NOVAK Timbuk2 User manual

field guide
•For Timbuk2 ESCs with ROCK BOOST•
proper gear selection
4-2014 #55-1832P-1 Rev.5
Motor operating temperature is the ONLY
way to properly set vehicle gearing
The Motor and Speed Control should not exceed
160°F MAX at any time during run!
Change the gearing to avoid overheating!
DO NOT FREE-REV MOTOR !
Free-running your brushless motor in a no-load condition can cause rotor failure
& ESC transistor damage that will not be covered by the product’s warranty.
Because of the potential danger of overheating and ESC/motor damage and
failure, you must start with VERY small pinion sizes and check the speed
control and motor operating temperatures at multiple times throughout the
initial runs after installation. This is the only way to ensure that you are not
causing excessive heating.
If ESC & motor temperatures remain low & stable, you can slowly increase
the pinion size while again monitoring the temperatures to determine the
safe gearing for your vehicle, motor, and climate/track conditions. Because
these variables can change or be modified, you MUST continually monitor
ESC & motor temperatures to protect your electronics from damage.
This Brushless Electronic Speed Control (ESC) is factory loaded with
programmable features. While this may seem overwhelming at first
glance, this Field Guide is designed to keep with you out on the rocks to
use as a quick-reference and help walk you through the programming
of all of the speed control’s features.
Take the time to thoroughly read through this programming guide
before attempting to make any programming adjustments so you
fully understand the different ESC parameters, and how they can be
used to fine tune your ESC’s feel and performance. Most importantly,
enjoy all of the technical benefits and features the ESC has to offer.
Visit our web site for the most up to date information and to learn
more about other Novak products and services.
www.teamnovak.com
trouble-shooting guide
Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run
• Possible receiver damage––Check operation with a different receiver.
• Possible internal damage––Refer to ‘SERVICE PROCEDURES’ section.
• Check motor or motor connections.
• Check ESC is plugged into receiver’s throttle channel. Check signal harness wire sequence.
Receiver Glitches/Throttle Stutters During Acceleration
• Receiver or antenna too close to ESC, power wires, battery, or motor.
• Bad motor sensors, sensor harness, or connections––Check wiring, sensor harness, &
connections, perform hall sensor test (Refer to ‘MOTOR HALL SENSOR TEST’ section).
• Low voltage to receiver––Try Novak Glitch Buster (#5626) on receiver to retain power.
• PowerCap damaged/missing––Replace PowerCap/Trans-Cap Module.
• Battery pack damaged or weak––Try a different battery pack.
• Motor magnet weak or overheated––Replace rotor (Refer to motor manufacturer’s website ).
• Excessive current to motor—Use a milder motor or a smaller pinion gear.
• Untidy wires or signal and power wired bundled together. Input harness and servo
wires should be bundled separately. Power wires should be as short as possible.
Motor and Steering Servo Do Not Work
• Check wires, receiver signal harness wiring & color sequence, radio system, crystals,
battery/motor connectors, & battery pack.
• Possible receiver damage––Check operation with a different receiver.
• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
Motor Runs Backward
• Reverse motor rotation direction––Refer to ‘CUSTOM PROGRAMMING OPTIONS’ section.
• Improper One-Touch set up––Refer to ‘ONE-TOUCH PROGRAMMING’ section.
Speed Control Runs Excessively Hot
• Gear ratio too low––Increase gear ratio/Reduce pinion (refer to ‘PROPER GEAR SELECTION’).
• Motor is damaged––Try a different motor.
Model Runs Slowly/Slow Acceleration
• Gear ratio too high––Reduce gear ratio/Increase pinion (refer to ‘PROPER GEAR SELECTION’).
• Check battery & connectors––Check battery pack & connectors. Replace if needed.
• Incorrect transmitter/ESC adjustment––Refer to ‘TRANSMITTER ADJUSTMENTS’.
• PowerCap damaged/missing––Replace PowerCap or Power Trans-Cap Module.
