.AJ. Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Link: https://home.castlecreations.com/bl...3YpTNQMdko6Vq-889yU8seDM7QmyZKNaZaj4cWys2VJCk "It has come to our attention that a limited number of Mamba XLX2 ESCs have experienced a failure upon plug in or while running. Most users report no problems with the XLX2 but after considerable investigation and root cause analysis, we would like to share the following information. MOTOR ADVISORY APPLIES TO: MAMBA XLX2 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC 1/5 SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0167-00)MAMBA MONSTER X8S , 33.6V ESC, 8A PEAK BEC 1/6TH SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0165-00) At this time, Castle is advising to immediately discontinue use of Delta wound motors and any motors that are 2000Kv or higher. Three phase motors come in two common wiring patterns, Delta (D-wind) and Wye (Y-wind). Each pattern has its own power characteristics and Castle motors have a Y-wind design. Our current data suggests that D-wind motors, especially larger motors (40mm x 80mm or longer and 56mm diameter or larger) and any motors that are 2000Kv or higher are not currently suitable for operation with the Mamba XLX2 or Mamba Monster X8S. Running these motors can result in abnormal operation and may lead to premature ESC and/or motor failure. If you are unsure whether the motor you are running or intending to run is a D-wind, please contact the motor manufacturer. Castle is working on a firmware update that will allow the use of D-wind motors and motors greater than 2000kv. Once released, all XLX2 and Monster X 8s ESCs can be updated via the Castle Link USB programmer or B-LINK Bluetooth™ adapter to the new firmware. The estimated availability for this firmware is the end of January 2021. MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY ADVISORY APPLIES TO: MAMBA XLX2 8S, 33.6V ESC, 20A PEAK BEC 1/5 SCALE ESC (Part Number: 010-0167-00) A small number of XLX2 units from the first production build could experience an internal hardware failure. Busbars that are housed within the Mamba XLX2 circuitry may, in limited circumstances, be misaligned and cause a malfunction to occur during the very first use of the ESC, whereby the ESC may beep and then stop responding. Anyone experiencing this type of failure is encouraged to contact Castle for a warranty service. The manufacturing lot codes of this build are C27255, C27711, and C27964. This information is contained on the label adhered to the wires on the ESC and on the outside of the product box. Note that this issue has been addressed in subsequent manufacturing runs. If you would like to have your ESC inspected and tested for this issue, please submit an SA2021-1 RETURN FORM and ship the ESC to Castle Creations, 540 N. Rogers Rd. Olathe, KS 66062. If it is determined that the unit exhibits this problem, it will be replaced with a new unit." View full news article 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.AJ. Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 So it was the motor..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Yeah, they did say a while back (unofficially) that there seems to be a problem with D-wound motors, some pulling up to 600 amps just through the initial startup beeps. I'm not deep enough into engineering to understand any of it though, where the difference between D and Y wound motors comes from (in terms of power load), and how "obvious" it should've been through prototyping. Does mean my 1717-1650 is fine though, didn't expect anything else after the few runs i did where the motor/esc were basically stone cold after a run. So that's an upside. That said: while there absolutely is the argument that this obviously shouldn't have happened with the XLX2, even if talbots motor wasn't a D-wound motor (which it is), it's still stupid to run that can on 8s. Especially after it already killed a 12s ESC. But: can't really blame others who run "in-spec" D-wound motors, like lets say an 1800kv can or something (d-wound) and their ESC popped. How were they supposed to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 looks like it but why wasnt that picked up before release tho ? was it maybe a case of our motors work sod the others ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh How Original Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 2 minutes ago, Stormbringer said: looks like it but why wasnt that picked up before release tho ? was it maybe a case of our motors work sod the others ? Yes probably it was. They should have released all this information prior to putting them on sale. If it can't handle XYZ, make it obvious. I am a fan of Castle, but they have messed up here. Both in not enough testing/information before release and calling hobbyists liars etc.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jumper Posted January 7, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 7, 2021 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Wow didnt know brushless motors could be wound differently i remember back in the day with fast electric boats folks used to rewind the armatures of 540 motors so that they were wound in same direction to give a speed increase as factory wound 1's were machine wound and were wound in different directions as it was cheaper to produce🍻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I’d say Castle have a big problem coming now Had they of made this information available beforehand folks may have not bought them so there liable now for damages are they not ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.AJ. Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 Be interesting to see how this all pans out 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I can see the ESC being discontinued veryquickly. It's not a software fix it's a redesign and/or hardware change fix. With smaller motors Delta Winds is the industry stsndard. It sounds like it was tested and rated for only Castle motors to keep you in their ecosystem. Of course RCers push boundaries very quickly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpowell911 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 So a lot of people (not on here) owe Kev an apology 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh How Original Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 52 minutes ago, Guns said: So a lot of people (not on here) owe Kev an apology Some people on here also do as well. I said I'm not his biggest fan, but that wasn't his fault, if the information wasn't made available. I am also a semi-Castle fan, but yeah, this clearly was designed only for there own motors. Bad move when there aren't enough motor options for everyone anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I saw a lot of people say that they had them blow using sub 2000kv motors. Castle are to blame however everything has it limit and perhaps they should have published it before selling them. I find it odd that a company such as Castle didn't test it using a range of motors as they knew that the people who would be pushing it to it's limit wouldn't always be using their motors. They have kinda shot themselves in the foot here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Guns said: So a lot of people (not on here) owe Kev an apology Be interesting to see if they post a reply in regards to him and his experience Just goes to show we should not judge before all the facts are in SORRY KEV 😂👍 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I value @Kevin Talbot views because he says what it is. No hiding, no softly soft comments. Just how it is. All honest. That's what makes him a good YouTuber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I don't think lack of testing was the issue, they simply shouldn't release any ESC that can't operate both types of wind. I've always loved their ESCs, can't see that changing anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpowell911 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Was I the only one to have issue's with the Original Mamba Monster Max? I went through a fair few of them, and they were always replaced under warrenty (with the exception of one I got via Tower, probably wasn't worth the attempt getting that resolved?), but it really knocked my confidence in the brand. Im sure at the time, lots of people had issue's with the MMM but maybe not, as they seem to still have a very strong following? The Sidewinder's were awfully unreliable too in my experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertberr Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 My MMP is donkeys years old now and still works just fine. having said that I keep within recommended limits, which for the rigs I've run it in thus far, have been more than adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpowell911 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 33 minutes ago, bertberr said: My MMP is donkeys years old now and still works just fine. having said that I keep within recommended limits, which for the rigs I've run it in thus far, have been more than adequate. MMP I had success with. MMM however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.AJ. Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 The MMP was one of the worst esc they made, much like the of MMM they all got revised about 3 times before Castle got it right and don’t get me started on Sidewinders 🤣🤣🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydoddy69 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I’m just glad I’m too tight or too poor to avoid them in the first place 😂😂 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kpowell911 Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 24 minutes ago, .AJ. said: The MMP was one of the worst esc they made, much like the of MMM they all got revised about 3 times before Castle got it right and don’t get me started on Sidewinders 🤣🤣🤣 I was gonna say I distinctly remember Castle having a horrific track record, then everyone moved onto Hobbywing stuff and all was good with the wolrd. I leave the hobby, come back and everyone loves Castle again?? Really confused me, but I must admit I thought it was me miss remembering stuff? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.AJ. Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 They were a complete joke at one point, I think getting the HPI and Traxxas OE electrics gig made them sort their shiz out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 They also do/did esc's for Blade helicopters as well 🍻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I wouldn't say they were a joke, the main problem I saw was every man Jack and his dog using the MMM in heavy 1/8 trucks geared to the moon and caning them hard. Trouble was they were only rated to 120 Amps, they needed to up that to 150 and make sure the burst rating was also high. That's my view, could be wrong, but if it is wrong it's unintentional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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