STEP 4
HOOK-UP INSTRUCTIONS
Refer to set-up photo below
1. INSTALL MOTOR CAPACITORS
Electric motors generate radio noise that can interfere
with your receiver and cause radio problems. Included
in the accessory kit with the speed control are three
0.1
µ
F (50V) non-polarized, ceramic capacitors. These
capacitors must be installed on every motor to help
reduce the noise generated by the motor and also to
prevent possible damage to the speed control.
Solder 0.1
µ
F (50V) capacitors between:
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & NEGATIVE (
-
) motor tab.
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
• NEGATIVE (
-
) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
*If your motor does not have a ground tab, solder the
capacitor leads to the can of the motor as shown below.
Negative (-) motor tab
0.1
µ
F Capacitors
Schottky diode
Positive (+) motor tab
Ground / motor can
2. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE RECEIVER
After the proper input plug plastic has been installed
to match the receiver (Refer to Step 1), plug the speed
control into the
THROTTLE CHANNEL
of the receiver.
3. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE BATTERY PACK
Plug the white JST connector from the speed control
into the JST/Tamiya style connector on a fully charged
6 or 7 cell battery pack
(1.2 volts DC/cell)
. The black
wire is negative (-) and the red wire is positive (+).
4. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE MOTOR
Plug the bullet connector on the red wire (+) of the
speed control to motor positive. Plug the other bullet
connector, on the blue wire (-), to motor negative.
USE ONLY STOCK AND MILD MODIFIED MOTORS with
the Explorer II speed control––Using hotter motors and
lower gear ratios will cause speed control to overheat.
TIP:
Twisting the BLUE & RED motor wires one or two times around
each other as they go to motor can help reduce any radio noise
that may be emitted from the power wires. Refer to Set-Up photo.
5. OPTIONAL USE OF SCHOTTKY DIODE
The Explorer II does not require an external Schottky
diode. However, using one will increase the efficiency
and reduce the operating temperature of the ESC.
Solder the lead
CLOSEST
to the silver stripe on the body
of the Schottky diode to the
POSITIVE
(+) motor tab.
Solder the lead
OPPOSITE
the silver stripe on the body
of the Schottky to the
NEGATIVE
(-) motor tab.
Schottky diodes are available in Novak kit #5640.
If installed backwards, a Schottky diode will be destroyed. The body
of a bad diode will normally crack open. Replace only with Schottky
diodes that have a minimum rating of 35 volts / 8 amps.
Proper transmitter adjustment is important for optimum
performance from your speed control. The basic throttle
channel adjustments for the transmitter are as follows:
1.
Set
HIGH ATV
or
EPA
to
maximum
setting.
[Controls amount of throw from neutral to full throttle]
2.
Set
LOW ATV
,
EPA
, or
ATL
to
maximum
setting.
[Controls amount of throw from neutral to full brakes]
[Reduce this after ESC adjustment to reduce amount of brakes]
3.
Set
EXPONENTIAL
to
zero
setting.
[Controls the linearity of the throttle channel]
4.
Set
THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM
to
middle
setting.
[Adjusts the neutral position of speed control]
[Increase or decrease after ESC adjustment to adjust coast
brakes––can be used to give braking in neutral trigger position]
5.
Set
THROTTLE CHANNEL REVERSING SWITCH
to
either
position.
[Do not change switch position after programming]
6.
Set
ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT
to
70% throttle
and
30% brake
throw (or 7:3).
[Adjusts pistol-grip transmitter’s throttle trigger throw]
7.
Set
MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT
to position with
2/3 throttle
and
1/3 brake
throw.
[Adjusts pistol-grip transmitter’s throttle trigger throw]
STEP 5
TRANSMITTER ADJUSTMENT
STEP 6
SPEED CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
Before beginning this step, the speed control should be
connected to the receiver and to a charged 6 or 7 cell
battery pack, and the transmitter should be adjusted.
Adjustment of your Explorer II speed control is required for
proper operation. When the status LED is red, the speed
control is in the neutral position (no throttle or brake).
When the status LED is green, the speed control is either at
the full throttle or full brake position.
