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#55-1732-5

11-2010

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

Input Voltage ............................................. 2S LiPo, 4-7 cells (1.2 VDC/cell)
ESC Footprint .................................................... 1.18”x1.54” [30x39.1mm]
ESC Weight (w/o wires) ...........................................1.49 ounce [42 grams]
B.E.C. Voltage .........................................................................6.0 volts DC
B.E.C. Current .............................................................................3.0 amps
Power Wire (Battery/Motor) ................................... 14G Super-Flex Silicone
On-Resistance ..................................................0.0012

Ω

 @25°C trans.temp.

Rated Current (Brushless) .......................120A [per phase] @25°C trans.temp.
Rated Current (Brush-Mode) ............. 120A [Fwd & Brakes] @25°C trans.temp.
Motor Limit (Brushless) ....................... Down to 8.5-turn Novak (@6 cell/2S)
Motor Limit (Brush-Mode) .............. 27T 540-size motor/12T 550-size motor
Operation (Sensored Brushless) .........Forward/Brake/Reverse (with Rev. Disable)
Operation (Brush-Mode) ...........................................  Forward/Brake/Reverse

Sensor-Based and Fully Programmable to Wreak Some Havoc!

The Havoc Sport Sensor-Based Brushless System exceeds expectations in performance and affordability. It contains nine adjustable 

parameters to fine-tune brake and throttle response, including Throttle Curves and Brake Frequency.

The Havoc Sport ESC is compatible with all sensor-based brushless and brush motors with built-in thermal protection. The Havoc ESC features Novak’s 

Smart Braking II, Thermal Overload Protection, high-power B.E.C. for strong/fast servo response, Polar Drive & Digital Anti-Glitch circuitries for cool & 

smooth operation, auxiliary fan power output, and Radio Priority circuitry for the ultimate in control, right down to the end of the charge. Add to this the 

LiPo Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry, user-replaceable battery wires, power capacitor, & input harness, and the Havoc Sport ESC has it all!

To benefit from all of the technical features of the Havoc Sport ESC, PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATION

REPLACEMENT POWER CAPACITOR HARNESS  

[Novak kit #5682]

This is the replacement for the Havoc Sport’s factory-installed Power Capacitor, which MUST 

BE USED to maintain cool & smooth operation.

SUPER-FLEX SILICONE 14G WIRE 

 [Novak kits #5500 & 5508]

Novak  Super-Flex  wire  for  power  wiring.  14  gauge  silicone  wire  in  kit  #5500  (36”red  & 

36”black) or kit #5508 (2 each of 9”red/black/blue/yellow/orange).

INPUT SIGNAL HARNESS  

[Novak kits #5315 & 5320]

User-replaceable input signal harness is available in both short and long lengths. 4.5” harness 

in Novak kit #5315, and 9.0” harness in Novak kit #5320.

30x30x6MM CLEAR COOLING FANS  

[Novak kits #5648 & 5652]

Novak cooling fans fit Havoc’s heat sink perfectly & have correct power plug for easy connec-

tion. Single fan in Novak kit #5648 and 2-pack of fans in Novak kit #5652.

LEAD-FREE 3% SILVER RACING SOLDER  

[Novak kit #5831, 5832 & 5833]

High silver content for making ultra low-resistance solder joints for high efficiency and better 

performance. 6g in Novak #5831, 15g in Novak #5832 and 100g in Novak #5833.

LOW-LOSS POWER CONNECTORS–3.5MM  

[Novak kit #5731]

High-power,  gold-plated  connectors  for  low-resistance  and  to  maximize  runtime.  3.5mm 

connectors with heat shrink: 5-pair #5731

ESC SWITCH HARNESS  

[Novak kit #5600]

Replacement switch for Havoc ESC and all Novak ESCs with switches.

POWER TRANS-CAP MODULE  

[Novak kit #5679]

Optional Power Cap Module for improved efficiency and lower operating temperatures.

HAVOC SPORT DESIGNED FOR NOVAK BRUSHLESS MOTORS

This ESC is designed for Novak Thermally Protected Sensor-Based Brushless Motors!

ESC will ONLY operate if motor is replaced with a sensor-based motor (down to 8.5T) 

that has built-in thermal protection. Check Novak Web site for motor compatibility.

WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX!

Never allow water, moisture, or other foreign materials to get inside ESC, motor, or on 

the PC Boards. Water damage will void the warranty!

