Spektrum ESC Brushless Smart Firma 160A 3-8S User guide

Spektrum

FIRMA SMART ESC Series

Spektrum
Geschwindigkeitsreglerserie

Série de variateurs ESC Spektrum
FIRMA SMART

SMART ESC

FIRMA SMART

SPEKTRUM FIRMA

NOTICE

All instructions, warranties and other collateral documents are
subject to change at the sole discretion of Horizon Hobby, LLC.
For up-to-date product literature, visit horizonhobby.com or
towerhobbies.com and click on the support or resources tab
for this product.

Meaning of Special Language

The following terms are used throughout the product
literature to indicate various levels of potential harm when
operating this product:

WARNING: Procedures, which if not properly followed,
create the probability of property damage, collateral damage,
and serious injury OR create a high probability of superficial
injury.

CAUTION: Procedures, which if not properly followed, create
the probability of physical property damage AND a possibility
of serious injury.

NOTICE: Procedures, which if not properly followed, create
a possibility of physical property damage AND a little or no
possibility of injury.

2

WARNING: Read the ENTIRE instruction manual to
become familiar with the features of the product before
operating. Failure to operate the product correctly can
result in damage to the product, personal property and
cause serious injury.

This is a sophisticated hobby product. It must be operated
with caution and common sense and requires some basic
mechanical ability. Failure to operate this Product in a safe
and responsible manner could result in injury or damage to
the product or other property. 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 without the approval of Horizon
Hobby, LLC. 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.

Age Recommendation: Not for children under 14 years.
This is not a toy.

NOTICE: This product is only intended for use with unmanned,

hobby-grade, remote-controlled vehicles and aircraft. Horizon
Hobby disclaims all liability outside of the intended purpose and
will not provide warranty service related thereto.

3

Contents

Throttle Signal ..................................................................6

ESC and Transmitter Calibration .........................................7

Button Programming .........................................................8

130A and 150A Programmable Options .............................10

160A Programmable Options .............................................11

Programming with the SPMXCA200 SMART Programmer ........12

Operation .........................................................................12

Troubleshooting Guide .......................................................14

1-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY .............................................16

Warranty and Service Contact Information ..........................20

FCC Information ................................................................20

Compliance Information for Canada ....................................21

Compliance Information for the European Union ..................22

Spektrum Surface Firma ESCs

Cont.

LiPo

Specifications

SPMXSE1130 130A

SPMXSE1150 150A

SPMXSE1160 160A

Current

Cells

2-4S

LiPo

3-6S

LiPo

3-8S

LiPo

BEC
Output

6V@ 4A

6V@ 5A

6V/

8.4V@
5A

Size/Weight

57.5x46x38mm/
154g
60x56x42mm/
250g

70x77x44mm/
280g

4

Wiring Diagram

Throttle Connection

Steering

Battery Leads

Motor Leads**

Servo*

LED Indicators

Motor*

Receiver *

Switch Board

On/Off Button
Set Button

Battery*

Cooling Fan

Programming Port

**160A ESC features female bullet

connectors directly on the ESC case

* Not Included

5

Throttle Signal

SMART Throttle:

The Spektrum Firma™ ESC is compatible with
SMART Throttle
from the ESC on one normal three wire servo connector. SMART
Throttle compatible receivers will detect a SMART Throttle ESC
and automatically begin to send telemetry information to your
transmitter.

Using the SMART Throttle connection this ESC can send
voltage, current, and other telemetry data. It can also pass
along battery data from compatible Spektrum SMART
batteries.
is required for battery data. EC3™ connectors are compatible for
basic operation, but will not provide SMART battery data.

Only certain Spektrum telemetry receivers include
Throttle
ESC is not connected to a SMART Throttle compatible receiver
no telemetry data from the ESC will be available, but the ESC
will operate normally with a common servo signal (PWM).

Normal Servo Signal (PWM):

The Firma ESCs are fully compatible with common RC
receivers and will use a conventional PWM signal for basic
operation.

