Novak GTB 2 User Manual
BASIC SET-UP GUIDE –- gtb 2 ESC
• Download “ESC Track Guide” from our web site for Proper Gearing & Custom Programming • Read All Instructions Before Use •
PRECAUTIONS
WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX!
MUST BE 14 YEARS OR OLDER TO OPERATE
Strict adult supervision is required for use by children under 14 years of age.
ESC HAS THERMAL OVERLOAD PROTECTION
Heavy BEC loading may trigger protective circuitry!
SENSOR-BASED BRUSHLESS MOTORS ONLY
1S-2S LiPo OR 4-6 NiMH CELLS ONLY
DO NOT CHANGE BATTERY WIRE COLORS
TRANSMITTER ON FIRST
NO REVERSE VOLTAGE!
Use of the included Glitch Buster helps with heavy BEC loading.
RF noise in the power wires can adversely effect radio system performance.
NO CA GLUE
Re-charge battery after Smart-Stop circuitry shuts off throttle
When the ESC is switched ON, the Yellow & Red LEDs will flash
together 2 times to indicate LiPo Cut-Off is ACTIVE.
(after a short resting period)
to a level high enough
Using an external reciever pack will greatly increase life span of
your ESC, as this is a leading cause of speed control failure.
#55-1709-1 Rev.5
1-2014
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Voltage ........................................................1S-2S LiPo cells, 4-6 NiMH cells
Motor Limit ............. Any 540-size/4.5T & higher 550-size brushless (any 380-size)
ESC Size ...................................... 1.16” x 1.47” x 0.97”H (29.5 x 37.3 x 24.6mm)
ESC Weight (w/o wires) ....................................................1.29 ounce (36.6 grams)
B.E.C. Voltage/Current (built-in)........................................ 6.0 volts DC / 3.0 amps
Power Wire (Battery/Motor) ...............................................14G Super-Flex Silicone
On-Resistance ........................................0.0004ohm per phase @25°C trans.temp.
Thermal Overload Protection ............................................................................Yes
The GTB2 Brushless ESC features Novak’s X-DriveTM, complete on-board programming,
on-board temperature monitoring, Thermal Overload Protection, and has no electronic
motor timing advance to comply with all zero-timing sportsman/spec racing series.
ACCESSORIES
PLUG-IN INPUT SIGNAL HARNESS (MINI-JST)
Input signal harness with 2mm Mini plug on ESC end--4.5” (#5304), 9” (#5309).
BRUSHLESS MOTOR CONNECTOR WIRE SET [Novak kit #5332]
Flexible 14GA wire with gold-plated connectors for low-resistance connections.
BRUSHLESS SENSOR HARNESSES [Novak kit #5351-#5353]
Shielded sensor harness protects sensor wires--4” (#5351), 6” (#5352), 9” (#5353).
LOW-PROFILE HEAT SINK [Novak kit #S5431]
For GTB2 and Havoc Pro SC ESCs with 8.5T or higher motors. Includes thermal gap pad.
5-AMP UNIVERSAL BEC (2S) [Novak kit #5465]
Supplies 6.0V / 5A of power to receiver & servo for extra performance under heavy loads.
1S LiPo BOOSTER MODULE [Novak kit #5477]
Supplies 6V/3A to receiver & servo for optimal performance. For 1S racing & 2.4GHz.
SUPER-FLEX SILICONE 14GA WIRE SET [Novak kit #5508]
Two each of 9” length black, red, blue, yellow, and orange 14GA power wire.
SUPER-FLEX SILICONE 12GA POWER WIRE [Novak kit #5512]
Three feet each of black, red, and blue ultra low-resistance12GA power wire.
ESC POWER SWITCH HARNESS [Novak kit #5600]
Includes replacement ON/OFF Power Switch with stripped & tinned wire harness.
GLITCH BUSTER CAPACITOR [Novak kit #5626] *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
Provides reserve power to receiver during times of extreme load experienced with today’s
power hungry servos. Plugs into any open receiver slot.
25x25x10mm COOLING FANS [Novak kits #5649 & #5653]
Cooling fans with 2mm Mini power plug. Single fan (#5649), 2-pack of fans (#5653).
POWER TRANS-CAP MODULE (2S) [Novak kit #5688] *STD/REQUIRED*
Replacement PowerCap module for efficient, lower temperature operation on 2S LiPo.
POWER CONNECTORS–3.5mm & 4mm [Novak kit #5731 & #5741]
Low-Loss bullet connectors generate dozens of wiring routing and installation options.
