CAstle Link Quick Connect and Field Programmer? -
03.19.2011, 02:20 AM
Hi there,
I have a mamba monster ESC with a castle link quick connect and I was wondering how to connect the castle field programmer card?
There seems to be no voltage sent from the ESC to the quick connect, hence inhibiting the use of the field card through the quick connect cable.
Is it possible to use an external power source to power the field programmer ( via a y harness) and also send power through to the ESC for the purpose of programming in the field?
I dont really want to connect directly to the ESC cable as it is neatly tucked away and defeats the purpose of quickly programming in the field.
I followed all of the directions on the card, but the directions are for plugging the field link directly into the ESC lead, not into the quick connect. With the battery plugged in and the ESC on I checked the voltage with a multimeter and the quick connect lead reads 0V.
The field programmer requires power from the battery but the quick connect lead has no voltage across it. When you use the quick connect lead on your PC the USB port powers the ESC for programming. Im wondering if there is a diode in the castle link quick connect preventing voltage from the BEC being sent to the field programmer.
Note: I have updated the software on my filed programmer card as well.
The purpose of the quick connect is so that you dont have to unplug the ESC lead from the RX. The is no where (that I know of ) in castles FAQ and the like, that says the Quick connect doesnt work with the field programmer. If I had known I wouldnt have bothered buying the filed programmer.
biddy, not a dumb question because you want to know :-)
The quick connect only works for the castle link. The castle link puts out voltage that triggers the quick connect to "switch", disconnecting the receiver and connecting the castle link.
The field programmer has no internal voltage supply to trigger the quick connect.
I'm not sure enough of the layout of the field link to know if it can be modified to have it's own voltage.
I'd say the two are incompatible until a castle rep chimes in.
If I could only draw what I see in my head, then afford to build it, and finaly get to play with it...
I would hope they work together, I don't have a problem with removing the lead from my rx, but if I did I only have the field programing card.
Jeff
The Warnings & Cautions discussed in this manual cant cover all possible conditions/situations. It must be understood that common sense and caution are factors which cant be built into this product.
thanks for the link jeff! will have a read though what you guys were talking about in a minute.
It just seems a little strange that castle have created incompatible products of this nature. Just doesn't make sense. If you Install the quick link in your vehicle it is because your RX lead is in an awkward place and it is difficult/impossible to unplug to link up to the castle link.
SO... when you are out in the field, you want to fiddle even less with your truck to make settings changes. The compatibility should be reversed, logically. Quick Link for the Field programmer and unplugging the RX lead for the computer. Go figure I suppose.
I would think it should work I would think, but I guess we'll wait for Castle's response.
Jeff
The Warnings & Cautions discussed in this manual cant cover all possible conditions/situations. It must be understood that common sense and caution are factors which cant be built into this product.
The Warnings & Cautions discussed in this manual cant cover all possible conditions/situations. It must be understood that common sense and caution are factors which cant be built into this product.
Post back what you find out because ill be getting my adapter cable and need to update my card yet also. Getting it all done will be a feat because I don't have a clue on the Y adapter or card upgrade but the cable should be self explanatory. I don't work so I can spend the whole day Wed or Thur on the phone with castle. I should have my cable and have it installed by then. Still waiting on UPS with my stuff........ snail mail ya know.........
Easy enough to set it up to work as mentioned in other threads
I use a 'y' cable out of the reciever with both inputs situated outside the rx box, one leg connected to a ccbec, the other to the esc connector with the red wire removed
Simply remove the esc lead from the 'y' cable and plug in either the link or field adapter
Cheers
Last edited by crusey_aus; 04.09.2011 at 11:26 AM.