Team Orion Vortex R8.1 pro User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MODE D’EMPLOI
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG

2 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
Warnings.............................................................................. 3
Limited Warranty................................................................ 4
Connections......................................................................... 6
Motor Connection............................................................... 6
Battery Connection............................................................. 7
ESC Power Switch................................................................ 7
ESC Calibration.................................................................... 7
Programming your ESC....................................................... 9
Available Parameters and default settings................... 10
Features ............................................................................. 11
Status LED Function.......................................................... 11
Audio Warning Tones ....................................................... 11
ESC Parameters Setup ...................................................... 12
Adjustable Parameters .................................................... 13
1. Running Mode .................................................................13
2. Drag Brake Force.............................................................14
3. Low Voltage Cut-o.........................................................14
4. Start mode “punch”.........................................................15
5. Max Brake Force.............................................................. 15
6. Max Reverse Force..........................................................15
7. Initial Brake Force (minimum brake) ............................15
8. Neutral Range..................................................................16
9. Timing...............................................................................16
12. Motor Rotation Direction .............................................16
13. LiPO Cells .......................................................................16
14. BEC Voltage....................................................................17
Restore Default Settings.................................................. 17
Program Box...................................................................... 17
PC Software ....................................................................... 18
Setting Proles.................................................................. 18
INSTRUCTION MANUAL · ENGLISH

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WARNINGS
Read the ENTIRE instruction manual to become familiar
with the features of the product before operating. This
is a sophisticated hobby product. It must be operated
with caution and common sense and requires some basic
mechanical ability. This product is not intended for use by
children without direct adult supervision. Do not attempt
disassembly, use with incompatible components or augment
product in any way. This manual contains instructions for
safety, operation and maintenance. It is essential to read
and follow all the instructions and warnings in the manual,
prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to operate correctly
and avoid damage or serious injury.
• Do not use in damp conditions or expose to water.
• Always use only compatible batteries.
• Always power o the ESC when not in use.
• Always disconnect the battery when not in use.
• The ESC will become hot during use, be careful before
touching or handling it.
Failure to exercise caution while using this product could
result in product malfunction, electrical issues, excessive
heat, FIRE, and ultimately injury and property damage.
Not for children under 14 years. This is not a toy.

4 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
LIMITED WARRANTY
Team Orion warrants to the original purchaser that the
product purchased is free from defects in materials and
workmanship at the date of purchase. Team Orion reserves
the right to change or modify this warranty without notice
and disclaims all other warranties, express or implied. This
warranty is limited to the original purchaser and is not
transferable. Replacement as provided under this warranty
is the exclusive remedy of the purchaser. This warranty
covers only the products purchased from an authorized
dealer. Third party transactions are not covered by this
warranty. Proof of purchase is required for warranty
claims. Team Orion makes no warranty or representation,
express or implied, about non infringement, merchantability
or tness for a particular purpose of the product. The
purchaser acknowledges that they alone have determined
that the product will suitably meet the requirements of the
purchaser’s intended use.
Team Orion’s sole obligation hereunder shall be that it will,
at its option, repair or replace any product determined by
Team Orion to be defective in the event of a defect, this is
the purchaser’s exclusive remedy. Replacement decisions
are at Team Orion’s sole discretion. This warranty does
not cover cosmetic damage or damage due to acts of God,
accident, misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or
modication of or to any part of the product. This warranty
does not cover damage due to improper installation,
operation, maintenance or attempted repair by anyone.

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Team Orion will not be liable for special, indirect or
consequential damages, loss of prots or production or
commercial loss in any way connected with the product,
whether claim is based in contract, warranty, negligence, or
strict liability. Further, in no event shall the liability of Team
Orion exceed the individual price of the product on which
liability is asserted. As Team Orion has no control over use,
setup, nal assembly, modication or misuse, no liability
shall be assumed nor accepted for any resulting damage
or injury. By the act of use, setup or assembly the user
accepts all resulting liability. If you as the purchaser or user
are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the
use of this product, you are advised to return this product
immediately in new and unused condition to the place of
purchase.
Instructions for disposal of WEEE by users in the
European Union
This product must not be disposed of with other waste.
Instead, it is the user’s responsibility to dispose of their
waste equipment by handing it over to a designated
collections point for the recycling of waste electrical and
electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling
of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help to
conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in
a manner that protects human health and the environment.
For more information about where you can drop o your
waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city
oce, your household waste disposal service or where you
purchased the product.