Installation and Wiring

1. Mount the ESC and power button with double sided tape or hook
and loop material. Select a location to mount the ESC with good
ventilation for cooling.
secure the ESC to the vehicle‘s chassis.

combines throttle signals with telemetry data

A Spektrum SMART battery with IC3™ or IC5™ connector

, check your receiver manual for more information.

The ESC mounting tabs can also be used to

SMART Throttle

SMART

If the

.

6

2. Connect the three motor wires from the ESC to the motor wires
in any order.
In the event the motor spins the wrong direction, reverse any two
wires.

3. Connect the throttle servo lead to the throttle port on your receiver.

4. Secure all wiring so it is protected from damage or being caught
by moving parts.

NOTICE: Do not connect a dedicated receiver battery to the
receiver along with the ESC. When the ESC is turned On it will
provide the receiver with 6V regulated power from the main
battery through the throttle connection. The ESC may be damaged
if the receiver is also connected to a dedicated receiver battery.

ESC and Transmitter Calibration

1. Begin with the transmitter and receiver binding complete.

2. Set your transmitter’s throttle channel to 100% travel and

trim to neutral.

3. Turn on your transmitter and connect a battery to the ESC but

don’t power it on.

4. Press and hold the Set button while turning on the ESC.

When the red LED begins to flash, release the Set button.
The ESC will enter programming mode if the button is
pressed for more than three seconds.

TIP: The red LED should be flashing when the ESC enters
calibration mode. If the green LED is flashing the ESC is in
programming mode.

7

5. Leave the throttle trigger at the neutral position, then press

and release the Set button. The red LED will stop flashing, the
green LED will flash one time and the motor will make a tone
to indicate the neutral position has been accepted.

6. Hold the throttle trigger at the full throttle position then

press and release the Set button. The green LED will flash
twice and the motor will make two tones to indicate the full
throttle position has been accepted.

7. Hold the throttle trigger at the full brake position then press

and release the Set button. The green LED will flash three
times and the motor will make three tones to indicate the
full brake position has been accepted.

The motor will operate normally after calibration is completed.

Button Programming

Power on your transmitter

Connect battery to the esc

and switch on the esc

Hold set key for one second

Green led flashes

8

To reset all programming items,

press and hold the set button

for five seconds

Release the set

button to enter

programming

Press and release

the set button

The number of times the

green led flashes equals

the programming item

number

More Programming Options

Other programming options include the SPMXCA200 Smart
Firma ESC Programming Box and the SmartLink USB Updating
and Programmer application. See SpektrumRC.com for more
details about Firma ESCs.

Hold the set button for

three seconds to select the

programming item

The number of times the
red led flashes equals the
option number (within the
programming item)

Press and hold the set button
for three seconds to save the

selected option

Turn off the esc to quit programming

mode or to enter another

programming item

9

130A and 150A Programmable Options

Program-

mable Items

1. Running
Mode

2. Drag Brake
Force

3. LVC Cutoff
Voltage

4. Start Mode
(Level)

5. Max Brake
Force

6. Max
Reverse
Force*

7. Initial
Brake
Force*

8. Neutral
Range*

9. Timing
(degree)*

10. Motor

Rotation*

11. LiPo

Cells*

10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

For-

For-

ward

ward/

w/

Re-

Brake

verse
w/
Brake

0% 5%

Dis-

2.6V/

abled

1 2 3 4 5

25%

50% 75%

25%

50% 75%

=Drag

Brake

6%

0.0

3.75 7.5

CCW

Auto

Calc.

