Programming MMM with BEC disabled?

[maneba]

Is it possible to program the esc using the Castle Link adapter when the red wire of the esc has been disabled for using an external UBEC?

[BrianG]

Nope. You'll have to re-insert the red wire to program the ESC. To make future programming easier, there are a couple options:

1: Leave the red wire in the throttle cable, but then get (or make) a very short servo extension wire with the red wire removed from that.

Or

2: Solder another set of servo connections on the existing throttle cable, effectively making a Y cable. Remove the red wire from one of the legs and use that to the receiver. Keep the red wire in the other leg and use that only for programming.

Personally, I like option 2. Adding an extension is obviously much easier to do/undo, but the added connections may cause an issue and be harder to stuff the extra wire somewhere when the added length is not needed.

[Jabe]

Yes you can! You need to plug your battery in, when you use castle link.

[BrianG]

You know, I thought so too, but I occasionally had trouble getting the ESC linked up to the PC when I did that. It worked most of the time, but sometimes just refused to. I had to reconnect the batteries and link for it to work. This was on a V1 MMM, so maybe that had something to do with it.

[Metallover]

Isn't the bec on the MMM a switching bec, so it doesn't make a difference if it is disabled or enabled?

[maneba]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Nope. You'll have to re-insert the red wire to program the ESC. To make future programming easier, there are a couple options:

1: Leave the red wire in the throttle cable, but then get (or make) a very short servo extension wire with the red wire removed from that.

Or

2: Solder another set of servo connections on the existing throttle cable, effectively making a Y cable. Remove the red wire from one of the legs and use that to the receiver. Keep the red wire in the other leg and use that only for programming.

Personally, I like option 2. Adding an extension is obviously much easier to do/undo, but the added connections may cause an issue and be harder to stuff the extra wire somewhere when the added length is not needed.

Thx, Option 2 is a good solution for me.
This is my baby!

LST2 + xxl chassis + muggy towers



and this is my last body i make for it.

[BrianG]

Nice looking rig you have there! Now, go get it dirty already!

Originally Posted by Metallover

Isn't the bec on the MMM a switching bec, so it doesn't make a difference if it is disabled or enabled?

If you disable the BEC (to use an external one) by removing the red wire, the controller won't get power for programming since that power is supplied by the USB 5v line.