6 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
MOTOR CONNECTION
Sensorless brushless motors
If the motor spins in the wrong direction, you can reverse
two of the motor wires or change setting #12
Sensor brushless motors
You must respect the ABC wire order and use a separate
sensor wire. Use setting #12 to change the motor rotation
direction.
WARNING! If you do not respect the ABC wire order, the
motor will not spin and you risk damaging the ESC.
CONNECTIONS
C
B
A
Programming
Port
LED
Fan Connector
RX
Setup
On/O
-
+
C B A
Sensor
Port
Rear View

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BATTERY CONNECTION
This ESC is designed for use with 2S (7.4V) to 4S (14.8V)
LiPo batteries. Use of other types of batteries is not
recommended and may cause damage to the ESC. Only
use batteries equipped with compatible connectors. Using
adapters may create extra electrical resistance and cause
damage to the ESC.
ESC POWER SWITCH
The ESC switch is equipped with two buttons. The bigger LED
backlit button is used to power ON or OFF the ESC and the
smaller button is used for calibration/setup.
ESC CALIBRATION
The ESC must be calibrated to your transmitter inputs. Reset
all settings inside the transmitter before the calibration.
A. Switch your transmitter ON.
B. Press and hold the setup button, then power ON the ESC.
Release the setup button as soon as the red LED on the
ESC starts to ash.
C. Calibrate the throttle points by pressing the setup button
once after each step.
1. Neutral point (1 ash)
2. Full throttle (2 ashes)
3. Full brakes/reverse (3 ashes)
D. The motor will run 3 seconds after the last step is
completed.

8 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
1
3
LED
2
ON/OFF
Press and
hold the
SET button
Switch ON Keep
pressing
the SET
button
Release as
soon as soon as
the red LED
starts to blink
LED
4 5 6
LED LED
Press
once Press once Press once

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PROGRAMMING YOUR ESC
OR
2 2
33 3
1
7
4
6
5
Connect the battery
Enter Programming Mode
S
elect the parameter you wish to modify
Reset to factory default settings
Press the
SET button
for 1s
Press the
SET button
for 5s
Press the SET button
1 time to select the
1st parameter...
...press the SET button
2 times to select the
2nd parameter etc.
Switch ON
Switch OFF
ESC to complete
the procedure
LED
blinks
LED blinks 1 time
LED blinks
1 time
LED blinks 2 times
Press the SET button
for 3s to modify
the setting of the
parameter
Press the SET button
for 3s to save the
new setting
Use the SET button
to change the setting
of the parameter.
Press 1 time
LED blinks
2 times
Press 2 times etc.

10 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
Parameter
(indicated by
green LED )
Setting (indicated by red LED )
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Standard Parameters (adjustable with the ESC setup button)
1 Running
Mode
Forward
with
Brake
Forward/
Reverse
with
Brake
Forward
with
Brake
(Sensor)
Forward/
Reverse
with
Brake
(Sensor
2 Drag Brake
Force -2% -1% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% Custom 1-100%
3 Low Voltage
Cut-O
Threshold
0 2.8V/Cell 3.0V/Cell 3.2V/Cell Custom
3.5-12.6V
4 Start Mode
(Punch) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Level 9
5 Max Brake
Force 12.5% 25% 37.5% 50% 62.5% 75% 87.5% 100% Disable
6 Max Reverse
Force 12.5% 25%
7 Initial Brake
Force
Drag
Brake
Force
0% 5% 10%
8 Neutral
Range
6%
(Narrow)
9%
(Normal)
12%
(Wide)
9 Timing 0.00° 3.75° 7.50° 11.25° 15.00° 18.75° 22.50° 26.25°
12 Motor
Rotation
Direction
CCW CW
13 LiPO Cells Auto 2S 7.4V 3S 11.1V 4S 14.8V
14 BEC Voltage 6V 7.2V
Setting Proles:
Default settings
Only available with program box, see page 18:
For high traction tracks
For low traction tracks
AVAILABLE PARAMETERS AND DEFAULT SETTINGS

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Thank you for purchasing a Team Orion Brushless ESC.
This ESC features the latest brushless technologies. Our
World Championship winning development team has
spent countless hours developing this ESC so that you
can experience ultimate performance. Please read these
instructions thoroughly before using the ESC.
FEATURES
• Designed for on-road and o-road 1/8 scale cars
• 6V or 7.2V adjustable BEC for more servo performance
• Works with sensor and sensorless motors
• New case design with improved cooling system
• Highly customizable software
• Easy set-up via the setup button or optional digital
program box
STATUS LED FUNCTION
• When you power on the ESC, the green LED ashes
according to the number of cells of the battery (4 cells = 4
ashes / 4 beep tones).
• In the neutral position, no LED are lit
• The red LED lights when the throttle is moved
• The green and red LED ashing indicates a sensor error
AUDIO WARNING TONES
1. Input voltage: as it is powered on the ESC checks the
input voltage and emits a number of beep tones according
to the number of battery cells detected (4 cells = 4 beep
tones). If an issue is detected, the ESC emits two beep tones

