Castle Creations Phoenix 45 Problem

[3D Dave]

Hey guys.

I had to replace my ACE ESC in my mini-Titan with a Castle Phoenix 45. I installed the programming software on my laptop, did the config. etc. and changed the parameters for my setup but no-go.

The LED on the ESC flashes red (w/beeps 3 times) on power-up and then continues flashing red.

I don't know what's wrong.

Using Spektrum DX7, AR7000, GY401. All pitch/throttle curves are in the radio.

Worked fine before with the stock ESC.

Any ideas?

Dave D.

[Libelle]

Hi,

I think your problem is, that you have not set the throttle travel to initialize the ESC!

Watch the setup vids from Bob it's exactly the same procedure for the CC45.
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=36194

Martin

[3D Dave]

Thanks Martin.

A few others have said the same. I did try the procedure however still no luck.

Dave D.

[Aox]

Could be you need to reverse your throttle channel, if the endpoints are set correctly.

-Aox

[Vinger]

3DD,
You have to set your Throttle travel to 100% and then have a linear TC, 0, 25, 50, 75,100, iot start the setup for the CC ESC's. Leave the throttle reverse to normal and make sure throttle hold is OFF. The three beeps after initializing indicates that the ESC does not have the proper endpoints. Mail CC and let them help you with it might be another option.

[ghtracey]

You really should watch Finless' video on the HV-85 setup, especially since you are putting one in your 550.... all Phoenix controllers program the same.

[3D Dave]

Vinger, ghtracey,

Turns out I just needed to re-bind the Spektrum radio to the receiver. The motor spun up and all the servos work now. I have not flown it yet but at least I got the problem figured out. All my settings are already just like what Vinger posted so I think I'm good to go.

Now all is well and I should be picking up my E550 kit tomorrow or Wed.

Thanks to Vinger, I decided on and found a Tonic-X Z30A 1110 (with Thunder Tiger's name on it) :)

The only thing I haven't finalized are blades but I'm thinking Maverick or TT 550 woodies to start. Maybe try some TT or SAB CF's once I get 40-50 flights under my belt (without a crash).

Dave

[3D Dave]

Graham,

I use a Mac 99% of the time so I can't "easily" watch finless' videos. I am VERY lucky to have people like you, Vinger, and several others that combined with gathering places like this, help me to figure it all out. I do have some very nicely stocked hobby stores near me however one of the two biggest does not carry TT stuff and the other has TT (and more heli stuff in general) but has more of a "glow" crowd (but that is changing fast).

Still,

I'd be out-of-luck if I had ONLY the LHS's to help me.

A BIG THANK YOU to you, Vinger, Aox and Martin.

Dave D.
Schaumburg, IL, USA

[ghtracey]

Dave, you may have a hard time watching the vids, but in this case, I would HIGHLY recommend it. Using someone else's numbers is not the best way to setup an ESC. The CC 85HV needs to be "taught" your radio's endpoints. I can give you a brief explanation of that part.

Set your Throttle end-points to 50% in both directions. Power on the ESC with the throttle at high stick. Increase the high EPA until the ESC recognizes high throttle and beeps, then add a couple more clicks. Power down the ESC and repower with the throttle at low stick and do the same thing with the low EPA. What this does is set the ESC and your transmitter so that 0% on you Tx is no throttle, and 100% is full throttle. If you don't do this, your throttle may not respond as well as it should. For example, the ESC could be at 100% throttle when your radio is only at 90%, making your curves seem to not work right.

Also, the other reason I recommend you watch the videos is that Bob explains how to set up the CC governor mode PROPERLY. It does work well,regardless of what some people say, when you set up your heli properly. As a beginner, you would definately gain an advantage from having a constant head-speed, and not having to worry about matching your Throttle and Pitch curves. Let the ESC manage the throttle and you manage the pitch.

