proper dig operation
Please follow the steps below to ensure that your M2 Dig 3S speed
control is adjusted properly and that the front & rear Digs are
operating correctly:
1. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER & ESC’S POWER
2. CONFIRM BASIC ESC FUNCTION
A. When the Transmitter’s AUX/3rd channel switch or dial is in the
center or neutral position, the ESC’s Blue & Red Dig indicator LEDs
should be OFF.
B. Apply a small amount of throttle to confirm that both front & rear
drives are functioning properly. Both front & rear motors should
run, and should both be rotating the proper direction.
3. CONFIRM FRONT & REAR DIGS OPERATE PROPERLY
A. Position the transmitter’s AUX/3rd channel switch/dial to the left
or right end point.
B. Apply a small amount of throttle to confirm that ONLY the front or
rear motor is running and the opposite end’s Dig is engaged. One
of the Dig indicator LEDs will illuminate. The Dig power may not
feel that strong at this point--refer to the CUSTOM PROGRAMMING
section to adjust.
C. Now position the transmitter’s AUX/3rd channel switch/dial to
the opposite end point.
D. Apply a small amount of throttle to confirm that ONLY the opposite
motor of Step 3C is running and the other end’s Dig is engaged
(reverse of Step 3B). The other Dig indicator LED will illuminate.
The Dig feature allows you to lock one drive axle while driving the
other to let you navigate around obstacles or turn tighter as needed.
The amount of Dig Power applied to the motor that is being “locked”
is independently adjustable from the Hill/Drag Brake power to give you
finer tuning and better performance than typical two speed control
installations with an auxiliary dig unit.
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.
• Make sure ESC is plugged into the throttle channel of receiver. Check wiring
color sequence of receiver signal harness (Refer to STEP 1 in Basic Set-Up Guide).
Receiver Glitches/Throttle Stutters During Acceleration
• Receiver or antenna too close to ESC, power wires, battery, or motor.
• Low voltage to receiver––Try Novak Glitch Buster capacitor on receiver to help
retain power during high current draw situations (Novak accessory #5626).
• PowerCap damaged/missing––Replace PowerCap.
• Battery pack damaged or weak––Try a different battery pack.
• Excessive current to motor—Use a milder motor or a smaller pinion gear.
• Untidy wiring or signal and power wired bundled together. Input harness
and servo wires should be bundled separately from power wires. 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 ratio/Reduce pinion
• Motor is damaged––Try a different motor.
ESC Is Melted Or Burnt/ESC Runs With Switch Off
• Internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
BEC and/or Receiver Cuts Out Under High Steering Load
• Using very high-power servos––Use an external BEC to power servos & receiver.
• Steering end points set too high––Reduce steering travel to prevent servo
from pulling excessive current when steering is at full lock position.
• Operating on 3S LiPo/LiFe––Use an external BEC to power servos & receiver.
No Power to the BEC
voltage cut-off circuitry
The M2 Dig 3S speed control features Novak’s Smart-Stop Voltage CutOff Circuitry built-in. When used properly, the Voltage Cut-Off circuitry
will allow you to safely use LiPo and LiFe batteries, without letting the
cells drop below their critical safety voltage.
The default in the speed control is that the Voltage Cut-Off circuitry is
turned on, and is set to the LiPo battery setting. If you are using NiMH
or NiCd cells, you will need to switch the Voltage Cut-Off circuitry to
the OFF setting. If using LiFe cells, you will need to switch the Voltage
Cut-Off circuitry to the LiFe battery setting.
Note: Whenever the speed control’s One-Touch Programming is
performed, the Voltage Cut-Off circuitry will revert back to the
default setting, which is the LiPo battery setting.
DO NOT USE LiPo/LiFe BATTERIES WITH VOLTAGE CUT-OFF TURNED OFF
temperature monitoring
The M2 Dig 3S ESC has a built-in diagnostic temperature monitoring
feature that lets you quickly and easily check the speed control’s operating
temperature at any time, without the need for a temperature gun.
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.
BLUE flashing LED = normal operating temperature.
YELLOW flashing LED = medium operating temperature.
GREEN flashing LED = hot operating temperature.
