Should I program my Mamba Max controller? Bought it used...
 

I bought my Mamba max controller used and have no idea if the person I bought it from changed any settings.

I run 3s 5000mah lipo's and the second it starts to slow in performance I stop using them. The packs are not very high quality so if I slightly overdischarge a cell occasionally im not TOO horribly worried.

But...for the sake of pack longevity and safety I would kind of like to set the LVC in the mamba as it has never kicked in (so im assuming its turned off).

Isnt there a way to manually program the mamba via the radio somehow? (I heard its a PITA!).

Is it just worth buying the castle link and having the ability to change the settings? All i do is bash but if you guys reccomend it I will just buy it.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

Yes, you can program via the radio. Castle Creations website has the full downloadable manual that tells you how to do it.

And "Yes," it's worth buying a castle link.

A mamba max just needs a usb cable to program. It has the usb port on the side. Get a cable from the local electronics store, or I will send you one. Not a good idea to run an esc with unknown settings!

O thats right I forgot it has the mini usb on the side...

I have seen pictures of the castle link and it shows the USB going into a small board with wires coming out that go into a receiver plug.

Looks like programming is happening tonight!

Anyone have a quick rundown of reccomendations for settings on the mamba max for 3s lipo? It will be in a 2wd pede with 4-5 inch MT tires on it geared for about 50mph tops. LincPimp should be familiar with the truck :) (thanks again!)

Med start power, normal timing. 9.6v cutoff for 3s. I start with 50% punch control, reverse and brakes. No drag brake, ever. I like the proportional brake profile. I forget what else you can program...

Thanks that will give me a good starting point.

What is the difference between punch control and start power?

Start is immediately off the line (from not moving to moving) and punch control is how strong the power delivery is throughout the entire rev range? Meaning whether you give it WOT at 5mph, 25mph or while cruising at 50mph?

I will leave you alone after this lol

That's the Castle Link device for ESCs that program from the computer via the throttle cable. AFAIK, only the MM has a built-in USB connector, so hookup is easy.

Oh, and the explanation for the main three settings can be found here: http://rc-monster.com/forum/showpost...06&postcount=3

good info - thanks :)

This forum kicks arse for knowledge/information. I dont know why I even bother with traxxas anymore...too many punks with no experience spouting off ignorant opinions with no knowledge of anything to back it! /rant

Punch control limits the applied power at any speed or throttle amount. Kinda like a method to slow the ramp up of power. Start power just gives the motor a bit more juice to get moving from a standstill. I use alot of 4 pole motors and they seem to like med start power better than low. Now 2 poles motors do not seem to mind low, unless you have very tall gearing.

Keep asking questions dude, I could care less how many you ask. Just do not ask me the same question twice!!!! That means you are not listening (reading?) :party:

At least my ignorant opinions come with plenty of experience!!!! Not really sure if that makes them any better:neutral:

lol thanks man. I too enjoy helping others when I have a knowledge base and they have simple questions.

I am running a traxxas VXL motor (not sure if its 2 or 4 pole).

Sometimes I like to do some slow (not really crawling, just slow climbing). Should I adjust start power to compensate (higher or lower?)

I noticed your from Slidell...what is that town notorious for? For some reason I know that name but cannot place it with an event/happening of any sort.

lol im talking about the "teen-somethings" that dominate the traxxas boards and like to play moderator if you slip up and post a word not derived from one traxxas has a trademark on!

The vxl is a 2 pole. So low or med start power will be fine. No need to change it once you are happy with startup.

The Dell is notorious for having me live here (HAHAHA) and generally being just north of New Orleans. Other than about 60,000 dumbasses it does not have much to offer. We do have a small bar area with a couple of clubs, etc, not worth writing home about. It is kinda like a suburb to New Orleans. Most people who live in the dell work in NO, or moved out of NO to get away from the crime and undesirables (and people from chalmette).

Not really much else I can think of that would make slidell stand out. We are on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain so you may have heard about us in the post Katrina news a few years back. Half of the town got kinda wet, luckily the smell went away (took alot of watered down vinegar to get rid of that fishy smell - TUNA!!!).

lol my town has about 50,000 ass-hats so our towns sound similar.

I was in NO a few years back so maybe thats when someone dropped the name and it stuck in my head.

That is exactly the reason I left after one week!

Yep, Slidell isn't too interesting. NOLA is the place to be tho....

Anyways. Here's my analogy for programming the Mamba: When you buy something new, it comes with a manual. The mfg suggests that you read through it before starting but you don't listen and start anyways. About halfway through, you screw up and have to resort back to the manual.
Thats kinda the scenerio here. Do the programming first so theres no screwing anything up and then wishing you would have programmed it.