Traxxas Top Qualifier 2203 User manual

Thank you for purchasing the Traxxas Top Qualifier radio sys-
tem. This manual contains the instructions you will need to setup,
and operate, your new radio system. Look over this entire manual
and examine the radio system carefully before using it. If for
some reason you think this system is not what you wanted, then
do not continue any further. Your hobby dealer absolutely cannot
accept a radio system for return or exchange after it has been
used. If you have any questions about your new radio system,
then call Traxxas’ toll-free technical support line at 1-888-TRAXXAS
(U.S.A. residents only. Outside the U.S. call 972-265-8000).
Technical support is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30am
to 5:30pm central time. We hope that you will enjoy the
performance and features of your new radio system.
If this is your first experience with hobby-class, component
radio equipment, please read the following terms and definitions.
These terms will be used throughout the rest of these instructions.
TWO-CHANNEL RADIO SYSTEM - The radio system consists
of the RECEIVER, the TRANSMITTER, the SERVOS, and the
CRYSTALS. It has two channels, one to operate the throttle, and
one to operate the steering.
TRANSMITTER - The TRANSMITTER is the hand-held radio unit
which sends throttle and steering instructions to the receiver.
RECEIVER - The RECEIVER is the radio unit inside the model
which receives signals from the TRANSMITTER, and relays them
to the SERVOS.
SERVO - The SERVOS are the small motor units in the model
which operate the steering and throttle mechanisms.
FREQUENCY BAND - The FREQUENCY band is the radio
frequency that the transmitter uses to send signals to the model.
The FREQUENCY BAND for radio control vehicles is 27 MHZ
(mega-hertz).
CHANNEL - The 27 MHZ FREQUENCY BAND is divided into 6
CHANNELS so that up to six models can be operated simultane-
ously. These CHANNELS are referred to by their number and flag
color. The chart below lists the channels and their flag colors.
CRYSTAL (X-TAL) - The CRYSTAL is the plug-in device that
determines which channel (1-6) that the RADIO SYSTEM will
operate on. For each CHANNEL, there are two CRYSTALS; one
for the RECEIVER and one for the TRANSMITTER. Of those two
CRYSTALS the one marked with the lower number (.455 MHZ
lower) must be inserted in the RECEIVER.
CLEARING YOUR FREQUENCY - CLEARING your frequency
means checking to be sure no one else in the area is operating
on the same CHANNEL as you. You should always do this before
operating your model.
B.E.C. - This abbreviation stands for battery eliminator circuit. Its
purpose is to allow the RECEIVER to operate on the model’s main
battery pack, rather than carry the extra weight of 4 “AA” batteries.
NICAD (Ni-Cd) - These terms stand for rechargeable, nickel cad-
mium batteries. These batteries are most economical and can be
recharged up to 500 times.
NEUTRAL POSITION - The NEUTRAL POSITION is the standing
position that the SERVOS seek when the TRANSMITTER con-
trols are at neutral.
TRIM - TRIM is the fine-tuning adjustment of the NEUTRAL
POSITION of the SERVOS. This adjustment is made by turning the
throttle and steering trim knobs on the face of the TRANSMITTER.
27MHZ FLAG COLOR CHANNEL # TRAXXAS PART#
26.995 BROWN 1 2031
27.045 RED 2 2032
27.095 ORANGE 3 2033
27.145 YELLOW 4 2034
27.195 GREEN 5 2035
27.255 BLUE 6 2036
1
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
TWO-CHANNEL
DIGITAL PROPORTIONAL
RADIO SYSTEM
MODEL 2203
Includes:
TQ Transmitter
2 Servos
Four-cell battery holder*
Receiver crystal
Transmitter crystal
MODEL 2204
Includes:
TQ Transmitter
1 Servo
Electronic speed control
Receiver crystal
Transmitter crystal
*Radio systems sold as part of a ready-to-run package
may not include the battery holder.

2
INSTALLING TRANSMITTER BATTERIES:
Your transmitter uses 8 “AA” size batteries. They should be
alkaline dry cells, or nicad rechargeable batteries. The battery
compartment is located in the bottom of the transmitter. To remove
the battery door, push down on the tab and lift open the door. Be
sure that the switch is turned off before installing the batteries.
Insert the batteries into the battery compartment making careful
note of the polarity. Now, snap the battery door back into place.
