HYDRA COBRA 5, 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC
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HYDRA COBRA 5, 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC

Product #: 010-0182-00

32-bit precision for the waves.

Building on the success of the Hydra XLX2, we are excited to announce the release of the all-new HYDRA COBRA 5, engineered for marine applications up to 50" and up to 8s LiPo!

Based on our proven Cobra 5 architecture, this marine-focused ESC features a custom water-cooled heatsink for efficient thermal management and an aluminum top plate with dual anodized water fittings (.17" OD, 10-32 UNF threads). The ESC is housed in a rugged CNC aluminum case and potted in waterproof epoxy to protect the electronics and includes an upgraded current-sensing and thermal protection system actively mitigates the risk of failure in aggressive or high-load setups.

Access to tuning options, data logs, and firmware updates for the COBRA SERIES ESCs is available at no charge using the Castle Link V4 USB adapter included in the box and Castle Link 2 software, available for download on the Castle Creations website.

The HYDRA COBRA 5 is packed with a potent combination of hardware and software advancements,making it an indispensable ally in high-performance power systems. Users will benefit from the same footprint as its predecessor, the HydraXLX2, while an upgraded current-sensing and thermal protection system actively mitigates the risk of failure in aggressive or high-load setups.

NOTE: Due to the high power nature of the Hydra Cobra 5, you must use appropriately sized batteries and connectors. We recommend a minimum 150 amp connector for the Hydra Cobra 5;examples include Castle 6.5mm polarized, EC8 and QS8. DO NOT USE XT90,Traxxas,EC5/IC5 or any other connectors rated below 150 amps continuous.

HYDRA COBRA 5 NEW FEATURES:

  • 32-Bit processing power for smoother motor control and improved response time.
  • Enhanced Data Logging includes:
    • Double the maximum sample frequency of older generations.
    • 8x increased logging time of older generations.
    • ESC electrical motor timing data.
    • Acceleration data via onboard accelerometer.
    • Looping feature prevents interruptions in data log recording.
  • Additional tuning features include:
    • Improved braking adjustability
    • Separate brake and reverse curves
    • Highly adjustable internal BEC (5.0V - 8.5V adjustable in 0.1V increments)
  • Access to tuning options and firmware updates for free with Castle Link V4 USB programmer included with purchase.
  • Upgraded current-sensing and thermal protection system actively mitigates the risk of failure in aggressive or high-load setups

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

  • CRYO-DRIVE™ Technology minimizes the amount of time the ESC’s electrical components spend generating heat, resulting in improved thermal performance during partial throttle operation where the majority of driving occurs
  • ESC is housed in a rugged CNC aluminum case and potted in waterproof epoxy to protect the electronics and promote efficient heat transfer
  • Powerful Integrated 20A Peak Adjustable BEC (5.25V-8.0V)
  • Machined water-cooled heatsink with 0.17" water fittings.
  • Waterproof design for all weather conditions
  • Auxiliary wire functionality for "on-the-fly" adjustments using your transmitter
  • Mounting holes located in bottom of aluminum case for affixing to your vehicle
  • Audible alerts for easy diagnosis of common issues such as motor-over-temperature and low-voltage cutoff
  • Convenient transmitter programming for six common adjustable settings including cutoff voltage and drag brake
  • Proudly designed and manufactured in Olathe, KS USA and backed by Castle Creations' 1-year warranty

PURCHASE INCLUDES:

Hydra Cobra 5 ESC, Cobra decals, Castle Link V4 USB Adapter, Hydra Cobra Quick Start Guide

Resources
Cobra Series Drivers Ed Guide Hydra Cobra 5 Quick Start Guide Product Use Statements
ESC Calibration Cobra 5 Mounting Template Audible Alert Reference Chart
USD $364.95 /EA
List Price: USD $446.55 /EA
  • Waterproof : Yes
  • Telemetry Capable : No
  • Data Logging : Yes
  • Auxiliary Wire : Yes
  • Minimum Input Voltage : 3S
  • Maximum Input Voltage : 8S
  • Sensored Capable : Yes
  • Recon G6 Certified ESC : No
  • ROAR Certified ESC : No
  • CRYO-DRIVE : Yes
  • B-Link Compatible : No
    • EA
  • Availability: Temporarily out of stock.
Product Use Statements
Calibration:
  • Individual transmitter signals for neutral, full throttle, and full brake vary. You must calibrate your Castle ESC so that it will operate effectively with your transmitter.
  • Anytime the ESC is powered up with a new transmitter or with different throttle channel settings, it will need to be calibrated to the transmitter’s throttle settings.
  • The ESC may also need to be calibrated after updating to new software via Castle Link.
Input Voltage:
  • Applying voltages higher than 33.6V will cause irreparable damage to your Hydra Cobra 5 controller.
  • DO NOT RUN HV CELLS (above 4.2v/cell) WHEN RUNNING AT MAX CELL COUNT (8s). This will exceed the 33.6v rating and will damage the ESC and not be covered by the warranty.
Battery Capacity Minimum:

