Holmes Hobbies Trailmaster BLE Pro update?

[Voodoobrew]

@JohnRobHolmes (don't know where to post this or email it to where you/he would see it.)

I really like this ESC for the dithered mode it provides, as I don't like the sound of the low khz PWM frequencies, and the dithered has great startup.

But the 2.02 Castle update for the mamba X series has me on the fence because of one feature in particular.
This feature: Improved drag brake feel when transitioning between idle and power. Especially useful for crawler vehicles in both brushless and brushed 'Motor Type' modes.

The down hill control is "amazing" (@WT) on the 2.02 mambas and I am wondering if this can be applied to the BLE PRO. Is this a hardware limitation or a software implementation issue? If it were only software would castle even allow you to add this to your ESC or is it their baby.

Is there some setting on the BLE I am not aware of that would give better brushed downhill control

Using 100:1FDR, 2.2, 3s, 10t crawlmaster 550 & HH BLE Pro

[revin9k]

Great question Voodoo. I am subbing to this

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[GrimmTheTourist]

Would be a great update for this ESC! I really like it already with the stubby. But this option would be amazing

[JatoTheRipper]

100:1 FDR probably helps control your downhill a lot...

[WHITE-TRASH]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

100:1 FDR probably helps control your downhill a lot...

Ya think?

[JohnRobHolmes]

The method that the BLE mosfets are switched doesn't really allow what is being done on the X, which is a sort of part time synchronous rectification to slow the motor down during throttle reductions. If you are familiar with quadcopters using BLheli firmware, this is damping light mode equivalent. Castle has stated that they are unwilling to do further engineering work on the BLE firmware, so it won't be a feature I can offer.

[Voodoobrew]

Thats a bummer, nobody makes an esc with everything I want (that I am Aware of).
Honesty I think there are many here hoping you get your esc's done in house because of things like your amazing support, its doubtful you will tell someone with an older esc, "sorry kid I don't support that esc its 2 years old, buy the new crap or get lost...."

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

100:1 FDR probably helps control your downhill a lot...

Not as much as you would think, once the drag brake releases it can go kinda quick. With the drag Brake at 80% it will still roll down hills just not so fast. I mean it not free rolling by any means, But I could go 4x slower downhill with the mamba x and puller pro combo, then with the Crawlmaster and BLE Pro.

[JohnRobHolmes]

I'm not going to be blasting that info in more public venues like facebook, but supply chain issues are happening. Frustrating event for sure. I've tidied up my comment to be more on point to your question


Support of the BLE will be tricky to handle. I have a stash of them for anticipated warranty, but beyond that we need new brushless hardware to support our customers. As hard as I have tried, it is still not lined up.

[Voodoobrew]

I apriciate the insight, but it's better this way I think for now.

Are you already working on designing your own esc or are you holding off till later in the education process.

I think you will Excell in this adventure as you are so in touch with the crawler community as to provide more of what we want. In a different post I believe you said you knew the hardware. So it's designing a software interface we are waiting on?

I know with other hardware it's possible to flash new firmware from aftermarket sources to add new features. Is this something that would violate your agreement with castle?

[JohnRobHolmes]

Im not spending further time on hardware until I've determined which MCU will be a good platform for a 5 to 10 year product life. In the mean time, I'm learning software to bridge the gaps together. I'm sure it will be every bit of a few years to cobble together a very basic controller.


Flashing aftermarket firmware won't happen. Who will develop it if not Castle, and why would they spend engineering hours on hardware that is at the end of life?

[TK421]

Any updates on a new brushless esc from HH?

Lou