Castle Sidewinder - Calibrate Issues

[SgtDoogie]

I'm setting my first crawler. I have the Castle Sidewinder ESC, Futaba MS controller and Integy 55 Brushed motor.

The ESC comes in Brushless mode. When I got it at the store, they tried to do it for me, but the Castle Site, didn't have the latest update for the newer Sidewinders, so I had to do the Calibration by hand.

I have steering servo in Ch1, I have ESC in Ch 2, Black and Red wires are connected to motor (with no regard to direction at this point) and battery connected to ESC.


I've followed the steps. 1) Turn on the Transmitter 2) plug in battery to ESC 3) Full Throttle on controller 4) Turn on ESC

It is supposed beep 4 times after a few seconds, then beep 4 times again after a few more seconds.

What it's actually doing, the light blinks very fast, then 4 quick progressive tones when the switch instantly turns on. I've waited a solid minute and nothing. When I let off the throttle...the ESC does blink. If I turn the steering, the servo does turn correctly. At least I know power and connections are working.

What blatently obvious thing am I missing? Should the brushed motor be connected during this initial programming?

 

[Munkee]

I had a similar issue that was corrected by reversing the throttle servo switch on the Futaba controller.

 

[nj05nismo]

if you go to castles website (im surprised how many people dont) it says under ver 1.17 firmware that you cannot stick program for brushed motors (you actually have version 1.18, however it is identical to v1.17 just doesnt get recognized by v3.04 of the castl link software), its a problem with the firm ware. Tell the shop you got it from to download v 3.05 of the castle link software. The problem was the wrong version of firmware was loaded onto the esc's, so the castle link wouldnt recognize the esc. Once they have that downloaded it should only take about 30 seconds to make the change for you.

also castle is having a sale that ends the last day of march for 25% off, you can allways buy your own castle link for 18.xx+shipping (about 4 bux usps priority) and be able to mess with the throttle curves and such whenever you want...imo a worthy investment


http://www.castlecreations.com/downloads/frh-sidewinder.html

 

[Blood_Clod]

I had a similar issue that was corrected by reversing the throttle servo switch on the Futaba controller.

I agree with what Munkee said, Reverse the throttle servo on Futaba radios.

And read this regarding programming once you get the ESC to recognise the radio...
Ok, I just found out some usefull info just 5 mins ago for you guys with the new sidewinder. If you want to run your sidewinder with a BRUSHED motor and do not have a castle link to program that speed control by default it is set for brushless. With that said, in order to "stick" program you controler to run brushed motors you need to be able to hear the beeps corisponding with each different setting. So you have to have a BRUSHLESS motor to initially program it to brushed. So if you don't have a brushless motor you need the castle line software... As far as i know unless theres a way to hook up the white brushless wire to your brushed motor to get it to beep... It took me 2 hrs to figure that out so I thought i'd help somebody else out...
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[SgtDoogie]

So you have to have a BRUSHLESS motor to initially program it to brushed. So if you don't have a brushless motor you need the castle line software... As far as i know unless theres a way to hook up the white brushless wire to your brushed motor to get it to beep... It took me 2 hrs to figure that out so I thought i'd help somebody else out...
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Ouch. If I want this today...I guess I gotta drive. Nearest store with the link is 50+ miles away.

 

[Blood_Clod]

Ouch. If I want this today...I guess I gotta drive. Nearest store with the link is 50+ miles away.

The more I think about this somebody said they thought that you could program your sidewinder using the LED flashes that corrilate with the diff options on the esc itself... Not sure... Or there Is the best option, getting a castle link... Hope this helps you out!

 

[nj05nismo]

The more I think about this somebody said they thought that you could program your sidewinder using the LED flashes that corrilate with the diff options on the esc itself... Not sure... Or there Is the best option, getting a castle link... Hope this helps you out!

read my first post...its a problem with the firm ware...you cant switch motor types via stick programming even though it says you can in the instructions.

 

[Ced RC]

I see that this is firmware related, but I just wanted to add something real quick. I have experienced problems with ESC programming in the past due to EPA settings. The ESC may not recognize throttle positions from your radio if you have EPA settings at anything other than 100% for both max and min throttle.

 

[Blood_Clod]

read my first post...its a problem with the firm ware...you cant switch motor types via stick programming even though it says you can in the instructions.

This is not true! I stick programmed mine, when I got my esc I hooked it up to a BRUSHLESS motor (in order to hear the tones) to change it to BRUSHED then just went throught the motions and change everything I needed, only stick prog... I still got and suggest getting a castle link.

 

[nj05nismo]

This is not true! I stick programmed mine, when I got my esc I hooked it up to a BRUSHLESS motor (in order to hear the tones) to change it to BRUSHED then just went throught the motions and change everything I needed, only stick prog... I still got and suggest getting a castle link.

its true according to the people who make the ESC...:roll:


you may have found a backdoor but most people who are staying brushed dont have a BL motor sitting around to do that.


also i still reccomend the castle link...its only 18 bux this month and it gives you better control over the esc than any non CC esc out there

 

[Blood_Clod]

its true according to the people who make the ESC...:roll:


you may have found a backdoor but most people who are staying brushed dont have a BL motor sitting around to do that.


also i still reccomend the castle link...its only 18 bux this month and it gives you better control over the esc than any non CC esc out there

Agreed...

 

[SgtDoogie]

if you go to castles website (im surprised how many people dont) it says under ver 1.17 firmware that you cannot stick program for brushed motors (you actually have version 1.18, however it is identical to v1.17 just doesnt get recognized by v3.04 of the castl link software), its a problem with the firm ware. Tell the shop you got it from to download v 3.05 of the castle link software. The problem was the wrong version of firmware was loaded onto the esc's, so the castle link wouldnt recognize the esc. Once they have that downloaded it should only take about 30 seconds to make the change for you.l

Thanks. Actually, the shop (CKRCCRAWLERS) was aware of the problem. The issue was...I bought the ESC on Saturday (3/22) and 3.05 wasn't released to the website until 3/24.

I drove back (85 miles) on Thursday and they updated it for me...and I got a Castle Link for future tweaking.

 

[SwampDawg]

My new problem with a Sidewinder3....

Wired it for my Apache C1 using x2 Lipo @ 14.8v.
It states its good for 15v right on the ESC.

Made sure my Tx/Rx are binded including neutral safety switch on my TF-40.
**now swapped to a different Tx/Rx** still no difference??

The fan to the esc comes to life as does the servo for steering.

But NO throttle???
A faint green light blinking from time to time can be seen on the ESC but no throttle???

Ive tried to caliberate the thing with no results?

Ive even connected my cc link and programmed the esc. When i connect the link the lights to the ESC come to life. It also seems fine otherwise??

HelP!!

Its like its dead but i just pulled this off my MT which was working fine??

...and both batteries are charged and cells are all in good order.

Arrma can eat dogcrap!

 

[SwampDawg]

This is interesting regarding my MMP (qbase) ESC.

Before...it gave me approx 1/2 throttle no matter what i did. However...
After messing around for hours with the Sidewinder3 and getting nowhere. I decided to go back to the MMP. Now the interesting point here...

I uploaded the Beta and this MMP came back to life. Wow did i miss this Apache C1. Lol

Arrma can eat dogcrap!

 

[stevetate12]

Have you zeroed the throttle trim before you calibrated it?

 

[SwampDawg]

Ive tried zero. Ive tried 100%.

Nothing? Like its dead of signal but i know it works.

Thanks

Arrma can eat dogcrap!