Sidewinder ESC will not Calibrate or Arm

[bluesxman]

I can't get past the first step of calibration. I turn on my radio, hold full throttle, turn on the ESC and the green LED on the sidewinder just flashes. If I release the throttle all LEDs are off. If I press full reverse, the red LED starts flashing. If I turn the radio off, all three LEDs (green, yellow, red) all start flashing. My trims are all set to neutral. I've tried doing the procedure with the throttle trim set to various positions but it behaves the same. The motor does not turn or sound during this process.

I have an XTM X-Cellerator RTR which came with a Cirrus 2CAM Radio. I'm using a 6 cell 4700mAh NiMH battery.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Fred Bronk]

Do you mean a Cirrus 2 Channel radio, 27mhz AM?

Start with being sure the radio works OK. Reverse the throttle and try that first.

Be sure your battery is fully charged too, 6 cells is not alot of voltage.

Page 37 has other info too; http://www.castlecreations.com/support/documents/drivers_ed_guide.pdf

[bluesxman]

Do you mean a Cirrus 2 Channel radio, 27mhz AM?

Start with being sure the radio works OK. Reverse the throttle and try that first.

Be sure your battery is fully charged too, 6 cells is not alot of voltage.

Page 37 has other info too; http://www.castlecreations.com/support/documents/drivers_ed_guide.pdf


Yeah, that's the radio and the batteries were fresh off of being charged. I also tried reversing the throttle like they say for Futabas.

I'm guessing it might be the firmware so I'm getting a castle link and going to try. I did manage to get the ESC to arm and calibrate later last night. Basically if I flip the switch on and off quickly, it will sometimes arm (the first time let me calibrate). Once armed, everything behaves normally from then on. I even drove some (very happy with the performance!) last night and had no problems. Unfortunately, once you turn it off, you have to do that little rain dance with the switch to get it to arm again.

Anyway, I'll post back once I upgrade the firmware.

[bluesxman]

Just want to say that everything is working now, and I love my Sidewinder. ;)

[ray schrauwen]

This sort of means I may need to buy a link in order to run my vehicle if I buy a sidewinder ESC...?
From factory it has a firmware glitch? Hmmm?

Any more input on this and the Differences between the old Mamba25, the Micro Sidewinder and the Micro pro?? The sidewinder is the least expensive and I haven't seen any info on the Micro pro yet, I haven't checked in a few days though...

Wazzup?

[lestingoy]

This sort of means I may need to buy a link in order to run my vehicle if I buy a sidewinder ESC...?
From factory it has a firmware glitch? Hmmm?

No. Not exactly sure what is going on with his, sounds like he may have gotten one from the first batch that shipped before the latest code release. All subsequent ones have the latest software on them. But, the USB Link DOES enhance the whole experience.


Any more input on this and the Differences between the old Mamba25, the Micro Sidewinder and the Micro pro?? The sidewinder is the least expensive and I haven't seen any info on the Micro pro yet, I haven't checked in a few days though...

Wazzup?

Lots of info on this. The components got better over time. The Sidewinder Micro is an improved Mamba 25. The Mamba Micro Pro is a Sidewinder Micro with better cooling and a case. These DO make a big difference in the load capacity. -- SO, if a Mamba 25 worked for your application you'll be very happy with the Sidewinder Micro. The Mamba Micro Pro is really intended for larger cars in this segment, or cars running larger motors...


Lee

[bluesxman]

This sort of means I may need to buy a link in order to run my vehicle if I buy a sidewinder ESC...?
From factory it has a firmware glitch? Hmmm?

Any more input on this and the Differences between the old Mamba25, the Micro Sidewinder and the Micro pro?? The sidewinder is the least expensive and I haven't seen any info on the Micro pro yet, I haven't checked in a few days though...

Wazzup?

No, this really was a fluke with my specific controller. You can get one without a link and you'll be just fine. I do think the link is extremely nice to have for tuning, though, and is definitely worth the $20.

I can't compare it to the mamba, but I will say that I'm extremely happy with the performance. The throttle is extremely smooth and gives you very fine-grained control. As for speed and acceleration, the only thing to say is: amazing. I usually for have power to spare.

I really don't see how you could beat one of the sidewinder combos out there, considering the price.

[ray schrauwen]

No. Not exactly sure what is going on with his, sounds like he may have gotten one from the first batch that shipped before the latest code release. All subsequent ones have the latest software on them. But, the USB Link DOES enhance the whole experience.



Lots of info on this. The components got better over time. The Sidewinder Micro is an improved Mamba 25. The Mamba Micro Pro is a Sidewinder Micro with better cooling and a case. These DO make a big difference in the load capacity. -- SO, if a Mamba 25 worked for your application you'll be very happy with the Sidewinder Micro. The Mamba Micro Pro is really intended for larger cars in this segment, or cars running larger motors...


Lee


Thanks you very much for your reply Lee. Very informative.

I hope you don't think I was slighting Castle or you because I was just looking for info.

Now I know I can buy a Sidewinder and get the link later or borrow a buddies.

I know the Mamba 25 was great, I had one and used it in a micro boat.

Solid unit, and hard to believe the prices out there for it! Better scoop one up soon!

Cheers,

Ray