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INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

1M23N08202

Before using your MC230CR, please read this 
manual thoroughly and use the MC230CR properly 
and safely. After reading this manual, store it in a 
safe place.

•No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form without prior 

permission.                                                      

•The contents of this manual are subject to change without prior 

notice.

•This manual has been carefully written. Please write to Futaba if 

you feel that any corrections or clarifications should be made.

Thank  you  for  buying  an  MC230CR. The  MC230CR  is  a  high-frequency  drive  FET  amp  with  reverse 
function  developed  for  model  electric  cars.  It  is  compact  and  light  weight,  and  uses  a  simple  digital 
setting system.

FEATURES

•High-frequency drive system
•Forward,  reverse,  and  brake  operations  are  all 

linear

•Reverse operation cancellation function
•One-touch  input  of  neutral,  high,  and  brake 

MAX points by pushbutton switch

•Overcurrent protection function
•Heat protector
•Low-voltage protection function
•Power left on alarm function
•Abnormal input signal cancellation function
•Checker function (LED display, audible beep)

SET UP

Neutral, high, and brake MAX points setting

Before setting each point, set the transmitter throttle channel trim to neutral.

CHECKER LED DISPLAY

Relationship between amp operation and checker LED display

The amp operates linearly in proportion to the amount of forward, reverse, and brake operation. The amp operating 
state can be checked with the checker LED as shown below.

BRAKE/REVERSE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Operation  can  be  switched  to  reverse  operation  by  returning  the  throttle  trigger  (or  throttle 
stick) from the brake position to the neutral position.

PROTECTION CIRCUIT OPERATION

The  following  protection  circuits  are  built  into  the  MC230CR.  When  a  protection  circuit  operates,  remove  the 
cause before operating the model again.

Cancelling the reverse function

The amp reverse function can be cancelled by the following method so that the model can be 
used even in races that prohibit reverse running. (Brake operation only)

[MC230CR Technical Data] 

•Operating system: Forward, reverse, and brake 

operations are all linear.

•Power requirement: Nicd battery 6~7 cells (7.2~8.4V)
•PWM frequency: 1.5kHz (fixed)
•Setting: One-touch input by pushbutton switch. Set data 

is saved to built-in EEPROM.

•Current capacity (FET rating): Forward=90A, 

reverse=45A

Applicable motors

 (Number of turns is criteria.)

Use  the  MC230CR  with  a  motor  with  20T  or 
more turns.

*If a motor with a number of turns smaller than the above 
is  used,  the  heat  protector  and  overcurrent  protection 
circuit may operate. The number of turns of the motor is a 
criteria  only.  Depending  on  the  running  conditions,  the 
protection circuit may operate even if the condition above 
is satisfied.

Power supply

Nicd battery 6~7 cells (7.2~8.4V)

Motor connector

Connects to the motor.
(Orange) is plus. (Blue) is minus.
If the motor rotates in the wrong 
direction, interchange the connections of 
this connector.

Nicd battery connector

Connects to the running Nicd battery.
(Red) is plus. (Black) is minus.

Receiver connector

Connects to the receiver throttle channel.

Miniature screwdriver

Accessory.  Use  to  press  the 
pushbutton switch.

(Orange)

(Blue)

(Black)

(Red)

Power switch

Checker LED

Pushbutton

switch

Turn on the power in transmitter -> amp order.

1

2

Transmitter throttle operation

Neutral state

Press the pushbutton switch.

 (0.5 secs or longer)

(Confirmation beep sounds)

Continuous single blink

MC230CR

(Pushbutton switch operation)

(Checker LED)

N

N

Full High

Full brake

N

Neutral 

point setting

Operation

Amp power ON

Checker LED display

(Reverse operation set)

Single blink 
(Single confirmation beep)

(Only brake operation set)

Off

On

On

Off

Off

Double blink
 (Two confirmation beeps)

Blinks. (Confirmation 
beep also sounds.)

While pressing 

the pushbutton switch,

set the power switch to ON.

ON

MC230CR

(Pushbutton switch operation)

(Power switch)

3

Full high state

Press the pushbutton switch. 

(Confirmation beep sounds)

Continuous double blink

Continuous rapid blink

High point 

setting

4

Full brake state

Press the pushbutton switch. 

(Confirmation beep sounds.)

If the LED goes out, 
setting is complete.

Brake MAX 

point setting

1

Reverse 

function 

cancellation

* Since the data is read at the end of setting of all points, the points 

cannot be set independently.

* If the amp power was turned off during setting, the setting points 

cannot be memorized. (The previous settings are retained.)

* The confirmation beep sounds only when the motor was 

connected.

* Confirmation beep only sounds when the motor was connected.

If the LED does not go off but blinks rapidly, setting 
was not performed normally. Repeat setting from 
"Neutral point setting".

High point

Neutral point

Brake MAX point

*Becomes brighter nearer the high 
point.

*Becomes brighter nearer the 
brake MAX point.