  • The Hydra Cobra 5 is a high-performance controller; you must use high-discharge cells in your high-performance application to ensure vehicle performance.
  • MINIMUM battery capacity is 5000mAh and MINIMUM of 50C continuous discharge for general use
  • For extreme setups we recommend a MINIMUM of 70C continuous discharge LiPo batteries.
  • If the batteries you are using contain input bullets you might consider upgrading to a direct wired pack as the bullets may not be able to handle the currents that the Hydra Cobra 5 ESC can push out. 
  • If you must disable low voltage cutoff to prevent the ESC from shutting down then your batteries are insufficient for your application. 3.2v/cell is the lowest a LiPo battery should ever be discharged under load. Utilize the data logging capability of the ESC to verify your batteries are not sagging to the cutoff voltage. Exceeding a LiPo batteries capabilities can lead to a catastrophic failure of the battery and/or ESC.
Wiring and Soldering:
  • High strand count silicone coated copper wire is essential with higher power electric power systems. Castle Creations' wire is lower resistance than the same diameter of solid copper, meaning more power gets from the batteries to the motor with less wasted as heat.
  • The ultra-high strand count and silicone coating means the wire is very flexible which prevents work hardening and breakage with use. 
  • Use a high quality soldering station. Soldering stations usually have a variable temperature control which lets you set the right amount of heat to be used. Too little heat will result in a cold solder joint; too much heat can seriously damage a component. The key factors in quality soldering are time and temperature. Our recommendation for the Hydra Cobra 5 is a temperature setting of 400° C (745° F). You want it hot and as short a time as possible. We use 250W soldering irons.
  • Use a high quality rosin core solder. The rosin core solder is infused with flux which helps clean the surfaces you are soldering for better adhesion.
  • Do not exceed more than 18 inches of total wire between the battery and ESC (this includes the wire already on the ESC and battery).
  • Do not solder wires directly to the circuit board. Doing so will damage the ESC and void the warranty.
  • Our wire is available for purchase and this link provides the appropriate wire gauge for your Castle ESC.  http://www.castlecreations.com/wire-application-chart
.Connector Ratings Minimum:
  • The Hydra Cobra 5 requires the use of connectors designed for 150+ amps continuous. We have tested and recommend Castle 6.5mm Polarized, Castle 8mm Bullet, QS8 Anti Spark and QS10 Anti Spark
  • Do not use Deans, Traxxas, EC3/XT60, EC5/IC5, XT90/XT90s, or EC5/IC5, connectors in a Hydra Cobra 5 setup
Motors:
  • The Hydra Cobra 5 is capable of handling incredible amounts of power, your motor must also be up for the task. Always run your motor within the manufacturer’s specs. Monitor motor, battery, and controller temps carefully and never let the motor get above 200° F.
  • Excessive heat in the motor can damage the motor, the Hydra Cobra 5, and your batteries.
  • The default “Smart Sense™” modes uses the sensors (if applicable motor is used) to start the motor smoothly. Once the motor is running the ESC stops using the sensors and reverts to sensorless operation. If a sensored motor is not used, the ESC reverts to full sensorless operation.
Prop size:
  • When you are tuning a boat, expect some modifications in prop size to get it exactly where you want it.  The goal here is to not overheat the motor, ESC, and/or batteries.
  • Check your motor temps – never let the motor get above 200° F - invest in an infrared thermometer so you can monitor temps easily.
  • You can also adjust MOTOR TEMPERATURE CUTOFF (with Sensored Motors Only) in Castle Link.  When this setting is enabled, the controller will shut off if the motor reaches the specified temperature as indicated by its internal temperature sensor.
  • We always recommend making small changes when propping up.
Castle Link Settings:
  • During the optimization of your setup it is critical to check motor and ESC temperatures after making adjustment.
  • The heat limit threshold for Hydra Cobra 5 ESC is 200° F and Castle motors is 200° F. 
  • We recommend the use of the data log as you progress with the feel and power of the vehicle. You will be able to record real-time data such as motor RPM, battery current and voltage, ESC and motor temperature, throttle input, and more.
  • Download and analyze the collected data via Castle Link and make adjustments to maximize both performance and battery life.
AUX Wire:
  • The AUX wire allows you to adjust a setting “on-the-fly” using an auxiliary channel on your receiver.
  • The AUX wire function is disabled by default and is programmable via Castle Link. Plug this wire into the auxiliary (#3/#4) channel on your receiver.
  • You MUST connect the AUX wire to an open channel on your receiver even if you are not using the Auxiliary function.
  • You MUST disconnect the AUX wire from your radio before connecting to Castle Link. Failure to do so may result in damage to your Castle Link and/or computer.
Operating Environment
Considerations:
  • Although Hydra Cobra 5 is waterproof, it is not intended for operation while completely submerged in liquid.
  • Always rinse the ESC and motor with clean water after exposure to corrosives or dirt.
  • The receiver harness and sensor harness connections at the board can be affected by water. While most boat hulls are watertight, water can find its way in. Applying dielectric grease to these connections can prevent corrosion and signal interruption if these connections are exposed to water.

