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#55-1832-1 Rev.4

4-2014

SPECIFICATIONS

Input Voltage ............................................2S LiPo/LiFe cells, 4-7 NiMH cells
Motor Limit (540-size) ............13.5-turn sensor-based Novak brushless crawler
Motor Limit (380-size) ....................Any sensor-based Novak brushless crawler
ESC Footprint & Height ........ 1.15” x 0.95” x 0.79”H (29.0 x 24.3 x 20.0mm)
ESC Weight (w/o wires) ......................................... 0.75 ounce (21.3 grams)
B.E.C. Voltage/Current (built-in) ..............................6.0 volts DC / 2.0 amps
Power Wire (Battery/Motor) ..................................... 14G Super-Flex Silicone
On-Resistance ............................. 0.00057ohm per phase @25°C trans.temp.

WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX!

Allowing water, moisture or other foreign materials to get inside ESC will void warranty.

MUST BE 14 YEARS OR OLDER TO OPERATE

Strict adult supervision is required for use by children under 14 years of age.

SENSOR-BASED BRUSHLESS MOTORS ONLY

Designed for use with 540 & 380-size sensor-based Novak brushless crawler motors.

For optimal Rock Boost performance, earlier Novak Ballistic Crawler motors will need to 

have the mechanical timing of the motor set to 0°

--Loosen bearing cap & adjust timing to 

where the sensor harness connector is directly in-line with the center

 (Phase B)

 solder tab.

NO SCHOTTKY DIODES!

Do not use Schottky diodes with with brushless ESCs!

DO NOT FREE REV OR OPERATE WITHOUT LOAD!

This includes running the motor without a pinion or holding the car in the air and 

running the motor at or close to full power. Free revving will void the warranty!

2S LiPo/LiFe OR 4-7 NiMH CELLS ONLY

NEVER exceed 2S LiPo/LiFe packs--Be sure Voltage Cut-Off option is turned 

ON

 (refer to 

Field Guide)

. For NiCd/NiMH, NEVER exceed 7-cells

 (1.2VDC/cell)

 & disable Voltage Cut-Off.

DISCONNECT BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE

Always disconnect batteries from ESC to avoid short circuits and possible fire hazard.

POWERCAP REQUIRED

An external PowerCap is installed on ESC & MUST be used at all times. Failure to use 

Novak PowerCap will result in higher ESC temperatures & possible damage.

GOOD QUALITY LiPo/LiFe BATTERIES SUGGESTED

Using LiPo/LiFe batteries that cannot supply the amperage required by this system will 

result in possible battery, ESC, & motor damage, and will void the warranty.

TRANSMITTER ON FIRST

Turn on transmitter power first so you will have control of vehicle when you turn it on.

GOOD QUALITY RADIO SYSTEM SUGGESTED

Undesirable radio noise may occur when using lower quality radio systems. 

2.4GHz radio 

system use is best

; high quality FM system is acceptable; AM systems are 

NOT

 recommended.

DO NOT BUNDLE POWER & SIGNAL WIRES TOGETHER

RF noise in the power wires can adversely effect radio system performance.

INSULATE WIRES & NO REVERSE VOLTAGE!

Insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent short circuits, 

& never reverse connect the battery--ESC damage will occur & void warranty.

NO CA GLUE

CA glue or fumes can damage internal components of ESC & cause premature failure.

BASIC SET-UP GUIDE ––– t

imbuk

2 ESC

•  Download “ESC Field Guide” from our web site for Proper Gearing & Custom Programming • Read All Instructions Before Use •

PRECAUTIONS

ACCESSORIES

VOLTAGE cUt-OFF circuitry 

When active, the built-in Smart-Stop Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry lets you safely use 2S 

Lithium Polymer (LiPo) or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe) battery packs by cutting 

off the ESC’s throttle output when the critical safety voltage is reached.
The circuitry monitors the battery voltage and automatically cuts-off the ESC’s 

throttle when the voltage drops to 

6.25V for 2S LiPo, or 4.75V for 2S LiFe

. As the 

ESC approaches the critical safety voltage, it begins interrupting, or “blipping” the 

throttle output as an early warning that the voltage is getting low and the throttle 

output will soon be completely shut off. When the critical voltage is reached, the 

ESC’s throttle output gets completely shut down to keep the voltage from dropping 

further (Red & Yellow LEDs will alternately flash & you still have steering control).

Re-charge battery after Smart-Stop circuitry shuts off throttle

Even though the pack’s voltage will rise (after a short resting period) to a level high 

enough to run motor again, this is not good for LiPo or LiFe batteries.

Reaching critical safety voltage too many times can damage the cells.

 

DO NOT RUN VEHICLE AFTER SMART-STOP HAS SHUT DOWN THROTTLE OUTPUT!

When the ESC is switched ON, the Yellow & Red LEDs will flash 

together 2 times to indicate LiPo/LiFe Cut-Off is 

ACTIVE

.

With the Voltage Cut-Off turned ON & using NiCd/NiMH cells, the ESC’s throttle output will 

shut off very early into the run--Change the Cut-Off Circuitry mode to OFF to use these batteries.

See 

CUSTOM PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

 on ESC Track Guide to properly adjust this setting.

OPTIONAL RECEIVER PACK USAGE

To use an external receiver battery pack to power the electronics:

1.

  Plug the 5 cell (1.2VDC/cell) receiver pack into the battery slot of the receiver.