RED flashing LED = hottest operating temperature.
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 temperature.
Your ESC is now about to thermally shut-down.
--Reduce pinion size to avoid overheating and potential ESC damage--
• Check power wire connections to your battery, ESC, and BEC unit.
• Check that the input harness from the BEC is plugged into the receiver correctly
and the red wire from the ESC’s input harness is removed.
• Be sure that the BEC unit’s power switch is turned ON.
error codes
•
Green & Red status LEDs on solid––Check input signal harness connections at
ESC and receiver. Check input signal harness wiring sequence––Refer to STEP 1.
• 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 to
regain motor control. LEDs will continue to blink until system is cooled down.
• Green & Red status LEDs blinking on and off. LiPo/LiFe Safety Cut-Off voltage
reached. Remove and charge/replace battery pack.
Check Novak’s web site for additional information.
proper gear selection
Motor & ESC operating temperature is the
proper way to set the vehicle gearing
The motor and Speed Control should not exceed
160°F at any time during a run!
Change the gearing to avoid overheating.
With the extreme loads that can be encountered during Crawling, high current draw
can produce excessive speed control & motor heating. Always check the operating
temperature of the ESC after initial vehicle set-up and again after making any
gearing adjustments or drive train modifications to avoid overheating.
P8
(refer to ‘PROPER GEAR SELECTION’).
M2 dig field guide
#55-1846P-1 Rev. 1
The M2 Dig 3S Dual Brush ESC is
factory loaded with programmable
features, which may appear to be
overwhelming at first glance, but this
Field Guide was designed as a quickreference guide to help you tackle
adjusting any of the M2’s crawling
functions in the field.
Take some time to read through this
guide thoroughly before operation.
Most importantly, enjoy all of the
technical benefits and features that
the M2 Dig has to offer!
esc parameters
1. Hill/Drag Brake
2. Dig Power
3. Dead Band
4. Minimum Drive
5. Drive Frequency
6. Voltage Cut-Off
7. Profile
The above speed control parameters are adjustable via the ESC’s
One-Touch/Programming button and the on-board status LEDs. The
speed control can also be programmed via the optional NovaLink PC
interface (Part #5440), and some of the parameters can also be finetuned with more adjustablity on the NovaLink software.
(1 of 3)
(1 of 10)
(1 of 10)
(1 of 5)
..................
.......................................................5-97%
.............................................................30-97%
................................................................ 2-8%
(1 or 5)
........................................................2-12%
(1 of 10)
(1 of 3)
............................................... 1.0-7.3KHz
............................................OFF-LiPo-LiFe
Dig, Proportional Dig, Single Output Mode
applications
In addition to rock crawling applications, the M2 Dig is ideal for dual
drive applications such as robot, boat, tank, and submarine. For these
applications, the ESC should be operated in Throttle Profile 2 so that
variable power can be applied to the motors.
The main difference in the wiring of this type of dual-motor
application will be the following:
In STEP 1: CONNECT INPUT HARNESS, the RX AUX input signal
harness from the ESC will need to connect to the ST/Ch.1 of the
receiver. The variable control from the left to the right motor will be
controlled using the steering control from the transmitter.
In STEP 3: WIRE ESC TO BATTERY & MOTOR, the motor power
wire connections may need to be reversed, depending on gearing
configurations, drive train, etc.
single output mode
The Single Output Mode is for use with either single or dual motor
applications when using a two-channel transmitter––the Dig feature
is not available in this Mode.
FOR SINGLE MOTOR APPLICATIONS Either set of motor wires may
be used, or both sets may be used for increased performance. When
using both sets of motor wires, both yellow wires connect to the
positive terminal of the motor and both blue wires will connect to the
negative terminal. Refer to Figure 4 on Basic Set-Up Guide for wiring
diagram. In this Mode you will use Throttle Profile 3 (refer to Thottle
Profile Selection on P6 of Field Guide). Change the ESC to Throttle
Profile 3 before doing the One-Touch Set-Up Programming.
FOR DUAL MOTOR APPLICATIONS The M1 motor wires will connect
to the front motor, and M2 motor wires will connect to the rear motor.
Use Throttle Profile 3.
