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18 • SLASH  4x4

ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL

Patented Training Mode 
(Profile #3) reduces forward 
and reverse throttle by 50%. 
Training Mode is provided 
to reduce the power output, 
allowing beginning drivers 
to better control the model. 
As driving skills improve, 
simply change to Sport or 
Race Mode for full-power 
operation.

Tip For Fast Mode Changes

The VXL-3s is set to Profile 1 
(Sport Mode) as the default. 
To quickly change to Profile 3 
(Training Mode), with the 
transmitter on, press and 
hold the SET button until the 
light blinks red three times 
and then release. 
For full power, quickly change 
back to Profile 1 (Sport Mode)  
by pressing and holding the 
SET button until the light 
blinks red one time and  
then releasing.

The VXL-3s has built-in 
programming that prevents 
accidental activation of 
reverse while in forward 
motion and vice-versa. You 
must come to a complete 
stop, release the throttle 
trigger, then apply opposite 
throttle to engage the motor 
in the desired direction.

VXL-3s Profile Selection

The speed control is factory set to Profile #1 (100% forward, brakes, and reverse). 
To disable reverse (Profile #2) or to allow 50% forward and 50% reverse (Profile 
#3), follow the steps below. The speed control should be connected to the 
receiver and battery, and the transmitter should be  
adjusted as described previously. The profiles are selected by entering the 
programming mode.

Profile Description

Profile #1 (Sport Mode): 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, 100% Reverse
Profile #2 (Race Mode): 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, No Reverse
Profile #3 (Training Mode): 50% Forward, 100% Brakes, 50% Reverse

Selecting Sport Mode 

(Profile #1: 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, 100% Reverse)

1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to  

the VXL-3s and turn on your transmitter.

2.  With the VXL-3s off, press and hold  

the EZ-Set button until the LED turns solid green, 
then solid red and then begins blinking red 
(indicating the Profile numbers).

3.  When the LED blinks red once, release  

the EZ-Set button.

4. The LED will blink and then turn solid green 

(Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-
Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is ready to drive.

Selecting Race Mode

 (Profile #2: 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, No Reverse)

1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to  

the VXL-3s and turn on your transmitter.

2.  With the VXL-3s off, press and hold  

the EZ-Set button until the LED turns solid green, 
then solid red and then begins blinking red 
(indicating the Profile numbers).

3.  When the LED blinks red twice, release  

the EZ-Set button.

4. The LED will blink and then turn solid green 

(Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-
Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is ready to drive.

Selecting Training Mode

 (Profile #3: 50% Forward, 100% Brakes, 50% Reverse)

1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the  

VXL-3s and turn on your transmitter.

2.  With the VXL-3s off, press and hold the EZ-Set 

button until the LED turns solid green, then solid 
red and then begins blinking red (indicating the 
Profile numbers).

3.  When the LED blinks red three times, release the EZ-Set button.

4.

 

The LED will blink and then turn solid green 
(Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-
Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is 
ready to drive.

Note:

 If you missed the mode you wanted, keep the EZ-Set button pressed down 

and the blink cycle will repeat until the button is released and a Mode is selected.

LED Codes and Protection Modes

• Solid Green

: VXL-3s power-on light. Low-Voltage Detection is 

ACTIVATED (LiPo setting).

• Solid Red

: VXL-3s power-on light. Low-Voltage Detection is 

DISABLED (NiCad/NiMH setting). 

Never use LiPo batteries while Low-

Voltage Detection is disabled. 

• Slow Blinking Red 

(with Low-Voltage Detection on):  The VXL-3s has 

entered 

Low-Voltage Protection

.  When the battery voltage begins 

to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage threshold 
for LiPo battery packs, the VXL-3s will limit the power output to 
50% throttle. When the battery voltage attempts to fall below the 
minimum threshold, the VXL-3s will shut down all motor output. 
The LED on the speed control will slowly blink red, indicating a 
low-voltage shutdown. The VXL-3s will stay in this mode until a fully 
charged battery is connected. 

• Fast Blinking Red

: Thermal Shutdown Protection Stage 1. If the 

motor has lower than normal power and the VXL-3s is hot, the VXL-3s 
has entered 

Stage 1 Thermal Shutdown Protection 

to guard against 

overheating caused by excessive current flow. If the motor has no 
power
 and the VXL-3s is very hot, the VXL-3s has entered 

Stage 2 

Thermal Shutdown Protection 

and has automatically shut down. 

Let the VXL-3s cool. Make sure your model is properly geared for the 
conditions (see page 26). 

