Castle BEC- review and tech thread

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 03:04 PM

New 100 pound test! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32SNVXklxxs

I just got a little surprise in the mail today, a BEC unit from Castle! They have asked me to give it the shakedown and really put it to the test. I will put it to servo and LED power duty this week, testing my servos at different voltages while keeping an eye on the BEC temps and performance. This should turn out to be a great product for crawlers, the one product that we all need. The best part about it will be the price, estimated about $22 each at this time. Not only is this considerably cheaper than most other switching regs out there, the output is 10 amps max and 7 amps continuous!

The down and dirty- 20awg power wire and 22awg servo leads. It is adjustable from 4.8 to 9 volts output. Input is 25v max, minimum isn't listed yet. Weight is very light, 17.7 grams with a deans inline adapter. Half of that weight is the deans plug I'm sure. The unit requires a Castle link to be reprogrammed, but I will offer that service to anybody who wants it. Most servos will be safe on 6 volts, but select servos might do very well overvolted. The Tower pro servos and the Hitec Ti servos come to mind.

I will continue to update this thread with my finding on performance and value. I cant wait to try this out as a LED power source. 7.2 to 7.4 volts will be perfect for 2 series white leds and 4 series red leds

Tanis · 07-10-2007, 03:09 PM

Good to hear there is another alternative for us power hungry folks

Looking forward to hearing how it compares to the ACC234.

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 03:10 PM

It will blow the adjustable reg out of the water, for sure. Cheaper, smaller, and if you really need 20 amps of power you could get two. Ill put up a comparison of the other BEC's I have after some test time tonight.

JRH

Rockpiledriver · 07-10-2007, 03:12 PM

WOW that's a tiny little powerhouse.

Grizzly4x4 · 07-10-2007, 03:25 PM

I'm excited to hear about this one.

dezfan · 07-10-2007, 03:26 PM

Sign me up for one Johnrob!

If I remeber right, the TP servos at 7 volts were pushing 280 oz's of torque!

Going to have it on hand at the comp this weekend?

If so I would love to check it out!

JasonInAugusta · 07-10-2007, 03:32 PM

Nice stuff.

For folks looking at regs...you're not going to get an output greater than your input voltage. If you want a 7V output you'd better run a pack with a nominal voltage of 8.4V.

I wouldn't trust it to provide a solid 7V output on a 7.2 or 7.4V pack.

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 03:37 PM

Just did a bit of a test on carpet. test rig was a 2.2 with mashers

main pack, 3 cell lipo
servo, tp945
output voltage 7.4v

I wagged the servo back and forth as fast as possible (speed was way up there) for about 5 minutes while pressing down, stalling out, and generally trying to burn the servo up. Max temp on the servo was 140f and max temp on the reg was 120f, ambeint about 70f in my house. I would give these regs 160f operating temp like the rest of Castle's goods, but they tell me 220f is the max temp.

Bottom line so far, more power to my servo than I have had before and the reg took it without a problem.

More to follow

dezfan · 07-10-2007, 03:41 PM

NICE!!!!!!

JasonInAugusta · 07-10-2007, 03:44 PM

JRH,

Did it come with specs in regard to output current and input/output voltage? As the voltage changes what's happening with the current capabilities?

run2jeepn · 07-10-2007, 03:53 PM

Sign me up for a few of them... I'd rather run it then the MPI one I have.

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

JRH,

Did it come with specs in regard to output current and input/output voltage? As the voltage changes what's happening with the current capabilities?

It is a switching reg, so the output amperage should not change with regards to input voltage.

DKNguyen · 07-10-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

Nice stuff.

For folks looking at regs...you're not going to get an output greater than your input voltage. If you want a 7V output you'd better run a pack with a nominal voltage of 8.4V.

I wouldn't trust it to provide a solid 7V output on a 7.2 or 7.4V pack.

