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#55-1720-1

5-2007

SPECIFICATIONS

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

 (1.2 VDC/cell), 

2 Li-Po cells

ESC Footprint ..............................................1.18”x1.54” 

[30x39mm]

ESC Weight 

(w/o wires)

 ..................................1.49 ounce 

[42 grams]

B.E.C. Voltage/Current ............................... 6.0 volts DC/1.5 amps
Power Wire 

(Battery/Motor)

 ......................... 14G Super-Flex Silicone

On-Resistance

 (Brushless)

 .......................... 0.0012

Ω

 

@25

°C 

trans.temp.

On-Resistance

 (Brush-Mode)

 .................... 0.00027

Ω

 

@25

°C 

trans.temp.

Rated Current 

(Brushless)

 ..................120A 

[per phase]

 

@25

°C 

trans.temp.

Rated Current 

(Brush-Mode)

 .........480A 

[Fwd & Brakes]

 

@25

°C 

trans.temp.

Motor Limit

 (Brushless)

 ................... Down to 8.5-turn Novak

 (

@6 cell)

Motor Limit

 (Brush-Mode)

 ...................................................... None

Throttle Programs

 (Brushless)

 ...................... 3 

[2 w/Rev. & 1 Fwd/Brake]

Throttle Program

 (Brush-Mode)

 .................................... 1 

[Fwd/Brake]

Brushless & Brush Motor Control and Full Programmability!

The XBR Sport programmable electronic speed control gives you the best of everything--Sensor-based brushless motor control, world 

class brush motor performance with Auto-Detect Brush-Mode, & complete on-board programming of Minimum Drive, Minimum Brake, 

Drag Brake, Dead Band, LiPo Cut-Off, Motor Rotation, & Drive Frequency (in Brush Mode).....Now that’s Extreme Sport Versatility!

The XBR Sport is factory-loaded with 4 throttle programs to choose from

 (including a limited reverse Marine Mode)

, Novak’s Smart Braking II

 (you don’t go into 

reverse until you shift into reverse by returning the trigger to neutral and then back to reverse)

Thermal Overload Protection

high-power B.E.C. 

for strong/fast servo 

response, 

Polar Drive & Digital Anti-Glitch circuitries 

for cool & smooth operation, auxilliary fan power output, and 

Radio Priority circuitry 

for the ultimate in 

control, right down to the end of the charge. Add to this the user-replaceable battery wires, power capacitor, & input harness, and the XBR Sport has it all

!

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

REPLACEMENT/UPGRADE POWER CAPACITOR

 

[Novak kit #5677]

The XBR Sport comes with a factory-installed Power Capacitor, and one 

MUST BE 

USED

 to maintain cool & smooth operation. 

Upgrade Power Capacitor available in Novak 

kit #5675---Novak has done extensive testing & research to find Power Capacitors with the best 

quality factors––other similar rated capacitors will not provide equal protection.

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

.

EX & SS5800/SS4300 MOTOR END BELL & BEARING SET

Front end bell with bearing factory-installed & rear bearing available in Novak kit #5905.

30x30x6mm COOLING FANs

  

[Novak kits #5648 & 5651]

Clear cooling fans fit XBR’s heat sink perfectly & have correct power plug for easy 

connection. 

Single fan in Novak kit#5648, and 2-pack of fans in Novak kit #5651

.

LEAD-FREE 3% SILVER RACING SOLDER

  

[Novak kit #5830]

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

and better performance. 

Tube with 10 feet of solder in Novak kit #5830

.

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 must NOT be used when using ESC in Brushless-Mode

 (Schottky 

diodes are never used with reversible ESCs, including brushless)

.

Schottky diode usage in Brushless-Mode will damage ESC & void warranty.

DISCONNECT BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE

Always disconnect the battery pack from the speed control when not in use to 

avoid short circuits and possible fire hazard.

4 TO 7 CELLS OR 2-CELL Li-Po ONLY

If using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries, 

NEVER

 use fewer than 4 or more than 7 cells 

(1.2VDC/cell) 

in the vehicle’s main battery pack.

If using Li-Po batteries, 

ONLY

 use a 2-cell (2S) pack for the vehicle’s main battery 

& be sure the Li-Po Cut-Off programming option is turned 

ON

.

NOVAK BRUSHLESS MOTORS ONLY

The XBR Sport is designed for use with sensor-based Novak Brushless Motors.