• Very Fast Blinking Red

: Thermal Shutdown Protection and Low 

Voltage Protection (see above) have occurred at the same time.

• Alternating; Blinks Red then Green

:  If the motor has no power

the VXL-3s has entered 

Over

 

Voltage Protection

. If a battery with 

too high voltage  is used, the VXL-3s will go into a fail-safe mode. 

WARNING

: If input voltage exceeds approximately 20-volts,  

the ESC may be damaged. Do not exceed 12.6 maximum peak input 
voltage.

• Blinking Green

:  The VXL-3s is indicating the transmitter  

Throttle Trim (see page 30) is incorrectly set. If the Multi-Function 
knob is set to throttle trim, then adjust the Throttle Trim to the 
middle “0” setting.

B

One blink Red

A

Green to Red to Off

D

Solid

C

Release

B

Two blinks Red

A

Green to Red to Off

D

Solid

C

Release

B

Three blinks Red

A

Green to Red to Off

D

Solid

C

Release

Summary of Contents for 68086-21

Page 1: ...owner s manual MODEL 68086 21 ...

Page 2: ...ead through the rest of the manual to learn about important safety maintenance and adjustment procedures Turn to page 8 to begin 3 BEFORE YOU PROCEED 4 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 6 TOOLS SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT 7 ANATOMY OF THE SLASH 4x4 8 QUICK START GETTING UP TO SPEED 9 TQi RADIO AND VELINEON BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM 17 ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL 19 TRAXXAS ON BOARD AUDIO 20 DRIVING Y...

Page 3: ...l assistance is also available at Traxxas com support You may also e mail customer support with your question at support Traxxas com Join thousands of registered members in our online community at Traxxas com Traxxas offers a full service on site repair facility to handle any of your Traxxas service needs Maintenance and replacement parts may be purchased directly from Traxxas by phone or online a...

Page 4: ...ity to charge and care for the battery packs properly In addition to your battery and charger instructions here are some more tips to keep in mind Do not charge batteries inside of an automobile Do not charge batteries while driving in an automobile The charger is equipped with a long cord intended to allow the battery to be charged outside of an automobile when using the automobile s auxiliary po...

Page 5: ...atteries Do not attempt to charge LiPo batteries with the Traxxas charger included in this package Make sure you understand how to use your LiPo batteries Be aware that Traxxas shall not be liable for any special indirect incidental or consequential damages arising out of the installation and or use of LiPo batteries in Traxxas models If you have questions about LiPo battery usage please consult w...

Page 6: ...LS SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Your model comes with a set of specialty metric tools You ll need to purchase other items available from your hobby dealer to operate and maintain your model 4 AA alkaline batteries 2 0mm L wrench 1 5mm L wrench 4 way wrench U joint wrench Supplied Tools and Equipment Required Equipment Battery and charger style are subject to change and may vary from images 7 ce...

Page 7: ...Box Battery Hold Down Caster Block Steering Block Battery LED Light Pipe Antenna Mount Front Suspension Arm Front Bumper Steering Servo Shock Toe Link Front Camber Link Rear Camber Link Rear Shock Tower Traxxas High Current Connector Chassis Front Body Mount Front Shock Tower Drive Shaft Half Shaft Rear Suspension Arm Rear Body Mount ANATOMY OF THE SLASH 4X4 ...

Page 8: ...e from outside sources 3 Install batteries in the transmitter See page 12 8 Detail your model See sidebar page 9 The transmitter requires 4 AA alkaline batteries sold separately Apply other decals if desired 4 Install the battery pack in the model See page 13 9 Drive your model See page 20 Your model requires a fully charged battery pack Driving tips and adjustments for your model 5 Turn on the ra...

Page 9: ...at energize the electromagnetic windings in sequence to provide rotation Opposite of a brushed motor the brushless motor has its windings coils on the perimeter of the motor can and the magnets are mounted to the spinning rotor shaft Cogging Cogging is a condition sometimes associated with brushless motors Typically it is a slight stutter noticed when accelerating from a stop It happens for a very...

Page 10: ...older tabs Transmitter The hand held radio unit that sends throttle and steering instructions to your model Trim The fine tuning adjustment of the neutral position of the servos made by adjusting the throttle and steering trim knobs on the face of the transmitter Note The Multi Function knob must be programmed to serve as a throttle trim adjustment Thermal Shutdown Protection Temperature sensing e...