NO SCHOTTKY IN BRUSHLESS-MODE!

Schottky diodes are never used with reversible ESCs, including brushless.

Do not use Schottky diodes with Havoc ESC!

DO NOT FREE REV OR OPERATE WITHOUT LOAD!

This includes running the motor without a pinion or holding the car in the air and 

running the motor at or close to full power. Free revving will void the warranty!

DISCONNECT BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE

Always disconnect batteries from ESC to avoid short circuits and possible fire hazard.

2S LiPo OR 4 TO 7 CELL NiMH ONLY

If using LiPo batteries, ONLY use a 2-cell (2S) pack for vehicle’s main battery & be sure 

the LiPo Cut-Off option is turned ON (refer to page 6). For NiCd or NiMH batteries, 

NEVER use fewer than 4 or more than 7 cells (1.2VDC/cell) in the main battery pack.

GOOD QUALITY LiPo BATTERIES SUGGESTED

Using LiPo batteries that cannot supply the required current of this system will result in ESC, 

or motor, or battery damage, and will void the warranty. We suggest 25C rating minimum.

NO REVERSE VOLTAGE!

Reverse battery polarity can damage ESC & void warranty. Disconnect battery 

immediately if a reverse connection occurs.

POWER CAPACITOR REQUIRED

An external power capacitor is installed on ESC & MUST be used. Failure to use Capacitor will result 

in higher temperatures & possible thermal shut-down or damage.

TRANSMITTER ON FIRST

Always turn the transmitter on first so you have control of the vehicle when it turns on.

GOOD QUALITY TRANSMITTER SUGGESTED

With the higher performance of brushless systems, undesirable radio system noise may 

occur when used with lower quality transmitters (like some RTR radios).

DO NOT BUNDLE POWER & SIGNAL WIRES TOGETHER

RF noise in the power wires can adversely effect radio system performance.

INSULATE WIRES

Always insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent short 

circuits, which can damage ESC.

NO CA GLUE

Exposure to CA glue or its fumes can cause damage to internal components of the speed 

control and result in premature failure.

T R O U B L E - S H O O T I N G   G U I D E

Motor Does Not Operate and ESC LEDs Are Scrolling

• Motor may not have temperature protection––ESC will not operate if 

used with a motor that does not have built-in Thermal Protection. 

Check Novak Web site for the complete motor compatibility list.

• Blue sensor harness may be disconnected––Check connection.

Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run

• Possible receiver damage––Check operation with a different receiver.
• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.

Receiver Glitches/Throttle Stutters During Acceleration

• Low voltage to receiver––Try Glitch Buster capacitor on receiver (Novak 

part #5626).

• Receiver or antenna too close to ESC, power wires, battery, or motor.
• Battery pack damaged or weak––Try a different battery pack.
• Bad connections––Check wiring, connectors, & sensor harness.
• Motor’s magnet has weakened or overheated––Replace rotor (#5908).
• External  Power  Capacitor  damaged/not  installed––Replace  Power 

Capacitor (Novak #5682).

Motor and Steering Servo Do Not Work

• Check wires, receiver signal harness wiring & color sequence, radio system, 

crystals, battery/motor connectors, & battery pack.

• Power wires too close to signal wires––Do not bundle power & signal wires.
• Possible receiver damage––Check operation with a different receiver.
• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.

Brushless Motor Runs Backwards

• Reverse motor rotation direction––Refer to ‘Programming/Gearing’ sheet.

Speed Control Runs Excessively Hot

• Gear ratio too low (pinion too big)—Increase gear ratio (use smaller 

pinion) (see ‘GEAR SELECTION’).

Model Runs Slowly/Slow Acceleration

• Gear ratio too high––Reduce gear ratio (see ‘GEAR SELECTION’).
• Check battery & connectors––Try another battery; replace connectors/

battery if needed.

• Incorrect transmitter/ESC adjustment––Refer to Step 4.
• External  Power  Capacitor  damaged/not  installed––Replace  Power 

Capacitor (Novak #5682).

• Bad battery––Replace Battery Pack.

ESC Is Melted Or Burnt/ESC Runs With Switch Off

• Internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.

*For more assistance call our Customer Service Department or check our Web site.

