Castle-Link Software Revisions

Hello,

Just wondering if there is a place we can post feedback on the various software builds of Castle-Link. I know I've read in some threads that there are a few versions to avoid...anyone have any feedback? I'm about to start using mine in earnest so I'll post any of my own findings. I'm tempted to let it stay at whatever version it shipped with because it seems to work fine in my 4WD buggy. It will be moving up to my E-Truggy for weekly use.

DM

[bdebde]

I have only heard of problems with the 2.23 version, and only a few, but I still run version 2.22.

Hmmm....according to the web site 2.24 is the current castle link software version but 2.23 introduced the Mamba Max 1.09 firmware. I'm skittish on updating it...

[BrianG]

I've used v1.09 on both my MM controllers and haven't seen any problems yet. 2.24 seems to work OK as well. Some people have reporting issues where the 2.23 software doesn't recognize the controller anymore, but only a few of those.

[Serum]

http://www.castlecreations.com/downl...stle_link.html

For the link


http://www.castlecreations.com/downl...mamba_max.html

for the mm.

[MetalMan]

The one MM I have that's running (two died) is working fine with the updated software/firmware.

Originally Posted by MetalMan

The one MM I have that's running (two died) is working fine with the updated software/firmware.

Two died...was there a reason for their passing? I've heard all good things about the ESC and reliability is my main reason for switching.

DM

[MetalMan]

One of them smoked within 10mins of its like, in my Hyper 8, and it had a fan over it. The other seems to have fried some of the FETs, as it cogs HORRIBLY. This MM was the very first one I got (back in July, because of beta testing).

The one I'm running now has treated me well. It isn't even using a fan right now. It's 2-3 months old.

[BrianG]

The new ones use a different FET in the design. Not sure if that has anything to do with the reliability, but I thought I'd throw that tidbit out there...

Metal - what were you running battery and motor wise?

DM

[MetalMan]

For which one?
The first one that burned up (my original MM) was in my Revo on 5s2p A123 (16.5v) and a Feigao 540C 7XL. A fan was necessary to keep it from thermalling.
The 2nd one used the same setup that I am using in my Hyper 8 - Maxamps 4s 5000HV pack, Feigao 8XL. A fan was used.

[bdebde]

Originally Posted by BrianG

The new ones use a different FET in the design. Not sure if that has anything to do with the reliability, but I thought I'd throw that tidbit out there...

Is the new FET design better? or the old one?

[BrianG]

Well, the new FETs have higher current ratings and lower resistance IIRC. I'd have to peek at the datasheets again to verify and to find the rest of the differences. Both datasheets have been posted in the CC category...

[bdebde]

2.25 is up now

That's a bit odd. Of my five MM escs, the only ones that haven't had to go back to Castle are the first two I bought when they first came out.