Hydra 120 Bec?

[kacordy]

Hey gents, I have 3 hydra 120's that I want use in P-spec racing, rigger, mono and OPC. The instructions mention that I need to Disable the red wire if running more than 3s and run a separate battery? The manufacturing dates are July 07, March 09 and the other I do not know.

Do I have to disable the Bec and run a separate battery? If so which battery do you recommend? Nhma or Lipo? What size?
Can these batteries survive 4 heat races throughout the day or do you have to recharge after a couple of heats.

Thanks for the Advice,
Allen

[marko500]

Since you want to run this in a rigger and a tunnel I personally would go with this http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...004-00&cat=136. Might be a little tight a for room in these hulls running an Rx battery pack.
Yes you will need to disable the red wirer on the esc.
I have run this same setup, Castle Hydra 120 and Castle BEC, in several boats and it's currently powering a OPC tunnel on 4s with no problems.

[Chilli]

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...850-2s&cat=158

These are LiFe cells so you need to make sure you have a charger that can charge them. Voltage is a little less than LiPo and they are much lighter and smaller than NiMh. A 2 cell LiPo pack's higher voltage can fry some receivers. They will last you a weekend of racing no problem.

To disable the BEC you can pull the red wire out of the plug using a pin or finishing nail to push down on the retaining tab or buy a short servo extension and clip the red wire.

[martin]

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...850-2s&cat=158

These are LiFe cells so you need to make sure you have a charger that can charge them. Voltage is a little less than LiPo and they are much lighter and smaller than NiMh. A 2 cell LiPo pack's higher voltage can fry some receivers. They will last you a weekend of racing no problem.

To disable the BEC you can pull the red wire out of the plug using a pin or finishing nail to push down on the retaining tab or buy a short servo extension and clip the red wire.

Chilli with the rx pack where do you plug it in on a Futaba Fasst rx (R617 7 channel ), is it correct that ive heard you can plug into any spare channel. Thanks Martin.

[jstolz]

I run Castle 120's with external receiver batteries in my P-Limited boats. I use LiFe batteries for my external receiver batteries. The batteries get charged prior to the day's racing.

[kacordy]

You guys are a great help! Now I'm using my new Castle Link. Can you give some guidance on the Programming for P-Spec 4s Rigger and Mono that I will be racing at the FE Nats 13. FYI, this will be my first FE race.

Cutoff Voltage? Custom?
Reverse Type? Set to No reverse?
Reverse throttle amount?
Motor Timing. Rigger? Mono?
Current Limiter?
Throttle curve? It's a straight line. Does it need to be modified?
Brake Curve. N/A

On the unit that was manufactured 3/09, it was version 1.03. I hit the 1.04 update button and it now comes up with an error message and I cannot go back? Any suggestions?

Appreciate the help, Allen

[Chilli]

Chilli with the rx pack where do you plug it in on a Futaba Fasst rx (R617 7 channel ), is it correct that ive heard you can plug into any spare channel. Thanks Martin.

Yes, you should be able to plug it into any available channel.

I use the Aquacraft ESC on my P-Lim's so I cant help you out with the timing but tell the guys what motors you are running and they will be able to help you out.

On my race boats I disable the reverse and current limiter. I also set the cutoff voltage as low as possible. IMO if your set up is good and you are only running one heat before charging you don't need to worry about these things. I leave the throttle curve flat except for maybe my tunnel boat that will pop a wheelie if I give it too much throttle from a dead stop.

[kacordy]

Chili,

Great advice. I Have 3 sets of Batteries so I only have to charge once. I still want to set the low cutoff so when I'm running at Home I don't run the batteries down to far.

One of the 120's I acquired has the cutoff at Custom 13.4. Can you verify that is correct?

Thanks, Allen

[Chilli]

I don't blame you for wanting to set the LVC though be careful not to run down to LVC every time you run. It will hurt your packs . Even when running for fun, I'm programmed to do no more than 8 laps and then bring it in.

Can't comment on the custom settings for the 120. I only run the 240. Do you have the Castle Link??

[kacordy]

Yes, I have the Castle Link. 8 laps is a great suggestion. I've been setting my BBQ timer for 2 minutes. I start it, set the boat in the water and I'm done when it goes off. The Voltron 2 shows that I have traveled .75 to .98 miles. The batteries are at 7.66 to 7.98 volts when I plug them in to recharge. I have to learn how to calculate the amount of charge that I have to put back in the packs. More homework.

Allen