S E R V I C E   P R O C E D U R E S

Before sending your speed control or brushless motor system in for service, 

review Trouble-Shooting guide and instructions. System may appear to have 

failed when other problems exist.
After reviewing instructions, if you feel that your ESC/system requires service, 

please  obtain  the  most  current  product  service  options  and  pricing  by  the 

following ways:

WEB SITE:

  Print a copy of the PRODUCT SERVICE FORM from the CUS-

TOMER SERVICE section of the Web site. Fill out the needed information on this 

form and return it with the Novak product that requires servicing.

PHONE/FAX:

  If you do not have access to the internet, please contact our 

customer service department by phone or fax as listed below.

WARRANTY SERVICE:

  For warranty work, you MUST CLAIM WARRANTY 

on the PRODUCT SERVICE FORM & include a valid cash register receipt with 

purchase  date  and  dealer  name  &  phone  number  on  it,  or  an  invoice  from 

previous service. If warranty provisions have been voided, there will be a charge.

• ESCs returned without a serial number will not be serviced under warranty •

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Dealers/distributors are not authorized to replace products thought to be defective.

• If a hobby dealer returns your product for service, submit a completed PRODUCT 

SERVICE FORM to the dealer and make sure it is included with product.

• Novak  Electronics,  Inc.  does  not  make  any  internal  electronic  components 

(transistors, resistors, etc.) available for sale.

• Products that operate normally will have a service charge.

NOVAK ELECTRONICS, INC.

(949) 833-8873 • FAX (949) 833-1631

Customer Service e-mail: [email protected]

w w w . t e a m n o v a k . c o m

BASIC SET-UP GUIDE — HAVOC SPORT ESC

•See Programming/Gearing sheet for Proper Gearing, Profile Selection, Custom Programming, & LiPo Cut-Off •

P R E C A U T I O N S

O P T I O N A L   A C C E S S O R I E S

P1

P4

S E N S O R   H A R N E S S   W I R I N G

Should any of the sensor harness wires pull out of the connector on the end of 

the motor’s sensor harness, re-insert them in the appropriate slot in the connector 

as shown below. There is a small plastic tab that grabs a small raised barb on the 

back of the metal socket crimped onto the wire’s end. The plastic tab should be 

checked to make sure it has not deformed excessively before inserting the metal 

socket into the plastic connector housing with the barb toward to plastic tabs.

If the motor’s 

sensor harness 

gets damaged, 

please contact 

our Customer 

Service Dept.

If you have any problems with Step 4, adjust transmitter as follows and then 

repeat One-Touch programming in Step 4:
A.  Set 

HIGH ATV

 or 

EPA

 to 

100%

.

  [amount of throw at full throttle]
B.  Set 

LOW ATV

EPA

, or 

ATL

 to 

100%

.

  [amount of throw at full brakes]
C.  Set 

EXPONENTIAL

 to 

zero

 setting.  [throttle channel linearity]

D.  Set 

THROTTLE CHANNEL REV. SWITCH

 to 

either

 position.

E.  Set 

THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM

 to 

middle

 setting.

  [adjusts neutral position/increases or decreases coast brakes]
F.  Set 

ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT

 to 

50% throttle & 50% 

brake

 throw--best for reversible ESCs.

  [adjusts trigger throw electronic/digital pistol-grip transmitters]
G.  Set 

MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT

 to position with 

1/2 

throttle & 1/2 brake

 throw.

• NOT ALL TRANSMITTERS HA

VE THESE ADJUSTMENTS •

T R A N S M I T T E R   A D J U S T M E N T S

U S I N G   A   R E C E I V E R   B AT T E RY   PA C K

The  Havoc  ESC  has  an  internal  6V/1.5A  BEC,  so  a  receiver  battery  pack  is 

unnecessary. If you would like to use a receiver battery pack or external BEC, 

please follow these steps to ensure normal operation:
1.  Connect receiver battery pack/external BEC into battery slot of the receiver. 

Receiver battery pack/BEC should have an ON/OFF switch installed.

2.  Leave the ESC’s input harness intact. First turn the receiver battery pack ON

then cycle the ESC’s switch from ON to OFF. The ESC power will remain on 

even though the switch is OFF.

After running your vehicle, simply turn OFF receiver battery pack/external BEC. 

Always disconnect main battery pack when vehicle is not in use.

