Author Topic: Ice Lite 50 (Read 2814 times)

Paul Allen · « **on:** February 11, 2010, 02:31:25 PM »

Guy's
Just received my Ice 50,and it will not talk to the Castle Link
suggest's that I may have to update software,I have version 3.190
What version do I need for the ICE and if I update, will that affect
the Phoenix 45 amp ESC ability to be re-programmed?
Thanks
Paul Allen

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2010, 04:11:50 PM »

Make sure you dont plug the ESC into the battery when using the Castle Link. Only the Castle Link should be plugged in otherwise it wont talk. It gets power from the Castle Link via the USB.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2010, 09:32:00 PM »

I think you should update to the latest software, AND update the ICE Firmware to 3.2.

Warren is right, the ESC should not be plugged into the battery, only the Castle Link and the computer.

If you are happy with the way the Phoenix 45 is working, simply DON'T update the firmware in it. It should still be settable by the PC software. Although I think the 3.2 firmware (or whatever the latest firmware version is) plays nice with the Phoenix 45 too.

I think there is a tab for firmware updating.

So to be explicit, there are two similar version numbers, one for the PC "Castle Link" software (the application that runs on your PC and that lets you choose the ESC parameters), and one for the firmware that is downloaded into the ESC microprocessor. It is easy to get confused!

Paul Allen · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:12:06 AM »

Warren
Yes, have programed the Phoenix 35 @ 45 ESC before with CastleLink
I was concerned about the software change as Vista and Castlelink at times
do not operate as they should.
Alan
Loaded up latest software and Ice Lite programed OK , I think the motor
runs a bit hotter with the Ice, ESC and battery about the same as the Phoenix 45.
Paul

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:10:57 PM »

Quote from: paul allen on February 12, 2010, 01:12:06 AM

Warren
Yes, have programed the Phoenix 35 @ 45 ESC before with CastleLink
I was concerned about the software change as Vista and Castlelink at times
do not operate as they should.

Sorry mate, forgot you already had a Phoenix and thought this might be the problem because that's what I did on my first attempt. lol

Cheers

Paul Allen · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:11:08 PM »

Warren
My reply did not come off the keyboard as intended,I should
wait before posting after working nightshift!
Just had my first go at the graph on the ICE 50,(test stand graph).
Paul

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2010, 08:26:11 PM »

Quote from: paul allen on February 13, 2010, 05:11:08 PM

Just had my first go at the graph on the ICE 50,(test stand graph).

I love that feature of the Castle ICE. Takes all the guess work out of it, and sooo easy to use.

Just been out flying my E Super Clown again... it's singing like a bee! Too bad I can't fly it in classic stunt. lol.

Cheers mate.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:13:25 PM »

Quote from: paul allen on February 13, 2010, 05:11:08 PM

Warren
My reply did not come off the keyboard as intended,I should
wait before posting after working nightshift!
Just had my first go at the graph on the ICE 50,(test stand graph).
Paul

Paul,
You can export the graph as a png (or some type of graphic as I recall) ---that you can post here as a graphic instead of a MS Word document.

Alan

Paul Allen · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:53:37 PM »

Alan
I'am sure there is a better way to post the graph,I know enough about computer's
to get myself into trouble!
Paul
PS, if anyone can give me a step by step method to post the graph's better,your
help would be welcomed.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:58:34 PM »

When you get the graph on the screen click 'File' then 'Export Image'
it will them prompt you to save the file,
type a suitable name then select 'jpg' as the file type,
then click Save.
This file can then be attached to your message.

Paul Allen · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2010, 11:05:20 PM »

Alan
My son, who unlike me is a computer expert, just arrived and show me how to export.
Now they are in jpeg, thanks again.
Paul

Paul Allen · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2010, 11:10:22 PM »

Warren
Thanks also,thats what # 1 son just showed me,the 4 years we put him thru UNI
have paid off!

Paul

Paul Allen · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2010, 09:18:09 PM »

Alan
Should be a copy of first flight graph with Cardinal,Scorpion 780kv,12 x 6 APC E.
Paul Allen

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2010, 03:47:46 AM »

Looks pretty good, Only 8000 rpm with a 12x6 prop, whats the lap time like? Are the Battery mAH used a bit high?

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2010, 09:04:51 AM »

Quote from: Warren Leadbeatter on February 18, 2010, 03:47:46 AM

Looks pretty good, Only 8000 rpm with a 12x6 prop, whats the lap time like? Are the Battery mAH used a bit high?

That's what I fly my Vector 40 at, but the Cardinal is a bigger plane. So I am curious as to lap times and tension too.

It looks like you still have plenty of overhead (from the Power Out %) to increase rpm (or put on a bigger prop like a cutdown APC E 13-6.5 which would have wider blades).

Archie Adamisin · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:21:56 AM »

Paul,

Graph looks really good. Looks like the ICE 50 is doing a great job governing the Scorpion motor. More importantly, How do you like it?

Archie Adamisin
Muncie, Indiana

Paul Allen · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:04:29 PM »

Guy's
Lap times are 5.3 sec on 60 ft lines ( eye to eye ) with 12 x 6 APC tractor prop.
Line tension is good, but it winds up a bit in the wind,also use more mah when its windy
which is not what Alan has found with his setup.
With the Xoar 12 x 6 prop the lap times go out to 5.9sec with a loss of line tension.
The Cardinal is 48 ozs with the 2600mah battery on board.
Ice 50 works fine and the extra feature of the data logger is excellent.
Paul

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:20:07 PM »

Paul,
That's a pretty good weight, especially with the 2600mAHr packs. My Vector is just about that (47-48oz) but with 4s2100 packs. I salute you!