Parameter Options

For­ward
and
Re­verse

10%

20%

2.8V/
Cell

3.0V/
Cell

100% Dis-

100%

11.25

Cell

0% 20% 40%

9% 12%

CW

2S 3S 4S

40% 60%

3.2V/

3.4V/

Cell

Cell

abled

15.0

18.75

6 7 8 9

* SPMXSE1130

80% 100%

22.5

26.25

160A Programmable Options

Program-

mable
Items

1. Running
Mode

2. Motor
Rotation

3. LiPo
Cells

4. LVC
Cutoff
Voltage

5. BEC
Voltage

6. Max
Brake
Force

7. Max
Reverse
Force

8. Start
(Punch)
Level

9. Timing
(degree)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Forward
w/
Brake

CCW

Auto
Calc.

Auto -

High

6.0V 8.4V

25%

25%

1

0.0

* The blacked out cells with white text are the default settings.

Parameter Options

Forward/
Reverse
w/ Brake

CW

3S 3S 5S 6S 8S

Auto -

Auto

Med

-

Low

50% 75% 100%

50%

2 3 4 5

3.75 7.5 11.25 15.0

11

Programming with the SPMXCA200 SMART
Programmer Box

1. Unplug the fan and connect the programming lead to the
fan port.

2. Connect a battery to the ESC.

3. Power on the box and select the parameter with the
SELECT button.

4. Change the values of the selected parameter with the EDIT
button

5. Press the SAVE button to save the changes. The ESC
requires a power cycle to implement the saved changes.

Operation

1. Connect a battery to the ESC.

2. Leave the transmitter throttle at neutral and press the On/
Off button on the ESC to turn it on. The ESC will cause the
motor to make several tones.
The number of tones indicates (1) the ESC is in operation
(2) the LiPo cell count detected and (3) the ESC is in a
ready-to-use state.

3. Press the On/Off button or unplug the battery to turn off
the ESC.

NOTICE: Do not leave a battery connected with the ESC turned off
for extended periods of time. Always unplug the battery for storage
or the battery may be damaged.

12

LED Indicator LED Code

ESC turned On, LED indicator

is Off

Red LED illuminated

Red and Green LED illuminated

LED flashes red with short single

pulses

LED flashes green with short

single pulses

LED flashes green with three short

pulses repeating

LED flashes green with four short

pulses repeating

LED flashes green with five short

pulses repeating

Throttle trigger is in the neutral

ESC is at full throttle, full brake, or

The ESC has exceeded the continuous

The ESC has failed the self test

zone

ESC is operating in forward,

reverse or brake

full reverese

LVC protection activated

The ESC is in thermal shutoff

mode

current limit

Capacitor temp has been

exceeded

13

Troubleshooting Guide

Problem
and LED

Indica-

Motor won’t

operate.

LED flashes

red with

short single

pulses.

Motor won’t

operate.

LED flashes

green with

short single

pulses.

Motor won’t

operate.

LED flashes

green with
three short

pulses

repeating.

tor

Error

Mode

LVC has

been
acti-

vated.

The ESC

is in
thermal
shutoff

mode.

The ESC

has ex­ceeded

the

con­tinuous
current

limit.

Possible

Causes

Battery voltage

is below the
LVC setting.

ESC settings are

incorrect for your

battery.
The ESC is
not getting

adequate

airflow.

There is too

much load

on the drive

system for the

ESC to support.

The ESC is
not getting

adequate

airflow.

There is too

much load on

the drive system

for the ESC to

support.

Solution

Verify the battery is

charged.

Verify the ESC settings are

correct for your battery.

Turn off the ESC and allow it to

cool before resuming operation.

Consider making changes to

improve airflow to the ESC.

Consider changing the battery,

motor, gearing, or tires to

reduce the load on the ESC, or

change your driving habits to

reduce the load.

Verify the motor is not

damaged; If a motor is damaged

it may still function but draw

excessive current, resulting in

over current protection.

Reduce the load on the motor

Change to an ESC with higher

current capabilities if the chosen

ESC cannot handle the load

demands for your model.

14

Motor won’t
operate. LED
flashes green

with four

short pulses

repeating.

Motor won’t

operate.

LED flashes

green with

five short

pulses

repeating.

Motor

stutters at

start-up.

The

ESC has

failed

the self

test.

