Anyone use Castle Creations Phoenix HV speed controllers?

Anyone use these for Car/buggy/truck setups? Couple disadvantages I see are no reverse and no BEC. Having no reverse isn't the end of the world and adding a BEC or receiver/servo battery isn't bad either.

Wondering if anyone's built a high power brushless deal with one. I have the 45, 85 and the 110 that I was considering using in a Losi 8ight conversion with a NEU motor , maybe using the HV45 for it. Then was considering a Baja 5B conversion with the HV 110 and the Hacker A50-14S ( may not be the ideal motor choice but I have one sitting here doing nothing) , and a 37Volt/10 cell Lipo pack.

Anyways, more important, does anyone see other negative issues using these speed controllers in surface stuff. I know they were designed for air applications but since they are High Voltage/Amp units, they will work with the big motors/lipo packs.


Cheers,

djn

[BrianG]

I have an Ofna Ultra GTP with that ESC and will run 10s lipo. Use mechanical brakes, but you still won't have reverse unless you come up with a mechanical solution like the nitros use.

Since they are air ESCs, you either have to play with the transmitter EPA and trims to get it to work (and still can be a PITA), or get a Pistix adaptor, which are increasingly hard to find.

That said, I think the Baja 5B would be too big/heavy for it unless it's geared conservatively (~30mph). Aircraft ESCs don't have the burst rating that car ESCs do, and they just aren't built the same. I would either contact Castle to see if they'll add another FET layer (bringing it up to "HV-150" level) or contact lutach for one of his HV ESCs.

[MetalMan]

The HV-110 is a great ESC for car use, aside from the aforementioned lack of brakes and reverse.
It's smooth, has good programming (although no throttle/brake curves), and is pretty cheap. I have one in my beast of a Savage that's extended with a custom center diff setup, running 10s1p A123 (used to be 10s2p A123) geared for about 50mph. Only problem is I keep killing the cheap Chinese motors (Feigao + Hobby City), so I have a Medusa 36-80 on order.

I think a few guys are using these esc in speed and drag cars .

I use one on my 10s Revo and I am happy with the results, I am a basher running in wide open spaces with no brakes, the ESC does have a soft start feature which can be a PITA if you want to race. I am using a pistix adapter which is needed if you use a pistol Tx if you cant locate one you wont be able to use an aircraft ESC, an alternative would be a Castle HV Hydra boat ESC you don"t need the pistix with that ESC

[MetalMan]

The PiStix isn't necessary for all radios. My React runs the HV-110 perfectly with the trim and sub-trim all the way down.