Slide the on/off switch on the transmitter to the “on” position.
Check for a solid red light (not flashing). If there is no light, check
to be sure the batteries are installed correctly. If the light is flash-
ing, the transmitter batteries are weak and should be replaced.
Weak batteries in either the model or the transmitter will cause
the range of your model to be limited, and you could lose control.
RECEIVER BATTERIES:
The Traxxas receiver is equipped with B.E.C. (battery eliminator
circuitry). This circuit eliminates the need to carry a separate 4-
cell battery pack to power the radio system in battery-powered
electric models. Thus, no extra receiver batteries are required.
Fuel-powered (nitro) models will require the use of the
separate 4-cell battery pack. Making careful note of the polarity,
install 4 “AA” alkaline batteries into the battery holder. Stretch a
rubber ballon around the battery holder to protect the bat-
teries from short circuits and fuel contamination. This step
is very important. Mount the battery holder securely in the
model and then neatly route the power cable to the receiver.
CENTERING YOUR SERVOS
Before installing the radio system, you must find the center
neutral position of the steering and throttle servos. If other manu-
facturer’s radio system components are going to be combined
with the Traxxas radio system, pay careful attention to the wiring
sequence. The Traxxas radio system is directly compatible with
Futaba systems. The red wire coming from the battery pack or
Traxxas speed control is positive, the black wire is negative. The
white wire is the control signal. On some Airtronics/ Sanwa
and Novak systems, the positive and negative outputs are
reversed from the Traxxas sequence. Refer to their instruc-
tions to determine which wires are positive and negative so
that they can be connected properly to the Traxxas receiver.
Failure to do so will cause severe damage to your receiver.
With the radio components out of the model, connect the steering
servo to “channel 1” on the receiver. Connect the throttle servo to
“channel 2.” Connect the red and black cable from the Traxxas
speed control or 4-cell battery holder (with fresh batteries) to the
“BATT” terminal on the receiver.
Place fresh “AA” batteries in the transmitter and turn the power
switch on. Turn the throttle and steering trim adjustments on the
transmitter to the center “0” position. Plug a freshly-charged battery
pack into the speed control (or turn the battery holder switch to
the on position). The servos will jump to their center position.
Now, unplug the battery pack (or turn off the battery holder
switch) and turn off the transmitter. Be careful not to move the
servo shafts when installing the servos into your model.
• SYSTEMS WITH MECHANICAL SPEED CONTROL:
Connect the red and black wires which come from the speed
control to the “battery” terminal on the receiver. This will eliminate
the need for the 4-cell battery pack. Power for the radio system
comes from the main battery pack when it is plugged into the
mechanical speed control. When the main battery becomes weak
and loses its charge, the voltage available for the radio system
will also decrease. When the voltage becmes too low, the servos
will stop working andthe model will continue out of control with
the last command it had from the transmitter. This is not a defect
in the radio system. The servos simply do not have enough
power to return to center. Stop operation of the model at the first
sign of sluggish performance and slow servos. Loss of control
can be prevented by using the 4-cell battery pack in conjunction
with the mechanical speed control (see “Using the 4-Cell Battery
Pack” below).
• SYSTEMS WITH TRAXXAS ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL:
Traxxas electronic speed controls have a B.E.C. and do not
need the 4-cell battery pack. Plug the electronic speed control into
the “channel 2” slot in the receiver. Leave the “battery” receptacle
empty. Power for the radio system comes from the electronic speed
control when it’s connected to the main battery. One advantage to
a Traxxas electronic speed control is that it allows full control of
the model when the main battery voltage is extremely low.
CHANNEL 1
STEERING
SERVO
CHANNEL-2
THROTTLE
SERVO
4-CELL
BATTERY HOLDER
PART# 3170
CHANNEL-1
ANTENNA
RECEIVER
ON/OFF
SWITCH
BLACK
NEGATIVE
RED
POSITIVE
CHANNEL-2
BATTERY
WIRE COLORS
BLACK
RED
WHITE
Antenna
Power Indicator
Steering Trim
Throttle Trim
Throttle Neutral Adjust
Throttle Trigger
Steering Wheel
Power Switch
Servo Reversing Switches
Steering (R), Throttle (L)
Battery
Compartment

3
•USING THE 4-CELL BATTERY PACK:
On some applications, such as marine use, the 4-cell battery
pack can be used in conjunction with the electronic or mechanical
speed control. The red (positive) wire in the e.s.c. servo cable
must be removed from the plug and taped to prevent short cir-
cuiting before connecting it to the “channel-2” receptacle. Plug the
4-cell battery pack into the “battery” receptacle. The advantage
with this setup is that it gives you complete, full-power control of
the servos when the main battery pack is almost completely dis-
charged.
