I have received numerous emails and PMs asking to share my Castle ICE 80 HV setup as well as my data and graphs. I am currently running the ESC in fixed throttle mode. However, it can also be configured to run in governor mode. I prefer fixed throttle because I get crazy head speed in the beginning, which suits my flying style well. The only drawback of running fixed throttle mode is that the head speed decay is obviously way more pronounced towards the end of the flight.
ESC Settings:
- Vehicle Type: Helicopter
- Throttle Type: Fixed Endpoints
- Cutoff Voltage: Auto Li-Po
- Current Limiting: Insensitive
- Cutoff Type: Soft Cutoff
- Auto-Lipo Volts/Cell: 3.0 Volts/Cell
- Motor Timing: Custom 8
- PWM Rate: Outrunner Mode
If you prefer to run governor mode, then simply change the throttle type to “Helicopter Governor Mode” and use these settings:
- Settings for Governor Mode: Set RPM
- Initial Spool-Up Rate: Medium
- Head Speed Change Rate: Medium
- Governor Gain: Medium (you will need to adjust this)
- Battery Pack Voltage: 3.70 (adjust settings for 12s)
- Motor and Gearing: (adjust settings for 115T main and 12T pinion, 510KV motor, 10 poles)
- Desired Head Speeds: 1800, 1950, 2050 (you’ll get an error on 2050, don’t worry! It works fine at 96.4%)
Keep in mind, your throttle curves on your transmitter need to be set at 30% for normal mode, 70% for idle/stunt 1 and 100% for idle/stunt 2 in order for the governor mode to work correctly.
As for the governor gain, start at “Medium” as indicated above, hover your heli and if your tail is smooth go fly, if the tail shows a bit of a glitch or inconsistent wag, reduce the gain. You can keep increasing your governor gain until the tail starts to act up, then back it down from there. The goal is to have the highest gain you can get without causing tail problems.
Gear Ratio!
Do not attempt to run a larger pinion on this motor, increasing the pinion size will decrease the life of the motor and possibly even burn it! If you want a higher head speed and more head room for governor mode, I recommend going with a different motor and gear ratio. KDE I believe is making an upgrade kit for the 700E that allows to move the motor back and forward to accommodate different motors and gear ratios.
80 Amp Controller Enough?
I get this question a lot. Yes! It is more than enough for this setup, the highest current I can push through this controller with this setup is about 120 amps and that is just a peak lasting less than 1 second. The average current is well below the 80 amp rating. The highest internal temperature of the controller is 175 degrees with an average temperature of 150. This controller can handle up to 212 degrees. If you are not comfortable with these numbers, then you should get the Castle ICE HV 125, your call! I prefer the 80 because it is light and small.
Graphs:
Here are the graphs of one of my harder flights, if you have the CastleLink Graph Viewer, you can download the raw csv file here.
what batts would you recommend and what kind of C rating on them.
With the castle 80amp esc will this leave room for motor and other upgrades ie, neu 1915 1.5y etc as my trex 700e won’t stay stock for long.
I got a great deal on the phoenix ice 160 hv esc and it’s probably major overkill but I don’t like buying things twice, looking forward to the large electrics episode.
mariusz, I always recommend the highest C rating packs possible. As for capacity, 5000 MAH seems to be the best, anything bigger can get too heavy and smaller can shorten flight time too much. I personally recommend ThunderPower ProPower 45C 5000 MAH packs. I know they’re not cheap, but well worth the money and they have an excellent warranty and crash replacement program.
sean, if you are planing on upgrading the motor, go for the 160HV, the 80 might work well with an upgraded motor, but it will be close. I agree with you, rather be safe than sorry and buy only once
Could you elaborate on this a little. are these percentages flat line?
Thanks for your help. I cant wait for your next episode of smacktalk…
“Keep in mind, your throttle curves on your transmitter need to be set at 30% for normal mode, 70% for idle/stunt 1 and 100% for idle/stunt 2 in order for the governor mode to work correctly.”
never mind figured it out….
Hey Dave, sorry for the delayed response. In governor mode (RPM), the three speeds correspond to throttle percentages below 50% for the lower speed, between 51% and 99% for the middle speed and 100% for the high speed. I recommend 30%, 70% and 100% on throttle curves to be right on… and yes, these are all flat curves.
Hope this helps.
Bert
Hi Bert,
For fixed throttle what’s your throttle curve like?
Thanks
Ben
Hi Ben,
The curve on fixed throttle is 100% on idle 2.
Bert Im buying the 3g kit stock and plan to keep it stock. Will it be ok to use the ccice 160hv esc with 2 align batteries 4600mah. I cant find align batteries for this machine in 5000mah.
Hey Nick, if you plan on keeping the motor stock, the 80 amp is more than enough, I have over 100 flights on the 80 amp controller without issue. AS for batteries, 4600 is fine, you’ll get about 5.5 to 6 min of 3D with it.
Bert
Bert, Thank you for your reply. I will probably go with the 80. Is it possible to make the 700m motor run on A123 batteries? This would be an inexpensive and less charge time way of enjoying this machine.
Yes, A123 should work, I just don’t know anything about them, just figure out the right voltage, you need somewhere around 48 volts under a load for it to be worthwhile with the stock gear ratio.
Bert
Szia Bert !
I have a Kontronik 80 Hv+. Which mode prefer with 700m motor. I fly agressive ciklik and 12 +/- pitch. I like a hard governor and no motor cut.
Thank you your answer.
Martin
Bert Ive seen the batteries that align has produced for the 700e but I found another battery with different dimensions for half the price. Length= 150mm Height= 49mm Width= 52mm Will these batteries fit in the 700 battery mounting tray?
Hi Bert and thank’s for your advice and curves, it’s really helpful in choosing the controller.
You told us about your trottle curves, but can you tell us what is your pitch curve in Idlle2 please? What’s your maximum pitch?
Sebastien, France