Fighter cat 3-16s 200 amp motor controller programming box issues

[tryinotocrash]

Hello. Not sure where else to ask for more help so here goes. I bought this ESC and it works but I need to program it for my setup. So I bought the fighter cat programming box. Then I watched the U tube video on how to use the programmer. When I connect everything as instructed all I get is a row of black boxes on the programmer. Has anyone run into this? I am powering it with 4 1.5 volt batteries in a flight pack. It runs in the boat but I can't get it to program. I just bought this and it arrived today, however there is no phone number to call and I sent an e-mail last week to see if there was a way to program manually but got no response.. Any help?

[MarkF]

For starters you need to use a 3s lipo not 41.5 volts pluged into the controller. You need to plug a reciever battery into the programing box and have the controller hooked up to a motor. When it turns on it will want to know what controller you have so you scroll through and pick boat controller HV. It may say a 16 cell count but I dont remember. Then you can scroll through the menu and pick what you want. Everytime you pick something it will beep. If it doesn't then something is not right. Try that and see if it works.

Mark

[tryinotocrash]

oh sorry that is four 1.5 volt batteries :-) and a three cell.. will try to hook it to the motor..

[carlcisneros]

here ya go.


ESC Programming using the Program Box.

Thank you for purchasing the Fightercat Racing Electronic Speed Controller.

Failure to follow the directions for programming may result in injury to yourself and damage to the ESC itself. We highly suggest that you read and follow the instructions carefully when programming the ESC prior to first using the device. Fightercat Racing is not responsible for you’re misuse of the product or any damage caused while using the device. Fightercat Racing does not take responsibility for and injury/damage from the modification/misuse of any of the company’s products. Fightercat Racing has the right to change the design, features, functions and operating requirements of our products without any advanced notice.






HIGH VOLTAGE ESC FEATURES

Designed for Boat/Ducted Fan/Car use
Voltage from 6-52V (lower on the low voltage models)
Easily programmable using the Program Box or Laptop via USB cable and FighterCat Software.
NiCad/NiMH/LiFe/LiOn/LiPo battery compatible
Low Voltage cut off programmable
Timing adjustable in one (1) degree increments
Three (3) types of Throttle curves available
Reverse can be turned off or can be set up for special usage
Auto cut off of power is signal is lost for 3 seconds
Auto detect of throttle can be set
Motor power (forward/Reverse) can be set
Reverse function (if used) delay can be set










FACTORY SET DEFAULT VALUES

REVERSE: OFF
TIMING: 0 DEGREES
FREQUENCY: 8KHZ
ACCELERATION: MEDIUM
BATTERY TYPE: LI-ION/LIPO
NICAD/NIMH CUT OFF: 0.05V
NUMBER OF CELLS: AUTO DETECT
LI-ION/LIPO CUT OFF: 3.0V
LIFE CUT OFF: 2.5V
INITIALIZE POINT: AUTO
END POINT: AUTO
THROTTLE CURVE: LINEAR
POWER LIMIT FORWARD: OFF
POWER LIMIT REVERSE: OFF
START UP DELAY TIME: .25 SECONDS




























PROGRAMMING USING THE PROGRAM BOX
NOTE: The ESC and Motor must be connected together before hooking up the
Program Box.
NOTE: If your particular ESC HAS a built in BEC (low voltage models), you do NOT need to use a separate receiver battery for power.

1. Locate the 2 plug receivers on the side of the program box.
2. One is for the ESC plug (+ - and signal(shown with a small square wave )), the
other one is for battery supply voltage. (typically 6 volts).
3. Plug the ESC’s receiver plug into the 3 prong receiver on the program box.
4. Plug a 6 volt receiver battery into the other 2 prong receiver plug on the program box.
5. Now plug the supply battery up to the ESC and you should hear a beep letting
you know that it is ready for programming.

NOTE: If you do not hear a beep, go back and make sure all connections have been made correctly.

6. Once everything is hooked up correctly and you get the beep you can start the programming.

NOTE: Every time you make a selection, you will hear a BEEP. This is to let you know that the ESC has memorized what ever it is you selected.