You may replace with Novak sensored motors down to 8.5 turns.

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 on the power of the transmitter first so that you will have control of 

the vehicle when you turn it 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.

With ESC connected to (at least) a receiver & a charged battery pack:

1. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER’S POWER
2. PRESS & HOLD ESC’S ONE-TOUCH/SET BUTTON
3. TURN ON THE SPEED CONTROL’S POWER

  With transmitter throttle at neutral, and still 

pressing the SET button

slide the ESC’s 

ON/OFF switch

 to ON position

.

4. CONTINUE HOLDING SET BUTTON UNTIL RED LED COMES ON
5. RELEASE SET BUTTON AS SOON AS LED TURNS RED
6. PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION

  Hold it there until the 

green status LED

 turns solid green

.

  Note: Motor will not run during programming even if connected.

7. PUSH TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-BRAKES

  Hold it there until the 

green status LED

 blinks green

.

8. RETURN TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO NEUTRAL

 

Red status LED

 will 

turn solid red

, indicating that speed control is 

at neutral and that proper programming has been completed.

 

NOTE: If transmitter settings are changed, One-Touch Programming must be 

repeated. If you experience any problems, turn off ESC & repeat One-Touch.

REMEMBER: Whenever One-Touch set-up is performed, ESC automatically reverts to 

factory default settings & the Throttle Profile reverts to #1 when in Brushless-Mode.

trouble-shooting guide

Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run

• 

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.

• 

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. 

• Possible receiver damage––Check operation with a different receiver.

• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.

Receiver Glitches/Throttle Stutters During Acceleration

• Receiver or antenna too close to ESC, power wires, battery, or motor.

• Bad connections––Check wiring, connectors, & sensor harness.

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

 (Novak part#5626)

.

• External Power Capacitor damaged/not installed––Replace Power Capacitor.

• Battery pack damaged or weak––Try a different battery pack.

• Motor’s magnet has weakened or overheated––Replace rotor.

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 together.

• 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––Increase gear ratio 

(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.

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 website.

service procedures

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:

WEBSITE: 

Print a copy of the 

PRODUCT SERVICE FORM

 from the CUSTOMER SERVICE 

section of the website. 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 

PRODUCT SERVICE FORM

 & include a valid cash register receipt with purchase date 

and dealer name & phone# on it, or an invoice from previous service. If warranty 

provisions have been voided, there will be service charges.

•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.

Novak Electronics, Inc.

(949) 833-8873 • FAX (949) 833-1631

Customer Service e-mail: 

[email protected]

Monday-Friday:  8:00am-5:00pm (PST)

w w w . t e a m n o v a k . c o m

BASIC SET-UP GUIDE 

-- XBR

• See ‘Programming/Gearing’ sheet for Proper Gearing, Profile Selection, Custom Programming, & Li-Po Cut-Off •

PRECAuTIONS

optional accessories

P1

P4

sensor harness wiring

Should any of the 26G Teflon 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 Teflon 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.

step 

4

one-touch programming

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 

maximum

 setting.

 

[amount of throw at full throttle]

B.

 Set 

LOW ATV

EPA

, or 

ATL

 to 

maximum

 setting.

 

[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

 and 

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

 and 

1/2 brake

 throw.

•NOT ALL TRANSMITTERS HA

VE THESE ADJUSTMENTS

transmitter adjustments

using a receiver battery pack

If you are planning to use an external receiver battery pack to power the 

electronics you need to do the following:

1.

  Plug the external 5 cell (1.2VDC/cell) receiver battery pack into the 

battery slot of the receiver.

2.

  Leave the 

ESC’s ON/OFF switch

 in the 

OFF

 position, and 

use receiver 

battery pack’s ON/OFF switch

 to turn the 

system power on and 

off

––Do not use the ESC’s switch.

product warranty

The XBR Sport Brushless 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 LiPo cells input voltage, 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, 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 act of God.
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.
©2007 Novak Electronics, Inc. • All Rights Reserved • No part of these instructions may be reproduced 

without the written permission of Novak Electronics, Inc. • XBR Sport ESC, Smart Braking II, Polar Drive 

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

black

orange

white

plastic

tabs

red

blue

green

metal

barbs

raised

metal

barb

metal socket

on end of Teflon

sensor harness wires

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