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How to Program Castle Creations Phoenix 25

Electric-powered radio-controlled planes and helicopters use an electronic speed control (ESC) as a throttle. The number in the name of the ESC stands for its maximum amperage. The Castle Creations Phoenix 25 electronic speed controller can do more then just regulate the speed of the motor. The default settings of this ESC will work fine for radio-controlled planes without changes, however, modifying some options will optimize the ESC for your application. Significant changes need to be done if using this ESC in a helicopter.

Configurable options can be programmed two ways; first with their Castle Link software and USB cable and secondly by using your transmitter.

Things You'll Need

Charged flight battery
RC transmitter frequency matched to your plane
A copy of the Castle Creations Phoenix Users Guide

Instructions

Entering Programming Mode
- 1
  Turn your transmitter on with the throttle stick at full throttle. The Phoenix ESC should not be powered but needs to be attached to a motor at this point.
- 2
  Attach a battery to the Phoenix ESC. The Phoenix ESC will beep as normal, then emit a single beep and the LED will flash a single short flash, pause, and repeat. If the Phoenix ESC flashes constantly (no pause) then your transmitter is not at full throttle, so adjust the throttle trim up to get to full throttle.
- 3
  Move the throttle stick to the middle position once you see the short single flash. The Phoenix ESC should beep again and the LED start a short double flash sequence.
- 4
  Move the throttle stick to the full throttle position again. The Phoenix ESC will beep again and a burst of three short LED flashes should be seen.
- 5
  Move the throttle stick back to the middle position, the Phoenix ESC will emit four short tones and the LED will flash once with a long pause afterward. The Phoenix ESC is now in programming mode.
Programming options
- 6
  Select the voltage cutoff based on the type of battery pack you are using. By default Phoenix ESC expects a LiPo (lithium polymer) battery pack. If you use any other type of pack, then you need to set the voltage manually.
- 7
  Set the current limiting option. By default, the Phoenix ESC is set to shut down after a short delay if it receives too much current. This is the best setting for airplanes. If you are using the Phoenix ESC in a helicopter, then change the setting to insensitive.
- 8
  Set the brake type based on the type of aircraft you are flying. By default, the Phoenix ESC is set to a soft delayed brake. If your plane has a folding prop you might set this to a hard brake. Check the user manual for the recommended helicopter setting.
- 9
  Select the throttle type configuration you need. By default, the Phoenix ESC is set up for airplane throttles and does not need to be changed. If the Phoenix ESC is used in a helicopter, then refer to the user's guide for the correct throttle type to use.
- 10
  Set the electronic timing advance. This setting is used to fine tune either more power or more efficiency out of your motor.

Aviation