Was anyone aware?

[Darin Jordan]

Simple fact is that there are failures that are NOT user error. True many failures are caused by the user, but not in the cases I am talking about.

Bill is right... I was there... John is one of several people I've known that have plugged in their HV240 and were either taping up or waiting to put in the water when POOF... It just goes up...

There is definately an issue somewhere there with those HV controllers...

[Raydee]

Aren't ALL the HV controllers stuck using the 1.04v Firmware? I know my HV180 is and I also know it makes my motor run hotter and slower than my 240LV controller. I noticed a 30 degree temp diff and a 5mph slow down right away. I didn't run my big hydro hardly at all last season after I installed the HV controller for fear that something was going to turn into smoke. I personally believe the firmware is the major problem and all Castle has to do is give the HV controllers 1.03V back and they will be fine. My LV controllers using 1.03v work FLAWLESSLY!!!

[Doug Smock]

Simple fact is that there are failures that are NOT user error.

I'm sure there are, Castle Creations is no different than any other manufacturer.

My suggestion for those that are having issues with performance or relpacement costs, would be to contact Castle directly.
phone: (913) 390-6939 • e-mail: info@castlecreations.com

They want to hear from you.

Doug

[egneg]

you guys just need to learn how to use the esc's
i have 12 CC esc's and only 4 have failed since 2006.. and they were all my fault because i didn't take the time to set things up.



one thing many people don't know which will make the esc prematurely fail is failure of the CAPS.
every time you plug it in that spark will be there. some times when you get litle or no spark the Caps arent working and the full shock is taken though the PCM board which will cause failure.
it is alwayse a good idea to replace the caps when they start to go

Not to mention double posting ... how do you do it!

[Doug Smock]

Aren't ALL the HV controllers stuck using the 1.04v Firmware? I know my HV180 is and I also know it makes my motor run hotter and slower than my 240LV controller. I noticed a 30 degree temp diff and a 5mph slow down right away. I didn't run my big hydro hardly at all last season after I installed the HV controller for fear that something was going to turn into smoke. I personally believe the firmware is the major problem and all Castle has to do is give the HV controllers 1.03V back and they will be fine. My LV controllers using 1.03v work FLAWLESSLY!!!

Just curious Ray,
What did Castle tell you when you called them?

Doug

[Eyekandyboats]

your right some aren't but most and many are.
there are many issues. just like cars and basically anything else.
its life so deal with it.
i am personally sick and tired hearing about every having to do with blowing up esc's.
you blow it up, return it, or pay the price to return it and there is no need to post about how you did it

[Doug Smock]

i am personally sick and tired hearing about every having to do with blowing up esc's.

WHAT???

[Raydee]

I'm sure there are, Castle Creations is no different than any other manufacturer.

My suggestion for those that are having issues with performance or relpacement costs, would be to contact Castle directly.
phone: (913) 390-6939 • e-mail: info@castlecreations.com

They want to hear from you.

Doug

Doug, I have done that and Joe Ford says they are going to come out with a better firmware for the HV controllers but so far nothing. I emailed them and talked to them back in September. I posted a bunch on the subject but it seemed for the most part people didn't pay attention or didn't care enough. Now that more users have the HV controllers and see that there is a issue maybe Castle will get that firmware on their site a little faster. I love CC ESC's and will continue to use the LV controllers but for now my HV won't be getting used until they fix the firmware

[Bill-SOCAL]

OK, but I for one was VERY interested to hear about a failure mode outside of the normal type of setup error. I have no issues with toasty a ESC due to my own fault, but I am very uncomfortable with the idea that an expensive and allegedly robust ESC will burst into flames doing something as innocuous as plugging it in.

[Doug Smock]

Doug, I have done that and Joe Ford says they are going to come out with a better firmware for the HV controllers but so far nothing. I emailed them and talked to them back in September. I posted a bunch on the subject but it seemed for the most part people didn't pay attention or didn't care enough. Now that more users have the HV controllers and see that there is a issue maybe Castle will get that firmware on their site a little faster. I love CC ESC's and will continue to use the LV controllers but for now my HV won't be getting used until they fix the firmware

Thanks Ray
We should try to get an update.

Doug

[Raydee]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=917054

Here is the thread I started back at the end of August in the CC forum at RC groups if anyone is interested in adding anything to it.

[Doug Smock]

I am very uncomfortable with the idea that an expensive and allegedly robust ESC will burst into flames doing something as innocuous as plugging it in.

I was one of several that had that issue with the B-80s and 125s a few years back. ( there was some cogging issues as well) Castle came out with a firmware update and the problem was solved. I'm still running the 125s.
Maybe they are on to something, let's hope so.

Doug

[Ub Hauled]

I agree with most posts here as well... I know there is something wrong with the HV series, there have been way too many complaints of those ESC for it to be a fluke... I myself had a problem with my 180HV's maiden voyage , I spoke to Joe and Jon (CC), they said they were very interested in what happened and took the ESC from me at an RCX show and replaced it no problem. Now I have a brand spanking new 180HV sitting here and I am evaluation if I should use it again or not.
Just so that all know what happened in my case, I was the the last SAW (mixed one), I had my Miss Vegas converted to electric and was about to race her. I was using 2 2s1p 30C packs from Elite in series hooked to a 1521/1D. I hooked it up once gave it a liiiiittle throttle to see spin direction, it was reversed, I unhooked the ESC reversed motor cables and as soon as I hooked it up again I immediately heard a sizzling sound coming from the ESC... I stopped right then and there.
There was no fire (probably due the the short length of time that it was hooked).
I also was not saying that they should give it to me free since this ESC is outta warranty, but, as I stated on the first post, there is a considerable sticker shock.
Since Bill and Darin were talking about stationary burns, also at this SAW, I was looking at Tyler Garrard hooking up a Delta mono and I actually saw the fire starting... it was a 240LV on 4s2p.
I think that Taylor makes some sense with the CAPS theory, but unfortunately it does not apply in these cases.
What bothers me the most, other then have to pay $150 to fix the ESC, I am not 100% sure that this self combustion will not happen again... that's something that I wish CC worked out a bit better, Quality Control.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Just so that all know what happened exactly in my case, I was the the last SAW (mixed one), I had my Miss Vegas converted to electric and was about to race her. I was using 2 2s1p 30C packs from Elite in series hooked to a 1521/1D. I hooked it up once gave it a liiiiittle throttle to see spin direction, it was reversed, I unhooked the ESC reversed motor cables and as soon as I hooked it up again I immediately heard a sizzling sound coming from the ESC... I stopped right then and there..

That sounds very similar to the problem that happened a couple of years back with the barracuda when it first came out.

[Ub Hauled]

Was it a software problem for you Steven?