Page 11: ...ery Compartment Set Button Menu Button Red Green Status LED see page 31 for more info Link Button LED Sensor Expansion Port Antenna Receiver Sound Control Module to Sound Control Module Steering Servo Channel 1 CH3 Shift Channel Green Connector CH2 ESC Signal Out Gray Connector CH1 Steering Servo to Sound Output Modules on body Brushless Motor see sidebar for proper motor wiring Motor Cap Traxxas ...

Page 12: ... the correct orientation as indicated in the battery compartment 3 Reinstall the battery door and snap it closed 4 Turn on the transmitter and check the status indicator for a solid green light If the status LED flashes red the transmitter batteries may be weak discharged or possibly installed incorrectly Replace with new batteries The power indicator light does not indicate the charge level of th...

Page 13: ...e included foam block in the front of the battery compartment The Traxxas High Current Connector Your model is equipped with the Traxxas High Current Connector Standard connectors restrict current flow and are not capable of delivering the power needed to maximize the output of the VXL 3s The Traxxas connector s gold plated terminals with large contact surfaces ensure positive current flow with th...

Page 14: ...ments and capabilities of your model To change the throttle neutral adjust position turn the transmitter off before adjusting the neutral position You will need to reprogram your electronic speed control to recognize the 70 30 setting Turn to ESC Setup Programming on page 17 for instructions Steering Trim The electronic steering trim located on the face of the transmitter adjusts the neutral cente...

Page 15: ...urn off the receiver on your model followed by the hand held transmitter Range Testing the Radio System Before each running session with your model you should range test your radio system to ensure that it operates properly 1 Turn on the radio system and check its operation as described in the previous section 2 Have a friend hold the model Make sure hands and clothing are clear of the wheels and ...

Page 16: ... surfaces with very little traction loose dirt smooth concrete ice snow increase TSM to maximize acceleration and control Drive with TSM on and off to test how it is making your control of the vehicle easier and more precise For more information visit Traxxas com tsm Note TSM must be completely turned off while adjusting steering trim SETTING UP THE ANTENNA The receiver antenna has been set up and...

Page 17: ...factory defaults Otherwise you may not get the best performance from your speed control The transmitter should be adjusted as follows If the transmitter settings have been adjusted reset them to the factory defaults 1 Turn the transmitter off 2 Hold both MENU and SET 3 Turn the transmitter on 4 Release MENU and SET The transmitter LED will blink red 5 Press SET to clear settings The LED will turn ...

Page 18: ...o drive SelectingTrainingMode Profile 3 50 Forward 100 Brakes 50 Reverse 1 Connect a fully charged battery pack to the VXL 3s and turn on your transmitter 2 With the VXL 3s off press and hold the EZ Set button until the LED turns solid green then solid red and then begins blinking red indicating the Profile numbers 3 When the LED blinks red three times release the EZ Set button 4 The LED will blin...

Page 19: ...est setting 5 Reinstall the body Driving Your Model with Sound 1 Start with the red rocker switch in Park 2 Tap the throttle to hear the engine start 3 Pull the throttle to hear the engine rev 4 Move the switch to drive pull the throttle and leave your friends in the dust Note After 10 seconds with no throttle you ll hear the sound of the engine shut down and the sound control module will automati...

Page 20: ...produce small vibrations that may loosen hardware over time Frequently check wheel nuts and other screws on your vehicle to ensure that all hardware remains properly tightened About Run Time A large factor affecting run time is the type and condition of your batteries The milliamp hour mAh rating of the batteries determines how large their fuel tank is A 3000mAh battery pack will theoretically run...

Page 21: ...utions Velineon motor life can be greatly reduced in mud and water If the motor gets excessively wet or submerged use very light throttle run the motor slowly until the excess water can run out Applying full throttle to a motor full of water can cause rapid motor failure Your driving habits will determine motor life with a wet motor Do not submerge the motor under water Do not gear the motor by te...

Page 22: ... box The patent pending wire clamp feature gives you the ability to also install aftermarket radio systems and maintain the watertight features of the receiver box Removing the Receiver 1 To remove the cover remove the two 3x10mm button head cap screws 2 To remove the receiver from the box simply lift it out and set to the side The antenna wire is still inside the clamp area and cannot be removed ...

Page 23: ...ront wheels to 1 2 of negative camber In the rear adjust the wheels to 1 2 of negative camber These adjustments should be set with the truck positioned at its normal ride height Shock Mounting Positions Big bumps and rough terrain require a softer suspension with the maximum possible suspension travel and ride height Racing on a prepared track or on road use requires a lower ride height and firmer...