12 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
repeatedly with a 1 second pause (xx-xx-xx).
2. Radio signal issue: as it is powered on and the ESC
checks the radio signal input. If an issue is detected, the
ESC emits one beep tone repeatedly with a 2 second pause
(x-x-x).
ESC PARAMETERS SETUP
You can adjust several parameters by using the setup button
located on the switch or by using the optional program box
(ORI65153). The green ashing LED indicates the parameter
and the red ashing LED indicates the setting value.
To setup custom parameter settings the optional
program box and PC software are required.
How to modify the parameters settings using the setup
button located on the switch.
A. Power on the ESC.
B. Press and hold the setup button until the green LED starts
ashing and then release the setup button (holding the
setup button for 5 seconds will restore the ESC to factory
defaults).
C. Press the setup button once more.
D. The green LED starts ashing repeatedly, indicating the
currently selected parameter. One ash = parameter 1,
two ashes = parameter 2 and so on. Press the button to
switch between the dierent available parameters.
E. To change the setting of the actual parameter, press and
hold the setup button until the LED starts ashing red.
F. The red LED ashes indicating the actual setting. One

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ash = setting 1, two ashes = setting 2 and so on. Press
the button to switch between the dierent available
settings.
G. Press and hold the setup button for 3 seconds to save the
modication.
H. Power the ESC o and back on to make the parameter
change eective.
Note: you can only change one setting at a time, after each
modication you need to power the ESC o and back on to
make the parameter change eective and be able to modify
another parameter.
ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS
1. Running Mode
You can enable or disable the reverse function. There are
also separate sensorless and sensor modes. The ESC drives
the motor dierently depending on wether the sensor or
sensorless mode is selected.
“Forward Only with Brake” this mode is meant for
competition use. In this mode the car can go forward and
brake, there is no reverse.
“Forward/Reverse with Brake” this is the basic all-around
mode. In this mode the car can go forward and reverse and
can also brake. When you move the throttle to the reverse
position while the car is moving forward, brakes are applied
until the car stops, reverse cannot engage while the car
is moving. To engage reverse, once the car has stopped,
release the brakes and move the throttle to the reverse
position again. While braking or in reverse, if the throttle

14 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
is moved to the forward position, the car will immediately
accelerate forward.
› Setting 1 and 2 for sensorless motors
› Setting 3 and 4 for sensor motors
2. Drag Brake Force
This parameter sets the amount of brake automatically
applied when the throttle returns to the neutral position.
This simulates the engine braking eect of a real car.
Note: some 1/8 brushless motors may have a lot of “auto-
brake” due to their construction. In that case, -1% and -2%
setting can help to reduce the auto-brake eect.
Warning! Stronger brakes will also result in higher ESC
and motor running temperature. Check the motor and ESC
temperature and adjust the parameter to keep temperature
within safe limits.
› Setting value from -2% to 10% or custom setting
3. Low Voltage Cut-o
This function helps to prevent battery over-discharge. If
the battery voltage becomes lower than the threshold for
2 seconds, the ESC power output is rst reduced and then
shut-o. When the system activates, the red LED ashes
twice repeatedly. The cuto threshold is based on this
individual cell voltage setting and the number of cells auto-
detected or adjusted by the user (setting #13).
Note: if you use a custom value, the setting is for the total
battery voltage, not single cells voltage!
Warning! A low setting can damage your battery!
› Setting value 0 (no cut-o) to 3.2V/cell or custom
setting

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4. Start mode “punch”
This parameter sets the initial throttle punch when the car
accelerates. Level 1 gives a very soft initial acceleration and
level 9 gives a very strong initial acceleration. Warning!
Stronger acceleration will also result in higher ESC and
motor running temperature. Check the motor and ESC
temperature and adjust the parameter to keep temperature
within safe limits.
› Setting value from 1 to 9
5. Max Brake Force
This parameter sets the maximum braking force. A higher
value provides stronger braking, but it also causes extra
stress to the ESC and motor.
Warning! Stronger brakes will also result in higher ESC
and motor running temperature. Check the motor and ESC
temperature and adjust the parameter to keep temperature
within safe limits.
› Setting value from 12.5% to 100%
6. Max Reverse Force
This parameter sets the maximum power when travelling in
reverse.
› Setting value from 12.5% to 25%
7. Initial Brake Force (minimum brake)
This parameter sets the minimum amount of braking power
when the brakes engage. A higher value will give stronger
brakes but can also cause loss of control and extra stress on
the motor/ESC.
› Setting value from drag brake value to 25%