11-2010
one-touch programming
With ESC connected to (at least) a receiver and a charged battery pack, and the
transmitter’s Aux/3rd channel (3Ch required for Dig) set to its
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 LED TURNS RED
6.
PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION
Hold it there until the 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 blue & red status LEDs will turn on solid, indicating that speed control is now
ready to program the Aux/3rd channel that is used for the Dig feature. (Note: If
using the Single Output Mode without Dig, ESC will exit programming here)
9. CHANGE TRANSMITTER’S AUX/3rd CHANNEL TO ONE END POINT
The blue & green status LEDs will turn on solid.
10. CHANGE TRANSMITTER’S AUX/3rd CHANNEL TO OTHER END POINT
The blue status LED will turn on solid & the green LED will blink.
11.
RETURN TRANSMITTER
The blue, yellow, & red status LEDs will turn on solid, indicating that speed
control is at neutral and that proper programming has been completed.
NOTE: If transmitter settings are changed, One-Touch Programming must be repeated.
NOTE: Whenever the One-Touch Programming set-up is performed, the
speed control will automatically revert back to the factory-default settings.
transmitter adjustments
Transmitter adjustments may not be needed to program and operate
the M2 Dig 3S ESC. However, if you have any problems with ONE-
TOUCH PROGRAMMING, adjust the transmitter as follows and repeat
the ONE-TOUCH PROGRAMMING step.
THROTTLE CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS
A. Set HIGH ATV or EPA to maximum setting. [the amount of throw at
full throttle]
B. Set LOW ATV, EPA, or ATL to maximum setting. [the amount of throw
at full brakes]
C. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL 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]
F. Set ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to 50% throttle
and 50% brake throw–best for reversible ESCs.
[adjusts trigger throw electronic/digital pistol-grip transmitters]
G. Set MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to position with
1/2 throttle and 1/2 brake throw.
AUX OR 3rd CHANNEL ADJUSTMENTS
A. Set AUX/3rd CHANNEL EXPONENTIAL to zero setting. [aux/3rd
channel linearity]
B. Set AUX/3rd CHANNEL REV. SWITCH to either position.
C. Set AUX/3rd CHANNEL TRIM to middle setting.
GOOD QUALITY RADIO SYSTEM SUGGESTED
With the greater demand of high-end electronics, 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.
www. t e a m n o v a k . c o m
P5
middle
(Note: Motor will not run)
’S AUX/3rd CHANNEL
If you experience any problems, turn off ESC and repeat One-Touch.
2.4 GHz
Best to use
FM
OK to use
TO NEUTRAL
AM
Do not use
position
:
NOT ALL TRANSMITTERS HAVE THESE ADJUSTMENTS
throttle profile
The M2 Dig 3S Dual Brush speed control is equipped with 3 user-selectable
Throttle Profiles, as shown below:
• PROFILE 1 – Dig Mode – When the AUX/3rd switch/dial is thrown, the dig
function for either the front or rear motor (depending on the switch position)
will be engaged. The transmitter must have either a proportional AUX switch
or a simple three-position AUX switch.
• PROFILE 2 – Proportional Dig Mode – In this mode, the amount of dig power
applied to each motor is directly proportional to the position of the AUX/3rd
channel. The transmitter must have an AUX/3rd channel and must have a
proportional-style switch or control similar to a dial or knob.
• PROFILE 3 – Single Output Mode – This mode is used for standard twochannel operation with either single or dual-motor control. There is no dig
function in this profile. A third channel is required for dig operation. See
STEP 1 for proper input harness connections and STEP 3 for proper motor
connections.
NOTE: The M2 Dig has the ability to run on either 2S or3S LiPo or LiFe batteries
via Novak’s auto detect software. When the appropriate voltage cut-off circuitry
is active (see programming on reverse side to turn ON/OFF), the ESC automatically
switches to the proper cut-off voltage for the battery pack you connect.
