TRAXXAS • 17
VXL-3s Specifications
Input voltage:
4.8-11.1V (4 to 9 cells
NiMH or 2S to 3S LiPo)
Supported Motors:
Brushless
Motor limit:
None
Continuous current:
200A
Peak current :
320A
BEC voltage:
6.0V DC
Transistor type:
MOSFET
Battery connector:
Traxxas High-Current
Connector
Motor connectors:
TRX 3.5mm bullet
connectors
Motor/Battery Wiring:
12-gauge Maxx
®
Cable
Thermal Protection:
2-stage thermal shutdown
ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
VXL-3s Battery Settings (Low-Voltage Detection Setting)
The Velineon VXL-3s electronic speed control is equipped with built-in Low-
Voltage Detection. The Low-Voltage Detection circuitry constantly monitors
the battery voltage. 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.
The VXL-3s speed control’s Low-Voltage Detection has been set up for best
performance with the batteries supplied with your model. If factory-equipped with
NiMH batteries, the speed control’s LED will glow red when it is turned on, indicating
Low-Voltage Detection is disabled. If factory-equipped with LiPo batteries, the LED
will glow green when it is turned on, indicating Low-Voltage Detection is activated.
Never use LiPo batteries while Low-Voltage Detection is disabled.
To verify the Low-Voltage Detection setting:
1. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
2. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the VXL-3s.
3. Press and release the EZ-Set button to turn the VXL-3s on. If the LED is solid red,
then the Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED (not safe to use LiPo batteries). If
the LED is solid green, then Low-Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED.
To activate Low-Voltage Detection (LiPo setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the VXL-3s is on and red.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds.
The LED will turn off and then light green. Also, a
“rising” musical tone will be emitted from the motor.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now ACTIVATED.
To disable Low-Voltage Detection (NiMH setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the VXL-3s is on and green.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds.
The LED will turn off and then light red. Also, a
“falling” musical tone will be emitted from the motor.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now DISABLED.
Transmitter Adjustments for the VXL-3s ESC
Before attempting to program your VXL-3s ESC, it is important to make sure that
your transmitter is properly adjusted (set back to the 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 solid green and the transmitter is
restored to default.
VXL-3s Setup Programming (Calibrating your ESC and transmitter)
Read through all of the programming steps before you begin. If
you get lost during programming or receive unexpected results,
simply unplug the battery, wait a few seconds, plug the battery
back in, and start over.
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the VXL-3s.
2. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
3. Press and hold the EZ-Set button (A). The LED will first
turn green and then red. Release the EZ-Set button.
4. When the LED blinks RED ONCE, pull the throttle trigger
to the full throttle position and hold it there (B).
5. When the LED blinks RED TWICE, push the throttle
trigger to the full reverse and hold it there (C).
6. When the LED blinks GREEN ONCE, programming is complete.
The LED will then shine green or red (depending on Low-Voltage
Detection setting), indicating the VXL-3s is on and at neutral (D).
VXL-3s Operation
To operate the speed control and test programming, place the vehicle on a stable
block or stand so that all of the drive wheels are off the ground. Disconnect motor
wires “A” and “C” (see page 11), this will ensure the motor does not drive the wheels
during testing. Do not test programming without disconnecting the motor wires.
Note that in steps 1-7 below, Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED (factory default)
and the LED shines red. If Low-Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED, the LED will shine
green instead of red in steps 1-7 below.
Never use LiPo batteries while Low-Voltage
Detection is disabled.
1. With the transmitter on, press and release the EZ-Set button. The LED will shine
red. This turns the VXL-3s on.
2. Apply forward throttle. The LED will turn off until full throttle power is reached.
At full throttle, the LED will illuminate red.
3. Move the trigger forward to apply the brakes. Note that braking control is fully
proportional. The LED will turn off until full braking power is reached. At full
brakes, the LED will illuminate red.
4. Return the throttle trigger to neutral. The LED will shine red.
5. Move the throttle trigger forward again to engage reverse (Profile #1).
The LED will turn off. Once full reverse power is reached, the LED
will illuminate red.
6. To stop, return the throttle trigger to neutral. Note that there is a programmed
delay when changing from reverse to forward. This prevents damage to the
transmission on high-traction surfaces.
7. To turn the VXL-3s off, press the EZ-Set button until the LED turns
off (.5 seconds).
Green then Red
A
Once Green
D
Once Red
B
Twice Red
C