16 • TRAXXAS RALLY
ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
VXL-3s Specifications
Input voltage:
4.8-11.1V (4 to 9 cells NiMH
or 2S to 3S LiPo)
Supported Motors:
Brushed
Sensored brushless
Sensorless 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
See page 24 for advanced
VXL-3s features and setup.
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.
Your model includes a Power Cell NiMH battery. The VXL-3s speed control’s
Low Voltage Detection has been disabled for best performance with
this battery. The speed control’s LED will glow red when it is turned on,
indicating Low Voltage Detection is disabled. Be certain to activate Low-
Voltage Detection if you install LiPo batteries in your model.
Never use LiPo
batteries while Low-Voltage Detection is disabled.
Verify that Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED:
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 setting have been adjusted, reset them to the factory defaults.
1. Turn transmitter off.
2. Hold both MENU and SET.
3. Turn 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 driven
wheels are off the ground. Disconnect motor wires “A” and “C” (see page 10),
this will assure 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 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 Red
B
Twice Red
C
Once Green
D
