Updating older Hobbywing ESCs with the latest V3.1 software…

Hobbywing have never been the best at explaining their ESC software, and it has got a whole lot more confusing now that the V3 car ESC has been released.

So, if you are still running an older V2.0,  V2.1 or Xtreme Stock ESC, this is what you need to do to keep up to date…

1.  Download and install the software package v3.1 – http://www.hobbywing.com/upload/soft…tup_120517.rar (older installations may prompt you to update automatically)
2. Run the software on your PC as an administrator (right click on the program to get this option, you can also set it to do this every time under the “Properties” option).
3. Wire everything up – Computer to LCD program box via USB; LCD box to ESC via receiver cable; ESC connected to the running battery and switched on.
4. Update the LCD Box first – on the “Device” menu select “LCD Program Box”. In the left hand column select “Firmware upgrade”. Update to V1.08_120504 (not the version marked xxx_V3).
5. Next, update the ESC – on the “Device” menu select “ESC”. In the left hand column select “Firmware upgrade”. In the drop down menu you will have a variety of softwares – 930STOCK is the latest stock motor version with maximum boost; 930MOD is a modified motor version with less boost; 508_NO_TIMING is the “blinky” mode; 205MOD is an older modified software with no boost. These will cover most racers needs. If the update fails (not unusual), try again.
6. Switch off the ESC and unplug the cables. You are now up to date with all the software. As far as the settings go, I would recommend leaving them at the defaults and changing one thing at a time if the feel is wrong. Explaining the settings is another posts worth of info!
7. Remember to re-set your ESC to your radio gear after changing software!

Hopefully this is clear.

If you update the LCD program box to the V3 software by mistake, it won’t work with your older ESC. Apparently, you can get it working again by rolling back to an older software package (v1.64 is still available from Hobbywing) and then upgrade again. I haven’t tried this, and I’m not inclined to as I don’t want to have a non-functional LCD box. Better to avoid making the mistake in the first place!

Dave