ESC Is Melted Or Burnt/ESC Runs With Switch Off
• Internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
No Power to the BEC
• Check power wire connections to your battery, ESC and BEC unit.
• Check BEC input harness is plugged into receiver & ESC’s red wire is removed from harness.
• Be sure that the BEC unit switch is turned ON.
error/LED codes
• Blue status LED on solid at neutral––Minimum Brake is set to value greater than 0%.
• Yellow status LED on solid at neutral––Drag Brake is set to value greater than 0%.
• Red & Green status LEDs on solid––Check input signal harness connections at ESC and
receiver. Check input signal harness wiring sequence––Refer to STEP 3.
• Red status LED on solid & Green LED blinking––Check motor sensor harness connection.
Possible internal motor damage.
• Blue & Green status LEDs both blinking. Misfire shut-down––return throttle to neutral
position to regain motor control––check drive train for free operation.
• Blue & Red status LEDs blinking. Possible ESC thermal shut-down––Check gear ratio
& free operation of drive train for possible overloading/ESC is being severely over-
loaded––allow system to cool & return throttle to neutral position to regain motor
control. LEDs will continue to blink until system is cooled down.
• Blue & Yellow status LEDs blinking. Possible Motor thermal shut-down––Check gear
ratio & free operation of drive train for possible overloading/Motor is being severely
over-loaded––allow system to cool & return throttle to neutral position to regain
motor control. LEDs will continue to blink until system is cooled down.
• Blue & Green (Misfire Detection), Blue & Red (ESC Thermal Shut-Down), or Blue &
Yellow (Motor Thermal Shut-Down) status LEDs blinking. ESC may have shut-down &
ESC’s neutral point is too far off to sense that transmitter throttle has been returned
to neutral (Refer to ‘ONE-TOUCH’ & ‘TRANSMITTER ADJUSTMENTS’).
• Red & Yellow status LEDs toggling. LiPo/LiFe Cut-Off voltage reached. Recharge battery.
service procedures
Before sending your product in for service, review the Trouble-Shooting Guide. Product
may appear to have failed when other problems exist. After reviewing instructions, if you
feel that you require service, obtain the most current service options & pricing as follows:
WEB: Print out the PRODUCT SERVICE FORM from CUSTOMER SERVICE section of the web
site. Fill out required information on form and return it with the product requiring service.
WARRANTY SERVICE: You MUST CLAIM WARRANTY on PRODUCT SERVICE FORM & include
a valid cash register receipt with purchase date, dealer name, & phone# on it, or a previous
service invoice. If warranty provisions have been voided, there will be service charges.
• ESCs returned without a serial number will not be serviced under warranty •
TRADE-IN PROGRAM: Novak offers a trade-in program for non-warranty items toward
current and discontinued products. You can replace, exchange, or upgrade Novak products
as listed within the trade-in program. Complete a Non-Warranty Service Form to be eligible.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
• Dealers/distributors aren’t authorized to replace products thought to be defective.
• If a hobby dealer returns your product for service, submit a completed PRODUCT
SERVICE FORM to the dealer and make sure it is included with product.
• Novak R/C, Inc. does not make any internal electronic components (transistors,
resistors, etc.) available for sale.
one-touch programming
esc parameters
motor hall sensor test
The following parameters are adjustable to help fine-tune the feel and
response of the speed control to your liking:
1. Rock Boost (1 of 2) .......................................................... OFF/ON
2. Standard Drag Brake--Settings 1-5 (1 of 5) ....................... 0-100%
Power Hill/Hold Brake--Settings 6-10 (1 of 5) ................... 40-90%
3. Minimum Drive (1 of 10) ................................................... 0-15%
4. Dead Band (1 of 5) ..............................................................2-8 %
5. Throttle Curve (1 of 2) .....................................Linear/Exponential
6. Brake Frequency (1 of 10) .......................................1.67-13.7 KHz
7. Brake End Point (1 of 10) ...............................................10-100%
8. Drive Frequency (1 of 10) ...............................................7-16KHz
9. Motor Rotation (1 of 2) ................................................. CCW/CW
10. Voltage Cut-Off (1 of 3) ......................................... OFF-LiPo -LiFe
The Hall Sensor Test diagnostic feature in this ESC allows you to easily check the
sensors in the brushless motor connected to it to determine if they are operating
normally. This will help you pinpoint the cause of problems in your system, and
hopefully reduce the down time and expenses associated with sending your
product in for service when you can resolve the issue yourself.