*Not used with PCM receivers.
*When the transmitter if OFF, this function is 
not performed in environments such that the 
servo operates erroneously.

When  an  overcurrent  flows  due  to  an  output  short  circuit,  etc.,  the  overcurrent  protection  circuit  automatically 
limits the current to protects the FET.

Remove the cause of the short circuit, etc. before operating the model again.

(Amp power left on alarm)

When the transmitter power

was turned off first.

Forward

Reverse
/brake

Overcurrent 

protection

When abnormal heating of the FET due to an overload, etc. is detected, the heat protector operates so that 
the speed is gradually reduced.

When the FET temperature drops, the heat protector automatically resets. However, remove the cause 

of the overheating before operating the model again.

Heat protector

When the Nicd battery voltage drops, this function limits the motor output current and ensures steering operation.

After the speed drops, immediately recover the vehicle.

Low voltage 

operation

FUTABA CORPORATION          Makuhari Techno Garden Bldg., B6F 1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-8555, Japan          Phone: (043) 296-5118  Facsimile: (043) 296-5124

Install  the  receiver  and  receiver  antenna  at 
least  1cm  away  from  the  amp,  motor  cord, 
power cord, Nicd battery, and other parts that 
carry a high current. 
Metal  and  carbon  chassis  and  other 
conductive  parts  transfer  switching  noise. 
When  mounting  the  receiver  to  such  a 
chassis,  use  thick  double-sided  tape  to 
mount  the  receiver  as  far  away  from  the 
chassis as possible.
Always  install  a  motor  noise  killer  capacitor. 
Also,  do  not  forget  to  service  the  brushes, 
and other parts.

If noise causes the receiver to operate erroneously, 
control  may  be  lost  and  an  extremely  dangerous 
situation may occur.

Insert the connectors firmly.

If vibrations while running cause the connectors to 
work  loose,  control  may  be  lost  and  an  extremely 
dangerous situation may occur.

Never reverse the Nicd battery polarity.

Reverse  connection  will  immediately  destroy  the 
amp.

MOUNTING PRECAUTIONS

OPERATING PRECAUTIONS

Always turn the power switches on and off in 
the following order:
ON: Transmitter -> receiver (amp switch)
OFF: Receiver (amp switch) -> transmitter

If  the  power  switches  are  operated  in  the  opposite 
order,  the  vehicle  may  run  unexpectedly  and  an 
extremely dangerous situation may occur.

If  a  peddle  or  other  foreign  object  gets 
caught  in  the  gears  or  the  vehicle  hits  an 
obstruction,  do  not  try  to  forcefully  run 
vehicle.

Forcefully running the vehicle will cause trouble.

Do  not  touch  the  motor  or  amp  immediately 
after running.

Touching  the  motor  or  amp  immediately  after 
running may result in serious burns.

When going to and returning from the circuit, 
and when storing the model, always remove 
the Nicd battery.

If  the  switch  is  turned  on  erroneously,  control  may 
be lost or a fire may start.

When  making  adjustments,  remove  the 
motor,  or  place  the  model  on  a  stand,  so 
that it cannot run.

(Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.)

CONNECTION

•Case size: 27.1x333x12.8mm (excluding protruding parts)
•Silicon cord gauge size: AWG16 equivalent
•Weight: 44g (including connectors and switches)
•BEC voltage: 6.0V

Do  not  run  the  vehicle  in  the  rain  or  through 
puddles or on muddy or snowy roads.

If  moisture  enters  the  amp,  erroneous  operation 
may  cause  loss  of  control  and  an  extremely 
dangerous  situation  may  occur.  It  may  also  cause 
amp  trouble.  Should  moisture  enter  and  cause 
erroneous  operation,  send  the  MC230CR  out  for 
repair and inspection.

* When desired, you can enable 
the cancelled reverse function by 
repeating the operation shown at 
the left. (The reverse function is 
switched alternately.)

Set the steering angle adjustment function (ATV) 
to  100%  and  the  ABS  function  and  acceleration 
function  to  OFF  using  the  transmitter  throttle 
channel function.

If  the  steering  angle  is  too  large  or  the  ABS  and 
acceleration functions are on, erroneous operation may 
occur.

*When using the ABS function, 
after setting up the MC330CR, stop 
the reverse function, then turn on 
the ABS function. If the ABS 
function is on, the MC330CR 
cannot be set up correctly.

Special Markings 

Pay special attention to the safety 
at the parts of this manual that are 
indicated by the following marks. 

Symbol:           

; Prohibited

                         ; Mandatory

Mark

Meaning

Procedures which may lead to a dangerous 
condition and cause death or serious injury to the 
user if not carried out properly.      

Procedures which may lead to a dangerous 
condition or cause death or serious injury to the user 
if not carried out properly, or procedures where the 
probability of superficial injury or physical damage is 
high.

Procedures where the possibility of serious injury to 
the user is small, but there is a danger of injury, or 
physical damage, if not carried out properly.

©FUTABA CORPORATION     2000, 7

MC230CR

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