7. The first display with be the company name. It will only last a few seconds.
8. Model select is next: Airplane, Heli, Boat, Car
9. ESC Type: Normal, 16S HV, 20S HV
10. Reverse: ON/OFF
11. Timing: chose the timing you need for the motor you are running. (VERY IMPORTANT)
12. Frequency: Chose the frequency you need for the motor you are running that the maker wants the motor to run. (typically 8KHZ)
13. Acceleration: Soft, Medium, Hard
14. Battery type (Accumulator)
15. Number of Cells: Auto or the actual number of cells you are running.
16. LiPo cut off voltage
17. Cut off type: Slow Down or Hard
18. Throttle Curve: Linear/Logarithmic/Exponential
19. Power Limit Forward
20. Power Limit Reverse (if you selected REVERSE OFF above, then this will not be able to be set.)
21. Throttle Delay
22. Forward point: Auto or select any of the amounts needed.
23. Reverse point: Auto or select any of the amounts needed. (when reverse is OFF, you will not be able to select any values for this.)
24. Timing Monitor: On or Off

After the last programming item has been finished, disconnect the ESC supply battery and you are finished programming your Fightercat ESC.

The last programming selections you have just made will be memorized in the Program Box so the nest time you hook it up to the ESC that information will still be there.

NOTE: It would be a good idea to get hold of a 3S pack and use THAT for the first time or 2 that you try to program the ESC with for practice purposes. It is all about becoming familiar with the products you are using to prevent any problems and gaining experience in programming using a new company’s equipment.

Once you become familiar with programming using the Programming Box, it will take only about 15 seconds or so to program an ESC once it is hooked up.

[monojeff]

Fightercat was and is in the process of moving his shop.
If u need to get ahold of him then you can email him but it may take a bit for him to respond as he is catching up on emails and orders.

Follow the directions posted and u should be good to go.
Make sure u program the esc to the correct timing of the motor to assure optimal performance don't fry anything doing it incorrectly.

Good luck and have fun.

[tryinotocrash]

got a reply from Fightercat and he is sending me another programmer. I made sure to follow directions but there seems to be an issue. Will see what happens next. Thanks for the replies with help.

[boddenboys4]

3- 20s - 100A FC ESC. I had the same trouble with the box and I'm using a receiver pack, should I use a 3s pack instead then? I have programmed a 2-8s - 240A FC ESC no problem but that has power from the BEC.

Also I've been trying to program using the USB link but whenever I click on connect to ESC, the motor wont beep so its actually not connecting to the ESC. What is the power supply if the plug is being used already in the USB link?

[Rumdog]

Flip the plug up side down going into the prog. box. Trust me, I had the same thing going on. After scratching my head hard enough, I tried it. Up side down, meaning the opposite of how you'd plug into your reciever.

[tryinotocrash]

Really? I never tried that. I got the other box but still get no beeps when I program. Guess I will give that a shot too and see what happens. Does Ben know about that? He said that would ruin the program box?? Not doubting you just saying.

[boddenboys4]

Well I'm going to try it and let you know.

[boddenboys4]

Ok that didn't work either! How do I power the ESC when using the USB link to program it?

[carlcisneros]

when using the computer to program the ESC you STILL NEED to hook up a 3Spack to the ESC as well
as have the motor hooked up to the ESC as well. Ya got to hear them BEEPS.

[boddenboys4]

Which plug do you use for the battery to power the ESC, the plug with 3 pins is what is used to plug into the USB link, there's another plug with 4 pins, is it that one? If so where do I get a plug for that one?

[carlcisneros]

FighterCat ESC Instructions (latest version).doc

the 4 pin plug is used for firmware upgrade only................. do NOT mess with it,
the 2 big black (-) andred (+) wires are for esc power.
you need a 3S lipo battery for programming purposes for powering the esc..

please read the fightercat programming instructions completely before hooking any thing up to
your laptop.

[boddenboys4]

I hook up the 3s lipo to the big battery leads into the ESC but it's not powering up when trying to program. Right now if it's hooked up to the receiver as you touch the throttle it is full. How can it be rectified?