1. CONNECT THE BATTERY
Plug the speed control into a fully charged 6 or 7 cell
nickel-cadmium battery pack.
2. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER
3. TURN ON THE SPEED CONTROL
Slide the
ON/OFF
switch to the
ON
position.
4. PRESS AND HOLD SPEED CONTROL’S SET BUTTON
With transmitter throttle at neutral, press and hold the
ESC
SET
button until the status
LED
turns solid red
.
5. RELEASE ESC SET BUTTON WHEN LED IS RED
6. PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION
Hold it there until the status
LED
turns solid green
.
NOTE: The motor will not run during programming even if it
is connected to the speed control.
7. PUSH TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-BRAKE
Hold it there until the status
LED
blinks green
.
8. RETURN TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO NEUTRAL
Status
LED
will turn solid red
, indicating that throttle is
at neutral and proper programming has been completed.
9. CHECK OPERATION OF THE SPEED CONTROL
Connect the motor and check for proper operation.
With no throttle or brake applied the status LED should
be solid red and the motor should not be running. At
full throttle the status LED should be solid green and
the motor running full speed. At full brakes the status
LED should be green and the motor not running.
10.
SET THE COAST BRAKE AT TRANSMITTER
(optional)
Adjust the
THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM
on the transmit-
ter to get more or less coast brake. This is accomplished
by slightly shifting the neutral position. After adjustment
be sure that the status LED is still green at full throttle.
Speed control is programmed & ready to run
!
If transmitter settings are changed at any time after the speed
control has been set-up, it will be necessary to complete the
programming sequence once again.
If you experience any problems during programming, turn off
the speed control and repeat the programming process.
BRAKE LIGHTS
The Explorer II speed control is equipped with a built-in
brake light circuit that can power two LEDs. A complete
brake light accessory kit is available from Novak (kit
#5655) and includes two high power LEDs, two brake
light mounting brackets that allow mounting to most any
vertical or horizontal surface of the car (including inside the
tail light area of the body), double-sided tape, and wiring.
To connect brake lights to the Explorer II:
1.
Strip about 1/8" of insulation off of both the red and
the black small (26 gauge) wires that exit the back of
the speed control along with the larger 16 gauge
battery and motor wires.
2.
Strip about 1/8" of insulation off both ends of the small
(26 gauge) extension wires that are the correct length
to reach the position that the brake light is mounted.
3.
Solder the extension wires onto the brake light wires
from the speed control. If two LEDs are to be used, then
solder two extension wires to each of the brake light
wires from the speed control. Insulate the solder joints
with heat shrink tubing.
4.
Solder the end of the extension wire from the red brake
light wire to the lead on the notched or flat side of the
LED. Solder the end of the extension wire from the black
brake light wire to the other lead of the LED. Insulate
solder joints with heat shrink tubing.
Note: Some LEDs have the flat on the negative side. If LED
does not illuminate, reverse the red and black brake light wires.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE
This section describes possible speed control problems,
causes, and solutions.
Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run
• Speed control has thermally shut down––Allow ESC to
cool down––Use milder motor or smaller pinion gear.
• Check motor connections. Check motor and brushes.
• Make sure ESC is plugged into the throttle channel of
receiver. Check throttle channel operation with a servo.
Check wiring color sequence of receiver signal harness.
• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
Receiver Glitches/Throttle Stutters During Acceleration
• Motor capacitors broken or missing––Refer to Step 4.
• Receiver or antenna too close to speed control, power
wires, battery, or motor––Refer to Step 3.
• Bad connections––Check wiring and connectors.
• Motor brushes worn––Replace brushes.
• Excessive current to motor––Use a milder motor or a
smaller pinion gear.
Motor and Steering Servo Do Not Work
• Check wires, receiver signal harness wiring and color
sequence, radio system, crystals, battery and motor
connectors, and battery pack.
• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
Model Runs Slowly / Slow Acceleration
• Check motor and battery connectors––Replace if needed.
• Bad battery or motor––Check operation with another.
• Incorrect transmitter or speed control adjustment––Re-
fer to Steps 5 and 6.
• Optional external Schottky diode (if used) installed
backwards or damaged––Refer to Step 4.
Motor Runs Backwards
• Motor wired backwards––Check wiring and reverse.
• Backwards motor timing––Reverse motor end bell.
ESC Is Melted Or Burnt/ESC Runs With Switch Off
• Internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
*For more help call our Customer Service Department.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
Before sending in your Explorer II for service, review the
Trouble-Shooting guide and the instructions. The ESC
may appear to have failed when other problems exist.
PLEASE NOTE:
Speed controls that operate normally
when received will be charged a minimum service fee
and return shipping costs.
WHAT TO SEND: Fill out all of the information requested
on the enclosed
ESC SERVICE CARD
and return it with
your speed control.
WARRANTY WORK: For warranty work, you MUST CLAIM
WARRANTY on the
ESC SERVICE CARD
and include a valid
cash register receipt with purchase date on it, or an in-
voice from previous service work. If warranty provisions
have been voided there will be a service charge.
SERVICE COSTS: Customer is responsible for all service
costs (parts, labor, and shipping/handling charges). See
ESC SERVICE CARD
for payment and shipping options.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
• Hobby dealers or distributors are not authorized to re-
place speed controls thought to be defective.
• If a hobby dealer returns your speed control for service,
submit a completed
ESC SERVICE CARD
to the dealer
and make sure it is included with the speed control.
• Novak Electronics, Inc. does not make any electronic
components (transistors, resistors, etc.) available for sale.
• To provide the most efficient service possible to our cus-
tomers, it is not our policy to contact customers by
phone or mail.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Novak Electronics, Inc. guarantees the Explorer II to be free
from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 120
days from original date of purchase (verified by dated, itemized
sales receipt). Warranty does not cover incorrect installation,
components worn by use, damage from using fewer than 6 or
more than 7 cells (1.2 volts DC/cell) input voltage, short-circuit-
ing heat sinks, cross-connection of battery/motor, damage from
incorrect installation of FET servo or receiver battery pack, dam-
age from excessive force while installing heat sinks or pushing
One-Touch button, not installing three 0.1
µ
F (50V) capacitors
on motor, splices to switch or receiver signal harnesses, using
same type and gender battery and motor connectors, damage
from disassembling case, tampering with internal electronics, al-
lowing water, moisture, or any other foreign material to enter
ESC or get onto PC board, incorrect installation of alternate in-
put plug plastic, allowing exposed wiring to short-circuit, or any
damage caused by a crash.
In no case shall our liability exceed product's original cost. We
reserve the right to modify warranty provisions without notice.
Because Novak Electronics, Inc. has no control over connection
and use of the ESC, no liability may be assumed nor will be ac-
cepted for damage resulting from the use of this product. Every
ESC is thoroughly tested and cycled before leaving our facility
and is, therefore, considered operational. By the act of connect-
ing/operating ESC, the user accepts all resulting liability.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS (PST)
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
(closed every other Fri.)
(949) 833-8873 • FAX (949) 833-1631
©1998 Novak Electronics, Inc. • All Rights Reserved
No part of these operating instructions may be reproduced without the
written permission of Novak Electronics, Inc.
All Novak speed controls are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.
Explorer II™, MEGAFET™, Polar Drive Technology™, Radio Priority Cir-
cuitry™, One-Touch Set-Up™, Smart Braking Circuitry™, Digital Anti-
Glitch Circuitry™, & Input Plug System™ are trademarks of Novak Electronics, Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A. 11/98 • #IM-1910-1
blue wire
(motor negative)
red wire
(motor positive)
Trail excess wire
off antenna mast.
(Do not cut or coil)
Tip:
Twist motor wires
to reduce radio noise!
Keep receiver
and antenna
away from
motor, servo,
battery, and
power wires.
red wire
(battery positive)
black wire
(battery negative)
(-)
(+)
Mount switch
where it will be
easy to get to.
(-)
(+)
EXPLORER SET-UP
Extra 0.1
µ
F capacitors
available in Novak kit #5620.