P R O D U C T   WA R R A N T Y

The Havoc Sport Brushless/Brush ESC is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period 

of 120 days from the original date of purchase (verified by dated, itemized sales receipt). Warranty does not cover 

incorrect installation, components worn by use, damage to case or exposed circuit boards, damage from using 

fewer than 4 or more than 7 cells (1.2 volts DC/cell) or more than 2 Li-Po cells input voltage, using insufficient 

Li-Po batteries that cannot supply the amount of current required by this system, cross-connection of battery/

motor power wires, overheating solder tabs, reverse voltage application, damage resulting from thermal overload 

or short-circuiting motor (or connecting a brushless motor sensor harness while operating in Brush-Mode), damage 

from incorrect installation of FET servo or receiver battery pack, damage due to free revving of motor, damage 

due to using a non-Novak motor, a non-sensored motor or a motor lower than 8.5 turns, not using or incorrect 

installation of a Power Capacitor on the ESC or from using a damaged Power Capacitor, using a Schottky diode in 

Brushless-Mode, using non-Novak Power Capacitor or motor, splices to input, ON/OFF switch, or sensor harnesses, 

damage from excessive force when using the One-Touch/SET button or from disassembling case, tampering with 

internal electronics, allowing water, moisture, or any other foreign material to enter ESC or get onto the PC board, 

incorrect installation/wiring of input plug plastic, allowing exposed wiring or solder tabs to short-circuit, or any 

damage caused by a crash, flooding or natural disaster.
Because Novak has no control over the connection & use of the speed control or other related electronics, no liability 

may be assumed nor will be accepted for any damage resulting from the use of this product. Every Novak speed 

control & motor is thoroughly tested & cycled before leaving our facility and is, therefore, considered operational. By 

the act of connecting/operating speed control, user accepts all resulting liability. In no case shall our liability exceed 

the product’s original cost. We reserve the right to modify warranty provisions without notice. Designed by Novak 

Electronics, Inc. in Irvine, CA and assembled with globally sourced components.
©2010 Novak Electronics, Inc. • All Rights Reserved • No part of these instructions may be reproduced without the 

written permission of Novak Electronics, Inc. • Havoc Sport ESC, Smart Braking II, Polar Drive Technology, Radio 

Priority Circuitry, & One-Touch Set-Up are all trademarks of Novak Electronics, Inc.

E R R O R   C O D E S

The Havoc ESC is equipped with internal protection. The following is a list of 

error codes depicted through LEDs––most flash when throttle is applied.

• All status LEDs scroll from left to right

––Blue sensor harness wire disconnected or motor 

does not have temperature protection––Replace blue sensor harness wire or use motor 

with temperature protection. Check Novak Web site for motor compatibility list.

• Red & Green status LEDs on solid

––Check input signal harness connections at ESC 

and receiver. Check input signal harness wiring sequence––Refer to Step 1.

• Red  status  LED  on  solid  &  Green  LED  blinking

––Check  motor  sensor  harness 

connection. Possible internal motor damage.

• Blue & Green status LEDs both blinking

—Possible  ESC  shut-down  due  to  locked 

rotor detection––Return throttle to neutral position to regain motor control––Check 

vehicle’s drive train for free operation.

• Green & Red status LEDs on toggle

––Li-Po Cut-Off triggered—Replace or charge 

battery. Battery voltage may be too low.

• Blue  &  Red  status  LEDs  blinking

—Possible  ESC  thermal  shut-down—Check  gear 

ratio & free operation of drive train for possible overloading/ESC is being severely 

over-loaded––allow system to cool & return throttle to neutral position to regain 

motor control. LEDs will continue to blink until system is cooled down.

• Blue  &  Amber  status  LEDs  blinking

—Possible  motor  thermal  shut-down––Check 

gear ratio & free operation of drive train for possible overloading/motor is being 

over-loaded––allow system to cool & return throttle to neutral position to regain 

motor control. LEDs will continue to blink until system is cooled down.

• Blue & Green (Locked Rotor Detection), Blue & Red (ESC Thermal Shut-Down), or 

Blue & Amber (Motor Thermal Shut-Down) status LEDs blinking

—ESC may have 

shut-down & ESC’s neutral point is too far off to sense that transmitter throttle has 

been returned to neutral—Refer to Step 4. 

FIGURE 8

metal socket

on end of sensor 

harness wires

raised

metal

barb

metal

barbs

red

blue

green

black

orange

white

plastic

tabs

2S SPORT ESC

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