2.

  Switch the receiver pack ON. Next, turn the ESC’s switch ON, then OFF to 

allow the ESC to be powered by the external power source.

3.

  Turn the receiver pack’s switch OFF to turn the vehicle OFF.

ALTERNATIVE METHOD
1.

  Plug the 5 cell (1.2 VDC/Cell) receiver pack into the battery slot of the receiver.

2.

  Unplug the ESC’s red wire from input receiver harnesse (insulate the red wire).

3.

  To turn the vehicle ON, switch the receiver pack ON. Then, turn the ESC’s switch ON.

4.

  To turn vehicle OFF, turn ESC’s switch OFF, then turn receiver pack’s switch OFF.

PLUG-IN INPUT SIGNAL HARNESS (MINI-JST) 

[Novak kits #5304 & #5309]

Input signal harness with 2mm Mini plug on ESC end--4.5” (#5304), 9” (#5309).

BRUSHLESS MOTOR CONNECTOR WIRE SET 

[Novak kit #5332]

Flexible 14GA wire with gold-plated connectors for low-resistance connections.

BRUSHLESS SENSOR HARNESSES 

[Novak kit #5351-#5353]

Shielded sensor harness protects sensor wires--4” (#5351), 6” (#5352), 9” (#5353).

5-AMP UNIVERSAL BEC (2S) 

[Novak kit #5465]

Supplies 6.0V / 5A of power to receiver & servo for extra performance under heavy loads.

SUPER-FLEX SILICONE 14GA WIRE SET 

[Novak kit #5508]

Two each of 9” length black, red, blue, yellow, and orange 14GA wire.

ESC POWER SWITCH HARNESS 

[Novak kit #5600]

Includes replacement ON/OFF Power Switch with stripped & tinned wire harness.

GLITCH BUSTER CAPACITOR 

[Novak kit #5626]  

*INCLUDED

/

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*

Provides reserve power to receiver during extreme loading from power hungry servos.

25x25x10mm COOLING FANS 

[Novak kits #5649 & #5653]

Cooling fans with 2mm Mini power plug. Single fan (#5649), 2-pack of fans (#5653).

REPLACEMENT POWERCAP HARNESS 

[Novak kit #5682]

1000µF, 16V replacement PowerCap harness for Edge ESC.

POWER CONNECTORS–3.5mm & 4mm 

[Novak kit #5731 & #5741]

Low-Loss connectors generate dozens of wiring routing and installation options.

LEAD-FREE SILVER SOLDER 

[Novak kit #5831-#5833]

3% Silver solder for high-conductivity--6gr (#5831), 15gr (#5832), 100gr (#5833).

MOUNTING TAPE 25x35mm 

[Novak kit #5840 & #5841]

Cushioned, double-sided tape for mounting electronics--10pc (#5840), 100pc (#5841).

HEAT SHRINK TUBING 

[Novak kit #5850 & #5851]

6” long heat shrink tubing in six sizes: 1/16” - 3/8”--6pc kit (#5850), 24pc kit (#5851).

product warranty

This Brushless ESC is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 120 days from 

original purchase date (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 more than 7 cells (1.2 

volts DC/cell) or more than 2 LiPo/LiFe cells input voltage, damage resulting from using LiPo/LiFe batteries without 

Smart-Stop voltage cut-off circuitry active, using insufficient LiPo/LiFe batteries that cannot supply the amperage 

required by this system, cross-connection of battery/motor power wires, overheating solder tabs, reverse voltage 

application, improper use or installation of external BEC, damage resulting from thermal overload or short-circuiting 

motor, damage from incorrect installation of FET servo or receiver battery pack, damage due to free revving motor, 

damage due to using a non-Novak motor or a non-sensored motor, not using or incorrect installation of a PowerCap 

or Power Trans-Cap Module on ESC or operating ESC with a damaged PowerCap, using a Schottky diode, 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 natural disaster.
Because Novak has no control over connection & use of ESC 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 ESC 

& motor is thoroughly tested & cycled before leaving our facility and is, therefore, considered operational. 

By the act of connecting/operating ESC, 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. 

This product is not intended for use by children under 14 years of age without the strict supervision of an 

adult. Use of this product in an uncontrolled manner may result in physical damage or injuries—take extra 

care when operating any remote control vehicle. Melted ESCs/motors are not covered by the warranty.
Designed by Novak R/C, Inc. in California and assembled with globally sourced components.
©2014 Novak R/C, Inc. • All Rights Reserved • No part of these instructions may be reproduced without the 

written permission of Novak R/C, Inc. Timbuk2 Brushless ESC, Rock Boost, Thermal Overload Protection, 

Hall Sensor Test, & One-Touch Set-Up are all trademarks of Novak R/C, Inc.

The Timbuk2 Brushless ESC includes 3 types of adjustable braking, on-board 

programming & temperature monitoring, and Novak’s Rock Boost

TM

 that electronically 

advances the motor timing at full-throttle for explosive rock racing top speeds.

•This ‘Basic Set-Up Guide’ will get your ESC installed and adjusted to your transmitter•

When ready for complete ESC programming, the ‘Timbuk2 Field Guide’ is available in 

the Downloads section of our web site

 (www.teamnovak.com)

, where it can be viewed or 

printed and will guide you through all of the ESC’s adjustable parameters.

(Please contact our Customer Service if you don’t have internet access or have trouble viewing the ESC Track Guide)

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