ANTENNA SETUP:
1.) Most R/C models come equipped with a
plastic antenna tube, antenna tube mount, and
an antenna tip. If you do not have these items,
they can be purchased from your local hobby
dealer. Route the receiver antenna wire
through the plastic antenna tube and then
insert the tube into the holder mounted in the
chassis. Fold the excess wire over the top of
the antenna tube and secure it with the antenna
tip. Under no circumstances should you ever
cut your antenna wire. Its length is specially
tuned to the frequency band, and cutting it
could severely shorten the radio’s range.
2.) Insert the chrome telescopic antenna into
the hole in the top of the transmitter and screw
it down until it stops. The transmitter antenna
must be extended fully during use.
BASIC OPERATION:
1) Slide the on/off switch on the transmitter to the “on” position.
Check for a solid red light (not flashing). If the light is flashing,
the transmitter batteries are weak and should be replaced. The
red light does not indicate the condition of the batteries in the
model, only the transmitter. Weak batteries in either the model or
the transmitter will cause the range of your model to be limited,
and you could lose control.
2) Install a freshly-charged battery in the model. Set the rear of
the model on a block so that the rear tires are not touching the
ground. If your model has an on/off switch, turn the switch on.
Now, plug the battery in. *Note Traxxas ready-to-run models with
mechanical speed controls do not use an on/off switch. Plugging
the battery in turns the system on, removing it turns it off.
3) If the motor started running when you plugged in the battery
pack and/or turned the model on, then slowly adjust the throttle
trim on the transmitter until the motor stops running. (For electronic
speed controls, adjust the neutral control on the speed control. See
the “Electronic Speed Control” section.) Now operate the throttle
trigger to ensure that you have full forward and reverse operation,
and that the motor stops when the throttle trigger is at neutral.
4) Adjust the steering trim on the transmitter so that the front
wheels are pointing straight ahead. Now operate the steering
wheel to ensure that the steering works properly with no binding.
If the steering or throttle servos seem sluggish, then check to be
sure that either the main battery pack and/or the 4 “AA” receiver
batteries are fully charged.
5) Drive the model slowly at first, until you become accustomed
to the controls on the transmitter.
TRANSMITTER CONTROLS:
THROTTLE TRIM/ STEERING TRIM:
On electric models with a mechanical speed control, adjust the
throttle trim so that the model will stand still without trying to
move forward or backwards. Adjust the steering trim so that the
model will drive straight without veering to the left or right.
THROTTLE NEUTRAL ADJUST:
The throttle neutral adjustment is located on the transmitter
face(see illustration on page 2) and controls the amount of
desired forward and reverse travel of the throttle trigger. There
are two settings, 50/50 which gives you the same amount of
throttle travel in both forward and reverse, and 70/30 which gives
you more travel for throttle and less for reverse. Change the
adjustment by pressing the button and sliding it to the desired
position. The drawings below show how the settings are
arranged. Always use the 50/50 setting when using a mechanical
speed control or forward/reverse electronic speed control. Use
the 70/30 setting with a forward/brake electronic speed control or
Traxxas fuel-powered models. This setting provides more propor-
tional control over your forward speed. If you change this adjust-
ment, your transmitter throttle trim will have to be reset. In some
cases, the throttle servo may have to be re-centered with the
throttle trim adjustment reset at “zero” (see “centering your servos”).
SERVO REVERSING SWITCHES:
On the front of the transmitter there are two switches, one for
throttle and one for steering. Moving the switches reverses the
direction of the servo. For example, if you turn your steering
wheel right and the model moves left, then switch the steering
servo reversing switchto correct the servo direction. The electronic
TOTAL TRIGGER
MOVEMENT
30%
REVERSE
70%
FORWARD
TOTAL TRIGGER
MOVEMENT
50%
REVERSE
50%
FORWARD
CAUTION: When nicad batteries begin to lose their
charge, the voltage will drop much faster than alkaline
dry cells. Stop immediately at the first sign of weak
nicad batteries.