16 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
8. Neutral Range
This parameter sets the throttle sensitivity around the
neutral point. A higher value means that the throttle will
have to be moved further for the car to move forward,
backward or brake.
› Setting value from 6% to 12%
9. Timing
This parameter sets the motor drive current timing. A lower
value decreases performance but increases eciency and
run time, a higher value increase performance but lowers
eciency and run time. Warning! Higher timing values
cause the motor and/or ESC to run hotter. If the motor and/
or ESC overheat, they can become damaged. USE WITH
CAUTION!
› Setting value from 0° to 26.25°
12. Motor Rotation Direction
This parameter sets the motor rotation direction. Note: with
sensorless motors you can also reverse two of the three
motor wires to change the motor rotation direction. With
sensored motors you must respect the ABC wire order and
use this setting to change the motor rotation direction.
› Setting value CW or CCW
13. LiPO Cells
This parameter sets the number of cells (battery voltage) of
your battery. The ESC uses this setting in combination with
the low voltage cut-o setting (setting#3) to prevent battery
over-discharge and potential damage.
› Setting value Auto or 2-3-4S LiPo

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14. BEC Voltage
This parameter sets the voltage output of the ESC BEC
system that powers the electronics in your car. WARNING!
Using 7.2V will increase the servo performance but requires
compatible electronics (regular electronics only work with
6V). Using 7.2V with 6V electronics can damage them.
› Setting value 6V or 7.2V
RESTORE DEFAULT SETTINGS
With the ESC powered ON and the throttle in the neutral
position, press and hold the “SET” key for 5 seconds, the red
and green LED will ash simultaneously indicating that the
parameters have been reset to the factory default values.
PROGRAM BOX
The optional program box (ORI65153) allows you to modify
all of the ESC parameters and to modify/update the ESC
rmware (via the PC software). It is the ideal way to adjust
your ESC.
• The program box is required to use the the PC software.
• The program box rmware is independent from the ESC
rmware. You may need to update the program box or
ESC rmware via the PC software so that they can work
together.
Note: connect the program box to the ESC using the ESC top
sensor connector and the special sensor adapter.

18 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
PC SOFTWARE
The PC computer software is used to modify the ESC settings
and update/modify the ESC or program box rmware.
• You can download the PC software for free from our
website www.teamorion.com/R10-downloads.html
• The program box is required to connect your ESC to the
computer/PC software.
• The PC software allows you to update/modify your
program box and ESC rmware.
• The PC software allows you to modify all of the ESC
settings (as with the program box).
• The PC software currently only works with the Windows
operating system.
SETTING PROFILES
The ESC can store 3 dierent setting proles, which means
that you can have three sets of dierent settings stored
inside the ESC’s memory. To be able to access this function,
you need to use the optional program box.
There are three factory preset proles:
Prole #1 Standard use
Prole #2 High grip conditions
Prole #3 Low grip conditions

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Notes

20 Copyright Team Orion © 2015
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG · DEUTSCH
Warnungen ........................................................................ 21
Garantie ............................................................................. 22
Anschlüsse......................................................................... 24
Akku-Anschluss................................................................. 25
Regler Ein/aus-Schalter.................................................... 25
Regler-Kalibrierung........................................................... 25
Regler programmieren..................................................... 27
Verfügbare Einstellungen und Standardwerte ............. 28
Eigenschaften.................................................................... 29
Funktion der Status-LED .................................................. 29
Warntöne ........................................................................... 29
Regler-Einstellungen......................................................... 30
Verfügbare Einstellungen ................................................ 31
1. Betriebsmodus / “Blinky” Modus...................................31
2. Automatik-Bremse..........................................................32
3. Akku-Abschaltspannung.................................................32
4. Startmodus “Punch”........................................................33
5. Maximale Bremskraft .....................................................33
6. Maximale Rückwärts-Leistung.......................................33
7. Minimalbremskraft .........................................................34
8. Neutral-Bereich ...............................................................34
9. Timing...............................................................................34
12. Drehrichtung des Motors.............................................34
13. LiPO Cells .......................................................................35
14. BEC Voltage....................................................................35
Auf Werkseinstellungen zurücksetzen .......................... 35
Programmierbox............................................................... 36
PC-Software ....................................................................... 36
Einstellungsprole............................................................ 37