Brushless Revolution Brushless Slot Car Motor Controller Tutorial

[@gt3wgn859]

Hi Martin! I'm glad Tom reached out to you because I too had been wondering how to bring Brushless Technology (BT) to the slot car arena. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial. I'm excited to start building my own BT Slot cars. Also a big "Thank you" to Tom for bringing the BT to a slot car forum I frequent.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Glad I could help!

[@themadscientest]

Looks like a great tool for doing bracket racing, you can beep boop the car to get certain ETs.

[@montymccoy5336]

❤wow thanks bit to get my head around but got the basics thanks newby back from the 60s😊

[@pjweds]

Brilliant, thanks for the explanation Martin.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Very welcome

[@leslierodrigues2988]

Thank you brushless revolution

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@leslierodrigues2988 Thank you for your interest!

[@zeldadiecastracing]

Awesome video content bro

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Glad you enjoyed

[@dadstoygarage1878]

Very cool. I’m going to look into doing a conversion on one of mine

[@russmartin3616]

Any plans on software for the Talon 15? It is smaller and lighter and would be ideal for a wing car application I am attempting.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Thank you for the interest. No plans for a 15amp esc from Castle. There are video’s of wing cars with the Talon 25 in them on this channel without problems. Check them out.

[@RickField-i1n]

It’s still an ESC after being reflashed. ESC simply means electronic speed control.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Thank you for your interest! Yes it’s an ESC, but a Talon25 can be adjusted for drag racing slot cars.

[@johanvandermerwe5576]

Hi, great video. Will this also work on a Talon 15? Thanks

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The software works on a Talon 25 not a 15

[@johanvandermerwe5576]

@@brushlessslotcarracing Thanks

[@MXP90DL]

Brilliant. Just the information I was looking for. I have not been a car builder in that I have cars made up for me. But this is something I understand and want to do myself. Thank you. I will build a 1/24 Wing car to be very competitive in the 2 to low 3 second range, or faster if I can keep it on the track. Can I as what motor your exsperiance would guide me too. I am sure I'll be looking for other motors down the road, but putting a power package together from my 1st car will be a fun start. Thanks again

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

MX P0D L We have a wing car video here on this channel. The car in the video has an EMAX RS ll 1108 5200kv motor in it geared 13x33 64 pitch on .760x.800 tires. Check it out.

[@Jamfanwp]

I love this video. Please get in contact with me. I have a king track I want to set up, some plans with the current motors (pushing them to their max), but I want to go brushless to reduce cost... Reducing cost is how you grow interest.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

You can reach out here. [e-mail]

[@robertkitchell859]

can we do this to a castle mamba micro x? I used a talon 25 and it only lasted about ten laps, I'm in Dallas tx ,thanks for sharing this information, greatly appreciated 👍!!

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The modification only works on a Talon 25. You must of had something way out of wack if it only lasted that long. We have 1000’s of laps on road course cars and the same with the drag cars. They are still going strong.

[@lukedrinan7778]

Any idea if this can be applied to a blehli as the esc’s are a 1/4 the price and can be flashed with arduino?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The software only works on a Castle Creations Talon 25 esc.

[@PeteMcK500]

Great stuff! There's what looks like a slightly newer version of Castle Link available, is it best to use the one in the link?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Use the link in the description for the link to your pc……that version works with the update files. Thank you for the interest.

[@PeteMcK500]

@@brushlessslotcarracing - thank you.

[@mikezurick2921]

Why does it lag when u let off trigger

[@johnshaffer82]

Was wondering if the same firmware would work on a talon 15?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

John Shaffer the software will only work on a Talon25.

[@christerblixt7665]

Hi. This is great!! - I'm very excited and ready to try to make it work in a pilot Car based on a C43 chassi and a GTP body. My remaining challenge is to find the correct pinion and gear. The motors seems to have 1,5mm axle (compared to most Slotracing Motors (e.g. X-12) that has 2 mm). I run with rear axle of 3/32. Can you help by sharing gears do you use and where do you buy them please? I'm ready to give it a go here in Sweden

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The bearing’s in the stator housing are 2mm x 5mm the shaft for the rotor is also 2mm in diameter. The pinion gear we use has a 2mm bore so we change out the shaft to come out the bottom of the motor with enough exposed to put the pinion on. either way your going to have to change out the shaft so it comes out the bottom of the motor. We have a video about that procedure on this channel……check it out.

[@christerblixt7665]

@@brushlessslotcarracing thanks. So what motor do you use. Is it not a EMAX RS1106 11 4500KV Brushless Outrunner? That seems to be the motor in the film w the wing car

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The motor in the car is an EMAX 1106 4500kv it has a 13 tooth pinion and 33 tooth spur gear 64 pitch. Start there and see how it runs. You may want to change to suit your needs.