Well you can...but it would cost at least $30-$40 for a capacity of about 2A. And yeah, I think switching regulators that only reduce voltage have a dropout voltage of at least 1.5V or so.

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 04:17 PM

JIA, if you dont think it could do 7 amps continuous, consider this: They have 15 amp brushed ESC's of about the same size. From the looks of it they took an ESC and changed the sofware to offer PWM based on the programming and input voltage. The RMS voltage out is whatever you program it to be.

JasonInAugusta · 07-10-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnrobholmes

It is a switching reg, so the output amperage should not change with regards to input voltage.

Switching...gotcha. Not linear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnrobholmes

JIA, if you dont think it could do 7 amps continuous, consider this: They have 15 amp brushed ESC's of about the same size. From the looks of it they took an ESC and changed the sofware to offer PWM based on the programming and input voltage. The RMS voltage out is whatever you program it to be.

I said 7V. ;)

7V output on a 7.2V pack wouldn't work very well, I don't think.

Thorsteenster · 07-10-2007, 04:30 PM

are these needed with multiple servos or high torque servos on lower amperage bec esc's? ive seen alot about them here but never really understood the need for them.

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

Switching...gotcha. Not linear.

I said 7V. ;)

7V output on a 7.2V pack wouldn't work very well, I don't think.

ahhh, yes. I dont know what the voltage drop is yet. I will have to test or ask them.

JRH

JohnRobHolmes · 07-10-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorsteenster

are these needed with multiple servos or high torque servos on lower amperage bec esc's? ive seen alot about them here but never really understood the need for them.

I would say it is a good idea to have an external reg in those situations.

SVEN · 07-10-2007, 04:35 PM

Just what I've been waiting for. One step closer to production.

Can the unit do any voltage between 4.8 and 9? Or is it set up in certain increments? Like could you do 7 volts, rather than 7.2?
That is something I would like to experiment with, to see what a good voltage setting would be for my 5995's to get less heat and still have good performance.

I'm looking forward to getting one of these.

cartronicshn · 07-10-2007, 04:40 PM

Hey JRH as usual i'am in, sign me up for 5 of this puppies

07-10-2007, 03:09 PM	#2
Tanis Axial Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yakima,WA Posts: 6,216	Good to hear there is another alternative for us power hungry folks Looking forward to hearing how it compares to the ACC234. __________________ Is 180* of articulation 2 much? He came, he saw, he crawled...he faded into history... Thanks for all the memories my friends

07-10-2007, 03:10 PM	#3
JohnRobHolmes owner, Holmes Hobbies LLC Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Volt up! Gear down! Posts: 12,202	It will blow the adjustable reg out of the water, for sure. Cheaper, smaller, and if you really need 20 amps of power you could get two. Ill put up a comparison of the other BEC's I have after some test time tonight. JRH __________________ www.HolmesHobbies.com Your Source for High Power Electronics Team RCC Sponsor midwestrcc.com Team Futaba

07-10-2007, 03:12 PM	#4
Rockpiledriver ahhh the good ole days Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Greenarmymotorsports.com Posts: 4,097	WOW that's a tiny little powerhouse. __________________ RCP CRAWLERS.COM SOCALRCRC.ORG LOSI DRIVER NOVAK DRIVER CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE (909)233-8223

07-10-2007, 03:25 PM	#5
Grizzly4x4 Guido's Handler Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Undefeated scale concourse champ but looking for TTC redemption Posts: 10,096	I'm excited to hear about this one. __________________ Team RCC, Team Holmes Hobbies, TCS Crawlers, MSD Team Driver, Reign RC Pimp Crew, Vanquish Products, Team PTFO, Team * '07/'08/'10 Scale Nationals Concourse Champion 9th place: 2010 Scale Nats TTC