IMPORTANT:
Always turn the transmitter on first before you connect
the battery pack in your electric model. If you do not, the
model will appear to malfunction by running out of control.
(Remember, the transmitter is on first and off last.)
On fuel powered models, always make sure that the
radio system is on and functioning properly before
starting the engine.
50/50
SETTING
70/30
SETTING

trim may need readjustment after moving the switches.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
RADIO SYSTEM MODEL 2204 ONLY
The Traxxas XL-1 electronic speed control is a fully-proportional,
forward/reverse unit. It has two adjustments; the neutral control
and the proportional control. Use a small screwdriver to adjust the
controls.
CAUTION: The adjustment controls will only turn
1/4 turn left or right from center. Do not turn the
controls past their stops or they will break. Use a
light touch when making adjustments. Controls
damaged by overturning them past their stops will
not be covered under the warranty.
•Adjusting the neutral control: First, set the model on its
stand, turn on the transmitter, and plug a fresh battery pack into
the speed control. Set the throttle trim on the transmitter to the
“0” mark. If the motor is running, gently turn the neutral control
right or left until the motor stops running and the L.E.D. is off
(neither green or red).
•Adjusting the proportional control: After setting the neutral
control, move the throttle trigger on the transmitter to full throttle.
Now, carefully adjust the proportional control right or left until the
motor is running at its fastest speed and there is a strong green
light emitted from the L.E.D. If the L.E.D. glows red instead of
green, then switch the throttle servo reversing switch on the face
of the transmitter.
Install the electronic speed control in the model where air can
pass over the fins of the aluminum heatsink.
PRECAUTIONS:
• The radio system is not waterproof. Avoid driving through pud-
dles, wet grass, or mud. If water gets into the electronics it
could damage them.
• Do not continue to operate the model with low batteries or you
could lose control of it. After the battery power drops below a
certain point, the model will continue out of control with the last
command it had from the transmitter. Indications of low battery
power include slow operation, sluggish servos and, for the
transmitter, a flashing red light. When using nicad batteries, be
especially alert for signs of weak batteries. Stop immediately at
the first sign of weak batteries.
• Radio-controlled models are subject to radio interference from
many sources beyond your control. Since radio interference can
cause momentary losses of control, allow a safety margin of
space in all directions around the model to prevent collisions.
• If the transmitter is too close to the receiver (within 3-feet), you
may experience erratic radio system operation.
• Flourescent lighting and steel building structures have been
known to cause radio interference.
• Hold the steering wheel with just your fingertips! If you grip
the wheel with your entire hand, you might then be able to
exert enough force to break the steering mechanism by over-
turning. Overturning the wheel is not covered by warranty.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
Most problems with radio controlled models can be traced to a
few commonly overlooked areas. Below is a list of items to check
if your model appears to be completely dead, have short range,
or have intermittent control. If all of the items check out okay and
the radio system is still malfunctioning, then call the Traxxas service
line at 1-888-TRAXXAS.
Check to be sure that all of the batteries are either fresh or fully
charged, and that they are installed correctly as indicated in the
battery holders.
Check the on/off switches, both on the transmitter and in the
model (if equipped), for proper operation.
Make sure the receiver antenna is fully extended and is not broken
or shorted. Make sure the transmitter antenna is screwed down
snugly and that the mast is fully extended.
Check all of the servo cables to be sure that they are securely
plugged into the receiver. Check all other wires to be sure they
are securely connected and do not have any kinks or breaks.
Make sure the crystals are in the right place and that they are
completely plugged in.
Make sure there are no other transmitters in your area operating
on the same frequency.
Make sure the radio system has not come in contact with water
or fuel.
WHEN RETURNING FOR SERVICE:
If your radio system malfunctions and you wish to return it for
repair, whenever possible remove the radio system from the
model and send it separately. Also, remove all of the batteries.
Return the unit(s) with a brief note describing the problem, plus a
daytime phone number and return address to:
TRAXXAS
1100 KLEIN RD.
PLANO, TX 75074
For technical assistance, call 1-888-TRAXXAS
For orders & other information, call 972-265-8000.
STOP STOP
1/4Turn 1/4Turn
Center
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ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL