Hv recall - Page 5 - RC-Monster Forums

Semi Pro · 10.13.2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skellyo

It's getting to the point of me being ticked off now. Over a month ago CC received my MXL's and I've received nothing other than a notice that they received them. Where is this fantastic service CC is supposed to be providing to the customer? I sure as heck am not seeing it.

did you call them?

skellyo · 10.14.2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semi Pro

did you call them?

Yes and it's total BS. I was told that none have been shipped out yet.

To anyone at CC:
At this point, you guys at Castle need to get your act together and man up and let us know what's going on. I've got over $1k in brand new ESC's (4 MXL's) sitting there collecting dust. You guys have my $ held hostage as I have no recourse at this point. I'm extremely disappointed in your service, especially since we were all told it would be a quick 1 day swap for the replacement board. I took your word for that and sent in my brand new ESC's. Now I have nothing to show for it other than being pissed off and not having any information on when they'll actually be returned.

Thomas Porfert · 05:43 PM

The original quote by Patrick was based on the assumption we would have the replacement control boards available. Unfortunately things do not always go as planned and there have been some hang ups in getting the controller corrected. We had to redesign the control board and source new parts. The redesign took MUCH more work and time that we ever thought it would. We also had some troubles getting the right parts.

We had to initiate the recall immediately because of the risk involved in using the ESC in its current state. Unfortunately at that time we did not have all of the components required to make the modifications to fix the controllers. It has taken much longer than expected to get the correct components and get the new control board design and has led to longer delays than we originally planned.

We also wanted to make sure that the changes being made would take care of the problem completely. We didn't want to have to go through another revision that didn't fix all of the potential issues. We have finalized the design, and all of the components are now in house. The control boards have been completed and the power boards are in production at the beginning of next week. I just talked with the production planner today, and she is hoping to have the first new controllers coming out of testing late next week.

I understand the frustrating part with all of this is because of the expectations we gave initially and since then the complete lack of updates and communication. This is inexcusable and the one thing that was avoidable and could have been fixed easily. Most of the frustration people have expressed to me is not knowing what was going on with their controller. As you can imagine this has been a VERY busy and stressful time for us, but is not a good excuse by any stretch of the imagination.

But rest assured we are working as quickly and as diligently as possible to get controller back to our customers. Everyone has been very understanding and patient with us, but long delays and being left in the dark will start to annoy the most patient person. If you sent in a new ESC, you are guaranteed to get back a new, unused ESC. If you sent in a used ESC, we will replace the control board and if it passes testing, you will get your original controller back; if it fails testing, then it will be replaced with a new controller.

We can't apologize enough for the delays, frustration and lack of communication; but I can tell you we are VERY close to getting the Mamba XL's shipped out. As most of you know this is not how things normally work for us, but this recall is far from normal.

Thomas Porfert
Tech Support
Castle Creations

skellyo · 10.14.2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Porfert

The original quote by Patrick was based on the assumption we would have the replacement control boards available. Unfortunately things do not always go as planned and there have been some hang ups in getting the controller corrected. We had to redesign the control board and source new parts. The redesign took MUCH more work and time that we ever thought it would. We also had some troubles getting the right parts.

We had to initiate the recall immediately because of the risk involved in using the ESC in its current state. Unfortunately at that time we did not have all of the components required to make the modifications to fix the controllers. It has taken much longer than expected to get the correct components and get the new control board design and has led to longer delays than we originally planned.

We also wanted to make sure that the changes being made would take care of the problem completely. We didn't want to have to go through another revision that didn't fix all of the potential issues. We have finalized the design, and all of the components are now in house. The control boards have been completed and the power boards are in production at the beginning of next week. I just talked with the production planner today, and she is hoping to have the first new controllers coming out of testing late next week.

I understand the frustrating part with all of this is because of the expectations we gave initially and since then the complete lack of updates and communication. This is inexcusable and the one thing that was avoidable and could have been fixed easily. Most of the frustration people have expressed to me is not knowing what was going on with their controller. As you can imagine this has been a VERY busy and stressful time for us, but is not a good excuse by any stretch of the imagination.

But rest assured we are working as quickly and as diligently as possible to get controller back to our customers. Everyone has been very understanding and patient with us, but long delays and being left in the dark will start to annoy the most patient person. If you sent in a new ESC, you are guaranteed to get back a new, unused ESC. If you sent in a used ESC, we will replace the control board and if it passes testing, you will get your original controller back; if it fails testing, then it will be replaced with a new controller.

We can't apologize enough for the delays, frustration and lack of communication; but I can tell you we are VERY close to getting the Mamba XL's shipped out. As most of you know this is not how things normally work for us, but this recall is far from normal.

Thomas Porfert
Tech Support
Castle Creations

I really appreciate your response and the included information. Indeed, the lack of communication is the most frustrating part of the ordeal. Thank you for the update.

FG101C · 10.14.2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skellyo

I've received nothing other than a notice that they received them.

I haven't even received that yet and I dropped mine in the mail the Sunday of the recall. I do however have the receipt USPS sent me of the person who signed for it, with the actual signature. Really working on being patient, will give it another month I think and see.

padrino · 10.14.2011, 07:10 AM

Patrick,

Any inisight would be appreciated, it seems the answer will most likely be negative however any information is better than a black hole since credibility continues to deteriorate.

Kirkinsb · 10:11 PM

Look what I had waiting for me when I got home tonight!!!!!!

Mamba XL2. New outer case design. I like it.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/...ambaxl2002.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/...ambaxl2001.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/...ambaxl2003.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/...ambaxl2004.jpg

Ran like a champ. It was cold as hell in Nebraska...but I drove anyway. 39 degrees. My lipos have been sitting half charged on the shelf for 2-3 months...and I could not wait for them to fully charge. They were at about 90% which was good enough.

Street where I drive was obviously cold so I did more tire spinning than I usually do..but like always....it would pretty much wheelie anytime I wanted...once I kept the tires hot.

Here is the link to the data log. Not huge amps being pulled because It was hard keeping the tires warm and sticky.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/...7/Picture1.jpg

Damn, it sure feels good to have my 5t up and running again. Ripple Current was a low 5.5%. at the end of the run the motor was 85 degrees, ESC was 70 degrees, and lipos were 110 degrees. highest temp registered in data logging for the ESC was 90 degrees. Ran good. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Kirkinsb · 11.06.2011, 11:27 AM

I definately want to keep my new XL2 alive...I see castle has a new CapPack that fits on the battery input leads. Is this good insurance? Worth doing?

brian015 · 11.06.2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkinsb

I definately want to keep my new XL2 alive...I see castle has a new CapPack that fits on the battery input leads. Is this good insurance? Worth doing?

Adding some low esr caps (or a pre-made CapPack) certainly won't hurt (I have extra caps on most of my escs) - it's meant to reduce ripple voltage and so should take some stress off the esc.

Edit: btw, that new Mamba XL2 does look nice - no more metal cases falling apart!

gyn77 · 09:47 AM

Hi Patrick,
please would you check about my MAMBA XL that I sent to Castle Creations Europe about a month ago?

order# 2197-4838-7982

Standard postal service number: RA306464929IT
DATE of shipping: 13/10/2011

SENT to:

CASTLE CREATIONS EUROPE BVBA
ICE HV/MAMBA xl/HYDRA ICE SERVICE
GELLEWEG 80
2250 OLEN
BELGIUM

FROM
ALESSANDRO DI CESARE
ROME, ITALY

I have sent some mails to repairs@castlecreations.com but I haven't a reply yet.
Thanks,
Alex.