Important Precautions
VXL-6s Speed Control
•
Disconnect the Battery:
Always disconnect the battery or batteries from the
speed control when not in use.
•
Insulate the Wires:
Always insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink tubing to
prevent short circuits.
•
Transmitter on First:
Switch on your transmitter first before switching on the
speed control to prevent runaways and erratic performance.
•
Don’t Get Burned:
The ESC and motor can become extremely hot during use, so
be careful not to touch them until they cool. Supply adequate airflow for cooling.
•
Use Traxxas High-Current Connectors:
Do not change the battery and motor
connectors. Improper wiring can cause fire or damage to the ESC. Please note
that modified speed controls can be subject to a rewiring fee when returned
for service.
•
No Reverse Voltage:
The ESC is not protected against reverse polarity voltage.
•
No Schottky Diodes:
External Schottky diodes are not compatible with reversing
speed controls. Using a Schottky diode with your speed control will damage the
ESC and void the warranty.
•
Always
adhere to the minimum and maximum limitations of the speed control as
stated in the specifications. Your ESC operates on two batteries. Do not mix battery
types, capacities, or charge levels. Use the same voltage, capacity, and charge level
for both batteries. Using mismatched battery packs could damage the batteries
and electronic speed control.
Installation
The VXL-6s will install directly into most Traxxas models in the location of the
original speed control. The VXL-6s can also be installed in the chassis with double-
sided servo tape (part #1589, sold separately). When mounting the speed control
with double-sided servo tape, clean both application surfaces thoroughly with
alcohol. The surfaces must be perfectly clean for maximum adhesion.
Here are some tips for choosing a location for the speed control:
• Monitoring temperatures will extend the lives of the batteries, motor, and
speed control. To ensure the speed control does not enter premature thermal
shutdown, install it in a well-ventilated location that will provide adequate
airflow during use. The VXL-6s is equipped with
a cooling fan to assist in cooling
the speed control in high current motor applications.
• When mounting power components in a vehicle (wiring, motor, ESC), ensure that
none of the parts come into contact with any part of the radio system, particularly
the antenna wire. The receiver should be mounted so the antenna wire can be
extended as far away from the speed control as possible. The antenna wire should
be extended vertically in the mast and not wrapped on the chassis under the
body. Excess antenna wire should not be coiled on the chassis. Servo cables and
the antenna wire should not cross or come in contact with any of the motor or
battery wires. These steps will help reduce the possibility of radio interference.
• Mount the speed control where it will be protected from crash damage. Also,
protect the speed control from dirt and debris kicked up by the tires.
• Mount the speed control where you will have easy access to the plugs and the
on/off (EZ-Set®) button without having to remove the body.
VXL-6s Wiring
The VXL-6s electronic speed control is capable of controlling sensorless brushless
motors. The VXL-6s auto-detects the motor type and has numerous built-in
safeguards to prevent damage from miswiring or damaged wiring.
Sensorless brushless motors
Sensorless motors are the easiest and most reliable brushless motor type.
The VXL-6s is optimized to deliver the smoothest possible sensorless motor
performance. The Traxxas 2200Kv motor is a sensorless brushless motor. The
wiring (phase alignment) of the motor determines its direction of rotation. Refer
to the wiring diagram below.
Transmitter Setup
Traxxas TQi Radio Systems
Before attempting to program your VXL-6s, it is important to make sure your TQi
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:
1. Set the throttle neutral switch to the 50/50 setting. This adjusts the
transmitter’s throttle trigger throw to 50% for throttle and 50% for braking and
reverse. Experienced users may wish to use the 70/30 setting if more broad
proportional control is desired in forward than with braking and reverse. This
might be desirable in a racing environment where reverse is disabled.
2. Set the throttle trim control to the middle 0 setting.
3. You are now ready to program your speed control.
Aftermarket (Non-Traxxas) Transmitters
The following instructions are provided as a general reference only for those who
are using non-Traxxas transmitters. Consult your transmitter’s instructions for
information on how to change the settings.
1. Set the High ATV (adjustable travel volume) or EPA (end point adjustment) to the
maximum setting. This is the amount of servo throw at full throttle.
2. Set the Low ATV, EPA or ATL (low side only trim adjustment) to the maximum
setting. This is the amount of servo throw at full brakes or reverse.
3. Set the throttle trim to the middle (neutral setting).
4. Set the throttle channel reversing switch to either position. Do not change the
switch position after programming.
5. Set the trigger throw adjustment to 50% throttle and 50% brake (either
mechanical or electronic).
6. Set the exponential setting (if equipped) to the zero or fully linear setting.
Aftermarket Receivers
The VXL-6s is compatible with most aftermarket receivers. By
removing the tab on the edge of the power connector, the VXL-6s
can be plugged directly into some models of Futaba®, Airtronics®,
Hitec®, and JR® receivers. Please refer to the manufacturer’s wiring
diagrams that came with your receiver.
On the VXL-6s, the red wire is positive, the black wire is negative, and the white wire
is the control wire.
WARNING:
On some older Airtronics® radio systems, the positive
and negative terminals are opposite of the VXL-6s and an adapter is required.
Crossing the red (+) and black (-) wires could damage the receiver and the VXL-6s.
Study the manufacturer’s wiring diagrams closely, or consult your hobby dealer.
Low Voltage Detection
The
VXL-6s electronic
speed control includes Low-Voltage Detection circuitry for
use with LiPo batteries and is factory set with Low-Voltage Detection activated.
When
you turn your model on, the speed control’s status LED will light green.
DO
NOT use Low-Voltage Detection with NiMH batteries or you will experience poor
performance.
The Low-Voltage Detection circuitry constantly monitors the battery
voltage and will
alert the driver when LiPo batteries have reached their minimum
voltage (discharge) threshold
. I
t is the driver’s responsibility to stop immediately to
prevent the battery pack from being discharged below its safe minimum threshold.
When the battery voltage becomes low (Stage 1), the
VXL-6s
will limit the power
output to 50% throttle.
The voltage LED (V) on the ESC will be solid red. Stop driving
and recharge the batteries. If the battery voltage becomes critical, then the ESC will
engage Stage 2 Low-Voltage Detection and the vehicle will stop. The voltage LED (V) on
the ESC will flash red.
The
VXL-6s
will stay in this mode until fully charged batteries
are connected. Be certain Low-Voltage Detection is enabled if you install LiPo
batteries in your model.
VXL-6s
Verify that Low-Voltage Detection is activated:
1. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
2. Connect two fully charged battery packs to the VXL-6s.
3. Press and release the EZ-Set button to turn the VXL-6s on. If the LED is solid green,
then Low-Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED. If the LED is solid red, then the Low-
Voltage Detection is DISABLED (not safe to use LiPo batteries).
To activate Low-Voltage Detection (LiPo setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the VXL-6s is on and red.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds. The LED will
turn off and then light green.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now ACTIVATED.
For NiMH battery users, follow these steps to disable Low-Voltage Detection
(NiMH setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the VXL-6s is on and green.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds. The LED will
turn off and then light red.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now DISABLED.
VXL-6s 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 two fully charged battery packs to the VXL-6s.
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.
VXL-6s
+ Positive
- Negative
A (Blue)
B (Black)
C (White)
+ Positive
- Negative
A (Blue)
B (Black)
C (White)
VXL-6s
Motor
WARNING: FIRE HAZARD!
Do not use LiPo batteries while Low-Voltage Detection
is disabled (red LED on the ESC).
Green then Red
A