Page 24: ... transmitter s batteries are not depleted 4 Turn off TSM see page 16 5 Turn the transmitter s steering trim knob to the center 0 position 6 Disconnect motor wires A and C see page 11 to prevent the motor from turning during the next steps Connect a fresh battery pack to the speed control and turn on the ESC see page 17 The servo s output shaft will automatically jump to its center position 7 Insta...

Page 25: ... Inspect the driveline for signs of wear such as worn drive yokes dirty axle half shafts and any unusual noise or binding If a U joint pops apart then it is time to replace the part Remove the gear cover Inspect the spur gear for wear and check the tightness of the set screws in the pinion gears Tighten clean or replace components as needed Storage When you are through running the model for the da...

Page 26: ...sion move the inner camber link ends up to a different attachment hole Position 1 or 2 Position 4 is the stock setting To lower the roll center further move the outer camber link ends to the lower position on the C hub Bump steer correction Bump steer refers to unwanted steering inputs caused by suspension movement Slash 4X4 s suspension geometry is designed to minimize bump steer If you are using...

Page 27: ... for proper charging use and storage of LiPo batteries Make sure you understand how to use your LiPo batteries See Safety Precautions and warnings on page 4 for more information TEMPERATURES AND COOLING Monitoring temperatures will extend the lives of the batteries and motors There are many options available that will help you monitor temperatures and cool your components Temperature sensor To acc...

Page 28: ...o overturn on high traction surfaces From the factory the front differential is filled with SAE 30 000W viscosity silicone oil The rear differential is filled with grease but can also be tuned with silicone differential oil Only use silicone oil in the differentials Traxxas offers SAE 10 000W 30 000W and 50 000W viscosity oil see your parts list The differentials have to be removed from the vehicl...

Page 29: ...he case 8 To reinstall the differential reverse the steps Refilling the differential 1 Remove the four 2 5x10mm screws from the differential case and carefully pull the diff case halves apart Work over a towel to collect any fluid that drips from the differential 2 Drain the fluid from the differential You may wish to remove the spider gears from the differential to make this easier 3 Place the sp...

Page 30: ...rvo travel applied to steering Turning the Multi Function knob fully clockwise will deliver maximum steering throw turning the knob counterclockwise reduces steering throw note turning the dial counterclockwise to its stop will eliminate all servo travel Be aware that the steering End Point settings define the servo s maximum steering throw If you set Steering Percentage to 100 by turning the Mult...

Page 31: ...member the Steering Percentage setting Adjustments you make to Steering Sensitivity will be applied to the 50 steering throw setting you selected previously Likewise setting the Multi Function knob to disabled will prevent the knob from making further adjustments but the last setting of the Multi Function knob will still apply Failsafe Your Traxxas radio system is equipped with a built in failsafe...

Page 32: ...a list of model memory entries The transmitter and receiver do it all for you automatically To activate Model Lock 1 Switch on the transmitter and receiver you wish to lock 2 Press and hold MENU Release when the status LED blinks green 3 Press MENU three times The status LED will blink green four times repeatedly 4 Press SET The status LED will blink green in single flash intervals 5 Press SET onc...

Page 33: ...rough the TQi transmitter s various settings and functions Press and hold MENU to enter the Menu Tree and use the following commands to navigate through the menu and select options MENU When you enter a menu you always start at the top Press MENU to move down the Menu Tree When you reach the bottom of the tree pressing MENU again will return you to the top SET Press SET to move across the Menu Tre...

Page 34: ... LED blinks Press SET red LED blinks x3 Press MENU twice red LED blinks x3 Turn steering wheel to desired max left and right travel x8 Press SET to save each position Turn steering wheel to test settings IF END POINTS ARE OK Press hold MENU returns to driving mode IF END POINTS NEED TO BE CHANGED Press SET and repeat steps 6 8 To reset the END POINTS of STEERING servo to defaults Press hold MENU g...

Page 35: ...or averages Use the recording function to document your dashboard view with sound so that you can keep your eyes on your driving and not miss a single apex Manage up to 30 Models with Traxxas Link The TQi radio system automatically keeps track of what vehicles it has bound to and what settings were used for each up to 30 models total Traxxas Link provides a visual interface to name the models cust...

Page 36: ...owner s manual 6200 TRAXXAS WAY McKINNEY TEXAS 75070 1 888 TRAXXAS 150428 68086 21 OM EN R00 ...

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