Novak Duster (1960) User Manual
Step 1, Step 2, Step 3
Included with the Duster II is the Novak Input Plug System
TM
to
convert the Futaba J style signal harness to be compatible
with Airtronics/Sanwa (A), KO, Kyosho (KYO), JR/Hitec radios.
Refer to Figures 1-3 to change plug.
STEP 1
CHANGING THE INPUT HARNESS
STEP 2
HEAT SINK INSTALLATION
Two Micro Fin™ heat sinks have been included to provide
proper cooling for the Duster II Sport. The speed control will
operate cooler and run faster when the heat sinks are in-
stalled. DO NOT use the Duster II without the heat sinks, as
this voids the warranty and may cause the speed control to
overheat and become damaged.
1. INSTALL THE LEFT HEAT SINK
Place the speed control on a flat surface and press one heat
sink (longer fins go down onto transistor tabs) onto the left
bank of 3 transistor tabs.
2. INSTALL THE RIGHT HEAT SINK
Press the second heat sink (again long fins down) onto the
right bank of 3 transistors tabs.
HEAT SINK PRECAUTIONS:
• Do not use too much force when installing the heat sinks
because you can damage the transistors or other compo-
nents on the PC board. Never use a vise or pliers to install
heat sinks.
• Press heat sinks onto the transistor tabs with a snug fit. If
heat sinks fit loosely, carefully bend each set of fins together
with pliers until the fit is secure on the transistor tabs. Loose
or off-center heat sinks may fall off!
• Do not use glue or other types of adhesives to attach the
heat sinks to the transistor tabs.
• Do not short circuit heat sinks. The two separate banks of
transistor tabs or heat sinks should never contact each other
or other conductive objects (metal, graphite, etc.), or they
will short circuit and damage the speed control.
STEP 3
MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS
1. DETERMINE THE BEST ESC MOUNTING LOCATION
To prevent radio interference, the speed control should
be positioned away from the receiver and antenna as
shown in Duster II Set-Up Photo (Figure 6).
Choose a mounting position where the power wires
will not obstruct movement of the suspension or motor
platform and where maximum airflow will be provided
through the heat sinks for proper cooling.
2. INSTALL THE SPEED CONTROL
Refer to Figure 4 for Installation Examples
Mount the speed control with the included double-sided
tape to isolate it from shock and vibrations, which can
cause the speed control to lose control of the car's speed.
Make sure the edges of the speed control do not come in
contact with some other component of the car (ex. chas-
sis side rail or battery box). After installation, the speed
control should be able to move freely in all directions
with a rubber-type action from the mounting tape.
NOTE: Two pieces of double-sided tape can be used for
extra protection against shock.
3. INSTALL THE ON/OFF SWITCH
Determine a convenient place to mount switch where
it will be easily accessible. Mount switch using a piece
of double-sided tape. If your car has a switch mount
molded into the chassis, remove the two phillips head
screws from the switch housing and re-assemble switch
into chassis using the 3/8" long screws that are included
in the speed controls accessory kit. Note the direction of
ON/OFF cover and reverse it if necessary.
4. INSTALL THE RECEIVER
Mount the receiver as far from the speed control, motor,
power wires, battery, and servo as possible. These com-
ponents all emit radio noise when the throttle is being
applied. If your car has a graphite or aluminum chassis,
place the receiver on its edge with the crystal and anten-
na as far above the chassis as possible. The receiver can
also be mounted on the shock tower. Mount the antenna
close to the receiver and trail any excess wire off the top
of the antenna.
5. INSTALL THE ANTENNA
Mount the antenna as close to the receiver as possible.
Trail any excess wire off the top of the antenna mast. Do
not cut or coil excess wire, or range will be reduced.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
INTRODUCING
THE
DUSTER II
The Novak Duster II Sport electronic speed control is ready to
create a dust storm on your track. Based on one of Novak's most
popular speed controls, the Duster Sport
MEGAFET ESC
, the Dust-
er II is a good thing made better.
Equipped with Novak's revolutionary Polar Drive Technology™ and
power packed HYPERFET II™ transistors, the Duster II runs faster
and longer than conventional speed controls. Polar Drive circuitry
provides smooth throttle response and improved radio system per-
formance. Built-in brake light circuitry has been included to power
two external LEDs, adding realism to Formula 1 and touring cars.
Novak's Brake Light LED Kit is included, so you can hook up brake
lights today!
Radio Priority Circuitry
™
maintains control of your vehicle after
the battery pack has dumped.
Solid State
RVP™
provides rugged
protection against reverse voltage application without the need
for fuses, while the built-in
BEC
(Battery Eliminator Circuit) powers
the radio system with no need for an external receiver battery.
Other features include the Novak Input Plug System
™
for compat-
ibility with all major radio systems, and purple Micro Fin
™
heat
sinks. Factory installed Tamiya style battery connectors and bullet
style motor connectors make for quick and easy installation of
the Duster II.
