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SPY

SPY

SPY

SPY

SPY

   MICRO REVERSIBLE ESC

PRECAUTIONS

NOVAK’S MICRO REVERSIBLE IS 

THE SPY

...and this spy gear is high-tech. Designed with ultra-small
surface mount technology and all the standard features
found in Novak electronic speed controls, the SPY gives
you the ultimate controller for the right price.
The SPY is capable of handling 4-7 cells and up to 280 size
motors that are used in 1/18th & 1/24th scale Micro R/C cars.
The rugged 5V/1A B.E.C. handles most any servo with ease,
and 

Radio Priority Circuitry

 means you’ll maintain control of

that servo even after the battery has discharged.

Smart Braking Circuitry

 brings the car to a slow speed

before throwing it into reverse to reduce ESC heating, and the
electronics will continue to stay cool with the 

Polar Drive

Technology

 that also improves radio system performance.

The 

Reverse Disable Circuitry

 lets you lock-out reverse for

racing. And of course, 

Novak’s original One-Touch Set-Up

means your spy gear is the easiest to program.

WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX!

  Do not operate

model in or around water. Never allow water, moisture,
or other foreign materials to get inside the ESC.

MICRO SIZE MOTORS ONLY

  Use only motors that are

intended for use with 1/18th scale or smaller R/C cars.
Never use larger than a 280 size motor 

(1” diameter/3-5 watts)

.

4 TO 7 CELLS ONLY

  Never use fewer than 4 or more

than 7 cells 

(4.8-8.4 volts DC)

 in the main battery pack.

NO REVERSE VOLTAGE!

  Reverse battery polarity can

damage speed control––Disconnect battery immediately.

NO SCHOTTKY DIODES

  External Schottky diodes must

NEVER

 be used with reversible speed controls. Using an

external Schottky diode will damage the ESC.

DISCONNECT BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE

  Always

disconnect the battery pack from the speed control when
not in use to avoid possible short circuits.

TURN TRANSMITTER ON FIRST

  Turn on your

transmitter’s power before the speed control so you will
have control of the radio equipment.

INSULATE WIRES

  Always insulate exposed wiring with

heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to avoid short circuits.

STEP 1

CHANGING INPUT HARNESS

The SPY ESC comes with the industry standard input harness
connector that works with all major radio brands. However,
with some older style receivers the wiring sequence in the
plastic connector needs to be changed. This is an important
step, because the electronics inside the receiver may be
damaged if the wiring sequence is incorrect. Changing the
sequence is easy to do, as described below.

JR • Hitec • New KO • Airtronics Z

JR, Hitec, Futaba, new KO, & Airtronics Z receivers do not
need to change the sequence of the ESC's input harness wires.
New Airtronics Z receivers have blue plastic cases & new KO
cases have tabs on the input harness openings as in 

Figure 1

.

• Insert the input plug into the receiver with the 

BLACK

wire toward the outside edge

 of the receiver case.

Old-style KO • Old-style Sanwa/Airtronics

If your receiver is an older KO or Sanwa/Airtronics, you must
change the sequence of the ESC's input harness wires. Old
Sanwa/Airtronics cases are black in color. Old KO cases do
not have the tab openings, as in 

Figure 2

 above.

• Interchange the red and black wires

 in the plug plastic of

the ESC's input harness as shown below.

• Insert the input plug into the receiver with the 

RED wire

toward the outside edge

 of the receiver case.

SPY SPECIFICATIONS

Input Voltage ............................... 4-7 cells

 (1.2VDC/cell)

Motor Size Limit .......................... 280 size

 (1”diam./1.2”L)

Motor Power Limit ...................... 10 watts

 (continuous)

Rated Current

 (fwd/rev) ....................

12 amps

On-Resistance .............................. 0.019 ohm

 (@Transistors)

B.E.C. Voltage .............................. 5.0 volts DC
B.E.C. Current ............................. 1.0 amp
PWM Frequency .......................... 1000 Hertz
Protection .................................... Thermal Overload
Case Width .................................. 0.95 inch

 (24.1mm)

Case Depth ................................. 1.12 inches

 (28.4mm)

Case Height ................................. 0.48 inch

 (12.1mm)

Weight ........................................ 0.51 ounce

 (14.4 grams)

Part Number ............................... 1870

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

New KO (with tabs)

Old KO (no tabs)

tabs

no tabs

black

red

STEP 2

MOUNTING ELECTRONICS

1. DETERMINE BEST ESC MOUNTING LOCATION

The ESC should be positioned away from the receiver
and antenna as shown in the Set-Up photo below. Choose
a mounting position that will keep the power wires from
obstructing movement of suspension or the motor pod.

2. INSTALL SPEED CONTROL

Use the included double-sided tape to mount the ESC.

3. INSTALL ON/OFF SWITCH

Determine a convenient place to mount the switch where
it will be easy to get to. Mount the switch using a piece
of double-sided tape or with a screw through the hole in
the base of the switch housing.

4. INSTALL RECEIVER

Mount the receiver as far from the motor, power wires,
battery, and servo as possible. These components all emit
radio noise when the throttle is being applied. On graphite
or aluminum, place the receiver on edge with the crystal
and antenna as far above the chassis as possible. Mount
the antenna close to the receiver and trail any excess
wire off the top of the antenna.

www.teamnovak.com

SET-UP PHOTO

trail excess

wire off top

of antenna

mast

three 0.1

µ

F capacitors

•NO SCHOTTKY•

black wire

red wire

(+)

(–)

4-7 cell

battery

pack

SET button

280 size motor

maximum

ON/OFF

switch

status LED

twist

motor

wires to

reduce

RF noise

battery leads

(red connector)

motor leads

(yellow connector)

red

white

black

white

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