[@christerblixt7665]

@@brushlessslotcarracing thanks for the rapid responses. I’ll let you know how it goes in a couple of weeks

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@christerblixt7665 keep in touch with your progress!

[@frenkdri3595]

martin and tom thanks for sharing, I hope if there will be other developments continue on this way. one question, the esc once updated for slot car can you go back? thank you.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

frank dri. No it can’t be reversed, it will be a slot car motor controller.

[@frenkdri3595]

@@brushlessslotcarracing sorry maybe I explained myself wrong. once programmed for slot car, can it go back to being an original talon 25 castle creations?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

I understand…….You cannot reverse the Talon once it is flashed to a slot car motor controller. The answer to your question is NO.

[@bobwestchevelle]

are there updated links for the links you posted above? I am looking to build a brushless slot car and looking up parts now.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The links in the drop-down box are the ones needed to flash a Talon25 for use in a drag car.

[@michaelbaars7459]

Thank you for sharing🙏! I just ordered a Talon 25 esc! I have a question: how about the polarisation of the two wires going to the rails/slot of the track? I mean: doesnt it give a short circuit when you put the car the wrong way on the slot? When you reverse the + and - of the esc it will burn right? Thanks!

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Yes if the polarity is reversed the Talon will short out and not work after that. It can be protected with a N mosfet applied.

[@michaelbaars7459]

@@brushlessslotcarracing Thank you for your reply! I am not Familiar with N mosfet. Could you Give some tips on how to install and wich to buy? I think it is wise to install a protection to not damage the ESC when the polarity is accidentally reversed.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@michaelbaars7459 Michael you can go to Brushless Slot Car Racing on Facebook there is a post on how to put a Mosfet on the Talon.

[@michaelbaars7459]

@@brushlessslotcarracing I will do that, thanks!

[@michaelbaars7459]

@@brushlessslotcarracing I can not figure out wich type of mosfet to ad to the talon25. Do you have a recommendation? Perhaps a part number? Thanks!

[@alkamotors158]

Did you see the AM32 slot car esc? It's made for slot cars with reverse voltage protection and engages at a much lower voltage? If the esc is truly running at 100 percent power then changing PWM frequency would not make a difference.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Alka Motors, Yes, unfortunately the AM32 system is not in production that I'm aware of. The system using the Castle Link engages at 3 volts and allows the user to manage the configuration of the Brushless motor controller at will. Reverse polarity protection is easily integrated with the use if an inexpensive mosfet. Best of all, the firmware updater and the Castle Link are all free to use! Welcome to the Brushless Revolution! Enjoy and Thank you for your interest!

[@alkamotors158]

@@brushlessslotcarracing if you want I'll send you one and you can test it against the talon. I think you'll be surprised! It's all open source.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@alkamotors158 That would be great! I'm all about the Brushless Slot Car Revolution! Feel free to reach out through [e-mail] Talk soon!

[@sweendog1969]

Ive been reading a lot of your forum posts,Im trying to do an inline 1/24 hardbody drag car. Im using a wrp c02 inline chassis and 435 tires. My questions are as follows. What is the best way to mount a pinion on the shaft because the motor im using has a flat spot,also what is a good gearing for a 56k motor? Last but not least, i noticed the motor when flush against the stock motor mount doesnt sit centered and centered is spaced away from the mount. Should i solder another mount or maybe make it a driveshaft car?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The chassis can be modified with a dremel tool. Hog out the holes so the motor screw holes line up and are centered on the motor box. Then the motor can be bolted to the chassis. You don’t have to worry about the flat on the motor shaft, the pinion can be soldered on to it just like a brushed motor. Start with 14x50 gears, you didn’t tell me how tall the tires are. That does make a difference. Hope this helps you out. Good luck with your adventure in brushless drag racing!

[@pauldeak2470]

any chance for something similar for the Talon 15?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

This was designed for a Talon25 only, it won’t work on a 15.

[@rodmcguiness6705]

Hi Martin , I am having trouble sourcing the Talon 25 here in Australia , Will this work with the Talon 35 please

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Hello Rod Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately the program will only work on a Talon 25.

[@rodmcguiness6705]

@@brushlessslotcarracing Thank you for getting back to me so quickly , I'll continue trying to source a talon 25 in Australia

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@rodmcguiness6705 There are other ESC’s available now to Rod, the Talon25 works very good on the drag strip. The DoSlot.de and West rock the NZ esc are built for road cars. Check them out.

[@rodmcguiness6705]

@@brushlessslotcarracing Thanks Again Martin, I am still on the hunt for a Talon 25 , I can purchase the 25 quad pack which contains 1 talon 25 with bec and 3 without a bec , will these 3 without a bec work or is the bec required . I am a total newbie at brushless and any help is greatly appreciated.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@rodmcguiness6705 The bec plug is the port used to program the Talon. No way to program if it’s not there.