M2 DIG THROTTLE PROFILES
BRUSHED MOTOR PROFILES
selection
1 2 3
Dig
Reverse 100% 100% 100%
Programmable yes yes yes
Drag/Hill Brake 40% 40% 40%
Dig Power 70% 70% N/A
Dead Band 5% 5% 5%
Minimum Drive 3% 3% 3%
Drive Frequency 2.5kHz 2.5kHz 2.5kHz
Voltage Cut-Off LiPo LiPo LiPo
Proportional
Dig
Single Output
NOTE: The M2 Dig is factory set to Profile #1
selecting throttle profiles:
With ESC on & connected to a charged battery
1. IF TRANSMITTER IS OFF, DISCONNECT ESC FROM RECEIVER
To avoid possible radio interference, remove the ESC’s input signal harness from
the receiver--Green LED will stay on to indicate no signal from receiver.
2. PRESS & HOLD THE ESC’S ONE-TOUCH SET BUTTON
Continue to hold SET button on ESC until all LEDs turn on.
Note: You will continue holding past all the LED programming indicators
in the ESC’s software as shown in the flow chart on this sheet.
3. RELEASE SET BUTTON AS SOON AS ALL LEDs COME ON
Once released, the four status LEDs will flash to indicate what Throttle Profile is
currently selected. The number of times the LEDs flash indicates the Brushless
Throttle Profile selection (1 of 3).
4. QUICK PRESS
Each press will change to the next consecutive Throttle Profile.
5. STORE SELECTION & EXIT TO NEUTRAL
Once the desired profile is selected, press and hold the SET button for 1-2 seconds.
When the LEDs begin to scroll off, release the SET button and the blue, yellow, &
red LEDs will turn on solid. At this point, the ESC is at neutral and ready to go.
n
ovalink interface
In addition to on-board programming, the
M2 Dig 3S ESC can be fine-tuned via Novak’s
fully adjustable PC interface, the NovaLinkTM
Programming Interface (#5440). The NovaLink
includes an ESC adaptor module to plug into
the input harness, a USB cord to connects the
adaptor to the computer, and a NovakLink CD
to install the required PC software.
Users can input the desired ESC parameter values or utilize user-friendly
graphic controls to customize. Each personalized set of ESC parameters
can be stored on the PC and recalled later. These custom parameter sets
can be shared with other drivers to collaborate and find the best set-up
for given courses, vehicles, and conditions. It is easy to keep your ESC and
the NovakLink up-to-date, thanks to software & firmware updates available
for download from the Novak web site.
(& release)
SET BUTTON TO CHANGE SELECTION
(transmitter ON or OFF)
all LEDs
:
NovaLinkTM
(#5440)
CUSTOM programmiNG options -- advanced
m2 dig software flow chart
The M2 Dig 3S ESC features several
parameters that can be customized
to fine-tune the speed control’s feel
& response to your liking.
The flo w chart bel ow and the
ad justmen t s teps to the rig ht
describe the different parameters
and how they effect the ESC.
One-Touch Programming must be
completed before customization
o f p ar am e te rs , a s a l l E S C
parameters except Throttle Profile
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. C O NNEC T T H E E SC TO A
RECEIVER AND A CHAR GED
BATTERY PACK
2. S L IDE THE E S C ’s O N / OFF
SWITCH TO ‘ON’ POSITION
3. WITH ESC AT NEUTRAL, PRESS
& HOLD SET BUTTON
Release ESC’s SET button once LEDs
are lit for the desired setting.
To skip a p arameter, continue
to press & hold SET button until
desired parameter is reached.
4. SELECT PARAMETER VALUE
LED flashes to indicate active setting
(refer to tables at right). Quick press
& releas e SET button to select
desired setting.
5. PRESS & HOLD SET BUTTON TO
STORE NEW SELECTION
When SET button is pressed and
held for about 1-2 seconds, the
new selection is st ored in ESC’s
memory—
to indicate ESC is exiting programming
& ESC returns to neutral.
There is no time constraint during
selection of custom parameters.
Status LEDs will scroll across
DRAG BRAKE
DIG POWER
DEAD BAND
MIN. DRIVE
continue holding ESC’s SET button to skip steps here
DRIVE FREQ.
