Novak XRS User Manual

XRXR

XR

XRXR

SS

S

SS

SPORT REVERSIBLE ESC

The XRS Sport
Reversible...the

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

perfect upgrade!

Designed with ultra-small surface
mount technology & loaded with
all the standard Novak features, the
XRS is the perfect upgrade.

Capable of handling 4-7 cells & motors
with as few as 15 turns, the Novak XRS is
a great upgrade for your 1/10th scale
touring sedan, off-road buggy, or just
about any sport application.

The 5V/1A B.E.C. handles most any servo with ease, and Radio
Priority Circuitry maintains steering control even after the battery
has discharged. Novak’s new Smart Braking II Circuitry gives
you full range of braking without going into reverse until you
shift it into reverse by returning the trigger to neutral...this provides
smoother take-offs in reverse and less wear on your drive train.
Polar Drive Technology keeps thing cool & improves radio
system performance. And of course, Novak’s original One-
Touch Set-Up means your new ESC is the easiest to program.

PRECAUTIONS

• WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX! Do not operate

model in or around water. Never allow water, moisture,
or other foreign materials to get inside the ESC.

• 15-TURN MOTOR LIMIT Use only motors with 15 turns

or higher.
overheating and will void the warranty.

• 4 TO 7 CELLS ONLY Never use fewer than 4, or more

than 7 cells

• NO REVERSE VOLTAGE! Reverse battery polarity can

damage speed control––Disconnect battery immediately.

• NO SCHOTTKY DIODES Using external Schottky diodes

with reversible ESCs will damage ESC & void warranty.

• DISCONNECT BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE Always

disconnect battery from ESC when unattended or not in
use to avoid possible short circuits. Even if switch is off,
MOSFETs may fail & cause shorting of battery pack that
could result in fire or burning of ESC & surrounding objects.

• TURN TRANSMITTER ON FIRST Turn on transmitter

before ESC so you will have control of the radio equipment.

• INSULATE WIRES Always insulate exposed wiring with

heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to avoid short circuits.

Using motors with fewer turns than 15 will cause

(4.8-8.4 volts DC) in the main battery pack.

XRS SPECIFICATIONS

Input Voltage............................... 4-7 cells (1.2VDC/cell)

Motor Limit ................................. 15 turn (@ 6 cells)

Battery/Motor Connectors ........... Tamiya/Bullet

Rated Current*

On-Resistance* ............................ 0.0055 ohm

B.E.C. Voltage.............................. 5.0 volts DC

B.E.C. Current ............................. 1.0 amp

PWM Frequency .......................... 1000 Hertz

Protection.................................... Thermal Overload

Case Width .................................. 1.10 inch

Case Depth ................................. 1.31 inches (33.3mm)

Case Height ................................. 0.53 inch (13.5mm)

Weight ........................................ 1.27 ounce (36.0 grams)

Part Number ............................... 1830

*

MOSFET rating @ 25°C

(fwd/rev) .................. 40 amps

(27.9mm)

STEP 1 CHANGING INPUT HARNESS

The XRS comes with the industry standard input harness
connector that works with all major radio brands. However,
with some older style receivers, the wiring sequence in the
plastic connector needs to be changed at the receiver-end
of the harness. This is important because the electronics in the
receiver may be damaged if the wiring sequence is incorrect
Changing the sequence is easy to do, as described below.

JR • Hitec • New KO • Airtronics Z

JR, Hitec, Futaba, new KO, & Airtronics Z
need to change the sequence of the ESC's input harness

New Airtronics Z receivers
cases have tabs on the input harness openings, as in Figure 1.

• Insert the input plug into the receiver with the BLACK
wire toward the outside edge of the receiver case.

New KO (with tabs) Old KO (no tabs)

tabs

white

red

FIGURE 1

black

have blue plastic cases, & new KO

no tabs

white

black

FIGURE 2

red

receivers do

Old-style KO • Old-style Sanwa/Airtronics

If your receiver is an older KO or Sanwa/Airtronics, you must
change the sequence of the ESC's input harness wires. Old
Sanwa/Airtronics cases are black in color. Old KO cases do
not have the tab openings, as in Figure 2 above.