[@rmfiorotti88]

Hi Martin, I use talon 25 and am very satisfied with the performance of your firmware. In my lack of knowledge for what purpose is the 220uf capacitor? could you use ESc without it? Thank´s

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

It keeps the Talon alive when used in an r/c application to prevent brown outs/power loss, it has been removed by others but we have not tested it that way.

[@BobMcChesney]

I cannot find the brushless slot car software lnk to convert? Any help? Thank you

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

drive.google.com/drive/folders/1q5hYxXz1kRDHI3d205DvGQxB9zl1TI5E?usp=sharing …….click the download all button in the top right corner. The link is also in the description box under the video

[@ShelbyStacy-ki7fw]

I am having issues with not everything downloading could u send me a direct link esc downloaded but when i connect to castle it doesnt come up unknow . Thanks Rob

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@ShelbyStacy-ki7fw The Talon already has been through the download. You can only change the settings in it now. No need to try and put a program in it, it won’t take it. It’s in there!

[@michaellovato3202]

Uhhh what is a good cheap ish motor for this that runs drag slot cars fast

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

kcracing.net KC has all the components needed to go drag racing, motors too.

[@aswcmw]

Won’t a regular defailco controller work without this feature? Does this make the controller more responsive?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@aswcmw this tutorial is to make a Talon25 esc into a slot car brushless motor controller that works through track power and a controller for drag racing. There are 4-5 new esc’s on the market to use on the road course now.

[@aswcmw]

Brushless motor controller? For the hand held controller?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@aswcmw for the brushless 3 phase motor to work with a hand slot car controller.

[@aswcmw]

So you connect the tal25 to the motor in the slot car?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@aswcmw yes then the Talon gets the power from the guide when you squeeze the slot car controller.

[@joshloudenslager6816]

I’m having trouble finding the second software file to download with castle link update files?

[@joshloudenslager6816]

You talk about it in the video around 7:30

[@Ryan-fy6om]

I am also having a hard time finding the software file as well. can you let me know where it is?

[@fertartuce]

Hi, my name is Fernando, we start to uso de Brushless, but we have some problens. With te configuration from the video, I can not have brake and control de speed exponentialy. Can you send some tips. Tanks

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Hello Fernando thank you for your interest! The Talon is for use in slot car drag racing. There are other speed control for sale now that work a lot better than the Talon for road course racing.

[@fertartuce]

@@brushlessslotcarracing Tanks. Where can infind it?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@fertartuce kcracing.net he has it all on the website to make a car.

[@aurelioegu]

hi Martin, i am Aurelio, from Brazil. if i use de program card of castle creations, i dont need actualize software? correct? thanks for making this video

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Hi Aurelio! Thank you got the interest! Follow the instructions on the video to program the Talon25 to make it a slot car friendly esc. It’s simple to do. Have fun with it!

[@ivantuhacek884]

Hi guys, we have done our prototype car according to this tutorial, but there are few features that we don't like but don't know to improve them. We cannot make the controller to start up working below 5V on the input. The soft, whenever we set lower voltage, changes the value to 5V automatically, even in the custom mode. Please, does anyone have an idea how to fix it? Many thanks, Ivan Tuhacek, Czech Republic.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

When you do the ( autolipo) you have to scroll in the voltage selection area and change it to 3 volts. That should fix the problem. Thank you for your interest.

[@mrafard]

is Talon 25 the only ESC that can be used for slotracing ? Amazon dosent have any

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The Talon is one of the ESC’s available to the slot car hobby at this time.

[@mrafard]

@@brushlessslotcarracing when will there be ESC ready to put into a slotcar and drive ?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Go to Brushless slot car racing association on Facebook. You will find information on a BLDC motor controller for slot cars.

[@RickField-i1n]

I see it rolled to a stop. No brakes?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The car has plenty of brakes and can be adjusted with the hand controller. Brushed cars “roll” till they stop too. There are new speed controllers on the market now that work very well in a slot car. This video is a tutorial on how to flash a Talon25 over for drag racing, we found that it worked on road course chassis too. Unfortunately to date a Talon25 is the only ESC that we found that can hold the voltage a drag strip runs on and is adjustable by the end user unlike the preprogrammed speed controllers that others offer. Thank you for your interest!

[@scorpiuswireless1]

@@brushlessslotcarracing I believe your second version might. But your first version didn’t. Correct me if I’m wrong. I seen it in a FB group then noticed the one in the video here doesn’t appear to have. Correct me if I’m wrong but brakes are a function of the motor not the controller. Although the brakes can be adjusted from the controller. And yes brushed motors roll to a stop only if the brake setting is correct.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@scorpiuswireless1 Talons were the only ESC that we adapted for slot cars. The only adjustable ESC that works in slot car drags. There are 5-6 different ESC’s available now for road course racing to date. We tested 4 on a drag strip and found they didn’t work well.

