Castle Mamba Link ßeta

[Mondo]

As I have a couple of Brushless systems, I decided to buy the MambaLink USB cable interface.
Here's a little overview of the product, how it works, tricks and traps and my opinion of the product.

Software

To download the Mamba software you need to fill in a little applet on the Castle Creations page giving your name, email address and ticking the boxes on what Mamba motors you run.
There is also an option for whether you want to be kept up to date with the latest developments or provide feedback to Castle Creations.

Hardware

A standard USB cable and the PHX interface comes in a packet with very vague installation instructions

Software Installation

Before connecting your MambaLink up, install the software which comes in a convenient MSI (MS Installer) package.
Once installed it creates a folder named C:\Program Files\MambaLink
It also creates a Desktop icon :p

[Mondo]

Once the software is installed, connect the PHX link cable and connect it to the USB cable.
Do not connect the PHX cable to the Mamba ESC yet
Plug the USB cable into a USB Port...

Windoze will give the default *ding*dong* USB type noise and say New Hardware Found = PHX Link

Windows will ask for a device driver, select advanced and type this path in: C:\Program Files\MambaLink\Driver

Windoze will then take its sweet time installing the driver and then bitch that the driver is not certified by MS. Click Continue

At this stage the red LED on the PHX cable should be strobing (flashing ultra fast)

[Mondo]

Connect the Mamba ESC to the PHX cable, you use the signal cable that plugs into the RX and it is keyed so you just can't get it wrong.

Note: You do not need to have the Mamba ESC connected to a battery pack when doing this

At this stage the PHX cable's LED sghould be strobing green and the Mamba ESC cable's LEDs should be strobing red

[Mondo]

Right, so far so good!
Click on the MabaLink v1.00 Icon created on the Desktop
You will be greeted with the opening screen
You will see two green Radio Buttons titled:

USB Phxlink Conenction Status
ESC Connection Status

They should both be green

This Tab allows you to set:

Brake/Reverse Type
Reverse Throttle Amount/Brake Strength
Cutoff Voltage
Motor Timing
Start Power

There is also an "Update Button" to allow you to save the settings to the ESC, the PHXLink cable and ESC will flash when you click this button

[Mondo]

The next Tab allows you to set the Throttle/brake Curves
This is done with the mouse, just drag the line and set the curve dynamically. Pretty neat.

This could well help with the cogging as it allow the fine tuning you just cannot achieve when using the "button" type setup procedure on the Mamba ESC.

Hit the Update button to save it to the ESC

[Mondo]

The last Tab on the MambaLink software is to do an ESC firmware update.
I recommend you do this first before configuring the Mamba ESC and do not unplug anything while doing this.
It takes about 20 seconds and can be problematic.
Let me explain. On the ESC fitted to the M18 in the photo, I tried about 4-5 times and each time it failed.
I unplugged everything, reconnected and tried again and it worked.
The new/unused Mamba ESC (Destined for the RC18T) went thru first time.
So, if it doesn't work 1st time, unplug and try again - but wait for the message to say the update failed before unplugging.
The last thing you want to do is unplug the PHXlink cable in the middle of a firmware update!

[Mondo]

Great! I like it, Beta software or not, it works and works well.
This will give Mamba owners the convenience of being able to fine tune the Mamba ESC at the track (Laptop required!)
I will do some fine tuning on the Throttle/Brake while on vacation and Post my sentiments,

Believe you me, all RC electronics should be this good!

[rcer4life]

sounds great might need to get another mamba to use this on:D
Thanks for the great review Mondo;)
Hunter

[Fringo]

:cool: Great review! :cool:

[boydnhl]

yup nice review mondo :)\

[rcdriver]

Thanks for the Review Mondo. Now I actually now how this thing works.:)

[mochaeater]

Yes. I agree. Great review, Mondo. Updating the firmware fixed all my cogging problems. :D

[elite-b]2[o]

where can i get one? and is my mamba compatible with it? my car coggs at 1/4 throttle and not at full throttle

[MrUnlimited]

Yep, it is compatible with the Mamba. If you download the latest firmware and software for your PC it is very easy to setup the controller.

[RadiShack]

awesome Mondo !

[Deves]

Mondo Did you ever get that throttle brake curve figured out?

I'm still seeing some cogging issues even after updating the ESC. :(

[Mondo]

Deves,

What motor do you have? 6800/8000 kV?
Did you upgrade to MambaLink Ver 1.2 and do a firmware upgrade on the Mamba25 ESC?

[AudiRS4]

hey guys, i have a mamba 6800 and the low-end powers sucks! I'm using an old peak racing 6 cells pack and the low-end power just sucks and the power doesnt kick in til high-end(stock 36 spur gear/17 pinion gear)..Is that how its suppose to be? or how's yours?

[Mondo]

The batteries are the root of your issues.
Invest in a matched 7.2V pack..

My Mamba flies right off the mark, no complaints at all...

[AudiRS4]

Alrite mondo, what spur gears/pinion gears are you using? about this link beta upgrade thingy, where can i get it? my mamba also coggs at low throttle, dammit! :mad:

[Mondo]

AudiRS4,

The MambaLink is crucial in sorting out cogging problems.
You can by the MambaLink hardware from United RC (http://www.unitedrc.com/store/subCategories.asp?brandName=Brushless+Motors+and+A ccessories&categoryName=Castle+Creations&categoryID=69&brandID=24)
While you're there pick yourself up a decent battery pack, judging by your gearing I would assume you have an M18, so what I recommend is the URC X23 pack (http://www.unitedrc.com/store/product.asp?BrandId=7&ID=143)

[AudiRS4]

Thanks Mondo, one more thing, about the mamba 25 esc on/off switch, is the LED lights suppose to be "ON" when you turn off the switch(w/ the battery pack still connected to it)? Does that on/off switch only cut-off the power to the motor and not to the battery pack?

[Mr. Furious]

Where do the firmware updates come from? Are they included in the Mamba Link software or is there a seperate area for firmware updates? I couldn't find any firmware on the CC site....


Thanks!

[Deves]

Just click on software update tab, there is no seperate firmware link. After you update you can change your settings on the ESC.

[Mr. Furious]

Groovy...Thanks!

[Caprisun]

good thing its that

last night after i was finally able to install my brand new Jwerks arms and CVD;s my car was taking of REALLY slow with a 3 cell lipo, but i hadnty charged the lipo for a while, even though it was above 9 volts since the ESC didint cut off

im waiting for my regulated power supply until i go ahead and trun it again, and ill wipe my ESC just in case

ill let u guys know if it fixed the problem

i got a Mamba 6800

20t metal

36T spur

[98supra]

sorry if this is a newb question,but i was wondering if you could do this to any motors ESC,or does it have to be a mamba?

thanks

[Silver Supra]

This is for the Mamba ESC but you can use any other BL motor with it.

[jaylad]

whats the best pinion for 6800 on a 58t main on an mrs4 ?

[jaylad]

the newest software/firmware version on cc web site will not work on my new laptop running new windows vista:(

[alfred]

Do you have an older version of the os on another puter.......i havent gotten the chance to mess with Vista yet but what i have seen of it, it is nice. Cant you just burn the data on a cd and try to install it that way.

[oXYnary]

Windows Vista uses .net 3.0 while CC only works with .net 1.0. Try contacting CC and ask them to update their compilers for .net 3.0.