE lipo cell , possible with hydra ????

thanks

herve

[Joe Ford]

1. Go through the calibration process, then arm the ESC without the motor attached, and pull full throttle. The LED will come on solid for full throttle.

2. Unfortunately, it will not. I don't know of any boat ESCs that run on 1s lipo, and the only ones I do know of that will are using in airplanes only...very low amp rating (2A or so). Reason we cannot is 4 fold. #1 we probably would not sell very many and the cost to design it and produce it would be greater than we would get back on the investment. #2 The current design the BEC voltage would be 4.2v output to receiver (it can only put out what the battery voltage is whenever under 5v)...and then when you hit the throttle it would drop even lower. This would cause many issues, especially on 2.4GHz. #3 The microprocessor on the controller will shut down right around the point the battery should be cut off...could lead to bad situations. #4 Even if you used a separate battery pack to power the reciever, if the voltage dropped near 3v in the battery for any reason the ESC would shut off. Talking 1/1000th of seconds here.

Wish we could do it, but we can't. I have some boats I would like to do the same thing with.

[cacofonix]

hi joe

thanks for your answer

1/ in my mind it was dangerous for the esc to try it without motor attached ...

2/ why i ask this : on the french forum some guys have launch a "crazy" challenge : best speed with one cell.
at the german saw 2 weeks ago, a german boater reach 114 kmh with one cell ..................
but impossible to know what esc he use.

herve

[Joe Ford]

1. Not dangerous at all. I do it all the time. :)
2. No idea what ESC he used. I will try it this weekend if you like on 1s with the Hydra and separate BEC if you like. Let me know.

[cacofonix]

thanks joe, i will check all may hydra's

2/ for sure, if it not takes you too much time , much appreciate
esc is the last point for this challenge

thanks joe

herve

[bustitup]

Glad to see you made it here Joe....the questions have been mounting

I cant wait to test one of the ICE controlers for you guys....

We have been talking about making an ICE for boats. No updates as of yet. I am the boat guy now here at Castle. I have acquired a "few", and am convering a 43" beast right now for high energy testing when the time comes. I will be sure to keep you all updated.

Great advice from Steve guys (which I mentioned in the timing issue thread a while back). When you go to the latest software v1.04 you MUST re-calibrate the ESC to the radio. Put your endpoints out to 120% on both forward and reverse, then re-calibrate to make sure the ESC gets the full 1-2ms pulse it's looking for. If your radio is @ 100% but you are not getting a solid LED for full throttle, it is the RADIO, NOT THE ESC that is doing this. The radio is not sending out the full pulse band. Generally this is due to a bad pot in your radio, or one that is out of sync and needs to be serviced if you want it at exactly 100%.

Dom...the radio must have been made by Futaba...they're the only ones I know of that you have to reverse the throttle channel.

Any questions guys just let me know.

[Joe Ford]

Neither can I. :) And then the HV series. muahahahahaha

1s will take a little time. I must disassemble one of my 2s packs to do it, but should not take too long. Hopefully weather man is wrong and it will not be raining all weekend. Keeping fingers crossed.

FYI...got into boats when I was sent one of the Vac-U-Pickle boats (green one). Tried it out the first time and was HOOKED. Have acquired 3 more in the past 2 weeks, and looking for even more!!! If anyone knows someone that is looking to get rid of a boat hull let me know! I have batteries, ESCs, servos, receivers...just want hulls that are set up so I can drop my stuff in and go. No time to build anymore. Would prefer to trade for Castle products as money is a little harder to come by now that I'm married. lol