Castle Creations | FAQ: CC BEC

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Look here for answers to frequently asked questions about CC BEC. If you can't find an answer to your question here, please e-mail us at support@castlecreations.com or give us a call at (913) 390-6939.

CC BEC Switching Regulator

1. I'm not getting any movement out of my servos, and there is no green LED showing on my CC BEC. Why?

2. The green LED on my CC BEC is flickering on and off. When this happens the servos jump, the receiver powers down, etc.

3. I am plugging into my Castle Link to change the output voltage to my servos, but the CC BEC will not connect. What is wrong?

4. I am getting a slightly lower output voltage reading than I have the CC BEC programmed for. Why?

5. Can the CC BECs be run in parallel for very high current applications?

6. I see that the CC BEC is capable of outputting up to 9v to my servos and receiver . What is a safe voltage to run to my servos at?

7. I notice that you state that the plug on the CC BEC will not handle current higher than 5 amps. What if I need to draw more than 5 amps?

8. I'm having problems connecting to my Spektrum receiver. Every time I power up the CC BEC the receiver enters bind mode. What's going on?

9. I fried my CC BEC by plugging too much voltage and/or reversing polarity. Is it junk?

10. Can I use my CC BEC to power a speed controller at a certain voltage?

11. Can I use a 2s lipo pack and CC BEC to power my receiver and servos?

12. Can the CC BEC be used in nitro or gas powered craft?

13. What happens if my battery pack voltage drops below the output I have programmed into the CC BEC?

14. What are the maximum and minimum input voltages?

15. Can I output more voltage than I am inputting?

16. Do I need to have the Castle Link to program the CC BEC's output voltage?

17. How can I use the CC BEC if I'm using more than 6s lipo?

18. The CC BEC is so small. Can it really be used in high current applications such as ginant scale airplanes, helicopters, and rock crawling?

19. How do I use the CC BEC?

20. Will CC BEC work with other types of batteries such as NiMH, NiCad, Li Ion, or Pb?

21. Will the CC BEC work with other brands of speed controllers?

22. Does the CC BEC have a voltage cutoff?

23. How many servos can I use safely with my battery/servo combination?

24. Is CC BEC waterproof?

25. Is CC BEC edible?

CC BEC Switching Regulator

1. I’m not getting any movement out of my servos, and there is no green LED showing on my CC BEC. Why?

The CC BEC is either not getting power from your battery pack, or is having an issue. Check the voltage of the battery pack, and verify voltage is getting through your battery connectors. If voltage is normal at all locations contact Castle Creations Technical Support at support@castlecreations.com or give us a call at (913) 390-6939.

2. The green LED on my CC BEC is flickering on and off. When this happens the servos jump, the receiver powers down, etc.

There is excessive amp draw in the system, or too much voltage. Check all servos for proper operation, and check the output voltage from your CC BEC to verify it is at a safe level. If problem persists contact Castle Creations Technical Support at support@castlecreations.com or give us a call at (913) 390-6939.

3. I am plugging into my Castle Link to change the output voltage to my servos, but the CC BEC will not connect. What is wrong?

First, verify that you have a green USB connection status in the lower left hand corner of the Castle Link screen. If not, go to the Castle Link FAQ section regarding loading the driver. If it is green but the ‘Device Connection Status’ light stays red, the USB port may not be able to provide enough current to power the CC BEC. Try plugging a battery pack into the CC BEC. This may also be necessary if you’ve already soldered the ESC to the CC BEC. If the problem persists contact Castle Creations Technical Support at support@castlecreations.com or give us a call at (913) 390-6939.

4. I am getting a slightly lower output voltage reading than I have the CC BEC programmed for. Why?

The resistance of the wire and the length of the wire going to your receiver will lower the voltage output slightly. This is normal. If you check the voltage at the board where the leads attach you’ll see the voltage is right where you programmed it for.

5. Can the CC BECs be run in parallel for very high current applications?

No, switching regulators like the CC BEC will fight each other if used in parallel. A separate component is needed to isolate them from each other. Castle is looking into creating something that will allow you to do this. Stay tuned!

6. I see that the CC BEC is capable of outputting up to 9v out to my servos and receiver. What is a safe voltage to run to my servos and receivers at?

Please check with your servo and receiver manufacturers to attain these ratings. All servos and receivers will accept different amounts of voltage. Castle Creations is not responsible for any damage to servos or receivers due to over-voltage.

7. I notice you state that the plug on the CC BEC will not handle current higher than 5 amps. What if I need to draw more than 5 amps?

