Castle Creations strives to be perfect, but at times we too are human. Below is our list of service advisories. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
SA 2021-01
EDIT DATE: 4/02/2021
FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR MAMBA MONSTER X 8S IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
EDIT DATE: 2/09/2021
FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR MAMBA XLX2 IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD.
We recommend all Mamba XLX2 ESCs be updated. The ability to update via your Castle B-Link Adapter with Android or Apple iOS will be available by end of day.
Please note that the firmware update for the Mamba Monster X 8S that will allow the use of D-wind motors as well as motors greater than 2000kv, is forthcoming.
It has come to our attention that a limited number of Mamba XLX2 ESCs have experienced a failure upon plug in or while running. Most users report no problems with the XLX2 but after considerable investigation and root cause analysis, we would like to share the following information.
MOTOR ADVISORY APPLIES TO:
MAMBA XLX2 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC 1/5 SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0167-00)
MAMBA MONSTER X8S , 33.6V ESC, 8A PEAK BEC 1/6TH SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0165-00)
At this time, Castle is advising to immediately discontinue use of Delta wound motors and any motors that are 2000Kv or higher.
Three phase motors come in two common wiring patterns, Delta (D-wind) and Wye (Y-wind). Each pattern has its own power characteristics and Castle motors have a Y-wind design. Our current data suggests that D-wind motors, especially larger motors (40mm x 80mm or longer and 56mm diameter or larger) and any motors that are 2000Kv or higher are not currently suitable for operation with the Mamba XLX2 or Mamba Monster X8S. Running these motors can result in abnormal operation and may lead to premature ESC and/or motor failure.
If you are unsure whether the motor you are running or intending to run is a D-wind, please contact the motor manufacturer.
Castle is working on a firmware update that will allow the use of D-wind motors and motors greater than 2000kv. Once released, all XLX2 and Monster X 8s ESCs can be updated via the Castle Link USB programmer or B-LINK Bluetooth™ adapter to the new firmware. The estimated availability for this firmware is the end of January 2021.
MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY ADVISORY APPLIES TO:
MAMBA XLX2 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC 1/5 SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0167-00)
A small number of XLX2 units from the first production build could experience an internal hardware failure. Busbars that are housed within the Mamba XLX2 circuitry may, in limited circumstances, be misaligned and cause a malfunction to occur during the very first use of the ESC, whereby the ESC may beep and then stop responding.
Anyone experiencing this type of failure is encouraged to contact Castle for a warranty service. The manufacturing lot codes of this build are C27255, C27711, and C27964. This information is contained on the label adhered to the wires on the ESC and on the outside of the product box. Note that this issue has been addressed in subsequent manufacturing runs.
If you would like to have your ESC inspected and tested for this issue, please submit an SA2021-1 RETURN FORM and ship the ESC to Castle Creations, 540 N. Rogers Rd. Olathe, KS 66062. If it is determined that the unit exhibits this problem, it will be replaced with a new unit.
USING YOUR MAMBA XLX2; MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS APPLIES TO:
MAMBA XLX2 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC 1/5 SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0167-00)
The XLX2 is a high-performance controller with specific system requirements designed to protect the integrity of your ESC and ensure maximum performance. Please refer to the Mamba XLX2 Product Use Statements for information regarding calibration, input voltage, minimum battery requirements, wiring, soldering, connectors and more. It is critical that all relevant components in your system be able to support the incredible power handling and performance of the XLX2.
“Sensored Only” operation
“Sensored Only” motor operation is strongly discouraged. This mode may cause motor timing variability and lower motor efficiency with higher temperatures, causing unnecessary strain on the ESC, motor and batteries. There is no standard RC application in which sensored only mode is recommended.
The default mode, SmartSense™ enables the ESC to use the sensors to start the motor smoothly, then transitions to sensorless mode while running for more efficient motor timing. This is the ideal setting to run your motor at maximum efficiency.
Overvoltage
The input voltage max for a Mamba XLX2 is 33.6V. As such, 8S HV LiPo packs charged to above 33.6V (4.2V/cell) cannot be used with the Mamba XLX2.
Low voltage cutoff
If you must disable low voltage cutoff to prevent the ESC from shutting down, then your batteries are insufficient for your application. 3.2V per cell is the lowest a LiPo battery should ever be discharged under load. Utilize the XLX2 data logging capability to verify your batteries are not dropping below this level. Exceeding the capabilities of your LiPo batteries can lead to catastrophic failure of the battery and/or ESC. Do not disable the low voltage cutoff with LiPo batteries!
Connectors
The Mamba XLX2 requires the use of connectors designed for 150+ amps of continuous current. Do not use Deans™, Traxxas™, EC3/XT60, EC5/IC5, XT90/XT90S connectors in your Mamba XLX2 setup! 6.5mm or larger connectors are recommended (i.e. Castle 6.5mm polarized connectors or QS8/OS10 anti- spark).
