Bernie - would you be able to discuss any specifics to the changes that the software update will provide? Are there any negative performance impacts to the V1 and V2 MMMs?

I want to know if the bullets are still touching the heatsink. :tongue:

Not an issue, and never was.

If the bullets touch the heat sink, they just ablate the aluminum until there is clearance. Any connection with the anodized aluminum is fairly high resistance when compared with the motor.

Yep -- all you need to do is request a new case, and we'll send you one.:yipi:

Even on the battery side?

I understand the ablation would only take a split second, but even if the ESC would survive something like that wouldn't it hurt our lipos?

Anyway Patrick, thank you for each and every post of you. Your updates and input here are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Daf

One sec; the *firmware* fixes BEC problems on the V1 and V2? How's that so? I'm not arguing, just a little confused as I thought it was an electronics issue?

If tthat's the case though, then I might just order a new...well, case (pun not intended, honest!).

The changes should not change the performance of the V1/V2 MMMs. (in fact there were some performance enhancements)

Yes -- turns out that the software was allowing very fast changes to battery voltage ("spikes") which could cause BEC damage. The new software monitors the battery voltage thousands of times a second, and prevents the spikes that can damage the BEC (both during acceleration and braking.)

Dam clever stuff you guys have built! You're ability to change this stufff in the software is incredible!

No way...that's a pretty cool software fix! Plainly out of interest, what are the new hardware changes on the V3's brains board for? I'm just curious so don't be obliged to reply (I know you're a busy guy), but I'm just wondering.

I was going to send my V1 back to be replaced with a V3 even though it's not been run once, but given this news, I'll probably jsut ask for the upgraded case.

When is the software update coming out? I have three V2 waiting on it.

Patrick clear your pm box

According to Patrick, it was supposed to be on the website either last night or this morning.

Patrick, is it possible that the website which lists the revision history wasn't updated and that if I used Castle Link to check for firmware updates the update would be listed?

The firmware update is now listed on the revisions page of the website...I'll be downloading it tonight to my V2.

http://www.castlecreations.com/downloads/frh-mamba.html

Nope, 1.19 is the previous version unofrtunately, which fixed the LVC problem. However! I just hooked up my V1 MMM to my CastleLink, and it instantly told me that a new software version was available; 1.20. I'm guessing that this is the new software?

This is the best news I have heard in weeks :yes: (besides for the Traxxas mini-Revo :wink:). Can't thank you enough Patrick for the updates. :yipi:

The link I posted indicates the firmware is 1.20. Good news on the Castle Link software...I wasn't sure if it was up there as well.

No it is updated to 1.20 take another look.

That's weird... when I loaded that page up before I posted, it was still at 1.19. *Now* it's at 1.20...must be a cache thing lol. Bizarre...

Anyways, the over-temp warning is a good idea. Now if the thing does thermal, we'll know it's thermalled and hasn't just died.

Time to get my Monster Max out of the box :lol:. I'll hook the connectors today too and my BPP truggy will have a new ESC for it. Lets just see if the Monster Max can really handle anything you throw at it motor wise.

Fantastic. Let us know how you get on! I'm hoping that the V1/V2s won't need to be updated to V3 BEC hardware with this new patch.

Ok, new software in the Monster, now it's time for the connectors. BRB :lol:.

So were alot of the problems excluding obvious physicaly broken components caused by software/programed parameters in the MMMv1s and v2s?Allthough all 3 of my v2s have run flawlessly.I have downloaded Castle link 3.12 but not updated the controlers yet.Either way I win thanks to pdelcast and dedicated CC and their excelent customer service.

Is the Castle software completely Vista "incapable"? I just tried installing the CD software, but no luck. I'll try the website now.

Works fine. You might need to run the program as an administrator, but I'm on Vista 64 here and it runs without a problem after running it as admin.

:surprised:impossible:lol:how???

Mine's getting hung up on the Windows Installer, so I dont have the option of running it as an administrator. Got that on both the CD and download from the website. Friken Vista.....I am soooo dumping it.

Alright - got it. For anyone else with Vista: Download the software first (as opposed to clicking "run"), then you can right click on the program and choose "run as administrator".

I'm still dumping it......

Is it getting halfway through the installer, and then complaining that it's missing a component (or something like that) and can't continue? That's what mine did...so I just saved the actual installer file to the desktop, and ran the installer itself as admin; then it worked fine. The CastleLink program itself, once installed, doesn't seem to need to be run as admin.

Thats pretty interesting!

So is the V3 going to have bullets for the motor and batt? If not, I need to find me a V2, get the new case, and firmware. I want to be able to have the bullets:mdr:

Also, with the taller case, will the BL E-Revo mount be able to be used with the old case? Or will it have play? Or?

and the verdict is...? has this helped anyone with a V2 ? i am stuck at work and am hanging out to try the new firmware download...

anyone...? fixed?

I think we're just not unco when using them. I also have three that are all fine all on 6s all no mods :P

bzzzzz....failed!!!
3.12 done nothing but buy me 30 seconds of driving then...game over.

nothing spectacular either like sparks or popping or flames....just conks out.

well another trip back home...better get its passport ready :P

hmmm 4 weeks....

Was your MMM running alright before the update? I'm just thinking that maybe the damage had already been done...

Downloaded new firmware. I'll disconnect the ext. bec tomorrow and get ready for some running on Friday morning to see how it goes

How long have you had the esc? V1, V2 or V3?

the esc was intermittent before the upgrade. i have had it now for about 6-8 weeks, hardly played around with it though, busy with work. got my batts together finally and now this. really was hoping i would be one of the few lucky ones.
with either 5s1p or 5s2p a123 it works on and off. i will not dare to try it with the li-pos, i dont want any unwanted light shows. i guess i am lucky in that respect.

its fairly obvious when i blip the throttle that it dies, not a gradual application, however this has been proven wrong a few times too.

i really was hoping the firmware was the silver bullet.

aaah cmon!!!!

version 2 ESC

Sounds strange, but if it's a result of the BEC/whatever, then the damage is already done and I'd imagine that new firmware won't fix it. :( It sounds like anyone with a fully working MMM should have good results with the new firmware, though. This is probably a stupid question, but have you double-checked all your solder joints? I know you probably have, but that kind of behaviour is common with a dry joint.

I really want to try my V1 now, but the RC that it's going in isn't yet finished. this does make me wonder if the dodgy components in the original V1s actually WERE dodgy, though. Castle didn't know about this bug back then and since the National Semiconductor switcher controller kept dying, then it would have been natural to assume that is wasn't living up to spec. But if it were being subject to these voltage spikes which have now been sorted due to the new firmware, then maybe that was the cause (and they weren't dodgy after all...or at least, a lot of them weren't)?

Just a theory of mine, but either way...I'm busting to try out this thing now.

Castle Link V3.12 is now up for download.

Sweat I just got my confirmation as well:A package was shipped to you on 10/22/2008 via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail to the following address

Castle must be pumping these things out

Not sure if this has already been posted, but I sent an e-mail to Castle about when my own V1 was going to be replaced, and I got this response...

All replacements should be shipped by the end of next week.

Morgan Conner
Repair Supervisor
Castle Creations

Sweet!