VOLTAGE CUT-OFF
@NEUTRAL
BLUE-YELLOW-RED
LEDs on solid
press & hold SET button
BLUE & YELLOW
BLUE-GREEN-RED
BLUE & GREEN
YELLOW
GREEN-RED
YELLOW-RED
PROFILE
all LEDs (flashing)
# flashes
**profile 2 via NovaLink
if pressed within 3 sec.
of all LEDs flashing
active profile changed
if not pressed within
3sec. of all LEDs flashing
LEDs roll off
ESC exits programming
NEUTRAL
BLUE-YELLOW-RED
LEDs on solid
=
active profile
(1-2**)
TM
drag/hill brake
#1 DRAG/HILL BRAKE SETTINGS
Drag or Hill Drag is the amount of braking being applied while the transmitter
throttle is at neutral.
>> Increasing this setting makes the motor slow the vehicle down more.
You can adjust this setting to give the vehicle the desired amount of
creep down the incline when the transmitter’s trigger is released.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Drag/Hill Brake
(%)
:
5 10 20 30 35 40
(1 of 10)
BLUE & YELLOW LEDs
50
70 80 97
10
dig power
#2 DIG POWER SETTINGS
Dig Power is the amount of braking or dig power being applied to lock either the
front or rear motor.
>> Increasing this setting applies more braking power to the motor
that the Dig function is telling to lock. By locking either the front of
rear motor, the vehicle is able to perform a “Dig” maneuver that can
allow you to navigate around obstacles or perform a tighter turning
radius by dragging the rear wheels.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Dig Power
(%)
:
(1 of 10)
30 40 50 60 65 70
BLUE-GREEN-RED LEDs
10
75
80 85 97
dead band
#3 DEAD BAND SETTINGS
Dead Band is the space between Minimum Brake and Minimum Drive, with
Neutral in the middle.
>>
Increasing this setting increases the amount of ‘free play’, or distance your
transmitter’s trigger must move before forward drive or reverse begins.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3 4 5
Dead Band (%):
(1 of 5)
BLUE & GREEN LEDs
2 3 4 5 8
minimum drive
#4 MINIMUM DRIVE SETTINGS
Minimum Drive is the amount of forward drive that is applied to the motor with
first pulse of throttle information sent by the transmitter.
>> Increasing starts forward drive at a higher level. Minimizes trigger
throw required before effective drive is applied with heavy vehicles.
Setting (# of flashes) 1 2 3 4 5
Minimum Drive (%):
(1 of 10)
YELLOW LED
2 3 5 8 12
DRIVE FREQUENCY
#5 DRIVE FREQUENCY SETTINGS
Drive frequency is how the speed control’s throttle response feels with respect
to the transmitter’s throttle trigger input.
>> Increasing the Drive Frequency makes the throttle response feel
smoother and more controllable, similar to the way an exponential
throttle curve feels.
Setting
(# of flashes)
Drive Freq.
(KHz)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
:
1
2
(1 of 10) GREEN & RED LEDs
2.5
3
3.3
4 5 5.5 6.3 7.3
voltage cut-off
#6 VOLTAGE CUT-OFF SELECTION
>> Changing this setting enables or disables the ESC’s Smart Stop
voltage cut-off circuitry, and also sets the voltage cut-off point
based on what type of batteries are being used in the vehicle’s
main battery pack.
DO NOT USE LiPo/LiFe BATTERIES WITH VOLTAGE CUT-OFF TURNED OFF
Setting (# of flashes)
Voltage Cut-Off Type:
1 2 3
(
NiMH/NiCd
OFF
(1 of 3) YELLOW & RED LEDs
)
LiPo LiFe
throttle profile
#7 THROTTLE PROFILE SELECTION
>> Changing this setting changes the speed control’s active Throttle
Profile giving you different features and options.
Note: When using Profile #3, the Single Output
Mode, you must change the ESC to Profile #3 BEFORE
performing the One-Touch Programming.
Setting (# of flashes)
Throttle Profile:
1 2 3
Dig Proportional
restoring factory defaults
Every time you perform the One-Touch Set-Up, the
speed control will automatically revert back to
Throttle Profile #1, and the factory default settings
are restored for each of the ESC parameters.
(1 of 3)
Dig
Single Output
Mode
10
ALL LEDs
P6
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 param
eters.
P7
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