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  9. NOVAK POLARIS NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER User manual

NOVAK POLARIS NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER User manual

Instructionsarelistedbelowbasedupontheplugtypeofyour
radio system (servo, speed control, external battery pack).
Futaba J Plugs: The Polaris' signal harness comes with the
Futaba J Plug pre-installed. Proceed to STEP 3.
JR, Hitec, new style KO, and new style blue Airtronics "Z"
Plugs: These style plugs will fit into the slots of the Polaris AM
without modification. The brown wire of the JR, and the black
wireoftheHitec,newKOandnewAirtronics"Z"harnessshould
be closest to the outside of the case. Proceed to STEP 3.
Old style KO and Airtronics (Sanwa) Plugs: The plug plastics
mustbechangedtotheFutabaJstylebyusingtheincludedNovak
Futaba J style plug plastics. Refer to Figures 2-5 to change plug.
STEP 2
CHANGING THE INPUT PLUGS
THE NOVAK POLARIS AM RECEIVER
The Polaris AM is a compact AM receiver designed for use in
R/C surface models. Features include narrow-band opera-
tion, three channels, an external battery slot, reverse voltage
protection, surface-mount components, and excellent low-
voltage operation. Plug plastics are included for compatibility
with Futaba J, KO, JR and Airtronics (Sanwa) radios.
The Polaris AM receiver already exceeds the stringent 1999
FCC specifications, and offers unmatched performance on
the AM band.
Congratulations on choosing the Novak Polaris AM
receiver to guide you to the winner's circle!
SPECIFICATIONS
Case Size ....1.39" x 1.42" x 0.57" (3.53 X 3.61 X 1.45 cm)
Weight ..................................................0.58 oz. (16.44 g)
Modulation ................................................................. AM
Number of Channels ....................................................... 3
Antenna Length........................................... 18" (45.7 cm)
Usable Sensitivity ......................................... 3.0 microvolts
Selectivity ..................................................6 dB at ±3 KHz
Adjacent Channel Rejection ................>80 dB at ±8.5 KHz
Voltage Range ......................3.5 volts DC to 12.0 volts DC
Current Consumption......... 5.0 mA over full voltage range
3OIP (Third Order Intercept Point) ........................+4 dBm
STEP 1
RADIO CRYSTALS: SELECTION, CARE & INSTALLATION
STEP 3
MOUNTING THE POLARIS AM RECEIVER
FIGURE 1 Proper crystal
installation
FIGURE 2 With a small flat blade screwdriver, press on each of the
three metal prongs until the wires are easy to remove. Remove wires.
CAUTION: Improper installation of these wires may cause damage to
the receiver, servo and speed control.
Insert each pin into the correct plug slot. Each pin should "click" into
place. Locking tab must not extend outside the plastic plug housing.
FIGURE 4 For Old-Style KO Harness: Black wire inserts into the BLK
terminal. Red wire inserts into the middle terminal. Blue wire inserts
into the WHT terminal.
FIGURE 5 For Old-Style Airtronics/Sanwa Harness: Middle black wire
inserts into the BLK terminal. Outside black wire inserts into the WHT
terminal. Red wire inserts into the middle terminal.
Red Wire
Futaba J Plastic
Blue Wire
FIGURE 3 With the screwdriver, carefully lift each of the metal lock-
ing tabs to the angle shown below.
Futaba J Plastic
The Polaris AM receiver has been factory tuned and does not need
further tuning. Crystals are not included with the receiver.
1. Only use single conversion AM band crystals.
2. The color of the antenna wire indicates the frequency
band of the receiver.
Black....... 27 MHz *Yellow ........40 MHz *Not available
*Red......... 29 MHz *Yel/White ... 41 MHz in the U.S.
*Orange ... 35 MHz Green ......... 75 MHz
3. The transmitter and receiver crystals MUST be made by
the transmitter manufacturer, and be on the same radio
band and frequency (e.g. Airtronics 27 MHz transmitter
crystal must be used with an Airtronics 27 MHz receiver
crystal). Receiver crystals are usually marked "RX".