[@morphmaniaballpythons9507]

Hallo Martin, how are you? I am from South Africa, and actually stumbled upon your channel. I have a couple of questions for you, but was wondering if I can in contact with personally, as I am part of a Drag Slotcar club, and I presented the owner of the club with this idea 2 years ago and we kind of got lost with it. But with this info I have seen in the video, I have new high hopes for the future of the hobby. I think your input in my questions will definitely set us in the right course to get the BT running in South Africa as I dont think this has been done here, and from the top of my head I think we are only 2 clubs racing each other. Your speedy response will be much appreciated🙏🙏 Regards. Marius

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Yes you can contract me at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest!

[@crazylarryjr]

I know this is old, but have a question. I been playing with RC pretty hardcore since about 2008, so very familiar with the castle link. Once this is done I assume it can't be used as an RC programmer right? In that case is it possible to have two castle links in one computer? I've never tried this and wondering if it's possible.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Thank you for your interest. Once the Talon is flashed to be a slot car controller it can not be reversed back for RC use. It can however be programmed for use in a slot car from the castle link program in this video.

[@crazylarryjr]

@@brushlessslotcarracing I was meaning the programmer software, once the programmer is set for the slot car controller, it can't be used as an RC programmer. Am I correct?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@crazylarryjr Correct…once flashed over to a slot car program it will ALWAYS be a slot car controller, no going back to a stock Talon25.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The program in the video will only work on a Talon25 that has been turned into a slot car controller, the RC side is wiped out of it. No radio frequency can be used.

[@crazylarryjr]

@@brushlessslotcarracing You misunderstand what I'm talking about, I was meaning the Castle Link and related software, not the ESC itself. The programming functions, once redone, that program (Castle Link and computer program) is exclusively for the slot converted esc. I mean that variant of the Castle Link and computer program can never be used to program an RC esc of any type, Is that correct?

[@user-rs8zg8ey2b]

Why not use a micro elrs Rx ($8 16ch setup for 4 at 1Khz update rate) and AM32 ESC (~$6) and wireless gun Have the gun give the track full voltage all the time, and wireless control the esc.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@user-rs8zg8ey2b go for it! Let us know how you make out with it in a slot car. Thank you for your interest!

[@ggaspord]

What type of controller would you recommend?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

We used a Difalco with power and brake sensitivity. Start at zero and add till you get the result you are looking for.

[@dannywiley4072]

How can I get a hold of you?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

facebook.com/groups/877167633435503

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

[e-mail]

[@jonesracing1991]

I downloaded the castle link, it wouldn't connect. I hooked the speed controller up to a 12v power supply, still won't show that its connected. Any tips?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Jonesracing1991 do not connect any external power to the Talon. Only connect the castle link to the Talon from your pc. No additional power is required .

[@jonesracing1991]

@@brushlessslotcarracing I couldn't get mine to recognize that it was connected either way, without or with power. I tried unplugging the USB, waiting a minute and plugging it back in. I removed castle link and re-download the program. Still having problems. I'll try it again tomorrow.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Make sure that it’s a Talon 25. The download only works on that esc.

[@markconner3234]

Make it cheap, folks will buy it

[@williamodonnell7053]

I want to convert

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

It’s that easy.

[@patrickturner1109]

having issues getting this all to work

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

@@patrickturner1109 I’ll help you through this process.

[@butchratell7569]

software not available any more! anyone have the file?

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Yes it is follow the tutorial here and you should be able to flash aTalon25 to use in a slot car.

[@josethomas7882]

where can i down load this software please send me the link

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The link for the download is in the drop down box under the video.

[@donallen7458]

Email sent. Can you please help with the SLOTRAC MOTO project? TIA

[@fabert1000]

Perché complicarsi la vita e aggiungere costo e peso alla slot??

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

Brushless is lighter than a brushed motor. No parts to wear out, no maintenance on the motor. Runs for a long time.

[@rangerjones5531]

lol!

[@user-rs8zg8ey2b]

After smoking 3 Castle Cremations in RC Oval and seeing dozens go up in smoke, I hate that brand, Overpriced and unreliable. Would of been awesome to use BLHeli_S (with or without BlueJay) or AM32 ESC as they are dirt cheap, reliable, smaller, lighter and open source.

[@brushlessslotcarracing]

The bl-heli esc’s are being used in slot cars now, look around the net you can find them for sale. Thank you for your interest!

[@evanpetrakis5196]

totally unnecessary change.