Interchange the red & black wires in the plug plastic of the

•

ESC's input harness at the receiver end as shown below.

• Insert the input plug into the receiver with the RED wire
toward the outside edge of the receiver case.

.

not

wires.

STEP 2 MOUNTING ELECTRONICS

1. DETERMINE BEST ESC MOUNTING LOCATION

Position ESC away from
Set-Up photo
will keep the power wires from obstructing movement
of the vehicle’s suspension or the motor pod.

2. INSTALL SPEED CONTROL

Use the included double-sided tape to mount the ESC.

3. INSTALL ON/OFF SWITCH

Determine a convenient place to mount switch where it
will be easy to get to. Mount with double-sided tape.

4. INSTALL RECEIVER

Mount the receiver as far from the motor, power wires,
battery, and servo as possible. These components all emit
radio noise when the throttle is being applied. On graphite
or aluminum, place the receiver on edge with the crystal
and antenna as far above the chassis as possible.

Mount the antenna close to the receiver and trail any
excess wire off the top of the antenna.

(on back)

receiver & antenna as shown in

.

Choose a mounting position that

STEP 3 CONNECTING ELECTRONICS

Refer to Set-Up photo on back

1. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SCHOTTKY DIODES

Schottky diodes must NOT be used with reversible ESCs.
Schottky use will damage ESC and void the warranty.

2. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE RECEIVER

After the input plug plastic has been properly wired to
match the receiver
harness

Note: The XRS comes with a user-replaceable input harness
that has the same connector on both ends. Should the harness
come unplugged from the ESC, insert the connector on the
end of the harness into the opening under the power wire
tabs with the WHITE wire toward the center of the ESC.

harness
opening

3. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE BATTERY PACK

Plug the WHITE Tamiya-style battery connector from
speed control into a 4 to 7 cell battery pack

4. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE MOTOR

Plug the bullet connector on the YELLOW wire from
speed control into the positive connector from the motor.

Plug the bullet connector on the BLUE wire from speed
control into the negative connector from the motor.

TIP: Twisting the motor wires once or twice as they go to the motor
can help reduce any radio noise emitted from the wires.

•NO SCHOTTKY DIODES•

into the THROTTLE CHANNEL of the receiver.

(Refer to Step 1)

input

, plug the ESC’s input

(1.2 volts DC/cell)

white wire

.

SET-UP PHOTO

4-7 cell

battery

pack

(+)

•NO SCHOTTKY•

(–)

status

button

red wire

blue wire

(+)

(–)

LEDs

SET

black

wire

yellow

wire

ON/OFF

switch

twist

motor

wires to

reduce

RF noise

brush-type motor with

15 turns or higher

trail excess
wire off top
of antenna

mast

www.teamnovak.com

STEP 4 TRANSMITTER ADJUSTMENTS

1. Set HIGH ATV or EPA to maximum setting.

[Amount of throw at full throttle]

2. Set LOW ATV, EPA, or ATL to maximum setting.

[Amount of throw at full brakes]

3. Set EXPONENTIAL to zero setting.

[Throttle channel linearity]

4.

Set THROTTLE CHANNEL REV. SWITCH to either position.

[Do not change switch position after programming]

5. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM to middle position.

[Adjusts neutral position/Increases or decreases coast brakes]

6. Set ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to
50% throttle and 50% brake throw (or 5:5).

[Adjusts trigger throw on electronic/digital pistol-grip transmitters]

7. Set MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT
to position with 1/2 throttle and 1/2 brake throw.

[Adjusts trigger throw on mechanical/analog pistol-grip transmitters]

STEP 5 PROGRAMMING SPEED CONTROL

With ESC connected to receiver & charged battery pack:

1. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER, THEN SPEED CONTROL

2. PRESS AND HOLD SPEED CONTROL’S SET BUTTON

With transmitter throttle at neutral, press and hold the
ESC SET button until the status LED turns solid red.

3.

RELEASE ESC SET BUTTON WHEN LED IS RED

4.

PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION
Hold it there until the status LED turns solid green.

NOTE: Motor will not run during programming even if connected.