4. Since crystals are sensitive to
vibration, they should not be
dropped. Receiver crystals can
be damaged by a hard crash.
5. To install, carefully insert the
receivercrystal intothe receiver
by guiding the two prongs into
thecrystalsocketholes.Crystals
are non-polarized and can be
inserted in either direction.
STEP 2: Changing the Input Plugs (continued)
Proper mounting of the Polaris AM Receiver will improve its
performance and reliability. Sudden jolts (e.g. when the car
hits a board, lands after a jump, or crashes) send vibrations
throughout the vehicle and components mounted in it. If
vibrations reach the receiver, they can cause the crystal or an
internal ceramic filter to shift frequency and lose reception.
This leads to glitching and, in some cases, failure of these
components. The following guidelines for mounting the
Polaris should be adhered to in order to ensure the receiver
is working at its maximum efficiency.
1. For Electric Cars & Boats: To reduce vibrations received,
mount the Polaris with the included double-sided tape.
After mounting, you should be able to move the receiver
with a rubber-type action. If using thinner mounting tape
than what is provided, we recommend using several pieces.
For Gas Cars & Boats: The Polaris should be mounted in
foam rubber and protected from fuel and water.
NOTE: Do not use glue to mount the receiver!
2. Mount the Polaris receiver and antenna as far as possible
from the speed control, motor, servo, power wires and
battery. These components all emit radio noise.
3. Make sure the case edges do not come in contact with
the chassis or battery box, as this will transmit vibrations
directly into the electronics.
If for any reason you experience a range problem, try mount-
ing the receiver on its side with the crystal and antenna
away from the chassis. Use extra pieces of tape if necessary.
4. Mount the antenna as close to the receiver as possible.
For Off-Road Cars: Run the antenna up a plastic antenna
tube and let the excess trail out the top of the tube.
For On-Road Cars: Attach the antenna to a fiberglass an-
tenna mast with several pieces of 1/4" heat-shrink tubing
and let the excess trail off the top.
Do not cut or coil excess wire, or range will be reduced.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
FCC
APPROVED
NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER
TM
© 1997 NOVAK ELECTRONICS, INC. • All Rights Reserved.
Polaris AM Receiver is a trademark of Novak Electronics, Inc.
No part of this instruction manual may be reproduced without the written
permission of Novak Electronics, Inc.
Printed in the USA 11/97 #IM-2227-2
FIGURE 6 Capacitor and Schottky diode installation. Install Schottky
diode if speed control instructions indicate that one is needed.
*Ifyourmotordoes not haveagroundtab,solderthecapacitor leadstothecanofthe
motor, as shown above. The plating may have to be removed with a file.
SERVO & SPEED CONTROL CONNECTION
1. Plug the steering servo into channel one (CH 1).
2. Plug the electronic speed control into channel two (CH
2). When using a mechanical speed control or for gas
models, plug the throttle servo into channel two.
3. If you are using an external receiver battery pack, proceed to
STEP 5. Otherwise, put tape or a decal over the BATT slot.
STEP 4
HOOK-UP INSTRUCTIONS
MOTOR CAPACITOR & DIODE INSTALLATION
Refer to Figure 6
1. To prevent radio interference, capacitors MUST be
installed on EVERY motor. Solder the three included
0.1µF (50 V), non-polarized, ceramic capacitors between:
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & NEGATIVE (-) motor tab.
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
• NEGATIVE (-) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
Extra 0.1µF motor capacitors available in Novak Kit #5620.
2. An external Schottky diode must be used if the speed
control's instructions indicate that one is needed. Never
use a Schottky diode with a reversible speed control.
See the speed control's instructions for proper Schottky
diode information and installation.
Schottky diodes available in Novak Kit #5640.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE
This section describes possible receiver problems, causes and
solutions. For additional help, call for technical assistance.