To access this feature, simply follow these steps:
1. Follow the steps in the ‘CUSTOM PROGRAMMING OPTIONS’ section to
access the Hall Sensor Test option via the ESC’s SET button.
2. Slowly rotate the motor’s output/pinion shaft. If motor is installed in a
vehicle, slowly rotate the drive train so that the motor also rotates.
3. The status LEDs on the speed control should cycle through illuminating
the BLUE, YELLOW, and RED status LEDs.
If the BLUE, YELLOW, and RED LEDs light up one after another as the motor’s shaft
is rotated, the Hall Sensors in the motor are operating normally.
If any one of the BLUE, YELLOW, or RED status LEDs do not light while rotating
the motor’s shaft, there is a either a problem with the Sensor Harness Cable (or
its connections either at the motor end or the ESC end) or with the actual Hall Effect
Sensors in the motor’s timing section.
If your motor has a user-replaceable double-ended sensor harness, replace it with
another one to determine if this is the problem. If, after replacing the harness, all
3 of the LEDs still do not light up, it would appear that one of the motor’s sensors
has been damaged--replace the timing section of your motor, or if your motor
is not user-rebuildable, send it in the manufacturer for the appropriate service.
This speed control features Novak’s Smart-Stop Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry built-in,
and when used properly will allow you to safely use LiPo and LiFe type batteries,
without letting the cells drop below their critical safety voltage during operation.
The default setting in the speed control is that the Voltage Cut-Off is turned ON
and is set to LiPo. If you are using NiMH or NiCd cells, you will need to switch
the Voltage Cut-Off feature OFF. If you are using LiFe cells, you will need to switch
the Voltage Cut-Off feature to the LiFe battery setting.
Note: Whenever the speed control’s One-Touch Programming is
performed, this setting will revert to the LiPo default setting.
DO NOT USE LiPo/LiFe BATTERIES WITH
VOLTAGE CUT-OFF TURNED OFF
Using a Non-Novak External BEC
To use a non-Novak BEC with this ESC, follow the BEC manufacturer’s instructions.
Remove the RED wire from the plug plastic on the ESC’s receiver input signal
harness. Turn ON the ESC’s power switch, then turn ON the BEC’s power switch.
Using a Novak External BEC
Connect the Novak BEC’s main power input leads (heavier gauge silicone wires) to
ESC’s Positive & Negative battery solder tabs (RED to Positive, BLACK to Negative).
Plug the BEC’s receiver power output lead into any open channel of your receiver.
Remove the RED wire from the plug plastic on the ESC’s receiver input signal
harness--Insulate removed wire to avoid short circuits, as it is “live”.
Turn ON the ESC’s power switch, then turn ON the BEC’s power switch.
Turn the system’s power OFF in the reverse order--BEC then ESC.
voltage cut-off circuitry
external bec connection
temperature monitoring
This ESC has a built-in diagnostic temperature monitoring feature that lets you
quickly check the ESC’s operating temperature at any time.
While connected to a battery and powered ON, simply tap the ESC’s SET button
and one of the on-board LED lights will flash 4 times to indicate the operating
temperature of the speed control.
WHITE flashing LED = normal operating temp--under 135°F (57°C).
BLUE flashing LED = medium operating temp--136-147°F (58-64°C).
YELLOW flashing LED = hot operating temp--148-167°F (65-75°C).
GREEN flashing LED = hotter operating temp--168-194°F (76-90°C).
RED flashing LED = hottest operating temp--195-215°F (91-102°C).