LEAD-FREE SILVER SOLDER [Novak kit #5831-#5833]
3% Silver solder for high-conductivity--6gr (#5831), 15gr (#5832), 100gr (#5833).
MOUNTING TAPE 25x35mm [Novak kit #5840 & #5841]
Cushioned, double-sided tape for mounting electronics--10pc (#5840), 100pc (#5841).
HEAT SHRINK TUBING [Novak kit #5850 & #5851]
6” long heat shrink tubing in six sizes: 1/16” - 3/8”--6pc kit (#5850), 24pc kit (#5851).
[Novak kits #5304 & #5309]
product warranty
This Brushless ESC is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 120 days from
original purchase date (verified by dated, itemized sales receipt). Warranty does not cover incorrect installation,
components worn by use, damage to case or exposed circuit boards, damage from using more than 6 cells (1.2
volts DC/cell) or more than 2 LiPo cells input voltage, damage resulting from using LiPo batteries without SmartStop voltage cut-off circuitry active, using insufficient LiPo batteries that cannot supply the amperage required
by this system, damage resulting from thermal overload or excessive BEC loading or disabling Thermal Protection
Circuitry, overheating solder tabs, cross-connection of battery/motor power wires, reverse voltage application,
improper use or installation of external BEC, damage from incorrect installation of FET servo or receiver battery
pack, damage due to free revving motor, damage due to short-circuiting motor or using a non-Novak motor or a
non-sensored motor, not using facotry-installed PowerCap module, incorrect installation of a PowerCap or operating
ESC with a damaged PowerCap, using a Schottky diode, splices to input, ON/OFF switch, or sensor harnesses,
replacing power wires with all same color wires, damage from excessive force when using the One-Touch/SET
button or from disassembling case, tampering with internal electronics, allowing water, moisture, or any other
foreign material to enter ESC or get onto the PC board, incorrect installation/wiring of input plug plastic, allowing
exposed wiring or solder tabs to short-circuit, or any damage caused by a crash, flooding, or natural disaster.
Because Novak has no control over connection & use of ESC or other related electronics, no liability may be
assumed nor will be accepted for any damage resulting from the use of this product. Every Novak ESC & motor
is thoroughly tested & cycled before leaving our facility and is, therefore, considered operational. By the act of
connecting/operating ESC, user accepts all resulting liability. In no case shall our liability exceed the product’s
original cost. We reserve the right to modify warranty provisions without notice. This product is not intended
for use by children under 14 years of age without the strict supervision of an adult. Use of this product in an
uncontrolled manner may result in physical damage or injuries—take extra care when operating any remote
control vehicle. Melted ESCs/motors are not covered by the warranty.
Designed by Novak R/C, Inc. in California and assembled with globally sourced components.
©2014 Novak R/C, Inc. • All Rights Reserved • No part of these instructions may be reproduced without
the written permission of Novak R/C, Inc. GTB2 Brushless ESC, Hall Sensor Test, & One-Touch Set-Up are
all trademarks of Novak R/C, Inc.
Allowing water, moisture or other foreign materials to get inside ESC will void warranty.
Designed for use with any 540-size (or 4.5T or higher 550-size) sensor-based brushless motors.
NEVER USE SCHOTTKY DIODES WITH BRUSHLESS ESCs!
DO NOT FREE REV OR OPERATE WITHOUT LOAD!
This includes running the motor without a pinion or holding the car in the air and
running the motor at or close to full power. Free revving will void the warranty!
NEVER exceed 2S LiPo for vehicle’s main battery & be sure Voltage Cut-Off option is ON.
NEVER exceed 6-cell NiCd/NiMH (1.2VDC/cell), & disable Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry.
GOOD QUALITY RADIO & LiPo BATTERIES SUGGESTED
Undesirable radio noise may occur when using lower quality radio systems. 2.4GHz radio
system use is best; high quality FM system is acceptable; AM systems are NOT recommended.
LiPo’s that can’t supply the required amperage can damage electronics & voids warranty.
UNPLUG BATTERY WHEN NOT IN USE & SWITCH ESC OFF
Always disconnect the battery from ESC to avoid short circuits and possible fire hazard.
ALWAYS SWITCH OFF ESC BEFORE CONNECTING BATTERY
If battery is connected with ESC switch in ON position, serious damage can occur.
Avoid the risk of improper power connection that will damage ESC & voids warranty.
Turn on transmitter power first so you will have control of vehicle when you turn it on.
Reverse battery connection will damage ESC immediately & will void the warranty!
Insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent short circuits.
POWERCAP REQUIRED/GLITCH BUSTER SUGGESTED
The external PowerCap installed on ESC MUST be used to avoid high ESC temperatures
& possible damage.
