Swordfish X 220A will not connect/program

[don ferrette]

Well I've got to say this has been one of the most frustrating ESCs to deal with ever. Ordered the Swordfish X 220A to go in a P rigger that I'm building for a friend. ESC arrived, I fitted it with connectors and proceeded to try to program it and that's where the fun started. If trying to read the faintly printed microscopic instruction sheet wasn't bad enough neither my laptop or my PC would read the little disc that came with the ESC. So I go to the HiFei web site and attempt to download the instruction sheet and programming software and after a couple of attempts I get them on both the laptop and PC. Go to open programming and it's an unrecognized .rar file so I download the free version of winzip. After screwing with that for a while I finally open and save the file again to both PC and laptop. So I read the hookup instructions for programming and do what it says, open the programming and it just sits there, will not get past the welcome screen (see attached pic). The ESC does emit 3 little beeps when plugging in the USB cable but that's it. So after reading some of the many posts about dealing with these ESCs it seems the standard HiFei reply is relace the programming USB/micro USB cable. While I think it's total BS that they tell to you to go buy a cable to replace the defective one THEY supplied I said screw it and set out to buy one. Well after visits to various places like Best Buy, Batteries Plus etc. this is a cable not to be found locally. I went online and ordered one that will be here Thursday and I'll again attempt programming. So before I attempt again when cable gets here is there anything people who've gotten this version of ESC to work can share with me to get this thing going? This is a crock of you know what but I really feel bad for Steven as I'm sure I'm not the only one to order this thing from OSE and I bet he's getting some grief over it.

[Bp9145]

So it begins. . . AGAIN, just like the older ones where sometimes they work great and sometimes they don't. I think I'm going to definitely hold off getting any of these new SF X escs until all the wrinkles are ironed out. Don, I can honestly say I know exactly how you feel because I've been there. I hope the problem you are experiencing is the extent of if these new SF X escs. I know many of us will be looking forward to this coming Thursday when you try programming it again. . .fingers crossed. . good luck my friend

[Crash]

mine only works if I run program as Administrator.

[RaceMechaniX]

Don, you might have better luck using the hand programmer. I tried using the software with no luck, but the hand programmer worked fine.

[don ferrette]

mine only works if I run program as Administrator.

Tried that as well

[don ferrette]

Don, you might have better luck using the hand programmer. I tried using the software with no luck, but the hand programmer worked fine.

Hand programmer does not work with the X series

[trigger]

I had these issues too, only I managed to luck out and have got to grips with mine 220 and 300's. Initially I had download issues, and found my anti virus was not happy downloading the files and then used win-rar to extract as needed.

Fixing the cable was not an issue, just a cable not soldered correctly, the cover was loose and thus I found the issue by mistake.

sf cable.jpg

As others point out, right click the icon and run the program as "administrator" - I do this after plugging it into the USB port. I've had no issue since.

Once connected I click the open device button and then edit programming as needed.

howitlooks.jpg

[don ferrette]

I had these issues too, only I managed to luck out and have got to grips with mine 220 and 300's. Initially I had download issues, and found my anti virus was not happy downloading the files and then used win-rar to extract as needed.

Fixing the cable was not an issue, just a cable not soldered correctly, the cover was loose and thus I found the issue by mistake.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]162495[/ATTACH]

As others point out, right click the icon and run the program as "administrator" - I do this after plugging it into the USB port. I've had no issue since.

Once connected I click the open device button and then edit programming as needed.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]162497[/ATTACH]

On your screenshot you show the open device icon in the lower left, I have yet to get that. As I mentioned earlier I did open as admin. Still think that it's BS that HiFei tells you to go buy a new cable at your expense to replace the bad ones that obviously are getting out. I'm hoping I'll have better luck on Thursday when my new cable gets here.

[trigger]

I get that button no matter how I open the software. Maybe try again with the download.

But I agree it should be easy, you shouldn’t need a PhD in computer science to figure this out.

Stick with it. You’ll crack it.

[Old School]

I had no problem programming the Pro-200 amp with data logging but then I used the following -

Hifei V4.11 software
XP Pro operating system (32 bit from memory)
Hobbyking USB programmer (linker) and programming cable supplied with the linker

Make sure you check which Com port you are using for the Hifei software. I tried Hifei V5.02 but could not get to work. From memory many had programming issues using Microsoft 10.

[Raydee]

On your screenshot you show the open device icon in the lower left, I have yet to get that. As I mentioned earlier I did open as admin. Still think that it's BS that HiFei tells you to go buy a new cable at your expense to replace the bad ones that obviously are getting out. I'm hoping I'll have better luck on Thursday when my new cable gets here.

That is exactly why I dumped them and went back to Castle. They sell you a faulty cable and then tell you to buy a new one. BTW mine worked again when I got the new cable but I didn't keep mine long enough to see for how long it worked.

[don ferrette]

I had no problem programming the Pro-200 amp with data logging but then I used the following -

Hifei V4.11 software
XP Pro operating system (32 bit from memory)
Hobbyking USB programmer (linker) and programming cable supplied with the linker

Make sure you check which Com port you are using for the Hifei software. I tried Hifei V5.02 but could not get to work. From memory many had programming issues using Microsoft 10.

Completely different unit from the new X series and not programmable with program boxes as previously posted.

[HTVboats]

I have the 200X and had to download the V6.0 from Hifie website. (actually Jay figured it out for me) The ESC works after programing it but the data logger does not register. Shame on me for trying another Swordfish product. I wish there were more options under $250 for 200 amp esc's.
Mic

[don ferrette]

I have the 200X and had to download the V6.0 from Hifie website. (actually Jay figured it out for me) The ESC works after programing it but the data logger does not register. Shame on me for trying another Swordfish product. I wish there were more options under $250 for 200 amp esc's.
Mic

Yeah Mic right there with you on that one. I downloaded the 6.01 software, hope when cable gets here tomorrow I can get this thing working.

[Peter A]

Wouldn't it be great if someone would make the T-180 V2 again? I have had two SF220 esc's and both were rubbish, lasted only a few runs and died. T-180 no problems in the same boats!
Trying to get my Q hydro working with a YEP 180 HV esc but the start up is a bit slow being a watercooled plane/heli esc. The T-180 that I have had in it has developed issues after about 6 years of use.