Comparing Castle Creations Phoenix & Thunderbird Brushless Electronic Speed Controllers ESCs

Castle Creations produces two lines of RC airplane and electric helicopter brushless speed controllers (ESCs). The first is the Thunderbird line, which focuses on good value without sacrificing features. The second is the Phoenix line, which adds features and contains ESCs with higher current and voltage handling capabilities.

Thunderbird VS Phoenix

The Thunderbird and Phoenix ESCs both share many features. These include:

• Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC) – all except HV Opto-coupled models
• Safe “Power On”
• Microprocessor Controlled
• Tough surface mount construction
• Audible Arming Signal
• Auto Motor cut-off with reset
• Low torque “Soft Start” – protects gear boxes and belt drives from shock
• Smooth reverse exponential throttle
• Self-calibrating endpoints – maximizes usable stick travel
• Auto shut-down when signal is lost
• Simple setup: no complicated switches or wiring
• Universal RX connector

The difference between the Thunderbird and Phoenix lines is their cost and their degree of programmability. The Thunderbird series is lower priced, simple to use, and gives you control over three programmable features. The Phoenix series is priced slightly higher, but gives you eight programmable features, and the ability to use more cells if you do not require the Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC). The Phoenix line of Electronic Speed Controls also include the HV models (PHXHV-45, PHXHV-85, PHXHV-110) which are able to handle more cells (Up to 12 LiPo cells or 36 NiMH or NiCd cells).

Thunderbird series Electronic Speed Controls (Motor Controllers) come set with Auto-LiPo and no brake for 3D action right from the package. They use simplified programming steps to allow you to easily program these three settings:

• Brake ON/OFF
• LiPo or NiCd/NiMH cutoff
• Motor reversing

Phoenix series motor controllers increase the number of programmable features to eight, giving you more control over the way your ESC behaves:

• Cutoff Voltage
• Current Limiting
• Brake Type
• Throttle Type
• Electronic Timing
• Low Voltage Cutoff Type
• Soft Start
• PWM Switching Rate

Thunderbird Models:

Thunderbird 9

The Castle Creations Thunderbird 9 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is great for lightweight applications where top of the line features are needed, and good value is desired.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: TB-9
• Max Current: 9 Amps
• Max Voltage: 15 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 1.5 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Auto lipo or NiMH/NiCad
• Size: 1.02 x .67 x .32″ (26 x 17 x 8mm)
• Weight: 0.3 oz (8g)

Thunderbird 18

The Thunderbird 18 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) from Castle Creations has twice the current rating of the Thunderbird 9, and a BEC rated at 3 amps (compared to the TB9’s 1.5 amp Battery Eliminator Circuit)
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: TB-18
• Max Current: 18 Amps
• Max Voltage: 15 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Auto lipo or NiMH/NiCad
• Size: 1.32″ x 0.90″ x 0.33″ (34 x 23 x 8mm)
• Weight: 0.6 oz (17g)

Thunderbird 36

The Castle Creations Thunderbird 36 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) doubles the current rating again, with only a 3 gram (0.1 ounce) increase in weight.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: TB-36
• Max Current: 36 Amps
• Max Voltage: 15 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Auto lipo or NiMH/NiCad
• Size: 1.50″ x 1.00″ x 0.35″ (38 x 25 x 9mm)
• Weight: 0.7 oz (20g)

Thunderbird 54

The Thunderbird 54 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) by Castle Creations completes the Thunderbird line with an impressive 54 amp current handling ability.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: TB-54
• Max Current: 54 Amps
• Max Voltage: 15 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Auto lipo or NiMH/NiCad
• Size: 2.00″ x 1.15″ x 0.40″ (51 x 29 x 10mm)
• Weight: 1.2 oz (34g)

Phoenix Models:

Phoenix 10

The Castle Creations Phoenix 10 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is great for lightweight applications and superbly suited for micro flyers.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-10
• Continuous Current: 10 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 19.2 Volts, 4s Lipo or 16 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 1.5 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 0.73 x 0.80 x 0.16″ (19 x 20 x 4mm)
• Weight: 0.21 oz (6g)

Phoenix 25

The Castle Creations Phoenix 25 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is a favorite choice of 3D foamy pilots. Will work with Speed 400 size brushless motors, including the Mega 16/15 series, Feigao and Himaxx 28mm motors, small and medium sized AXI motors, and Hacker B40 motors.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-25
• Continuous Current: 25 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 19.2 Volts, 4s Lipo or 16 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 1.5 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 1.08 x 0.91 x 0.16″ (27 x 23 x 4mm)
• Weight: 0.6 oz (17g)