Capaci-

tor temp

has

been ex-

ceeded

N/A

The ESC is

damaged.

The ESC is
not getting

adequate

airflow.

There is too

much load

on the drive

system for
the ESC to

support.

Poor wiring

connection

between the

ESC and

motor.

Excessive

drag on drive

system.

Send the ESC to a Horizon

Hobby service center for

service.

Turn off the ESC and allow

it to cool before resuming

operation. Consider making

changes to improve airflow

to the ESC.

Consider changing the battery,

motor, gearing, or tires to

reduce the load on the ESC, or

change your driving habits to

reduce the load.

Verify all wiring

connections are solid and

well insulated, re-flow any

cold solder joints.

Check for parts rubbing, bent

shafts, rusted bearings, tight
gears, or anything that could

cause extra drag on the drive

system.

15

1-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

What this Warranty Covers - Horizon Hobby, LLC, (Horizon)

warrants to the original purchaser that the product purchased (the
“Product”) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase.

What is Not Covered

This warranty is not transferable and does not cover (i) cosmetic
damage, (ii) damage due to acts of God, accident, misuse, abuse,
negligence, commercial use, or due to improper use, installation,
operation or maintenance, (iii) modification of or to any part of the
Product, (iv) attempted service by anyone other than a Horizon
Hobby authorized service center, (v) Product not purchased from
an authorized Horizon dealer, (vi) Product not compliant with
applicable technical regulations, or (vii) use that violates any
applicable laws, rules, or regulations.
OTHER THAN THE EXPRESS WARRANTY ABOVE, HORIZON MAKES NO
OTHER WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS
ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY ALONE HAVE
DETERMINED THAT THE PRODUCT WILL SUITABLY MEET THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PURCHASER’S INTENDED USE.

Purchaser’s Remedy

Horizon’s sole obligation and purchaser’s sole and exclusive
remedy shall be that Horizon will, at its option, either (i) service,
or (ii) replace, any Product determined by Horizon to be defective.
Horizon reserves the right to inspect any and all Product(s)
involved in a warranty claim. Service or replacement decisions are
at the sole discretion of Horizon. Proof of purchase is required for
all warranty claims. SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED
UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE PURCHASER’S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.

16

Limitation of Liability

HORIZON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF
PROFITS OR PRODUCTION OR COMMERCIAL LOSS IN ANY
WAY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS BASED IN
CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY
OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, EVEN IF HORIZON HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Further,
in no event shall the liability of Horizon exceed the individual price
of the Product on which liability is asserted. As Horizon has no
control over use, setup, final assembly, modification 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 the Product,
purchaser is advised to return the Product immediately in new
and unused condition to the place of purchase.

Law

These terms are governed by Illinois law (without regard to conflict
of law principals). This warranty gives you specific legal rights,
and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Horizon reserves the right to change or modify this warranty at
any time without notice.

WARRANTY SERVICES
Questions, Assistance, and Services

Your local hobby store and/or place of purchase cannot provide
warranty support or service. Once assembly, setup or use of the
Product has been started, you must contact your local distributor or
Horizon directly. This will enable Horizon to better answer your questions
and service you in the event that you may need any assistance. For
questions or assistance, please visit our website at www.horizonhobby.
com, submit a Product Support Inquiry, or call the toll free telephone
number referenced in the Warranty and Service Contact Information
section to speak with a Product Support representative.

17

Inspection or Services

If this Product needs to be inspected or serviced and is compliant
in the country you live and use the Product in, please use the
Horizon Online Service Request submission process found
on our website or call Horizon to obtain a Return Merchandise
Authorization (RMA) number. Pack the Product securely using a
shipping carton. Please note that original boxes may be included,
but are not designed to withstand the rigors of shipping without
additional protection. Ship via a carrier that provides tracking
and insurance for lost or damaged parcels, as Horizon is not
responsible for merchandise until it arrives and is accepted at
our facility. An Online Service Request is available at http://www.
horizonhobby.com/content/service-center_render-service-center.
If you do not have internet access, please contact Horizon Product
Support to obtain a RMA number along with instructions for
submitting your product for service. When calling Horizon, you will
be asked to provide your complete name, street address, email
address and phone number where you can be reached during
business hours. When sending product into Horizon, please
include your RMA number, a list of the included items, and a brief
summary of the problem. A copy of your original sales receipt
must be included for warranty consideration. Be sure your name,
address, and RMA number are clearly written on the outside of
the shipping carton.

