background image

© 1997 NOVAK ELECTRONICS, INC. • All Rights Reserved.
Polaris AM Receiver is a trademark of Novak Electronics, Inc.
No part of this instruction manual may be reproduced without the written
permission of Novak Electronics, Inc.
Printed in the USA 11/97

#IM-2227-2

FIGURE 6  

Capacitor and Schottky diode installation. Install Schottky

diode if speed control instructions indicate that one is needed.

*If your motor does not have a ground tab, solder the capacitor leads to the can of the
motor, as shown above. The plating may have to be removed with a file.

SERVO & SPEED CONTROL CONNECTION

1.

Plug the steering servo into channel one (CH 1).

2.

Plug the electronic speed control into channel two (CH
2). When using a mechanical speed control or for gas
models, plug the throttle servo into channel two.

3.

If you are using an external receiver battery pack, proceed to

STEP 5

. Otherwise, put tape or a decal over the BATT slot.

STEP 4

HOOK-UP INSTRUCTIONS

MOTOR CAPACITOR & DIODE INSTALLATION

Refer to Figure 6

1.

To prevent radio interference, capacitors 

MUST

 be

installed on 

EVERY

 motor. Solder the three included

0.1

µ

F (50 V), non-polarized, ceramic capacitors between:

• 

POSITIVE

 (+) motor tab & 

NEGATIVE

 (-) motor tab.

• 

POSITIVE 

(+) motor tab & 

GROUND

 tab*.

• 

NEGATIVE 

(-) motor tab & 

GROUND

 tab*.

Extra 0.1

µ

F motor capacitors available in Novak Kit #5620.

2.

An external Schottky diode must be used if the speed
control's instructions indicate that one is needed. 

Never

use a Schottky diode with a reversible speed control.

See the speed control's instructions for proper Schottky
diode information and installation.

Schottky diodes available in Novak Kit #5640.

TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE

This section describes possible receiver problems, causes and
solutions. For additional help, call for technical assistance.
RECEIVER GLITCHES AND/OR CAR STUTTERS

• Motor capacitors not installed or have broken.
• Receiver and/or antenna not mounted properly. See STEP 3
• Bad connections. Check power plugs or solder joints.
• Bad transmitter and/or receiver crystal. Try a new set.
• Voltage to the receiver is too low. Try using an external

receiver battery pack.

• Motor brushes need to be replaced if they are worn or

damaged. Motor may be noisy—rebuild or replace.

• Narrow band ceramic filter has been damaged from a hard

impact. Refer to Service Procedures

RECEIVER WILL NOT OPERATE

• Bad transmitter and/or receiver crystal. Try a new set.
• Moisture might have settled inside of the receiver. Open

receiver case and dry the case and electronics.

SERVO AND/OR SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION

• Input harness not wired properly. See STEP 2
• Input plug is plugged into wrong channel.
• Speed control not plugged into battery pack.

PRODUCT WARRANTY

Novak Electronics, Inc. guarantees the Polaris AM
receiver to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of 120 days from original
date of purchase (verified by dated, itemized sales receipt). Warranty
does not cover incorrect installation, components worn by use,
altering the antenna, exceeding the recommended input voltage,
using the wrong crystal(s), improper use of external receiver battery
pack, using the receiver without its case, tampering with the
electronics, allowing water, moisture, or any foreign material to enter
receiver or come in contact with the PC board, component damage
due to excessive force, incorrect installation of alternate input plug
plastic, or any damage caused by a crash.

In no case shall our liability exceed product's original cost. We reserve
the right to modify warranty provisions without notice.

Because Novak Electronics, Inc. has no control over the connection
and use of the receiver, no liability may be assumed nor will be
accepted for any damage resulting from use of this product. Every
receiver is thoroughly tested and tuned before leaving our facility,
and is therefore considered operational. By the act of connecting
and/or operating this receiver, the user accepts all resulting liability.

SERVICE PROCEDURES

Before sending your Polaris in for service, review the Trouble-
Shooting Guide and Instructions. The receiver may appear to
need service when other problems exist in the system (such as
a problematic transmitter, servo, speed control, battery, con-
nectors or motor).

PLEASE NOTE:

 Receivers that operate normally when

received will be charged a minimum service fee and return
shipping costs.

WHAT TO SEND: Fill out all of the requested information on
the enclosed 

RECEIVER SERVICE CARD

 and return it with your

receiver. Service cards can also be downloaded from our
website at www.teamnovak.com.

WARRANTY WORK: For warranty service work, you MUST
CLAIM WARRANTY
 on the 

RECEIVER SERVICE CARD

 and

include a valid, dated, cash register receipt, or an invoice from
previous service work. If any warranty provisions have been
voided there will be a service charge.

SERVICE COSTS: Customer is responsible for service costs
(parts, labor and shipping/handling charges). Receivers are
returned UPS/COD CASH ONLY. See 

RECEIVER SERVICE CARD

for other payment and shipping options.

FOR SERVICE, SEND RECEIVERS TO:

Novak Electronics, Inc.
Attn: Service Department
18910 Teller Ave., Irvine, CA. 92612  USA

CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS (PST):

M-Th: 8am-5pm;  F: 8am-4pm (Closed every other Friday)
(714)* 833-8873 • FAX (714)* 833-1631

*Effective 4/18/98, area code will change to 949

0.1

µ

F Capacitors

Ground/Motor Can

*

Positive (+)

Motor Tab

Negative (-)
Motor Tab

Schottky Diode. Solder the
lead closest to the silver stripe
to the positive motor tab.

FIGURE 7

  

External

receiver battery pack
plugs into BATT slot.

FCC APPROVAL NOTE

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits

for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These

limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful

interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses

and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used

in accordance with this instruction manual, may cause harmful interfer-

ence to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that

interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment

does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which

can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is

encouraged to try correcting the interference by one or more of the

following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiver's antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

A 5-cell external receiver battery pack is recommended if
erratic radio operation is experienced during hard
acceleration.

There are a few methods of using an external receiver battery
pack. Because the speed control may be damaged by using an
external receiver battery pack, we recommend you refer to
your speed control's instruction manual for proper installation.

If you will be using an external receiver battery pack, plug it
into the BATT slot as shown in 

Figure 7

.

STEP 5

USING AN EXTERNAL RECEIVER BATTERY PACK

NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER

TM

Reviews: