NOVAK NOVALINK - V1.4 User manual

Instruction Manual
Version 1.4
1/6/2011
Please update your NovaLink USB Module before running NovaLink 1.4.
(Refer to the NovaLink Device Update section)

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Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Product Overview....................................................................................................................... 3
Items Included........................................................................................................................... 3
Precautions................................................................................................................................ 4
Minimum System Requirements................................................................................................. 4
Software Installation ................................................................................................................. 5
Start Screen ............................................................................................................................ 5
Software Install ...................................................................................................................... 5
Software Registration ............................................................................................................. 6
NovaLink Device Update............................................................................................................. 7
NovaLink Instructions................................................................................................................ 8
Startup.................................................................................................................................... 8
Creating & Saving a Profile ..................................................................................................... 9
Uploading/Updating a Profile.................................................................................................. 9
Resetting to Default Settings ................................................................................................ 10
Sharing Profiles..................................................................................................................... 10
Disconnecting Your ESC ........................................................................................................ 10
Downloading Software Updates ............................................................................................ 10
Saving & Loading Notes ........................................................................................................ 11
ESC Firmware Upgrade............................................................................................................. 12
NovaLink Parameter Definitions............................................................................................... 13
Settings................................................................................................................................. 13
Advanced .............................................................................................................................. 18
Comments & Suggestions......................................................................................................... 21
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................... 21
ESC Disconnected During Firmware Update .......................................................................... 21
NovaLink Not Displaying Properly on Windows 7.................................................................. 21
NovaLink Firmware Updater Displays Error Message ............................................................ 21
ESC Stopped Connecting to NovaLink.................................................................................... 21
Product Warranty..................................................................................................................... 22

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Instruction Manual
Product Overview
The NovaLinkTM provides users with expanded programming adjustability. It comprises a unique module
that easily plugs into the speed control and an included USB cord. Using the integrated software disk,
customers can fine tune the ESC’s multiple parameters by inputting the desired values or using the user-
friendly graphic controls. Additionally, each personalized set of parameters can be stored on a PC to recall
and use again later. These custom-made parameter sets can, also, be shared with other drivers. The
NovaLink will never be outdated due to the easy-to-download software updates available to users on
Novak’s Web site. The NovaLink is compatible with Windows® XP™, Vista™, and 7™ computer-operating
platforms.
PROGRAMMABLE PROFILES (KINETIC)
The NovaLink offers expanded adjustability on some of the Kinetic and Kinetic 1S's parameters. These
profiles can only be adjusted through the NovaLink software
•Fine-tune adjustment for Minimum Brake, Drag Brake, Dead Band and Minimum Drive profiles
(these profiles can be minutely adjusted among the preset values featured on the ESC)
•Personalization of the Throttle and Brake Curves
•Fine-tune adjustment for the LiPo/LiFe Cut-Off Voltage value
•Independent Drag Brake toggle
•Graphical view of ESC and motor temperature sampling
•Retrieval of transmitter endpoint values
•Fine-tune adjustment for RPM Select, Applied Timing and Boost Delay
•Ability to store and share settings; a secondary profile can be downloaded onto the ESC from the
Novak website or fellow driver (the driver's main profile can still be adjusted via the speed control's
on-board programming)
•Ability to update the ESC's firmware in the field
Items Included
1. NovaLink USB Adaptor Module
2. USB Cable
3. NovaLink Software Disk

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System Requirements
Please ensure that the computer you plan to install NovaLink on meets the following minimum
requirements
The NovaLink uses a period (.) as the standard decimal separator. This software will not run if a comma (,) is
used instead. (Some European countries use the comma as the standard decimal separator, whereas the US
and English countries use the period).
Precautions
Check for Firmware Updates!
It is important to make sure you have the latest ESC firmware. (Refer to the “ESC Firmware Upgrade”
section of this manual).
Check for Software Updates!
It is important to make sure you have the latest NovaLink software updates. (Refer to the “Downloading
Software Updates” section of this manual).
Always Unplug the ESC Fan Before Running NovaLink or Firmware Update!
Please remember to always unplug the ESC fan before using NovaLink or ESC Firmware Upgrade. Leaving
the fan plugged in will result in excess current draw that may disable the USB port and electrical noise
generated by the fan may interfere with communication.
Water and Electronics Don’t Mix!
Never allow water, moisture or other foreign materials to get inside the speed controller or the NovaLink.
Water damage will void the product warranty!
Do NOT put the NovaLink pins close to other metal objects!
Putting the metal pins against another metal object can result in shorting the NovaLink circuit. This
damage is not covered under the product’s warranty.
Plug the ESC into the NovaLink Correctly and Carefully!
The metal pins on the NovaLink can be damaged easily if the ESC is not
plugged into the Novalink carefully. The pins are marked with ”White”
and “Black” labels to aid in connecting your ESC correctly. Make sure to
match the labels on the NovaLink module with the color of the wires on
the ESC as shown in the image to the right.
Operating System Windows
®
XP TM 32-bit, Vista TM 32-bit , 7TM 32-bit
The NovaLink is not compatible with 64-bit operating systems
Memory 512 RAM
CPU 1 GHz Processor
Disk 100 MB Disk
Graphics VGA Card (800x600 minimum resolution recommended)
Black
White