DO NOT BUNDLE POWER & SIGNAL WIRES TOGETHER
CA glue or fumes can damage internal components of ESC & cause premature failure.
VOLTAGE cUt-OFF circuitry
When active, the built-in Smart-Stop Auto-Detect Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry lets you
safely use 2S Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery packs by cutting off the speed control’s
throttle output when the battery’s critical safety voltage is reached.
This circuitry monitors battery voltage and automatically selects a 2S cut-off voltage
value when using a 2S battery pack. When the ESC detects that the critical safety
voltage value will soon be reached, it begins cutting back the throttle output level
to prevent the battery’s voltage from reaching the a level that results in cell damage.
When the critical voltage is reached, the throttle output to the motor gets
completely shut down to keep the voltage from dropping further. (Red & Yellow
LEDs will alternately flash & you still have steering control).
Even though the pack’s voltage will rise
to run motor again, reaching critical voltage too many times will damage cells.
DO NOT RUN VEHICLE AFTER SMART-STOP HAS SHUT DOWN THROTTLE OUTPUT!
With the Voltage Cut-Off turned ON & using NiCd/NiMH cells, the ESC’s throttle output will
shut off very early into the run--Change the Cut-Off Circuitry mode to OFF to use these batteries.
See CUSTOM PROGRAMMING OPTIONS on ESC Track Guide to properly adjust this setting.
RECEIVER PACK USAGE
NOVAK HIGHLY-RECOMMENDS the use of an external receiver battery pack
to supply power to the electronics when using high-power servos, as these
servos put excessive load on the speed control’s internal BEC.
To use an External Receiver Battery Pack to Power the Electronics:
1. Plug the 5 cell (1.2 VDC/Cell) receiver battery pack into the battery slot (or any
open/unused channel) of the receiver.
2. Remove the red wire from ESC’s input receiver harness (insulate the red wire).
3. To turn the vehicle ON, switch the receiver pack’s power switch ON. Then, turn
the ESC’s power switch ON.
4.
To turn vehicle OFF, turn ESC’s switch OFF, then turn receiver pack’s switch OFF.
step 1–mount esc
Mount the ESC so the power wires are as far away from other electronics as
possible, and will not interfere with the vehicle’s moving parts. Select a location with good airflow for cooling the ESC for efficient operation.
1. MOUNT SPEED CONTROL IN VEHICLE
Use the included double-sided tape to mount ESC in vehicle
(do not use glue).
Avoid contact with side walls or chassis components to avoid vibration damage.
Be sure receiver & antenna are mounted as far from ESC, power wires, battery,
and servo as possible--These components all emit RF noise.
Note: Mount antenna as close to receiver as possible--trail excess wire off top of
antenna mast (cutting/coiling excess wire reduces radio range--2.4GHz too).
2. INSTALL ON/OFF SWITCH
Use included double-sided tape to mount switch where it will be easy to
access--select a place where it will not get damaged/switched OFF in a crash.
3.
SECURE POWERCAP & POWER WIRES TO AVOID VIBRATION DAMAGE
Use the included tie-wraps to secure PowerCap to the ESC’s power wires,
then tie-wrap the power wires together or to a point on the vehicle.
step 2–connect motor/battery
Motor connection
1. INSTALL PINION GEAR & ADJUST MOTOR FOR PROPER GEAR MESH
Tighten pinion’s set screw on flat of motor shaft. Align pinion & spur gears.
A.
You NEED a small amount of play between the pinion and spur gear
(about thickness of a piece of paper)–check free play at several points around
spur gear to ensure a proper mesh (just in case gears are out of round)
MAKE SURE THE PINION/SPUR GEAR MESH IS NOT TOO TIGHT!
B.
Tighten motor mounting screws–Avoid using excessive force that could
break screws or strip the threaded holes in motor.
2. CHECK FOR PROPER GEARING DURING INITIAL RUNS
The brushless motor & ESC should NOT be hotter than 160°F after a 5 minute
run. Lower the gearing until both ESC & motor are under this temperature.
3. CONNECT MOTOR POWER PHASE WIRES TO MOTOR
A.
Solder the speed control’s BLUE
Phase ‘A’
silicone motor power wire to
the motor’s Phase “A” solder tab.
B.
Solder the speed control’s
to the motor’s
C
. Solder the speed control’s
to the motor’s
Phase “B”
Phase “C”
YELLOW Phase ‘B’
solder tab.
ORANGE
Phase ‘C’
solder tab.
silicone motor power wire
silicone motor power wire
4. CONNECT MOTOR SENSOR HARNESS TO ESC
Insert the 6-pin connector of the motor’s sensor harness into ESC’s sensor
harness socket—connector is keyed and only inserts in one direction.
