10 • SLASH
THE TRAXXAS TQ RADIO SYSTEM
Use the Right Charger
The most convenient type
of charger for charging
battery packs is an AC
peak-detecting charger
that plugs directly into an
AC wall outlet, such as the
TRX EZ-Peak
™
(Part #2930).
It contains special peak-
detection circuitry that
automatically shuts the
charger off when a battery
is fully charged.
The following Traxxas High
Current Connector packages
are available from your
hobby dealer. When using
adapters, be careful not to
exceed the current rating
of the Molex connector. See
page 11 for more information.
Part #3060
Single Male/Female
Part #3080
2-Pack Female
Part #3070
2-Pack Male
Part #3061
Male Charge Adapter
Part #3062
Female Charge Adapter
RADIO AND POWER SYSTEM TERMINOLOGY
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these radio and power
system terms. They will be used throughout this manual.
BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit)
- The BEC can either be in the receiver or
in the ESC. This circuit allows the receiver and servos to be powered by
the main battery pack in an electric model. This eliminates the need to
carry a separate pack of 4 AA batteries to power the radio equipment.
Channel
- The 27 MHz frequency band is divided into 6 channels so that
up to six models can be operated simultaneously. Each channel is
referred to by its flag color and channel number, as shown below.
Clearing your frequency
- A routine, verbal check to make sure nobody else
in your area is operating on the same channel. Always clear your frequency
by calling out your channel number before operating your model. Wait or
move to another area if your channel is already being used.
Crystal (X-tal)
- The plug-in device that determines which channel the
radio system will operate on. For each channel, there are two crystals,
one for the receiver and one for the transmitter. Of those two crystals,
the one marked with the lower number (.455 MHz lower) must be
inserted into the receiver.
Current
- Current is a measure of power flow through the electronics,
usually measured in amps. If you look at wire like a garden hose,
current is a measure of how much water is flowing through the hose.
ESC (Electronic Speed Control)
- An electronic speed control is the
electronic motor control inside the model. The XL-5 uses MOSFET
power transistors to provide precise, digital proportional throttle
control. Electronic speed controls use power more efficiently than
mechanical speed controls so that the batteries run longer. An
electronic speed control also has circuitry that prevents loss of steering
and throttle control as the batteries lose their charge.
Frequency band
- The radio frequency used by the transmitter to send
signals to your model. All Traxxas RTR models operate on a 27 MHz
frequency band.
LiPo
- Abbreviation for Lithium Polymer. Rechargeable LiPo battery
packs are known for their special chemistry that allows extremely
high energy density and current handling in a compact size. These are
high performance batteries that require special care and handling. For
advanced users only.
mAh
– Abbreviation for milliamp hour. A measure of the capacity of the
battery pack. The higher the number, the longer the battery will last
between recharges.
Neutral position
- The standing position that the servos seek when the
transmitter controls are at the neutral setting.
NiCad
- Abbreviation for nickel-cadmium. The original rechargeable
hobby pack, NiCad batteries have very high current handling, high
capacity, and can last up to 1000 charging cycles. Good charging
procedures are required to reduce the possibility of developing a
“memory” effect and shortened run times.
NiMH
- Abbreviation for nickel-metal hydride. Rechargeable NiMH
batteries offer high current handling, and much greater resistance to the
“memory” effect. NiMH batteries generally allow higher capacity than
NiCad batteries. They can last up to 500 charge cycles. A peak charger
designed for NiMH batteries is required for optimal performance.
Receiver
- The radio unit inside your model that receives signals from the
transmitter and relays them to the servos.
Resistance
- In an electrical sense, resistance is a measure of how an
object resists or obstructs the flow of current through it. When flow is
constricted, energy is converted to heat and is lost.
Servo
- Small motor unit in your model that operates the steering mechanism.
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 sliders on the face of
the transmitter.
Thermal Shutdown Protection
- Temperature sensing electronics are
used in the ESC to detect overloading and overheating of the transistor
circuitry. If excessive temperature is detected, the unit automatically
shuts down to prevent damage to the electronics.
2-channel radio system
- The TQ radio system, consisting of the receiver,
the transmitter, and the servos. The system uses two channels: one to
operate the throttle and one to operate the steering.
Voltage
- Voltage is a measure of the electrical potential difference
between two points, such as between the positive battery terminal
and ground. Using the analogy of the garden hose, while current is the
quantity of water flow in the hose, voltage corresponds to the pressure
that is forcing the water through the hose.
Channel
Frequency
Band
Flag
Color
Traxxas
Part No.
1
26.995
Brown
2031
2
27.045
Red
2032
3
27.095
Orange
2033
4
27.145
Yellow
2034
5
27.195
Green
2035
6
27.255
Blue
2036