You are now pushing the ESC extremely hard and should be very careful
to avoid overheating and possible thermal shut-down.
All LEDs flashing = DANGEROUS operating temp--216-239°F (103-115°C).
Your ESC is now about to thermally shut-down.
Reduce the pinion size/check drive train to avoid ESC
overheating that could result in potential damage.
With the ESC connected to (at least) a charged battery pack, the receiver,
and the brushless motor’s sensor harness:
1. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER’S POWER
2. PRESS & HOLD ESC’S ONE-TOUCH/SET BUTTON
3. TURN ON THE SPEED CONTROL’S POWER
With transmitter throttle at neutral, and still pressing the SET button, slide the
ESC’s ON/OFF switch to ON position.
4. CONTINUE HOLDING SET BUTTON UNTIL RED LED COMES ON
5. RELEASE SET BUTTON AS SOON AS RED LED TURNS ON
6. PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION
Hold it there until the green status LED turns solid green.
Note: Motor will not run during programming even if connected.
7. PUSH TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-BRAKE/REVERSE
Hold it there until the green status LED blinks green.
8. RETURN TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO NEUTRAL
The red status LED will turn solid red, indicating that the ESC is at neutral and
that proper programming has been completed. Blue & yellow LEDs will also be on
indicating Minimum Brake (blue) & Drag Brake (yellow) settings are at levels above 0%.
If transmitter settings are changed, the One-Touch Programming must be repeated.
If you experience any problems, turn off ESC and repeat One-Touch.
NOTE: Whenever the One-Touch Programming set-up is performed, the
speed control will automatically revert back to the factory-default settings.
With the higher performance of brushless systems, undesirable radio
system noise may occur when used with lower quality radio systems.
2.4GHz radio systems are the best to use. FM radio systems are
acceptable, as long as the system is high quality. AM radio systems are
not recommended.
Good Quality Radio System Suggested
Transmitter adjustments may not be required to properly complete the
One-Touch programming of the speed control. However, should you
have any problems completing the ONE-TOUCH PROGRAMMING, adjust
the settings on your transmitter as listed below, then repeat the ONE-
TOUCH PROGRAMMING as described above.
THROTTLE CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS
A. Set HIGH ATV or EPA to 100%. [amount of throw at full throttle]
B. Set LOW ATV, EPA, or ATL to 100%. [amount of throw at full brakes]
C. Set EXPONENTIAL to zero setting. [throttle channel linearity]
D. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL REV. SWITCH to either position.
E. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM to middle setting.
[adjusts neutral position/increases or decreases coast brakes]
F. Set ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to 70% throttle and
30% brake throw (or 7:3)–best for racing ESCs. Set to 50% throttle and 50%
brake for full time use with reverse to get the best performance in reverse.
[adjusts trigger throw on electronic/digital pistol-grip transmitters]
G. Set MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to position with
2/3 throttle and 1/3 brake throw.
[adjusts trigger throw on mechanical/analog pistol-grip transmitters]
•NOT ALL TRANSMITTERS HAVE ALL OF THESE ADJUSTMENTS•
FM AM2.4 GHz
Do not useOK to use
Best to use
transmitter adjustments
NOVAK R/C, INC.
19 Rancho Circle, Lake Forest, CA 92630
PHONE: [phone] • Monday-Thurday
Customer Service E-mail: [email protected]

esc software flow chart
CUSTOM programmiNG options -- advanced
This speed control features many
parameters that can be customized
to fine-tune the ESC’s feel &
response to your liking.
The flow chart below and the
adjustment steps to the right
describe the different parameters
and how they effect the ESC.
One-Touch Programming must be
completed before customization of
parameters, as all ESC parameters
are defaulted back to the factory
settings whenever the One-Touch
Programming is performed.
DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR
THE ESC PARAMETERS ARE
LISTED IN BOLD IN THE
TABLES TO THE RIGHT
TO CHANGE PARAMETER SETTINGS:
1. CONNECT THE ESC TO A
CHARGED BATTERY PACK,
RECEIVER, AND MOTOR’S
SENSOR HARNESS.