Battery connection
1.
CONNECT ESC’S BATTERY WIRES OR CONNECTOR TO BATTERY PACK
Solder the ESC’s RED & BLACK battery power wires to a fully charged 1S-2S
LiPo, or 4-6 cell NiMH (1.2 VDC/cell) battery pack or to a connector.
To use battery connectors on the ESC, we suggest using low-loss high power
connectors like Dean’s Ultra Plug or the Novak Power Connector.
• Use polarized connectors. Reverse voltage will damage ESC & void warranty.
• Use a female connector on battery packs to avoid reverse shorting.
• Insulate all exposed wiring connection to avoid shorting.
NOTE: If using NiMH/NiCd batteries, the Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry must be
turned OFF (refer to the ESC Track Guide).
.
step 3–connect receiver
receiver connections
The ESC has a user-replaceable input harness
with a 2mm mini plug on ESC end of it and the
industry-standard connector on receiver end.
ESC works with all major brand’s new receivers
(very old receivers need wiring sequence changed in
plastic plug on receiver end--Damage may occur
if sequence is incorrect). For instructions on
changing the wiring sequences, visit our web site.
1. CONNECT 2mm MINI PLUG TO RECEIVER HARNESS PINS ON ESC
Insert the 2mm mini plug of receiver input harness onto the receiver harness 3-pin
header on the ESC. White wire goes on the right side pin as shown above.
2. CONNECT RECEIVER HARNESS TO RECEIVER
Insert 3-pin connector of receiver harness into Ch.2 (throttle) slot of receiver.
3. INSTALL 25mm COOLING FAN ON ESC (OPTIONAL)
Press fan screws through 2 of the holes along one edge of the fan and into the 1st
gap of ESC heat sink fins. Plug fan connector onto ESC’s fan pins--note polarity.
4. CONNECT A GLITCH BUSTER CAPACITOR TO RECEIVER (OPTIONAL)
If being used, insert connector of Glitch Buster into any open receiver slot
Motor
sensor
harness
Receiver
harness
(2mm mini plug)
black wire
(negative)
red wire
(positive)
negative
fan pin
positive
fan pin
button
white
wire
(signal)
--note polarity
ON/OFF
switch
harness
.
STEP 4-one-touch programming
With ESC connected to a charged battery, receiver, & 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 at neutral (still pressing SET button), slide ESC’s 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 green status LED turns solid green.
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 speed control is at neutral and
that proper programming has been completed.
indicating that Dynamic Timing Advance is OFF and the timing is set to a level of 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: The speed control will NOT revert back to the factory-default settings when the
One-Touch Programming is performed. Refer to ‘Data Reset’ in Custom Programming.
(Motor won’t run during programming).
White LED may also be on and blinking,
transmitter adjustments
Transmitter adjustments may not be required to properly complete the OneTouch programming. If you have any problems with the programming, adjust
your transmitter settings as listed below and repeat ONE-TOUCH PROGRAMMING.
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 REVERSING SWITCH to either position.
E. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM to middle. [adjusts neutral position]
F. Set ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW to 70% throttle/30% brake (or 7:3)--best for
racing. Set to 50%/50% for full time use with reverse for best performance.
G. Set MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW to 2/3 throttle and 1/3 brake throw position.
•NOT ALL TRANSMITTERS HAVE ALL OF THESE ADJUSTMENTS•
ESC
User-
harness
(Ch.2)
ON/OFF
Switch
Sensor
harness
Orange motor
power wire
(Phase C)
Receiver
Servo plugged into
steering ch. (#1)
replaceable
input signal
Glitch Buster
plugged into any
open receiver slot
set-up photo
Sensor-based
brushless motor
(if used)
Status LEDs
Set
button
Yellow motor
power wire
(Phase B)
Blue motor
power wire
(Phase A)
PowerCap Module
(secured to chassis with tape)
Black power wire
(battery negative)
Red power wire
(battery positive)
For informative installation and how-to videos,
visit the Team Novak Channel on YouTube®.
Note:
Early versions of GTB 2 ESC included
the Power Programming Switch shown here.
Battery
connector
(if used)
The ESC’s Set button has been relocated to
the corner of the PC board as in set-up photo.
Battery pigtail
connected to battery to
avoid reverse voltage!
--
Keep
• 1S or 2S LiPo or 4-6 cell NiMH/NiCd •
*Battery pack, servo, and
receiver are not included.
Battery pack
www.tea m novak.com
Loading...