Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

For those Phoenix 85HV users, how long your ESC have been used?

Mine only last 291 flights, then blew the capacitors in flight, resulted to dead-stick landing. The ESC never crashed, never over current. My typical peak current was ~72 Amp, temperature of ESC after one Master sequence was ~135F. Same settings since last year, failed in a routine practise flight.

This is the third Phoenix 85HV failed in my club. The other two had ~200 flights, same condition....... never crash or over current. Failed during routine practise with no reason. However, the other pattern flyer in my club had ~500 flights w/o any issue. All of us were using the same settings. So not sure what's the root of cause. Any ideas? Thanks!

Luke

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

583 flights to date with no issues.

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

Luke, how does the battery lead length compare between the 85HV users in your club. Some say excessive battery length puts a strain on the capacitors. I have not had an inflight failure and my battery leads are not minimized.

Woodie

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

Don:

Unlike Dale, Michael and Kevin, mine is relative longer since my battery packs are closer to the CG. I will check if there is any possibility that G-force will pull the cables onto the capacitors. Thanks!

Luke

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

It's not a physical strain. The longer leads result in more energy being dumped into the capacitors and a tendency to overheat. Many ESCs give a maximum recommended length for battery leads. If you want to run longer leads you're suppose to add extra capacitors.

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

I 'm talking about 1" vs. 3" long. I don't think this is the root of cause.

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

Perhaps the capacitors don't like the big charge current when the batteries are connected?

Just my two cents worth...

Cheers
Jason.

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

Luke
I doubt that is the issue then.

Woodie

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

temp seems a bit high, also if you using a connector that causes alot of arcing that could cause a issue also...

been using CC HV in pattern and small surveillance planes for 5 years without problems...

scott

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

Also, before mine died (approx 85 flights) I was having occasional synchronization problems. I have a new one from CC, have not yet decided to use it, the Jeti is working flawlwssly, thank you Don, and it's lighter.

Dale

RE: Castle Creation Phoenix 85HV robustness
 

Dale,

Glad it's working for ya... :-)

Woodie