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Instruction Manual
Software Installation
1. Insert the NovaLink CD
Start Screen
•Windows XP: If AutoRun is enabled on your computer, the
NovaLink Start Screen will automatically open in your browser.
•Windows Vista & 7: An AutoPlay options window will usually
be displayed. Click “Run NovaLink_Startup.html”
If the Start Screen does not display when the CD is inserted,
navigate to My Computer -> right-click “NovaLink” -> select
“Open” -> double-click NovaLink_Startup.html
Software Install
1. Click Start -> My Computer (or -> Computer)
2. Double-click the NovaLink icon
3. Double-click the Drivers folder
4. Install the drivers
a. Windows XP: double-click the file “NovaLink_Drivers”
b. Windows Vista & 7: right-click “NovaLink_Drivers” and click “Run as Administrator”
i. A black command prompt will pop up during installation
5. Once the black command prompt disappears, plug the NovaLink into the USB
6. Return back to the NovaLink Setup folder by clicking the “Back” button
7. Double-click the Installer folder
8. Install NovaLink by double-clicking on the Setup.exe file
Click “Next” to begin the NovaLink Setup Wizard

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The default installation folder is “C:\Program Files\Novak
Electronics\NovaLink\”. To change the installation folder,
type in the folder path or click “Browse” to select a folder
Click “Next” to continue with the installation
Click “Next” to begin installation
Software Registration
After installation, you can register your software by
clicking “Register Now” or if you plan to skip registration,
click “Next”.
The registration form can be found by navigating to
Start -> All Programs -> Novak Electronics.
Registering your NovaLink will ensure that you receive e-
mails from Novak when new versions of the software or
firmware are available.

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Once the installation is complete, click “Close” to exit the
installation wizard
NovaLink Device Update*
Please run this update on your NovaLink USB Module before using NovaLink 1.4.
1. Go to http://www.teamnovak.com/download/NovaLink/
2. Download the NovaLink Device Updater
3. Double-click the NovaLink_Device_Updater.exe file
4. Click Unzip to unzip the contents to the NovaLink folder
5. The program will automatically launch
6. Once the program launches, click Update (Figure 1)
7. When your module is updated, click Close (Figure 2)
You should only run this update ONCE. The NovaLink Device Updater will
automatically be deleted from your computer once the update is finished.
*This update is only for NovaLink 1.4. If you are using any other versions, please do NOT run this update.
Figure 1
Figure 2

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Instruction Manual
NovaLink Instructions
Startup
1. Make sure to have your USB cable, NovaLink USB Adaptor, and ESC ready
2. Plug the USB cable into your computer’s USB port
3. Plug the NovaLink adaptor into the USB cable
4. Unplug the ESC fan
5. Start the NovaLink program
6. If you are ready to upload and configure your ESC
settings, refer to the Uploading /Updating a
Profile section
Any time One-Touch programming is performed, the speed controller will automatically revert back to
factory-default settings. The only exception is when the Timing settings are programmed via the
NovaLink. These settings are kept in the ESC’s non-volatile memory and when you connect the ESC to
the NovaLink, the following values will be uploaded from the ESC non-volatile memory:
- Timing Set Point
- Max Timing RPM
- Timing Level
- Boost Mode
- Boost Delay
When the ESC is powered up it goes through the following sequence:
1. All five LEDs light up during an internal test cycle.
2. Blue and green LEDs light up while the ESC is looking for the NovaLink. During this time, it is
sending out messages through the input harness and is expecting a return message from the
NovaLink. If no messages are received by the ESC, it times out.
3. Red and yellow LEDs blink twice to indicate Li-poly mode.
4. If the ESC is connected to a receiver and the signal is present, the red, yellow and blue LEDs
light up to indicate that the Neutral PPM signal is present and the Drag brake is enabled (if
Timing is enable, the white LED will also light up).
5. If no signal is present, the red and green LEDs will light up.
NOTE: Make sure to plug in your NovaLink
Adaptor before launching the NovaLink
program
Always unplug the ESC fan before running NovaLink or the ESC Firmware Upgrade!
(refer to Precautions for details)

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Create New Profile
Open Existing Profile
Save Current Profile Suggestion Box
About Us
Firmware Updater
MENU ICONS
Creating & Saving a Profile
1. Click the Create New Profile icon on the menu bar
2. Adjust settings (refer to “NovaLink Parameter
Definitions”)
3. Click the Save Current Profile icon on the menu
bar
4. Choose a location to save the current profile
5. Type in next to File Name the name you would like to
name this profile
6. Click Save (all parameters on both the “Settings” and
“Advanced” tabs are saved)
Uploading/Updating a Profile
1. Plug your ESC into the NovaLink
NOTE: It is important to plug your ESC into the
NovaLink carefully by matching the colors of the wire
to the labels provided on the NovaLink (See Precautions for details)
2. Adjust settings (refer to “NovaLink Parameter Definitions”)
3. Click Update to update your ESC’s settings (your ESC will not be updated
when you press Save)
(Your NovaLink interface will disconnect and reconnect your ESC during this process)
a. Do NOT disconnect your ESC while it is updating (refer to Disconnecting Your ESC)
4. When the NovaLink screen re-appears, the updated profile has been successfully saved to the ESC
NOTE: You do NOT need to have your ESC connected to create and save a profile

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Resetting to Default Settings
1. Click Reset in the top right corner of the interface
2. Resetting your profile will change all your parameters back to its
default values
3. If you plan on using these defaults for your ESC, do not forget to
update your ESC (refer to “Uploading/Updating a Profile”)
Sharing Profiles
NovaLink allows users to share profiles by providing a feature
to open existing profiles. After receiving files from other users,
you can then upload them onto NovaLink to view the
parameters and use them on your own ESC.
1. Click the Open Exiting Profile icon
2. Select the profile you would like to open (.cfg)
3. Click Open
Disconnecting Your ESC
1. Click Disconnect in the top menu bar
or
1. Close the program
2. Remove your ESC
Downloading Software Updates
Please visit http://www.teamnovak.com/products/novalink/ regularly for software updates. If you have
registered your NovaLink, we will notify you by e-mail when updates are available.