external BEC install, anyone done this?

So i am thinking of Installing a External BEC one of my cars. It is the castle equiped car and it just seemed the servo was turning much slower in this vehicle compared to the other cars i have. All of the rigs are running the same steering servo BTW, different ESCs. anyway confirmed with my voltmeter.  it appears the CC equiped rig is puting about 6v to the steering servo, while the others are closer to 7v or 8v. Couldn't tell for sure becuase my meter is friken hard to read..  i would like all the rigs to have about the same transit time, just for consistency, so i was thinking about installing something like this http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1574_199/products_id/18210/n/Castle-Creations-10-Amp-Adjustable-BEC?utm_source=Google-Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Product-Feeds&source=google_ppc_ext&gclid=CJGXhbWDzrACFUcHRQod-jNAMw
or maybe a cheapo hobbywing version. has anyone installed something like this, and also what is a safe output voltage to run a standard voltage servo? it is a HT MG digital servo, but not HV.
Thanks

Before you spend any money you should get a Castle Link and connect the Castle Creations ESC to your PC via USB.  There you will be able to change the internal BEC voltage output.

Some of Castle Creations ESCs come with the Castle link, others have a free coupon inside the manual booklet.

Here is what it looks like:
http://www.castlecreations.com/products/castle_link.html

The software is great and is a free download here:
http://www.castlecreations.com/downloads.html

You can download the software now for free and see all the settings by running in test mode.

Most servos are rated for operation "up to" 6 volts.  I certainly wouldn't run 8 volts on anything that wasn't specifically designed for it.  Maybe what you should be looking at is the steering ratio.  You can make a small change on the servo horn or linkage and get a big difference in speed.  I'd start with that. 

I have used the Castle Link on a lot of aircraft ESCs and don't ever remember being able to adjust the the ESC voltage.  It may well be different on some car ESCs.  I'd check the documentation on your specific ESC to see if it's adjustable before I spent $25 on the Link.  That said, I do think that everyone using Castle ESCs would love the Link.  It's such a slick way to do the ESC setup.  It also lets you update the ESC firmware to breath new life into an old design.  Very much worth getting if you can afford it.

...Tiger

For the Castle Creations Phoenix ICE line of ESC's we do have a choice of BEC voltages as
shown in the PIC below. And BEC max voltage tops out at 7vdc ... However for their
older Phoenix ESC's different BEC voltages was not an option enjoyed, well not with the one
I own it's certainly NOT a choice  

I think having a choice of 'BEC voltage' is their newest feature offered with all their new or
newest ESC's

       


If dnsducks could tell me which ESC he owns then I can do a quick check for him with my
LINK software? Otherwise I would agree with you Tiger and dnsducks should check his ESC
documentation before buying the LINK

        [size=1.2em][shadow=grey,left]w00d[/shadow][/size]

EDIT: The Castle Creations BEC tops out at  9.0vdc @ 10A and
          The Castle Creations BEC Pro tops at 12.3vdc @ 20A

          Link to the CCBec and CCBecPro resources



[hr]

Looking at the spec's for the HT MG Servo (assuming I've found the correct one) their input voltage spec out at 4.8v and 6v ...
... Again as Tiger says all servos have a range of voltages they can effectively run which for some servos this is only 4.8v and others which can run both 4.8 and 6 volts

Also it's given running outside the recommended voltages will VOID any warranty! Of course ANY mention of the 'warranty' I've found somewhat redundant as most who are interested in over-voltages know this and will often mention that point anyway ... Anywayz, YES we know the interested are willing to forgo their warranty but nevertheless it needed to be said if only for our searchers'n lurkers

All being equal SOME servos are capable of running a little over-spec'ed and this can be an effective way to increase both the speed and torque of a servo (e.g. My Futaba s9250 with it's manufactured max of 4.8v has proven by many capable of running @ 6v) with 'little' and 'some servos' being the operative words here. And for various reasons outside the scope of this post it is the preferred method (although NOT without some debate) of increasing performance within the Rc helicopter community ...
... But I to would have to think 8 Volt's would really be pushing your LUCK on a 6 volt servo ...
... As to how much over voltage [acronym=We can get away with]WcGaw[/acronym] if any {LOL} it's more important we search the forums to find others who have RUN said servo's at higher than recommended!

As some servos are NOT very tolerant (also to imply some are) with respects to over-voltages ...
... Generally speaking it's best to stay within the manufactures recommendations until ANY information is found which will lead to a servo that can be over-volted as we would like

FYI:
  [size=1.2em][shadow=grey,left]w00d[/shadow][/size]


[hr]

i have the CC quick programming card and the software downloaded. I did not know you could change the BEC voltages using these. I will have to look into that. like i said though it looks like it is running 6v output measured on the RX jst outputs for channel 1.
I am running the FLUX Motiv ESC, made by castle. This esc LOOKS nearly identical to the SV2 and and the SCT esc.
for a servo i am running a TLR losb0812.
on my other rig, I will recheck the voltage that my Excelorin ESC is putting out to get a better number of what the servo can run safely. it is easily over 6 volts, and i have been running this servo without issue for quite a while now.
it looks like HOBBY PARTS has some BECs that have set voltage for pretty cheap. I see one that is set at 7.2v output for$7.20. i am wondering if this would be a good thing? whick of these would be a good one to get? http://www.hobbypartz.com/ubec.html
thanks

For the Castle Creations Phoenix ICE line of ESC's we do have a choice of BEC voltages as
shown in the PIC below. And BEC max voltage tops out at 7vdc ... However for their
older Phoenix ESC's different BEC voltages was not an option enjoyed, well not with the one
I own it's certainly NOT a choice  

I think having a choice of 'BEC voltage' is their newest feature offered with all their new or
newest ESC's

       