These are just a few of the most critical system parameters that will help protect the integrity of your XLX2 and other components while providing the greatest performance.
As always, the Castle Tech Support team will gladly review your setup and is available answer any questions. We are hobbyists too and we want you to have the best experience possible!
SA 2013-01
June 11, 2013
This advisory applies to the following controllers:
Phoenix Edge HV160Only affects the following builds: C10545, C10546, C10547, C11840, C11841, C11842
It has come to our attention that some of these ESCs which shipped during April and May of 2013 may experience failures due to the control board becoming unseated from the power board.
The units affected will have a label on the receiver wire that includes the build number. The build number is listed in a format like "C10545:XX", please ignore the "XX" portion of the code. If the build number on your controller is not listed above, then your controller is not affected.
Castle uses a piece of silicone-rubber foam to maintain a slight compression of the connector between the two printed circuit boards. In a few instances, this small silicone-rubber foam piece was placed in an incorrect location preventing it from doing its job.
We therefore ask that you perform the following quick inspection and possible corrective action before you attempt to power the controllers for any reason.
The orange silicone-rubber foam should be located on the smaller circuit board directly over the receiver wires. The double wall on the bottom case should compress the foam.
In the affected controllers the orange silicone-rubber foam is placed too far inside the case preventing the plastic wall from compressing the foam.
In order to check for proper alignment please proceed with the steps below.
Remove the four screws from the top of the case.
Flip controller on its back.
Lift the bottom plastic shell and check that there is a small piece of foam seated on the smaller control board at the point where the throttle lead is soldered to the board.
If the foam is not in the exact location shown in the image, please move the foam to this location.
Now, replace the plastic cover and re-install the screws. Please take care to tighten the screws only to the point that they are snug.
(Do not over tighten!)
* If you need a new piece of foam, new plastic case pieces, or screws as a result of this advisory please contact the Castle repair department directly via email at repairs@castlecreations.com. Please mention "Service Advisory 2013-01" in your email's subject line.
* Affected controller may also be sent to Castle directly for placement of the foam. Please use our repair/warranty form on our website.
SA 2012-01
May 11, 2012
This advisory applies to the following controllers:
Phoenix Ice2 HV160, Phoenix Ice 200, Hydra Ice 240, Mamba XL2, Hydra Ice2 HV 200
It has come to our attention that some of these ESCs which shipped since the August 2011 recall on the ICE HV, Mamba XL and Hydra Ice may experience failures due to the control board becoming unseated from the power board.
The controllers listed above were built using two different plastic shell assemblies over the course of their production. Castle originally used two end caps that were snap fit around the heat sink halves and held in place with adhesive labels. We switched to a newer plastic shell that was held together by four screws. The type of plastic shell used dictates the means of retaining the controllers' control board in its socket on the power board.
As we made every effort to repair and return the exact controllers that we received in response to our August 2011 recall, units shipped back to customers may use either plastic assembly.
Castle has an easy to install means of ensuring the control board stays seated in the units built with the clamshell design; installation of a small piece of silicone-rubber foam to maintain a slight compression of the boards.
All controllers made and shipped during the period of August 2011 to May 10, 2012 will likely have the clamshell design without the foam keeper in place.
We therefore ask that you perform the following quick inspection and possible corrective action before you attempt to power the controllers for any reason.
1. Original Plastic Endcaps: All controllers using these end caps have heat shrink material installed to retain the control board. No further action is necessary.
If the controller has not been sent in to Castle as part of the August 2011 recall, please do so immediately.
2. Plastic clamshells with 4 screws shipped since May 10, 2012: Look for a red paint dot on the bottom of the plastic housing between the red and black power wires.
If there is a red dot, your control board is secured properly and no further action is required.
If there is no red dot, proceed to next step.
All ESCs with Rx wire tag have foam securely installed.
3. Plastic clamshells with 4 screws and no red dot on bottom of case between the power wires: Remove the four screws and then flip controller on its back.
Lift bottom plastic shell and check that there is either heat shrink or a small piece of foam seated on the smaller control board at the point where the throttle lead is soldered to the board.
If your controller has neither the compression foam nor the heat shrink, contact Castle for a free strip of silicone – rubber foam suitable for keeping the control board seated under extreme conditions.
Should you choose to reinstall the plastic shell while awaiting the foam kit, please take care to tighten the screws only to the point that they are snug.
Please note that this only affects the following controllers::
Phoenix Ice2 HV160Phoenix Ice 200Hydra Ice 240Mamba XL2Hydra Ice2 HV 200
All others use different heat sinks and plastic assemblies with closer tolerances to secure the control board to the power board.
TO GET YOUR FOAM:
Click on the email link below and provide your shipping and product info in the e-mail.
*Affected controller may also be sent to Castle directly for placement of the foam. Please use our repair/warranty form on our website.