Technical Specs
Application Guidelines:
RC Hobby boats up to 50"
Input Voltage Range:
MIN: 3S LiPo, MAX: 8S LiPo 33.6V
Running Modes:
Sensorless, Brushed and SmartSense™ when paired with a Castle 4-Pole Sensored Motor.
Brake: Available, but disabled by default.
Reversible: Available, but disabled by default.
On/Off Switch: Yes, waterproof
Water cooling fittings
Two .17" fittings included. Uses 10-32 UNF threads.
Size: Length: 3.98” (101.2mm),  Width: 2.49” (63.3mm),  Height: 1.34” (34mm)
Weight (with wires): 12.9 oz (365g)
Continuous current rating*: (SEE NOTE BELOW)
180A
Burst current rating*: (SEE NOTE BELOW)
350A
Motor Connectors:
8mm female bullets on circuit board, matching 8mm male bullets for motor required (not included).
Items Needed for Operation: The Hydra Cobra 5 requires the use of connectors designed for 150+ amps continuous, such as Castle 6.5mm polarized or CC BULLET 8.0MM, QS8 8mm Anti Spark or QS10 10mm Anti Spark. You will also need 8mm male bullets for the motor connections.
Operating environment:
Waterproof design for all weather conditions (See Operating Environment Considerations)
Programmability:
Access to tuning options and firmware updates for free with Castle Link V4 USB adapter included with purchase. Now with USB-C connector! (Requires Windows 10 or higher)
Tech Tips:
The Hydra Cobra 5 has threaded mounting holes on the bottom of the ESC. There are four M3 mounting holes with a maximum depth of 5mm; they are spaced 46mm wide and 40.2mm long. Use this template for assistance in alignment and screw hole positioning.

If replacing the water cooling fittings, it is recommended to use Loctite® 545 (or similar) on the threads. This will ensure a watertight, 25+ PSI strong seal.


For support, frequently asked questions, technical documents, and more, visit our support site.

Castle Creations, Inc. warrants this product to be free from manufacturing defects for a period of one year from date of purchase.

This is a high power product with the potential to be very dangerous. Please read the safety information before use. This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and or birth defects or other reproductive harm.

*RC HOBBY CURRENT RATING: Castle does not generally publish amperage ratings for surface ESCs. There is no standardized industry method for testing and rating ESC current capabilities. Castle's testing methods tend to result in much lower numbers than our competitors; we feel our numbers better represent the products actual capabilities. But due to the difference in testing and rating methods, our ESCs can look weaker in comparison to our competition. Please keep that in mind.

The continuous current rating is for 5 minutes with proper cooling, adequate connectors, and batteries. Using improperly sized components can lead to ESC stress and failure that is not covered by the warranty. Controller temperature must never exceed 100° C (212° F). Exceeding current or temperature ratings may damage components and may shorten the life of the ESC. Always verify system current draw at full-throttle. Decrease load to decrease the ESC's operating temperature. Many users have pushed MUCH higher numbers, but Castle makes no guarantees on the long term reliability of the product or on the warranty.

The burst rating is for short, momentary periods lasting no more than 2 seconds. The time between bursts, how long the burst lasts, and water temperature will affect temperatures. Make sure all components in the system (battery, connectors, motor) are capable of handling said current. Closely monitor ESC, motor and battery temperatures and review ESC's data logs.

U.S. Patent # 7400103, 7492122, 7579796, 7740516, 8287328, 8678875, and 8905814 B2 - Other patents pending.

Controller designed and circuit boards manufactured, in Olathe, Kansas USA.
Controller assembled in Olathe, Kansas USA.


 


Optional Accessories
010-0079-00
Castle Link Quick Connect (or Quick Connect Duo)
011-0068-00
6.5mm Polarized Connectors-Male Multi-Pack
011-0069-00
Polarized Castle Connectors - 6.5mm Female Multi-Pack
CC BULLET 6.5MM

6.5mm Male/Female Connector Set (3ea)

CC BULLET 8.0MM

8.0mm Male/Female Connector Set (3ea)

011-0148-00

Castle Capacitor Pack, 8S MAX (35V)

011-0147-00
DIRECT CONNECT SENSOR WIRE 300MM

Service Parts
011-0027-00
WIRE, 36", 08 AWG, BLACK                                  
011-0028-00
WIRE, 36", 08 AWG, RED
011-0029-00
WIRE, 36", 08 AWG, WHITE
011-0157-00
RECEIVER HARNESS REPLACEMENT - MAMBA XLX2



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