I am not sure why you use more power in the wind, I know I use a little less, but

A wider prop (like I mentioned, a cut-down 13" if 12" is the max diameter you can safely run) probably will help with windup. I am sure Dennis A. still has some of his APC TE 13x4" pusher props available. They may be a little too low pitch for your motor/pack - kV/pack voltage combo, but you might be able to pitch it up a little to get to a comfortable rpm range.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:20:22 AM »

WOAH!

I just went for a flight down the local park with a brand new Turnigy 12x6 wood prop on my Pathfinder. I backed the rpm off to 9100 before I went to see how it would go. The lap time was 5.1 sec and I flew a full pattern but forgot the outside squares because I was put off when some birds started swooping on my model. Other than that it performed well, good speed and line tension. BUT and this is a big BUT. Look at the log!!! 3400mAH used!

I recharged the battery and it said it only put 2600mAH back in. Something's wrong here...

Paul Allen · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2010, 02:49:12 AM »

Warren
I found the same thing re how much went back into the battery on charge.
Data log said 2000mah, battery charger said 1760 mah?
Paul

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2010, 03:04:10 AM »

Yes, well when you consider that my battery is only 3.3AH and I used 3.4AH (according to the logger) My battery should have been FLAT, ie 3.0V per cell or 12V total. But the logger said I had over 14.5V left. The battery voltage when I plugged it into the charger was 14.6V.

The other concern was the current it was drawing during the flight. Nearly 50Amps! at times. (according to the log) When it landed nothing was hot. I would have expected the battery to be warm and the motor to be hot almost burnt out!

It's a mystery. I really didnt think changing from 11x5.5 @ 9800 rpm to 12x6 @ 9100 rpm would make such a huge difference.

Lets see what the guru's have to say about this one.

bob branch · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2010, 06:47:41 AM »

Warren

A few years back when we had timer function issues with the phoenix software I had to run a summer with no governor and only full throttle operation on my electric smoothie. I wound up doing a lot of prop testing and was stunned to find out how much more power glow props drew than electric props of the same size. I compared carbon fiber props I was using on glow motors as well and got similar results. I was using an axi 2826/10 on 4s at the time. It was one of the reasons I went to the 2826/12 at the time just to cut down the amp draw. Thank goodness those issues are all fixed for now.

bob branch

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:46:30 AM »

Quote from: Warren Leadbeatter on February 19, 2010, 01:20:22 AM

WOAH!

I just went for a flight down the local park with a brand new Turnigy 12x6 wood prop on my Pathfinder. I backed the rpm off to 9100 before I went to see how it would go. The lap time was 5.1 sec and I flew a full pattern but forgot the outside squares because I was put off when some birds started swooping on my model. Other than that it performed well, good speed and line tension. BUT and this is a big BUT. Look at the log!!! 3400mAH used!

I recharged the battery and it said it only put 2600mAH back in. Something's wrong here...

Warren,
I think some of the ICE controllers have relatively poorly calibrated ammeters. Unfortunately as I understand it, they have to be sent back to CC to fix it. You might contact them.

For now I would figure out someway to make my own calibration (I think it is just the scale factor) using either my Eagletree or my watt-meter. When I looked at mine (I posted the bench test in a thread somewhere here on SH), my ICE and Eagletree were pretty close--at least close enough.

Paul Allen · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2010, 03:05:17 PM »

Alan
Can I use the Eagle Tree in line with the ICE 50 for an in air comparison
re amps used as per Warren's post?
Paul

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2010, 04:48:10 PM »

Quote from: bob branch on February 19, 2010, 06:47:41 AM

Warren

A few years back when we had timer function issues with the phoenix software I had to run a summer with no governor and only full throttle operation on my electric smoothie. I wound up doing a lot of prop testing and was stunned to find out how much more power glow props drew than electric props of the same size. I compared carbon fiber props I was using on glow motors as well and got similar results. I was using an axi 2826/10 on 4s at the time. It was one of the reasons I went to the 2826/12 at the time just to cut down the amp draw. Thank goodness those issues are all fixed for now.

bob branch

Hi Bob

The prop used was a Turnigy Lite Electric beechwood prop 12x6. Looks like a copy of an XOAR prop, but a few grams heavier. It seemed to work really well, until I saw the data logger.

I'm waiting on some APC Es to arrive to try out.

Cheers

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2010, 04:49:34 PM »

Quote from: Alan Hahn on February 19, 2010, 09:46:30 AM

Warren,
I think some of the ICE controllers have relatively poorly calibrated ammeters. Unfortunately as I understand it, they have to be sent back to CC to fix it. You might contact them.

Thanks Al, Thats what I am hoping, I'll send them my data and see what they think.

Cheers

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2010, 04:50:06 PM »

Quote from: paul allen on February 19, 2010, 03:05:17 PM

Alan
Can I use the Eagle Tree in line with the ICE 50 for an in air comparison
re amps used as per Warren's post?
Paul

Cant see why not.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2010, 05:53:16 PM »

Quote from: paul allen on February 19, 2010, 03:05:17 PM

Alan
Can I use the Eagle Tree in line with the ICE 50 for an in air comparison
re amps used as per Warren's post?
Paul

Sure, as long as you can find a place to physically put the Eagletree. With a profile it isn't a big deal of course.

Paul Allen · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:35:07 AM »

Alan / Warren
Well the Eagle Tree data seems to be spot on,I had two flights
today and it was windy, very gusty at times, the model was rocking and rolling
in level flight but completed two patterns ( not real pretty).
The mah used was the same as put back in by the charger,so I think the Ice may
be off a little.
Alan, I used less today in these conditions 1625 mah, before the figure was 1740 mah
same flight time,same model, motor & lines.
Paul