You’ll need to change out the plugs to something that will handle the current. Castle Creations is looking into alternative solutions for our customers that will fit r/c applications. Stay tuned!

8. I’m having problems connecting to my Spektrum receiver. Every time I power up the CC BEC the receiver enters bind mode. What’s going on?

The first units we produced function just like all of our other products and upon every power up looks for a connection to the Castle Link. Some Spektrum receivers do the same only on the battery channel looking to bind with the transmitter. On these systems the CC BEC can be plugged into any channel on the receiver other than the battery channel, the orange wire pin between the BEC and the receiver can be pulled and taped back, or you can insert a short servo extension with the signal lead removed. If this fix is not satisfactory Castle Creations will modify your CC BEC free of charge so that it will not have this issue. Please see our support page on the website for information on sending your product in for repair. Be sure to fill out the Service Request Form and include it with your CC BEC. ONLY APPLICABLE TO UNITS PURCHASED BEFORE NOV. 1, 2007. THOSE WHO PURCHASED CC BECS AFTER NOV. 1, 2007 ALREADY HAVE THIS MODIFICATION AND DO NOT NEED TO SEND IT IN. For this modification, you must include your sales receipt indicating date of purchase.

9. I fried my CC BEC by plugging in too much voltage and/or reversing polarity. Is it junk?

No, never throw a Castle Creations product away! Send it in to us and for a flat rate repair fee of $6USD we’ll repair or replace it.

10. Can I use my CC BEC to power a speed controller at a certain voltage?

NO! DEFINITELY DO NOT DO THIS! YOU WILL FRY YOUR ESC!

11. Can I use a 2s lipo pack and CC BEC to power my receiver and servos?

Yes, that’s one of the primary uses of the CC BEC.

12. Can the CC BEC be used in nitro or gas powered craft?

DEFINITELY! It’ll work in electric, nitro, and gas powered craft of all types!

13. What happens if my battery pack voltage drops below the output voltage I have programmed into the CC BEC?

The voltage output of the CC BEC will drop as the battery pack voltage drops. It cannot output more voltage than it is seeing on the input.

14. What are the maximum and minimum input voltages?

Minimum is 5v, maximum is 25.2v (2s-6s lipo).

15. Can I output more voltage than I am inputting?

No, the BEC can only put out as much as it is getting on the input or less. It cannot increase voltage.

16. Do I need to have the Castle Link to program the CC BEC’s output voltage?

Yes, there is no other way to program the output.

17. How can I use the CC BEC if I’m using more than 6s lipo?

Please refer to this wiring schematic showing you how to connect to packs that are greater than 25.2 volts

18. Your BEC is so small. Can it really be used in high current applications such as giant scale airplanes, helicopters, and rock crawling?

Absolutely! This is where the CC BEC excels! The CC BEC will work in electric, nitro, or gas airplanes, helicopters, boats, cars, and trucks.

19. How do I use your CC BEC?

There are two ways to use the CC BEC. You can use it with a separate battery pack to power your servos and receiver, or when weight and space are tight, you can use it with your main flight pack to supply power to the servos and receiver.

20. Will CC BEC work with other types of batteries such as NiMH, NiCad, Li Ion, or Pb?

Yes, it will work with any type of battery pack.

21. Will the CC BEC work with other brands of speed controllers?

Yes, it will work with any speed controller on the market?

22. Does the CC BEC have a voltage cutoff?

No, there is no low voltage cutoff on the CC BEC. You must ensure that the pack you are plugged into does not drop below the voltage recommended by your battery manufacturer. Castle Creations assumes no liability if your battery pack is drained down below the acceptable voltage limit.

23. How many servos can I use safely with my battery/servo combination?

To test if the CC BEC will safely be able to operate everything you have it powering, disconnect the motor, turn on your transmitter, plug in a freshly charged battery pack (the same one you’re going to use the CC BEC with), and exercise all servos (turn on/off other devices) simultaneously for 20 seconds. If you see the servos slow down to a crawl or stop, or the LED on the CC BEC is flashing rapidly, you are exceeding the current level the CC BEC can safely handle.

24. Is CC BEC waterproof?

No, the CC BEC is not waterproof. It is sprayed with silicone conformal coating to make it water resistant.

25. Is my CC BEC edible?

Please refrain from tasting the yummy goodness of the CC BEC. Castle Creations is not responsible for any cases of upset stomach, indigestion, or other GI malfunctions as a result of CC BEC consumption. Eating a CC BEC is known to cause cancer in the state of California.