2. TURN ON TRANSMITTER.
3. SLIDE THE ESC’s ON/OFF
SWITCH TO ‘ON’ POSITION
4. WITH ESC AT NEUTRAL, PRESS
& HOLD SET BUTTON
Release ESC’s SET button once LEDs
are lit for the desired setting.
To skip a parameter, continue
to press & hold SET button until
desired parameter is reached.
5. SELECT PARAMETER VALUE
LED flashes to indicate active
setting (refer to tables at right).
Quick press & release SET button
to select desired setting.
6. PRESS & HOLD SET BUTTON
TO STORE NEW SELECTION
When SET button is pressed and
held for about 1 second, the
new selection is stored in ESC’s
memory— Status LEDs will scroll across
to indicate ESC is exiting programming
& ESC returns to neutral.
There is no time constraint during
selection of custom parameters.
THROTTLE
CURVES
This ESC features both linear and
exponential throttle curves. The
‘Expo’ curve provides a more
controllable bottom end response
as shown below.
rock boost
#1 ROCK BOOST SETTINGS (1 of 2) BLUE LED
>> Changing this setting activates or deactivates ESC’s Rock Boost.
When OFF, the ESC’s throttle response is linear with no electronic motor
timing advancement. When ON, ESC again has linear throttle response,
then when transmitter is held at full throttle, Rock Boost engages &
ESC electronically advances the motor timing for increased top speeds.
Note: White LED will be ON when Rock Boost is being applied.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2
Electronic Boost Timing: OFF ON
drag/hill brake
#2 DRAG/HILL BRAKE SETTINGS (1 of 10) BLUE & YELLOW LEDs
Amount of braking being applied while transmitter is at neutral. AKA ‘hold’ brakes.
>> Settings 1-5 are Standard Drag Brake settings--less aggressive
braking for rock racing (setting #1 applies no braking while trigger is at
neutral). Settings 6-10 are Power Hill Brake settings (ESC applies power to
motor to ‘hold’ its position)--very strong rock crawling Hill/Hold braking.
Note: Yellow LED will be ON when ESC is at neutral if this setting is above 0%.
Note: Default is setting #5 for Axial® Wraith™ edition Timbuk2 ESC.
Setting (# of flashes) 12345*6789 10
Drag Brake (%):
0 40 60 95 100 40 65 70 80 90
minimum drive
#3 MINIMUM DRIVE SETTINGS (1 of 10) YELLOW LED
Amount of forward drive applied with first pulse of transmitter throttle information sent.
>> Increasing this setting starts the forward drive at a stronger level.
This is useful to compensate for heavier vehicles to minimize the
amount of trigger throw required before effective drive is applied.
Setting (# of flashes) 123456789 10
Minimum Drive (%) :
01 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 15
dead band
#4 DEAD BAND SETTINGS (1 of 5) BLUE & GREEN LEDs
The space between Minimum Brake and Minimum Drive, with Neutral in the middle.
>> Increasing this setting increases amount of ‘free play’, or distance the
transmitter’s trigger must move before forward drive or braking begins.
This is useful for triggers that don’t center accurately or have worn pots.
Setting (# of flashes) 12345
Dead Band (%):
23458
Motor Output
Trigger Position
0
100%
Linear
Expo
100%
throttle CURVE
#5 THROTTLE CURVE SELECTION (1 of 2) GREEN & WHITE LEDs
How the ESC’s throttle (forward drive) responds to the transmitter’s trigger input.
>> Changing this setting changes how the throttle responds to your
transmitter’s trigger movement.
The ‘Expo’ throttle curve gives a less responsive, or more forgiving
(easier to handle) low-end acceleration.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2
Throttle Curve: Linear Expo
BRAKE FREQUENCY
#6 BRAKE FREQUENCY SELECTION (1 of 10) RED LED
How the ESC’s braking response feels with respect to the transmitter’s trigger input.
