Hydra warranty change

[Jeepers]

My question is, this warranty change, is it for new ESC's or for all?
If you state a product will perform under certain conditions with given specifications, without real specifics; can the terms of the warranty be changed after a purchase? 3S is half of their stated rating. I was under the impression that the warranty covered the ESC's when used in accordance with their stated ratings.

people were taking advantage of the warranty, and not using the ESC's in accordance to CC ratings, its not that you cant use the Hydra' on 4s, 5s,6s, CC just cant warranty them anymore.

I wish I could remember the conversation the last time I talked to one of the CC reps, one of the first things I was asked was are " are you using a NEU motor"?
buts thats all I can remember.

[Bill-SOCAL]

Ironic then isn't it that they are now the sole US distributor for Neu motors!!

[Jeepers]

Ironic then isn't it that they are now the sole US distributor for Neu motors!!

Yep and this was last year that I was asked that, they even asked if I was using his (Neu) gold plated connectors. I was discussing a problem with a BC 125 that was cogging, when asked those questions.

(hey i remembered more!)

[G Doggett]

This subject was thrashed around on a previous thread by several disappointed owners.
My opinion is that while I can feel sorry for Castle being ripped off by people claiming warranty on failed ESCs being used way beyond their design parameters, the fact remains they have advertised the Hydra 120 as being rated for up to 24 volts and 120 amps ( thats 2880 watts ) and 6 lipos, but in the fine print won't offer warranty if using more than half this amount.
Personally I don't see it being an issue for me as I will only use 4s and an 8XL and expect the motor would fry first if I exceeded 80 amps for any length of time, but many guys have bought these with the reasonable expectation that they can run higher voltage and amps than me.
I'm sorry but in most countries that is deceptive and illegal marketing, and I am surprised that such a well respected manufacturer as Castle would do such a thing.
Graham.

[blakybob]

I have ran the HV-180 in my 40" Insane Cat on 10S lipo with no problems and no heat issues!!

Hey, it looks like the HV controllers are holding up!!!

I'm not worried about it. I'll continue running the Hydras in reasonable, raceable setups on 4 and 6s. For the high power setups I'll continue to run my 40.160s. At least until the HVs have a track record.

Doug

I couldn't have said it better. Reasonable and raceable setups. Hopefully the HV's will make their mark in Valdosta and this whole topic can be contained to the LV's.

Blake

ps. Anybody know where I can get a 300 amp data logger for my Hydra 240? Juuuuuust joking....

[10gauge]

For those who don't know what "Watts" really shouldn't be running brushless motors and LiPos without any working knowledge. Or maybe they never replaced a light bulb? At least, they should consult a forum like this one and ask the senior members if a particular setup will meet their goals. Before I got started, I examined many setups on the forums and drew my own conclusions on hull/motor/battery/prop combinations. When I was stuck, members were very helpful and informative with my questions.

[Ub Hauled]

Hello everyone,
I just came back from RCX where I spoke to the guys from Castle
about the warranty (among other things). It turns out, having he warranty be only up to 3s was the best of options... the fact that Castle was having a loss of money with the Hydras made them re-think it's production (no surprise there). They finally came down to 3 options... Stop production on the Hydra series (meaning NO BOAT ESC), Keep the Hydras going but NO WARRANTY or finally, keep the Hydras going but have the warranty only up to 3s. If you ask me, it was the right choice.
There is a good chance that this will be reversed again in the future I was told, but for now it'll remain so. Just a word of advise for the ones that will keep exploiting the warranty by using 4+ cells in ridiculous setups and claiming 3 cells in the "free" exchange on the ESC... there are ways to tell if the damage was done by over powering the ESC or "natural causes", so unless you are ready to pay the repairs, don't use an 8 turn short can on 6s on your boat, get educated and GO FASTER USING LESS POWER!!!!!
I DON'T MEAN THIS IN A THREATENING WAY!!!!!

[Cowie]

Just read the whole thread and am a little surprised that there are so many problems. I have been using various CC products for a couple of years including plane car and boat esc and have never had a failure. I love them and believe me i have abused them on more than the odd occasion.

I would be really interested to know if any one has had an ESC failure While running within the listed specification given by CC. For example has anyone been running a CCHydra120 on 5S logged at less than 120amps and had one fail. If so then CC may need to review thier specifications. Howerver i tend to agree with those who suggest that most would be smoking thier ESC by over amping. Up until recently i had no concept of the sort of loads that current brushless setups can draw, all i can say is GET YOURSELF a DATA LOGGER. you will be amazed how big a differnce even "seemingly" small prop changes can make. I have been running 5S setups reliably on Hydra 240s but have not seen more than about 150amps peak.

[ReddyWatts]

CC has spoiled us with their warranty replacements for years. User error or abuse has been a major part of their controller failures. It has driven up the prices and allowed the Chinese into the market. It now looks like it could possibly drive CC out of the boat ESC market. It sounds like they do have some product problems but it will be fixed as always.

I still wish CC would sell their boat controllers with no warranty and half the price. CC would have a fixed profit and the boat user would be responsible for his own mistakes. It would stop some users from abusing their great warranty.

How do the Chinese sell some of their controllers so cheap? No warranty? Fixed profit? Some of their products are good quality at half the price or less.

Boat controller warranty is a different ball game than airplane controller warranty.

I can have some radical opinions sometime, but that's my 2 cents worth.

[calcagno45]

What about an optional warranty plan?

When you go to Best Buy and buy a new TV or computer, what it the first thing they ask you at the register? "would you like to buy the extended warranty?" Turn back to CC, selling their boat ESC's with no warranty, their question should be "would you like to purchase additional (operator error) warranty?" And for those that refuse, they don't recieve a certificate of some sort. And those that do, send it in upon warranty work. In this case, CC can cut their prices some and still remain profitable. And when the "additional (operator error) warranty" is purchased it goes into a seperate fund that takes care of the warranty work.

I hope this translated from my mind to the keyboard properly.

[Raydee]

No matter what if you burn your controller they will still replace it like they have done in the past....just not for free anymore. For example if you burn up your Hydra 120 it will cost you $70 to replace it, still better than having to shell out $175 for a new controller.

[SJFE]

IMHO if they are going to charge 70 for repairs under warranty then just drop the coverage..and the price to 100 bucks. They should not have it both ways. It just seems unfiar to charge you up front for a warranty and then again when you need to use it. This is just one more reason I use aircraft esc's.

[Ub Hauled]

These are some great ideas...
when it boils down to it, if the Hydras are a money pit they will drop it, regardless if it was a bad marketing plan, warranty or weak equipment.
I too have had mostly CC ESCs, I love them... I'd hate to see them leave the market
..

[video200]

i never had any problems with the hydra and i dont exspect to have any problems. the only problem i have is the simple fact that i got a mail from castle saying that there was no problem with the warranty running 6s so i went a head and orderd a hydra 240. and then after a few days after i got the hydra i get a mail saying that "sorry there is no warranty after all" and for a ecs that ended up costing me more then $400 with mail and tax that dont sitt well with me.
as i saied i dont expsect to have any problems with it as my datalogger reads just over 120 amp at normal running.

[Joe Ford]

Guys...you have spoken, and we have listened. The new Hydra 120/240 warranty policy covers you all the way up to 6s lipo. The flat rate repair fee for non-warranty repairs has gone up though. Now it's $105 for the 120 and $150 for the 240.