Castle 5th scale

[Kirkinsb]

Padrino, sorry if this is already mentioned above...but are you running a baja 5t or b? What Lipo batteries are you using? What Radio system as well?

[padrino]

Originally Posted by Kirkinsb

Padrino, sorry if this is already mentioned above...but are you running a baja 5t or b? What Lipo batteries are you using? What Radio system as well?

I don't think I've mentioned it before..

Running a 5T with a pair of Thunder Power 4S 5200mah 50C batteries and a Futaba 4PKS (need to reverse throttle).

[padrino]

With the run today I thought I would throw out a request, looking for ideas.

With the data logging on the XL I know I'll want to jump in my RX box often to pull the log. I previously made a y connector with port on my e-revo but with the Spektrum or Futaba RX when supplying power to the ESC via Caslte Link the RX activates and starts talking. I would like to put something together that will only allow power to the RX if it's coming from the ESC and not the other side of the Y connector, essentially an automatic switch. I know I can also wire it with a manual switch but since I'm looking into it I was wondering if anyone who understands circuits would know what I could wire up to allow this behavior automatically.

When connecting the batteries in this setup it arcs quite strong, bad enough that I'm already starting to see pits in the castle 6.5mm bullets after only a few connections. I know this topic has been discussed quite a bit with the MMM but I have never seen it so bad that it starts pitting connectors so quick so I wanted to surface it again.

[Shonen]

Originally Posted by padrino

With the run today I thought I would throw out a request, looking for ideas.

With the data logging on the XL I know I'll want to jump in my RX box often to pull the log. I previously made a y connector with port on my e-revo but with the Spektrum or Futaba RX when supplying power to the ESC via Caslte Link the RX activates and starts talking. I would like to put something together that will only allow power to the RX if it's coming from the ESC and not the other side of the Y connector, essentially an automatic switch. I know I can also wire it with a manual switch but since I'm looking into it I was wondering if anyone who understands circuits would know what I could wire up to allow this behavior automatically.

When connecting the batteries in this setup it arcs quite strong, bad enough that I'm already starting to see pits in the castle 6.5mm bullets after only a few connections. I know this topic has been discussed quite a bit with the MMM but I have never seen it so bad that it starts pitting connectors so quick so I wanted to surface it again.

Castle actually makes a Y harness that does just that: http://www.castlecreations.com/produ...k_connect.html

DIY switch would be cool, although it's hard finding a microswitch rated for 5A. you could feasibly do a relay setup, but I find it much easier and simpler to just cut the ESC cable short and use an extension. I don't need to worry about it being waterproof so you can just disconnect the ESC outside the Rx box for log downloading. You can probably find a way to waterproof this setup too, if you need to.



...and yes, the sparks are huge. my hands shake when I plug in my batteries

I consider in a winding chain it is necessary to add the diode

[Arct1k]

Much easier to grab the quick connect - I use one with my XL in the baja - Works perfectly.

Still waiting on a firmware update to be able to wipe the memoryfrom the controller on start-up :)

[padrino]

Originally Posted by Shonen

Castle actually makes a Y harness that does just that: http://www.castlecreations.com/produ...k_connect.html

DIY switch would be cool, although it's hard finding a microswitch rated for 5A. you could feasibly do a relay setup, but I find it much easier and simpler to just cut the ESC cable short and use an extension. I don't need to worry about it being waterproof so you can just disconnect the ESC outside the Rx box for log downloading. You can probably find a way to waterproof this setup too, if you need to.

...and yes, the sparks are huge. my hands shake when I plug in my batteries

Thanks for the pointer on the quick connect, ordered a handful for all of my Castle powered rides, now I have a use for the ports I made for all of my RX boxes to make plugging it in no harder then lifting the rubber cover.

For those of you that already have the conversion installed... How is the drivetrain handling the added torque of the big castle motor? Any problems with gears or axles giving up? I have a 5B SS kit on its way and my Castle conversion will be arriving today. Im trying to have parts that are likely to break on hand.

Steve

Originally Posted by DrKnow65

Cody, any word on your bench testing?

Hi DrKnow, any news from Castle ?

Bye, andrea.

[DrKnow65]

yes and no

Yesterday I got my shipping confirmation from Castle about my new XL coming.
Wish they'd use ups, usps is a frigging joke where I live don't even have a delivery date
but I understand they're losing money on the warranty.

I did call and talk to Bernie (the single most AWESOME tech person I have EVER talked to!!!),
aside from explaining how to fully test my motor, talking to me about the progression of HV over these last few years,
enlightening me about how the heat sinking was invented/ implemented in the XL,
and how influential RCM has been on the Castle designs (he even remembered me from posts way back),
and what method they'll use to try to determine the death of my XL fantastic guy!

But, no good reason yet for why it went
As for NOW it's just one of the 1% of all electronics that just fail and can't be justified why.
I'll call him again in a few weeks to see if they recovered any data from the brain board to see if there's an exact reason...

Honestly the XL is so sweet, I don't care if I have to warranty it again, but it's an excuse to talk to another AWESOME guy at castle.

[DrKnow65]

On a side note, when the XL comes back it won't be going into the Hyper 7.
Instead it will be going into a much lighter Losi 8 buggy with a Castle conversion kit (couldn't pass it up for $25 plus shipping) that I may upgrade to the RCM mount later.

I'm going to try some 2650mah 4S Turnigy's in series to half the weight of the 5000's, crank it down for lower ripple current, higher traction, and more track-ability.
Since I'LL BE RACING IT at a local track I just found that's less than 45 min from my house No ROAR BS and racing by "time bracket" vs. class/vehicle type

I also bought an 8ight T E roller that will get my MMM and 1717 on 4-6S.

Then next pay period (2 weeks) it's a Ofna 10SC RTR purchase that will get the MMP/ 2400KV SC kit on 4-6S.
Gotta convert these Novak noobs over to the real thing They all race their 2S/Novak SC's at the track.

AND the best part is the wife has already approved all of it life is good and I LOVE CASTLE!!!

Got a run on a full pack tonight. 2 x Turnigy 4s 5000mah 40c-50c yielded about 15 minutes of run time. I have the lipo cutoff set at 3.4v which is higher then i typically do on my 1/8 scale stuff. I ran on the baseball field so traction was a lot better then last night. The power of the castle system does not disappoint. This thing covers some ground man!

Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu-skf8jZIM

steve

[DrKnow65]

Holy crap blackz97, that's 1/3 the run time I was seeing on my hyper

Any chance you could post up the data log?

How heavy is that buggy?

Originally Posted by blackz97

Got a run on a full pack tonight. 2 x Turnigy 4s 5000mah 40c-50c yielded about 15 minutes of run time. I have the lipo cutoff set at 3.4v which is higher then i typically do on my 1/8 scale stuff. I ran on the baseball field so traction was a lot better then last night. The power of the castle system does not disappoint. This thing covers some ground man!

Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu-skf8jZIM

steve

Thanks for the Video blackz97!!!

Originally Posted by DrKnow65

Holy crap blackz97, that's 1/3 the run time I was seeing on my hyper

Any chance you could post up the data log?

How heavy is that buggy?

I think blackz97 said that it was almost 24lbs bro...That's about right for a stock Baja 5B...