>> Increasing the Brake Frequency makes the brake response feel
smoother and more controllable.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Brake Freq. (KHz) :
1.67 2 2.25 2.5 3 3.5 4.5 5.75 10 13.7
BRAKE END POINT
#7 BRAKE END PT. SELECTION (1 of 10) YELLOW-RED-WHITE LEDs
The percentage of the ESC’s braking power that can be attained as well as the
transmitter trigger throw required to reach that power.
>> Decreasing this setting reduces the maximum braking power and
the usable distance of the transmitter’s brake trigger throw .
Setting (# of flashes) 123456789 10
Brake End Pt. (%):
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
DRIVE FREQUENCY
#8 DRIVE FREQUENCY SELECTION (1 of 10) GREEN LED
How the ESC’s throttle response feels with respect to the transmitter’s trigger input.
>> Increasing the Drive Frequency makes the throttle response feel
smoother and more controllable.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Drive Freq. (KHz) :
16 15.2 13.8 13 12 11 10 9.5 8 7
Note: The Drive Frequency parameter is not available for adjustment
when the ‘Expo’ Throttle Curve option has been selected.
motor rotation
#9 MOTOR ROTATION SELECTION (1 of 2) BLUE-GREEN-RED LEDs
>> Changing this setting changes the rotation direction of the motor’s
output/pinion shaft.
Counter-clockwise rotation is standard in most vehicles.
Note: The Axial® Wraith™ edition Timbuk2 ESC comes with this
parameter set to CLOCKWISE (setting #2) as the default. Newer Novak
Ballistic Crawler motors come timed to 0° mechanical timing and
perform equally well in both directions of rotation. Older Ballistic
Crawler motors should have the motor’s mechanical timing adjusted to 0°. Do
this by aligning the sensor harness connector opening of the Ballistic motor’s
back bearing cap directly in-line with the center (Phase B) solder tab.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2
Rotation Direction: CCW QCW P
voltage cut-off
#10 VOLTAGE CUT-OFF SELECTION (1 of 3) YELLOW & RED LEDs
>> Changing this setting enables or disables the ESC’s built-in Smart
Stop cut-off circuitry, and also sets the voltage cut-off point based on
what type of battery is being used for the vehicle’s main battery pack.
DO NOT USE LiPo/LiFe BATTERIES WITH THE ESC’S
VOLTAGE CUT-OFF CIRCUITRY TURNED OFF
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3
Voltage Cut-Off Type:
OFF
(NiMH/NiCd)
LiPo LiFe
hall sensor test
#11 MOTOR SENSOR TEST BLUE-YELLOW-RED LEDs
>> This is a diagnostic feature that allows you to easily check the
functionality of your brushless motor’s hall effect sensors & sensor
harness and its connections at the speed control and motor. Once
activated, slowly rotate the motor’s output/pinion shaft and the
appropriate LED will light up if a signal is received for its sensor in
the motor. Refer to ‘MOTOR HALL SENSOR TEST’ section.
Motor Hall Sensor A B C
LED Color: BLUE YELLOW RED
restoring factory defaults
Every time the speed control’s
One-Touch Programming is performed,
the ESC will automatically revert back
to the factory default settings.
Note: ESC Parameter values are subject to change due to ongoing development. Refer to our web site for updated values and more information on ESC parameters.
@NEUTRAL
RED LED on solid
ROCK BOOST
BLUE
DRAG/HILL BRAKE
BLUE & YELLOW
DEAD BAND
BLUE & GREEN
MIN. DRIVE
YELLOW
press & hold SET button
continue holding ESC’s SET button to skip steps here
THROTTLE CURVE
GREEN & WHITE
VOLTAGE CUT-OFF
YELLOW & RED
MOTOR ROTATION
BLUE-GREEN-RED
BRAKE FREQ.
RED
BRAKE END PT.
YELLOW-RED-WHITE
DRIVE FREQ.
GREEN
HALL SENSOR TEST
BLUE-YELLOW-RED
@NEUTRAL
RED LED on solid
www.teamnovak.com