5. PUSH TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-REVERSE
Hold it there until the status LED blinks green.

6. RETURN TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO NEUTRAL

Status LED will turn solid red, indicating that throttle is
at neutral and proper programming has been completed.

If transmitter settings are changed, programming must be repeated.
If you experience any problems, turn off ESC and repeat programming.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm (PST)

Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
[phone] • FAX [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

©2004 Novak Electronics, Inc. • All Rights Reserved
No part of these operating instructions may be reproduced without

the written permission of Novak Electronics, Inc.
All Novak speed controls are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.
XRS Sport Reversible, Polar Drive Technology, Radio Priority Circuitry,

One-Touch Set-Up, Smart Braking II Circuitry, and Reverse Disable
Circuitry are all trademarks of Novak Electronics, Inc.

Printed in the U.S.A. 4/2004 • #IM-1830-1

(closed every other Friday)

TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE

•NOT ALL TRANSMITTERS HAVE THESE ADJUSTMENTS•

Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run

• Speed control has thermally shut down––Allow ESC to cool
down––Use milder motor or smaller pinion gear.

• Check motor connections. Check motor.

• Make sure ESC is plugged into the throttle channel of receiver.
Check throttle channel operation with a servo. Check wiring color
sequence of receiver signal harness.

• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.

Receiver Glitches/Throttle Stutters During Acceleration

• Motor capacitors broken or missing––Refer to Step 3.

• Receiver or antenna too close to speed control, power wires,
battery, or motor––Refer to Step 2.

• Bad connections––Check wiring and connectors.

• Motor brushes worn––Replace motor.

•

Excessive motor current––Use milder motor/smaller pinion gear.

Motor and Steering Servo Do Not Work

• Check wires, receiver signal harness wiring & color sequence,
radio system, crystals, battery/motor connectors, & battery.

• Possible internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.

Model Runs Slowly/Slow Acceleration

• Check motor and battery connectors––Replace if needed.

• Bad battery or motor––Check operation with another.

•

Incorrect transmitter/ESC adjustment––Refer to Steps 4 & 5.

Motor Runs Backwards

• Motor wired backwards––Check wiring and reverse.

SERVICE PROCEDURES

Review the Trouble-Shooting guide and the instructions, as
may appear to have failed when other problems exist.

After reviewing the instructions, if you feel that your ESC requires
service, please obtain the most current product service
and pricing by one of the following methods:

WEBSITE: Print a copy of the PRODUCT SERVICE FORM from
the SERVICE section of the website. Fill out the needed information
on this form and return it with the Novak product for servicing.

PHONE/FAX/E-MAIL: If you do not have access to the internet,
contact our customer service department by phone, fax, or
e-mail as listed in the CUSTOMER SERVICE section below, and
they will supply you with current service options.

WARRANTY SERVICE: For warranty work, you MUST CLAIM
WARRANTY on the PRODUCT SERVICE FORM and include a valid

cash register receipt with purchase date on it, or an invoice
from previous service work. If warranty provisions have been
voided, there will be service charges.

PRODUCT WARRANTY

The XRS is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or 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, damage from using fewer than 4 or more than 7 cells (1.2 volts
DC/cell) input voltage, cross-connection of the battery/motor, using the same­gender connectors on ESC, reverse voltage application, damage resulting
from thermal overload, splices to input or switch harnesses, damage from
disassembling case, replacing wires, or excessive force when using SET but­ton, tampering with internal electronics, allowing water, moisture, or other
foreign material to enter ESC or get onto
wiring of battery/motor leads, alternate input plug plastic, external
battery pack, or FET servo, allowing exposed wiring to short-circuit,
battery pack connected to ESC while unattended or for extended periods of time,
use of a Schottky diode, or any damage caused by crash, flooding, or act of God.
In no case shall our liability exceed the product's original cost. We reserve
the right to modify warranty provisions without notice.

Because Novak Electronics, Inc. has no control over connection and use of
the ESC, no liability may be assumed, nor will be accepted for damage
resulting from the use of this product. Every ESC is thoroughly tested and
cycled before leaving our facility and is, therefore, considered operational.
By the act of connecting/operating ESC, the user accepts all resulting liability.

the ESC

options

PC board, incorrect installation/

receiver

leaving