If dnsducks could tell me which ESC he owns then I can do a quick check for him with my
LINK software? Otherwise I would agree with you Tiger and dnsducks should check his ESC
documentation before buying the LINK

        [size=1.2em][shadow=grey,left]w00d[/shadow][/size]

EDIT: The Castle Creations BEC tops out at  9.0vdc @ 10A and
          The Castle Creations BEC Pro tops at 12.3vdc @ 20A

          Link to the CCBec and CCBecPro resources



[hr]
[/quote]
I checked in my castle software, using the demo mode for the entired line of Sidewinder ESC and the SV2 and it look like adjustment of the BEC is not a option for these escs. there is no "other" tab like your phoenix has. however you can pull up the external casltle BEC adjustment page from the drop down menu on the opening page. I would rather not spend $25 on a BEC though...
Also on  a side note. i have the LINK/Field programming card, and it is well worth the $25. the fact that you can make changes track side, AND it doubles as the USB link is just a great idea. glad i got mine.

hehe, I was just this minute in the process of checking for ya ... Thanks you saved a bit of WORK

Re: "the fact that you can make changes track side"

If "they" need to adjust their Castle Creations, LINK owners usually take a Notebook out into the world

Yup, the CC Field Programer would certainly be MORE convenient

What kind of vehicle is the servo in? Is it a heavy vehicle?

i like my cc field card.  but if i ever upgrade again it will be viper, seems like a great product, it's the programming card that takes the cake.  what can't you adjust with it. 
http://www.viper-rc.com/progauge.html

I am finding that the CC equiped vehicles seem to suffer from the Limited Volts coming from the BEC, especially when running HT servos etc. If you do a little research you will find, there is a lot of folks running glitch busters, Eternal BECs with the castle stuff. My personal feelings.. i think it is another avenue for $$ for CC. That is to say.. i think it is a purposeful design flaw, OR they willingly sacrafice BEC volts to give more juice to the motor to make the systems seem more powerful? not sure.. (maybe that is a stretch, but just throwing it out there).
Anyway, the programming card/LINK is great.. I don't think i would be running a CC w/out this..

Highland,
This is in a staduim truck. harldly a heavyweight. the servo is rated @ 1440z/@ 6.0v.

Blt4,
Have you owned any Viper stuff? the programming card is like.. awesome.. but if the hardware is.. well just ok.. ( like what i have read).. then what is the point? you know?
not trying to bash on viper. ( i have only owned a lipo from them) But there stuff looks soooo close to chinese "knock off" you know... just sayin...Now to come full circle.. i hace a Hobby King system and  for the $$ I love it.
you going to buy somne viper goods and give a review?

ah i think you have Venom mixed up with Viper.  Viper does not make lipo batteries.  IMO VIPER/TEKIN/LRP are on a level playing field.  Just look at the results of the cactus classic.  Not saying Castle isn't good, i've done fine with mine ( ih ave old mmp with better bec), but if your looking at specs, take a closer look at the big names.  and no i don't own viper product ( i was outbid on ebay twice) i settled for LRP and Tekin.  you'll want to bring a laptop everywhere to really program tekin,lrp and castle(cc card is not finite adjustments).  Also i choose to spend my money here, with companies that are innovators, and who actually sponsor and promote our sport.  Hobby- King is a knock off, and you won't see the same results, support, warranty, accuracy in specs, or mutual respect amongst companies.    I know hobby-kings price point is tough to resist, and don't blame anybody for trying them @ that price.  I have also heard good things about them too.  But proof, is in the pudding

aaahh yes. there you go. I WAS confusing the two.. VENOM for Viper that is.. my bad. thanks for the correction. i really know nothing of the company then.
well i agree with you, on all points. I don't have a lot to go off of as far as the CC stuff. I only have had this one system and to be frank... I expected a little more. but whatev.. I was just throwing it out there that for $$ spent i am as equally impressed, if no more so with the HK stuff i have. just sayin. the CC programming card is a big plus.. had it not been for them coming out with it.. i would have ditched it for another system in the long run probably..

How often would you guys say you use the field programming card for your ESC actually at a race, or a bash session?  0%, 10 %, 50% or more of the time?

Just curious.  I usually set mine up at home, drive then tweak as I feel necessary when I get back home again.  So for me 0% of the time did I need field programming capability.

I know some racers may chime in with completely different numbers, but be honest with your answers.

To be fair to [acronym=Castle Creations]CC[/acronym] from a general point of view allot of BEC's in ESC's in the DAY we're proving inadequate to the needs that we're to follow. Yes under powered ESC/BEC amperage output was an issue for older CC ESC/BEC's thus many CC users HAD to RUN an external power supply. So with the demand for higher amperage CC ESC/BEC's had to follow suite. Not to sound like a CC "Fanboy" CC had to follow the trend and have increased teh amperage output to match demand on ALL their new or newer ESC/BEC's. Although as a disclaimer: I have to admit I'm speaking from my experience with their Helicopters ESC's and I have NO first hand experience with their automotive ESC's. But I DO know the automotive power requirements are somewhat more demanding vs heli's. Either way understanding and careful calculation of your Rc power requirements is the SAFE bet



[hr]

yeah maybe the newer systems from CC are better. they have since produced other models. I can speak to those. Maybe they don't have the issues? can't say for sure.

GPS,
good question. As far as "actually track side", some where between 10-20% of the time. I use it more for my back yard test and tune sessions, and then roll with it. only fine tune if needed at the track.  Once i have settings i like, i leave it. But for those times... it is much easier to tote the Credit card sized programming card then a lap top. Adjustments can be made in real time so you can a good idea of  results back to back. it is a ease of use thing. i am more inclined to pull my jst plug in the card, then drive then readjust etc, than tote the laptop and do all that..laptop is just too cumbersome.