RECEIVER GLITCHES AND/OR CAR STUTTERS
• Motor capacitors not installed or have broken.
• Receiver and/or antenna not mounted properly. See STEP 3
• Bad connections. Check power plugs or solder joints.
• Bad transmitter and/or receiver crystal. Try a new set.
• Voltage to the receiver is too low. Try using an external
receiver battery pack.
• Motor brushes need to be replaced if they are worn or
damaged. Motor may be noisy—rebuild or replace.
• Narrow band ceramic filter has been damaged from a hard
impact. Refer to Service Procedures
RECEIVER WILL NOT OPERATE
• Bad transmitter and/or receiver crystal. Try a new set.
• Moisture might have settled inside of the receiver. Open
receiver case and dry the case and electronics.
SERVO AND/OR SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION
• Input harness not wired properly. See STEP 2
• Input plug is plugged into wrong channel.
• Speed control not plugged into battery pack.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Novak Electronics, Inc. guarantees the Polaris AM
receiver to be free from defects in material 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,
altering the antenna, exceeding the recommended input voltage,
using the wrong crystal(s), improper use of external receiver battery
pack, using the receiver without its case, tampering with the
electronics, allowing water, moisture, or any foreign material to enter
receiver or come in contact with the PC board, component damage
due to excessive force, incorrect installation of alternate input plug
plastic, 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 the connection
and use of the receiver, no liability may be assumed nor will be
accepted for any damage resulting from use of this product. Every
receiver is thoroughly tested and tuned before leaving our facility,
and is therefore considered operational. By the act of connecting
and/or operating this receiver, the user accepts all resulting liability.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
Before sending your Polaris in for service, review the Trouble-
Shooting Guide and Instructions. The receiver may appear to
need service when other problems exist in the system (such as
a problematic transmitter, servo, speed control, battery, con-
nectors or motor).
PLEASE NOTE: Receivers that operate normally when
received will be charged a minimum service fee and return
shipping costs.
WHAT TO SEND: Fill out all of the requested information on
the enclosed RECEIVER SERVICE CARD and return it with your
receiver. Service cards can also be downloaded from our
website at www.teamnovak.com.
WARRANTY WORK: For warranty service work, you MUST
CLAIM WARRANTY on the RECEIVER SERVICE CARD and
include a valid, dated, cash register receipt, or an invoice from
previous service work. If any warranty provisions have been
voided there will be a service charge.
SERVICE COSTS: Customer is responsible for service costs
(parts, labor and shipping/handling charges). Receivers are
returned UPS/COD CASH ONLY. See RECEIVER SERVICE CARD
for other payment and shipping options.
FOR SERVICE, SEND RECEIVERS TO:
Novak Electronics, Inc.
Attn: Service Department
18910 Teller Ave., Irvine, CA. 92612 USA
CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS (PST):
M-Th: 8am-5pm; F: 8am-4pm (Closed every other Friday)
(714)* 833-8873 • FAX (714)* 833-1631
*Effective 4/18/98, area code will change to 949
0.1µF Capacitors
Ground/Motor Can*
Positive (+)
Motor Tab Negative (-)
Motor Tab
Schottky Diode. Solder the
lead closest to the silver stripe
to the positive motor tab.
FIGURE 7 External
receiver battery pack
plugs into BATT slot.
FCC APPROVAL NOTE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with this instruction manual, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try correcting the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiver's antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
A 5-cell external receiver battery pack is recommended if
erratic radio operation is experienced during hard
acceleration.
There are a few methods of using an external receiver battery
pack. Because the speed control may be damaged by using an
external receiver battery pack, we recommend you refer to
your speed control's instruction manual for proper installation.
If you will be using an external receiver battery pack, plug it
into the BATT slot as shown in Figure 7.
STEP 5
USING AN EXTERNAL RECEIVER BATTERY PACK
NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER
TM

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