ACCESSORIES: TELEMETRY LINK for FUTABA S.BUS2

THIS ITEM IS DISCONTINUED. ONCE WE SELL OUT OF INVENTORY, IT WILL NOT BE RESTOCKED. THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Maybe you want to know the voltage of your onboard battery(s), the RPM the motor is turning or the temperature of your ESC. In this day and age R/C is not just one way communication anymore. Traditional radio systems just transmit signals to the receiver, but Telemetry-capable systems also send real-time data from your model back to your transmitter. The S.BUS2 Telemetry Link was developed based on communication protocol disclosed from Futaba for use with specific Futaba S.BUS2 radios and compatible Castle Creations ESCs. Telemetry data can be displayed on the transmitter screen, or notify you when a defined threshold is exceeded, (battery voltage, ESC temperature, etc.) you can configure a vibration or sound alert from the radio.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Why should I integrate Telemetry into my models?

Telemetry has the potential not only to improve the safety of our models by monitoring battery voltages, ESC temperature, and other critical parameters, but it also creates other opportunities to get even more fun out of flying because it reduces the risk of “unknown” inevitable crashes. Think of the benefits to be had from alarms that will sound to warn you if your ESC is running hot or if your receiver battery is running unexpectedly low.

Exactly how does the Castle Telemetry Link integrate into my models?

See below to verify your transmitter and receiver will work with the Telemetry Link for Futaba S.Bus2.

Air ESC Compatibility

Note: BEC Current will be available on future ESCs.

*There is currently a bug with the Monster X 8s and XLX2; it prevents controller temperatures from being displayed correctly. At this time we do not know the cause of or have a solution to the issue. We are still investigating and are working with Futaba to try to find a solution.

**There is known bug in the Monster X 8s that prevents the current from reading correctly. At this time we do not know the cause of or have a solution to the issue. We are still investigating and are working with to try to find a solution.

Futaba Transmitter Compatibility

ESC Configuration Resources

Castle Link USB Programming Instructions:

1. Download the interface software from our Software area.
2. Disconnect the AUX wire and/or Telemetry Link from the ESC, failure to do this may result in damage to your Castle Link USB Adapter.
3. Plug the Castle Link into the receiver lead on your controller and attach the mini USB cable included in the kit.
4. Connect the USB cable to your PC.

Vehicle Connection Resources

1. The Telemetry Link may require configuration in Castle Link. If the Telemetry Link is connected to the S.BUS2 wire or ESC, you must first disconnect them to avoid possible damage to your Castle Link USB Adapter. Then connect the brown, orange and yellow lead (labeled External Input) on the Telemetry Link to the Castle Link USB device.
2. Click on the “BASIC” tab.
3. The S.BUS2 Throttle Input default is Channel 3, which is typically assigned to the throttle stick on the Futaba transmitter. Please refer to Futaba’s recommendation for setups that require modification of this selection. Assignment changes made on the transmitter may need to be changed here as well. For external governor applications, select External Input in the S.BUS2 Throttle Input drop down.
4. The Telemetry Link will occupy (8) SBUS2 slots. The designated start slot is 8, 16 or 24. Castle Link defaults to S.BUS2 Slot 8. The start slot can be changed if you are already using a sensor on one of these slots.
5. The Telemetry Data Enable checklist allows you enable/disable specific telemetry data points. This is useful if your ESC does not support one or more of the data points, or if you are not interested in a specific data point.
6. Click the “Update” button to save modified settings to your Telemetry Link.

Futaba S.Bus2 Telemetry Link Data Points