Further programming of the Castle Creations ESC. Each programmable parameter includes a blue circle (above left) with an inscribed “?” that when clicked opens up a window describing the parameter and appropriate settings
lights in the lower left corner to indicate con- nection status of the USB port and ESC. Programmable parameters and manage- ment items are grouped on nine tabs, just below the menu bar in the upper left corner. Each parameter has a drop down menu to select the desired value and additionally has a small blue circle with an inscribed ques- tion mark (“?”) which provides a description of appropriate values depending on the ap- plication. These are detailed in an accompa- nying box.
Starting with the Throttle tab, throttle re- sponse is left at “medium”, the default value. Very rapid throttle response is not needed with Pattern aircraft, and can actually in- crease the likelihood of mis-timing at higher power levels. Throttle type is a key parame- ter, with the options being “auto calibrate”, “fixed endpoint”, and “governor mode” (only used with helicopters). Fixed endpoint is the desired setting; and doing so requires the transmitter throttle endpoints/ATV values be matched to the native range of the ESC. The blue “?” details a universal procedure that will accurately set the throttle end- points for any brand of transmitter. Using fixed endpoints ensures that the full resolu- tion of the throttle stick is used, with no “dead spots” at the top or bottom of the throttle stick.
On the “Motor” tab, the rotation direction (forward or reverse, easy enough) can be set with the ESC, and this is much easier than changing wiring pairs between the motor and ESC (especially if soldered as in the case with Yuri). PWM is the frequency at which the ESC sends power pulses to the motor. The default setting of 12 KHz is best for the Neu F3A-1. Higher frequency set- tings may improve motor efficiency, but at the expense of added heat in the ESC. Castle ESCs have an additional PWM option, des- ignated “OR” (outrunner). The OR setting works well for large outrunners (such as AXI, Hacker A60 series), as well as large di- rect drive inrunners (such as the Pletten- berg 30-10 Advance). When OR is selected, the ESC optimizes the PWM based on feed- back from the motor.
Timing can be set to low (0), medium (5), or high (10), or any specific value (between 0 and 10). Low timing is generally more effi- cient, but may not provide the greatest amount of power (rpm). In the case of motors with “D” (Delta) type windings, medium or high timing will not improve rpm. Castle ESCs, as most brands, vary timing based on rpm and feedback from the motor. Castle
FLYING MODELS
for different applications. Using the dropdown menu (above right) to change the throttle type setting from the auto-calibrate default to fixed endpoints. Text details the importance of this change.
ESCs will reach full advance even when set on low timing; “low”, “medium” and “high” are reflective of how aggressively the ESC advances the timing, and the relative prior- ity on efficiency versus higher rpm. I’ve found the default medium timing to be best for the Neu F3A-1. Other ESC brands are programmed with specific values for ad- vance, in which case the programmed value is the maximum number of degrees of ad- vance (24 degrees is typical of a high timing value).
The default setting for start power is medium (59%), and this value works well for the Neu F3A-1. The start power setting only matters for the first couple revolutions from a dead stop. In general, the lowest start power setting that consistently starts the motor without oscillations is the preferred setting as the least amount of torque is transmitted to the motor, geartrain, and mo- tor mount. If the motor oscillates, stutters, or buzzes while starting, increasing the start power is generally the correct answer. On the “Cutoffs” tab, the behavior of the ESC can be programmed should it sense an overcurrent condition, or low voltage condi- tion. With current limiting set to insensi- tive, the ESC will allow brief instantaneous current spikes that can occur during snap rolls, while still providing a degree of protec- tion from overcurrent conditions (demagne- tizing motor, overly large props, etc.). The manner in which the ESC reacts to an overcurrent instance can also be pro- grammed; soft cutoff (default), or hard cut- off. Soft cutoff is preferred as this reduces power to the motor, allowing power to be used to land the airplane and assess the source of the overcurrent condition. As a side note, if hard cutoff is triggered (ESC stops all power to the motor and goes into freewheel mode), cycling the throttle stick
(and trim) to full idle will generally reset most ESCs, allowing operation of the motor again.
With a proper Pattern setup (or any setup for that matter) in good health, the low volt- age cutoff (LVC) should never be triggered, and if triggered is an indication of a prob- lem. Possible problems would include a set- up that is pulling too many amps (and de- pressing voltage), or a Li-Po that is in bad health (dropping a cell), or a Li-Po that was not charged prior to flight, or simply exceed- ing a prudent amount of flight time and deeply discharging the Li-Po. Modern Li-Pos maintain very high voltage and power very deep into the discharge. Flight duration should be limited by a timer; progressively increasing flight times until the average recharge is 70–80%, or the Li-Po tempera- tures exceed 120°F after the flight. The deeper the discharge, and the hotter the Li-Po, the shorter the lifespan of the Li- Po. Flying until the power level decreases or until LVC is a guaranteed way to short- en the lifespan of the Li-Po (even if the damage is not immediately apparent). The default LVC value is “auto Li-Po 3.2 volts per cell”, and at this setting, the ESC will automatically detect the number of Li-Po cells (based on the initial voltage), and will reduce power to the motor if the voltage drop below the set point (which would be 32 volts for a typical 10S Li-Po Pattern setup). As with current limiting, the response of the ESC when LVC occurs can be pro- grammed. The default setting (soft cutoff) is recommended.
The remaining “Braking” tab will be cov- ered next month, as braking includes multi- ple settings worthy of additional scrutiny to obtain the best performance. Additional functions such as logging will also be reviewed.
Castle Link Setup for Yuri
For settings specific to the operation of the motor, listed by tab, the settings I use for the Neu F3A-1 are:
THROTTLE: Airplane Type, Fixed-Endpoint Throttle Type, Medium Throttle Response BRAKE:
CUTOFFS: MOTOR: 30% Brake Strength, No Delay Brake Delay, Medium or Fast Brake Ramp
Auto Lipo Cutoff Voltage, 3.2 Volts/Cell Auto-Lipo Volts/Cell, Soft Cutoff Voltage Cutoff Type, Insensitive Current Limiting, Soft Cutoff Current Cutoff Type
Medium Motor Start Power, Normal Motor Timing, Forward or Reverse Direction, 12 KHz PWM Rate.
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