NOTICE: Do not ship LiPo batteries to Horizon. If you
have any issue with a LiPo battery, please contact the
appropriate Horizon Product Support office.

Warranty Requirements

For Warranty consideration, you must include your original sales
receipt verifying the proof-of-purchase date. Provided warranty
conditions have been met, your Product will be serviced or
replaced free of charge. Service or replacement decisions are at
the sole discretion of Horizon.

18

Non-Warranty Service

Should your service not be covered by warranty, service will be
completed and payment will be required without notification
or estimate of the expense unless the expense exceeds 50%
of the retail purchase cost. By submitting the item for service
you are agreeing to payment of the service without notification.
Service estimates are available upon request. You must include
this request with your item submitted for service. Non-warranty
service estimates will be billed a minimum of ½ hour of labor.
In addition you will be billed for return freight. Horizon accepts
money orders and cashier’s checks, as well as Visa, MasterCard,
American Express, and Discover cards. By submitting any item
to Horizon for service, you are agreeing to Horizon’s Terms and
Conditions found on our website http://www.horizonhobby.com/
content/service-center_render-service-center.

ATTENTION: Horizon service is limited to Product
compliant in the country of use and ownership. If
received, a non-compliant Product will not be serviced.
Further, the sender will be responsible for arranging
return shipment of the un-serviced Product, through
a carrier of the sender’s choice and at the sender’s
expense. Horizon will hold non-compliant Product for
a period of 60 days from notification, after which it will
be discarded.

10/15

19

Warranty and Service Contact Information

Country

of Pur-

Horizon Hobby Contact Information Address

chase

Horizon Service

Center

servicecenter.horizonhobby.com/

productsupport@horizonhobby.

Sales

[e-mail]

RequestForm/

com.

877-504-0233

800-338-4639

Research Rd.

Champaign,

61822 USA

United
States of
America

(Repairs and

Repair Requests)

Horizon Product

Support

(Product Techni-

cal Assistance)

FCC Information

Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity

Firma 130 Amp ESC– SPMXSE1130
Firma 150 Amp ESC– SPMXSE1150

Firma 160 Amp ESC– SPMXSE1160

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.

CAUTION: changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance

could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply

with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and

20

2904

Illinois,

used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.

Horizon Hobby, LLC
2904 Research Rd.,
Champaign, IL 61822
Email: [e-mail]
Web: HorizonHobby.com

Compliance Information for Canada

CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt

RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1)this device may not cause interference,
(2)this device must accept any interference, including inter-

ference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

21

Compliance Information for the European Union

EU Compliance Statement: SPMXSE1130,

SPMXSE1150, SPMXSE1160

product is in compliance with the essential requirements
and other relevant provisions of the EMC Directive.

A copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity is available
online at:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/content/support-render­compliance.

Instructions for disposal of WEEE by users in the

and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of dis­posal will help to conserve natural resources and make sure
that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health
and the environment. For more information about where
you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please
contact your local city office, your household waste disposal
service or where you purchased the product.

Horizon Hobby, LLC hereby declares that this

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

22

© 2019 Horizon Hobby, LLC. Firma, the Firma Logo, IC3, EC3,
the Smart Technology logo, and the Horizon Hobby logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, LLC.

The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann
Industries, Inc.

All other trademarks, service marks and logos are property of
their respective owners.

SPMXSE1130, SPMXSE1150, SPMXSE1160
Created 08/2019 60593.1

88