Castle ICE ESC and Pistix

[Raydee]

Ok I am using a Castle Ice controller and a Pistix adapter in one of my hulls. I am also using a Spektrum DX3R radio. The first thing I did was bind the receiver to the radio. Next I plugged the Pistix into the throttle channel of the receiver and plugged the other end of the pistix into a reg servo outside the boat. When I switched on the power to the receiver the pistix instructions said that the servo should move all the way to one direction. It moved but def not all the way. THe instructions then say to move the throttle trim until the servo moves as soon as you touch the throttle, I didn't need to move the trim at all because the servo started to move as soon as I gave it a little throttle. Next the instructions say to advance the throttle and move the ATV on the throttle channel until the servo maxxes out BEFORE full throttle on the TX is reached. I turned the ATV all the way to 150% and the servo still wasn't maxxed out. After scratching my head I decided to plug the pistix into the ESC and give it a shot. I have the ESC set to Airplane mode and auto calibrate for the throttle. When I power the ESC it powers like normal and arms pefectly BUT the ESC instructions say that in Auto Calibrate mode the throttle needs to be set to full for 4 seconds to calibrate the throttle every time you power up the model. I am assuming since I am using the Pistix that this doesn't apply? Anyway when I give the controller full throttle I can see that the red light on the ESC is Lit solid so I am assuming that the Pistix and ESC are working properly. I guess I just want to make sure that I have everything right before I hit the lake.

[BakedMopar]

That 4 seconds thing must be new firmware. My 100 doesn't need to be set everytime. Plug it in it will give the intial tones and then one beep for each cell (auto cell count mode). Once all the beeps are done go run.

Could just be I don't read the entire manual....

[Raydee]

Well it seems to arm fine and the ESC is getting full throttle sooooooo it must be ok to run. Did you get your Ice 200 yet? Was reading that guys are pulling some serious amps from this controller in high performance planes and jets so I figure that my boat setup shouldn't be to bad on it at all

[BakedMopar]

Did you get your Ice 200 yet?

NOPE still on order. Hope you have good luck with it.

[AndyKunz]

Hi Ray,

You should be good to go with the PiStix and Ice.

I just tested it with mine here, and it looks like you're OK. You shouldn't need to use automatic mode, though. The PiStix will output a 1.0ms signal (-125% ATV) when it sees neutral. When it sees 2.0ms (+125% ATV) it outputs 2.0ms. You should be able to see a "full throttle" (1.9ms for most aircraft ESCs) when you put 1.95ms in. I recommend 150% ATV (2.1ms) so that you get full throttle a little before you finish pulling the trigger, and then you adjust it downward until you get full throttle just as you hit max on the trigger.

Thanks for asking. To test it I had to get my Elam out and I had a 4S set from Jim Clark in it that I totally forgot about!

Andy

[AndyKunz]

BTW, if you're only running boats with your 3R, it's pretty easy to modify the trigger so it doesn't center any more (the trigger pulls to full brake position). That's how I have my 3R set, and I don't need a PiStix any more with aircraft ESCs.

Andy

[Raydee]

Thanks for the info Andy, I was hoping you would chime in. I do have my ATV at 150% and it seems to be doing exactly what it was designed to do. Thanks for designing the Pistix, great product!

[Raydee]

Well I also use it for both my 1/8th scale Truggy and Short course truck, so I will still need the Pistix.

[AndyKunz]

My pleasure. I never expected to sell more than the first 50 or 100 pieces and I think the total is close to 400 or 500 now. The newest version is really general-purpose - it can be reprogrammed to be a mixer, a failsafe, and several other things.

Andy

[BakedMopar]

Did you get to run it?

[Raydee]

No not yet, maybe Wed or Thursday if the weather permits.

[Raydee]

Hey Andy when you get a chance shoot me a Email to Raydee at Roadrunner dot com with instructions on how to mod the throttle trigger on my DX3R so it goes to full brake, instead of neutral. I think I may want to try my boat without the pistix and see if it works any different.

[Raydee]

Well it looks like a Pistix adapter isn't needed with airplane ESC's if you are using the Spektrum DX3R radio!!

[BakedMopar]

That's nice to know. How is the 200 working for you.

[Raydee]

don't know yet, I will try it this weekend for sure. I wanted to get the radio setup first and NOT have to use the Pistix.