RoadRunner10 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Hi, I have two Vorzas one with a HPI ELC-6s HPI esc and other with Mamba Monster Truck 1/8 esc (possibly faulty). Is there a USB link adaptor that will connect and update both esc's, or do I have to get a HPI one and the Mamba version.? Which versions do I need? Any help much appreciated here. THanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) Most likely you'd be able to program both via https://www.modelsport.co.uk/castle-link-v3-usb-adaptor/rc-car-products/418810 if i recall correctly, that ELC-6s is a rebranded Castle Monster Mamba II. edit: yup it is, so the Castle Link v3 will update/read both. Edited May 22, 2017 by m4inbrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 10 minutes ago, RoadRunner10 said: Hi, I have two Vorzas one with a HPI ELC-6s HPI esc and other with Mamba Monster Truck 1/8 esc (possibly faulty). Is there a USB link adaptor that will connect and update both esc's, or do I have to get a HPI one and the Mamba version.? Which versions do I need? Any help much appreciated here. THanks I'm far from an expert on brushless esc's, but i think you need a separate link for each 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Fly In My Soup said: I'm far from an expert on brushless esc's, but i think you need a separate link for each No, the Castle Link v3 will do both, as both are Castle ESCs. @RoadRunner10 Edited May 22, 2017 by m4inbrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Told you I know nothing !! Didn't realise it was a rebranded m.monster Here's the link i r.runner http://www.hpiracing.com/en/part/100573 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner10 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 Thanks for replies guys, hope the v3 works ok then lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I'm 100% sure it will. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner10 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 fly in my soup thats just the HPi one not the v3 version that m4inbrain mentioned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner10 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 Doesnt mention HPI in he list though m4inbrain http://www.castlecreations.com/en/castle-link-v3-usb-programming-kit-011-0119-00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 2 minutes ago, RoadRunner10 said: Doesnt mention HPI in he list though m4inbrain http://www.castlecreations.com/en/castle-link-v3-usb-programming-kit-011-0119-00 The ELC-6s is not a HPI ESC, that's why. HPI only stuck their name on it, it actually is a rebranded Castle Monster Mamba 2. The same goes for example for Axial, in their Yeti they have a weirdly named ESC, which in reality is also just a rebranded Castle ESC that you program via Castle Link. Again, i'm 100% sure that you'll be able to program it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner10 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 Thanks mate, you learn something everyday. Once again cheers mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 https://www.wirelessmadness.com/hpi-castle-link-usb-programming-kit-for-flux-esc-100573?language=en¤cy=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmIrJBRCRmJ_x7KDo-9oBEiQAuUPKMluCGQnHQBAIcE4c7f1yG5vlbhYOIczF_qJw8rMp1YEaArqo8P8HAQ So is this link card also rebranded castle products?? As it's compatible with a Hpi elc6, etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) It's actually not even rebranded, it says HPI Castle Link there. It's just an older variant. In this thread someone's using a Castle Link for the Vorza ESC, there's no worries. If RR10 is from the cardiff area, he can come over and try mine if he wants. See here: Apart from the stickers it's the same ESC, namely a Castle Monster Mamba 2. Meaning both run Castle Software, as i've not yet heard of a rebranded ESC that runs a different/incompatible firmware to the original ESC. It's a common occurrence - my Losi for example uses a Dynamite ESC, which gets programmed via Castle Link as well (it's a rebranded Castle Somethingorother). Edited May 22, 2017 by m4inbrain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Good info to know! I guess castle have stuck their porky fingers in many pies... Wise move castle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Not just Castle. The Dynamite Fuze in my XXL2e is a castle product, but for example, the Losi Baja Rey comes with a rebranded Hobbywing WP SC8 if i recall correctly. The Arrma ESCs in the Kraton are called "Arrma BLX180", but are in fact rebranded Hobbywing Max8 - which are programmable via the Hobbywing Programming Box thingy. I think it's rather rare that a manufacturer actually uses a "home-designed" ESC. The HPI Flux system for example is also designed by Castle, some Traxxas systems are, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) The shift of using 'off the shelf" components, in lieu of in house manufactured has infected all areas of industry, retail etc in the endless pursuit of profit. Makes good business sense in profit terms, why develop your own ESC at a cost of X per unit, when you can simply bulk buy off the shelf premade units at a much lower cost per unit, thus providing more profit per model sold via this method. Partnering with a prolific rc motor manufacturer like castle would also increase market both companies market share within the hobby, as both would share a market base as opposed to competing against each other. The only issue being a loss of quality control in components sourced externally, I hear good things about castle though! Edited May 22, 2017 by Fly In My Soup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Actually, that's not entirely correct. Take for example Axial and Losi. Both use the same ESC in their "big stuff", in my case the XXL2e, and for Axial in the Yeti XL, or rather, a rebrand of the same ESC. The Losi (called Dynamite there) is actually higher rated. It allegedly (i never opened any ESCs, so i can only go by what other people who did said) uses higher quality components. Showcased between the XXL2e and the Yeti XL, one of which is known for a lot of ESC problems, the other, despite being the heavier vehicle with bigger wheels, has virtually none. I don't think they buy the actual ESCs, i think they build them in license. Which would explain for example why the Hobbywing WP SC8 (well known, well loved ESC) is rated 120a - but the rebranded Dynamite version of it is rated at 130a (Baja Rey etc). That's what is being told anyway, so take it with a grain of salt. I don't think they buy them in bulk though, i do think they get to build/order them in license. Depending on where they let them produce, you get differences in quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 1 hour ago, m4inbrain said: i think they build them in license. Your getting confused. They're purchasing off the shelf products, then modifying that existing product , usually with upgraded FETs. 1 hour ago, m4inbrain said: I don't think they buy the actual ESCs, i think they build them in license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 1 hour ago, m4inbrain said: I don't think they buy them in bulk though, i do think they get to build/order them in license. Depending on where they let them produce, you get differences in quality. I can assure you a company that buys off the shelf products buy them in bulk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly In My Soup Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 1 hour ago, m4inbrain said: rated 120a - but the rebranded Dynamite version of it is rated at 130a ( This is due to upgraded FETs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Close enough then. What i was trying to say is that there can be differences between the original ESC and a rebranded one, at least in regards to quality of components. I stand corrected, partially, since the quintessence was there - different quality in components. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner10 Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Thanks m4inbrain but im in Lancashire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Too bad, but again, no need to worry - the Castle Link v3 will read both. Older ones too, it's just the v3 is the most recent iteration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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