[ghtracey]

This document from Castle Creations pretty much explains what Bob does in his video. Note that the 75% setting they mention can be a range from 75% to 80%.

Castle Link Beta Information (http://www.castlecreations.com/support/documents/Castle%20Link%201.51%20Beta%20Info%20v5.pdf)

Read from the bottom of Page 2 to the end for heli setup information. Its VERY usefull.

[3D Dave]

Thanks Graham!

I read the .pdf and it's very helpful. When I finished my ARF mini-Titan my local heli guru set all the parameters up for me. This DID get me in the air faster but now I need to learn how to do this stuff myself.

I will have to fire up the WinXP laptop and try to watch some of the finless vids. Everyone I've talked to until now has said that Castle's governor mode stinks. I will eventually want to set up governor mode but for now, since I'm still learning to fly I guess I'll stick to regular mode on the mini-Titan/Phoenix 45.

Now, on to my CC 10A BEC/E550 dilemma. See CC 10A BEC on E550? in the main forum.

Dave D.

[Libelle]

Everyone I've talked to until now has said that Castle's governor mode stinks.

Thats definitely not wright!
I have both the JAZZ 40 which is the reference in his class and known for the rock solid Governor and the CC35, the CC35 governor is as good as the JAZZ governor but you have to play a lot with the parameters and without a logger it is not easy to get it work right! The JAZZ does all these settings automtically!

I am running the CC35 with the 500TH and the governor works perfect!

[3D Dave]

Thanks Libelle,

I don't have a logger so when I get my JGF450TH or 500TH motor I will have to ask users for some settings to try.

Also, where did you buy the JAZZ?

Dave D.

[ghtracey]

I think the guys that are having a problem aren't setting it up right (75-85% in Fixed endpoints, proper gearing etc.) and are trying to run it like an Align ESC with flat 90 to 100 curves. Finless did that vid with the e620, and that HV85 held the RPM solid in his flight video.

I'll let you know, I got my Phoenix 45 in the mail today, waiting on the gyro and servos which got messed up and send ground mail, but I will be running it in gov with flat curves, 0/Normal/Idle up. 0 so I can shut the motor down and leave the Hold switch programmed high enough to prevent soft start. Pretty well explained in the link I posted. Normal will be -6 to +10 or so, and idle will be full throws on the collective.

I don't forsee any problems. Mind you, I follow the instructions. :P

[3D Dave]

Thanks Graham.

I still have not had a chance to fly my MT with the new Phoenix 45. It "appears" that I won't need to adjust much if anything since my local guru set it up for a "newb" pilot. I don't even remember how he set up the curves originally but from my recollection, it was fairly flat (w/no governor). The only thing that he's changed since then was raise the headspeed a little (from 2000RPM to about 2100) and added a little negative pitch in idle-up (-4) to help me get down if the wind grabs it.

I'm nowhere near needing -11 degree pitch for inverted yet. :-/

I am learning this DX7 slowly but surely too.

Do let me know how your Phoenix 45 works out.

Dave

ps, I follow instructions too until I REALLY know if and how another way is better.

[ghtracey]

Well, I've set up my Mini Titan with the CC Phoenix 45 in governor mode. Now granted, I only do FFF but when you do it per the instructions, it seems to hold pretty good. With the stock motor and blades and 13T pinion, I am getting 2500RPM at 75% throttle and 2700 at 85% throttle. This equated to 73% and 77% straight lines on governor high.

My pitch curves are linear 0-100 in all modes and throtle curves are 0% flat in normal, 73% and 77% flat in Idle 1 and 2. Hold is at 3% to keep the motor from soft-starting in an auto. Works great. I put two flights on it tonight and the headspeed stayed very constant, even with full pitch climbouts.

Now my only problem is a bit of a nose-heavy condition. I put the CC-BEC between the frames in the back and the ESC under the battery tray, I can't think of much else I can do to balance it without moving the ESC to the back near the Rx's... unless I move them to the front. :(