07-10-2007, 03:26 PM	#6
dezfan ARIZONA FAN! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: IMPEACH OBAMA NOW! Posts: 9,246	Sign me up for one Johnrob! If I remeber right, the TP servos at 7 volts were pushing 280 oz's of torque! Going to have it on hand at the comp this weekend? If so I would love to check it out! __________________ Nine terrifying words in the English language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help. -- Ronald Reagan The MEDIA is the Enemy! TEAM ASSHOLE! / RC4WD / JP CUSTOM RCS / OGM

07-10-2007, 03:32 PM	#7
JasonInAugusta 06 Super National Champ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 10,099	Nice stuff. For folks looking at regs...you're not going to get an output greater than your input voltage. If you want a 7V output you'd better run a pack with a nominal voltage of 8.4V. I wouldn't trust it to provide a solid 7V output on a 7.2 or 7.4V pack. __________________ A good paragraph should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep your attention.

07-10-2007, 03:37 PM	#8
JohnRobHolmes owner, Holmes Hobbies LLC Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Volt up! Gear down! Posts: 12,202	Just did a bit of a test on carpet. test rig was a 2.2 with mashers main pack, 3 cell lipo servo, tp945 output voltage 7.4v I wagged the servo back and forth as fast as possible (speed was way up there) for about 5 minutes while pressing down, stalling out, and generally trying to burn the servo up. Max temp on the servo was 140f and max temp on the reg was 120f, ambeint about 70f in my house. I would give these regs 160f operating temp like the rest of Castle's goods, but they tell me 220f is the max temp. Bottom line so far, more power to my servo than I have had before and the reg took it without a problem. More to follow __________________ www.HolmesHobbies.com Your Source for High Power Electronics Team RCC Sponsor midwestrcc.com Team Futaba

07-10-2007, 03:41 PM	#9
dezfan ARIZONA FAN! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: IMPEACH OBAMA NOW! Posts: 9,246	NICE!!!!!! __________________ Nine terrifying words in the English language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help. -- Ronald Reagan The MEDIA is the Enemy! TEAM ASSHOLE! / RC4WD / JP CUSTOM RCS / OGM

07-10-2007, 03:44 PM	#10
JasonInAugusta 06 Super National Champ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 10,099	JRH, Did it come with specs in regard to output current and input/output voltage? As the voltage changes what's happening with the current capabilities? __________________ A good paragraph should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep your attention.

07-10-2007, 03:53 PM	#11
run2jeepn www.JPCUSTOMRCS.com Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Owner Jp Custom Rc's Posts: 10,345	Sign me up for a few of them... I'd rather run it then the MPI one I have. __________________ Get your COMP PROVEN ARTR BULLY Kits HERE www.JpCustomRcs.com

07-10-2007, 04:17 PM	#14
JohnRobHolmes owner, Holmes Hobbies LLC Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Volt up! Gear down! Posts: 12,202	JIA, if you dont think it could do 7 amps continuous, consider this: They have 15 amp brushed ESC's of about the same size. From the looks of it they took an ESC and changed the sofware to offer PWM based on the programming and input voltage. The RMS voltage out is whatever you program it to be. __________________ www.HolmesHobbies.com Your Source for High Power Electronics Team RCC Sponsor midwestrcc.com Team Futaba

07-10-2007, 04:30 PM	#16
Thorsteenster I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,135	are these needed with multiple servos or high torque servos on lower amperage bec esc's? ive seen alot about them here but never really understood the need for them. __________________ Who the hell is Dave and why do I want to be him?

07-10-2007, 04:35 PM	#19
SVEN Team TCS Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Knoxville Posts: 2,025	Just what I've been waiting for. One step closer to production. Can the unit do any voltage between 4.8 and 9? Or is it set up in certain increments? Like could you do 7 volts, rather than 7.2? That is something I would like to experiment with, to see what a good voltage setting would be for my 5995's to get less heat and still have good performance. I'm looking forward to getting one of these. __________________ TEAM: Holmes Hobbies The Crawler Store MaxAmps KamikazeKustoms www.NitroKillers.com

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