Phoenix 35

The Castle Creations Phoenix 35 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is great for 3-4 pound sport flyers, and also helicopters. Works with the Corona, ECO 8, or Voyager heli.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-35
• Continuous Current: 35 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 19.2 Volts, 4s Lipo or 16 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 1.72 x 0.95 x 0.40″ (44 x 24 x 10mm)
• Weight: 0.9 oz (24.5g)

Phoenix 45

The Castle Creations Phoenix 45 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is suitable for warmliners, small hotliners, and even some 40 size glow conversion projects. Works with Hacker B50 and C50 motors, medium and large AXI motors, and 36mm Feigao motors.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-45
• Continuous Current: 45 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 19.2 Volts, 4s Lipo or 16 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 1.72 x 0.95 x 0.40″ (44 x 24 x 10mm)
• Weight: 1.0 oz (30.0g)

Phoenix 60

The Castle Creations Phoenix 60 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is the best choice for high performance sailplanes, large helicopters, and large glowplane conversions. Great for Logo 10, and ECO 16 pilots.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-60
• Continuous Current: 60 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 25.2 Volts, 6s Lipo or 20 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 2.35 x 1.05 x 0.45″ (60 x 27 x 11mm)
• Weight: 2.0 oz (58.0g)

Phoenix 80

The Castle Creations Phoenix 80 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is the top choice for LMR competition flying, F5D pylon racing, and large helicopters.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-80
• Continuous Current: 80 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 25.2 Volts, 6s Lipo or 20 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 2.65 x 1.05 x 0.45″ (67 x 27 x 11mm)
• Weight: 2.1 oz (60.0g)

Phoenix 125

The Castle Creations Phoenix 125 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is the paramount controller for either competition F5B and F5D flying, or high energy hotliner sport flying.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHX-125
• Continuous Current: 125 Amps
• Max Voltage with BEC: 12.6 Volts, 3s Lipo or 10 NiMH/NiCad
• Max Voltage without BEC: 25.2 Volts, 6s Lipo or 20 NiMH/NiCad
• BEC: Linear 3.0 Amp Max
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 2.35 x 1.05 x 1.00″ (60 x 27 x 25mm)
• Weight: 3.2 oz (91.0g)

Phoenix HV 45

The Castle Creations Phoenix HV 45 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) works with .40 size electric conversions and has been successfully tested in an 11lb Funtana 90s aircraft.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHXHV-45
• Continuous Current: 45 Amps
• Max Voltage (no BEC): 50 Volts, 4-12s Lipo or 12-36 NiMH/NiCad
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 2.60 x 1.05 x 0.50″ (66 x 24 x 13mm)
• Weight: 1.9 oz (59.0g)

Phoenix HV 85

The Castle Creations Phoenix HV 85 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) works in all quarter and giant scale fixed wing aircraft,competition F3A, giant scale aerobatics, and large helicopters.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHXHV-85
• Continuous Current: 85 Amps
• Max Voltage (no BEC): 50 Volts, 4-12s Lipo or 12-36 NiMH/NiCad
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 2.80 x 1.55 x 1.00″ (71 x 39 x 25mm)
• Weight: 4.2 oz (119g)

Phoenix HV 110

The Castle Creations Phoenix HV 110 Brushless ESC (Electronic Speed Control) is the most powerful speed control made by Castle Creations.
Specifications:

• Manufacturers Part Number: PHXHV-110
• Continuous Current: 110 Amps
• Max Voltage (no BEC): 50 Volts, 4-12s Lipo or 12-36 NiMH/NiCad
• Cut-off: Programmable
• Size: 2.80 x 1.55 x 1.25″ (71 x 39 x 32mm)
• Weight: 5.3 oz (150g)

Castle Link ESC Programmer

The Castle Link USB programming kit for Castle Creations Thunderbird and Phoenix speed controllers is in every rc hobbyist’s toolbox. Easily program the software on your Castle Creations ESC and tweak its performance for your exact RC application. The Castle Link connects your PC to your ESC and includes all the necessary software. Upgrades for the included software are provided on the Castle Creations Web site. Not only does the Castle Link program your Thunderbird or Phoenix ESC but it also supports Castle Creations Mamba, Barracuda, and Berg 7 receivers.

Where To Buy Castle Creations ESCs

The best place to buy Castle Creations ESCs is Draganfly Innovations www.rctoys.com because they offer free shipping within North America on all Castle Creations products! Draganfly Innovations also has a comprehensive Castle Creations Download page where you can find all the Castle Creations Manuals and User Guides. Order online or call 1-800-979-9794 today.

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