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Voltage
4-10 cells (1.2 volts/cell)
Case Width
1.93 inches
[4.90 cm]
Case Depth
1.36 inches
[3.45 cm]
Case Height
0.71 inch
[1.80 cm]
Weight
(w/o heat sinks)
1.96 ounces [55.56 g]
On-Resistance
@ Transistors
0.0023 Ω
Drive Current
210 amps
Braking Current
50 amps
BEC Voltage
5.7 volts DC
BEC Current
0.5 amps
Wire Size
(Battery/Motor)
16 gauge
Transistor Type
HYPERFET II
PWM Frequency
2500 hertz
Overload Protection
Dual-Level Thermal
Reverse Voltage Protection
Solid State
Adjustment Type
One-Touch Set-Up
™
Topology
Polar Drive
™
@ 25°C transistor
junction temp.
DUSTER II ACCESSORIES
BRAKE LIGHT KIT
The Duster II Sport speed control comes equipped with
built-in circuitry to power two brake light LEDs. Novak's
Brake Light Kit (#5655), complete with two high luminescent
LEDs and versatile mounting brackets, has been included.
The brake lights mount behind the tail light section of the
car body or onto most any vertical or horizontal surface on
the chassis or body.
MOTOR CAPACITORS
To prevent radio interference problems, you must have three
0.1µF capacitors properly installed on every motor. Included
with the Duster II Sport speed control are three 0.1µF (50V)
capacitors for one motor. Additional 0.1µF (50V) capacitors
are also available in Novak kit #5620. Refer to STEP 4 on back
page for proper motor capacitor installation instructions.
COOLING FAN
An optional ESC Cooling Fan (#5645) is available for use
with the Duster II ESC to provide extra cooling for heavy
load applications with limited air circulation. If the ESC gets
hot enough that it goes into thermal protection mode, we
recommend using the optional Cooling Fan.
PRECAUTIONS
• READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING!
• WATER & ELECTRONICS DON'T MIX! Do not operate model
in or around water. Never allow water, moisture, or other for-
eign materials to get inside the ESC.
• 4 TO 10 CELLS ONLY Never use more than 10 or less than 4
sub-C cells (1.2 volts/cell) in main battery pack.
• MOTOR CAPACITORS REQUIRED Three 0.1µF (50V) ceramic
capacitors must be properly installed on every motor to pre-
vent radio interference.
• DON'T LET TRANSISTOR TABS TOUCH Never allow the two
transistor tab banks or the heat sinks touch each other or any
exposed metal, as this will create a short circuit and damage
the speed control.
• DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES Always disconnect the battery
pack from the speed control when not in use.
• TRANSMITTER ON FIRST Always turn on the power of your
transmitter first so that you will have control of the radio
equipment when you turn on the speed control.
• DON'T GET BURNED! Transistor tabs can get hot, so be care-
ful not to touch them until they are cool.
• INSULATE WIRES Always insulate exposed wiring with heat
shrink tubing to prevent short circuits.
RADIO INTERFERENCE
The high frequency switching operation of electronic speed
controls can generate radio interference. Here are some
common causes of radio interference problems:
• CAPACITORS NOT INSTALLED ON MOTOR Electric motors
generate radio noise that can interfere with the receiver.
To prevent radio problems, every motor must have three
0.1µF (50V) ceramic capacitors installed on it. Refer to STEP
4 on back page for proper installation.
• RECEIVER/ANTENNA INCORRECTLY MOUNTED The receiver
and antenna should be mounted as far from the motor,
power wires, battery, and servo as possible, as all these
components emit radio noise. On graphite or aluminum,
place receiver on edge with the crystal and antenna as far
above the chassis as possible. Mount the antenna close to
receiver and trail any excess wire off the top of antenna. Do
not cut or coil excess wire!
• MOTOR BRUSHES WORN As motor brushes continue to
wear, excessive motor noise will be generated. To avoid ra-
dio interference, worn motor brushes should be replaced.
The motor commutator may also need to be cleaned or
trued to help the motor run more efficiently.
NOVAK ELECTRONICS, INC.
18910 Teller Avenue
Irvine, CA 92612
www.teamnovak.com
FIGURE 3 Insert each pin into the correct plug slot. Each pin
should "click" into place. (Airtronics plug shown)
WHT = White wire terminal (signal)
BLK = Black wire terminal (negative)
RED = Red wire terminal (positive)
CAUTION: Improper installation of these wires may cause damage
to the receiver, servo, and speed control.
The locking tab
must not extend
outside the plas-
tic plug housing.
FIGURE 1 With a small standard screwdriver, press on each
of the three metal prongs until the wires are easy to remove.
Remove wires.
INST
ALLA
TION
EX
AMPLES
FIGURE 4
ESC
Receiver
ESC
Receiver
ESC
Receiver
ESC
Receiver
FIGURE 2 With the screwdriver, carefully lift up each of the
metal locking tabs to the angle shown below.
HYPERFET II ESC
PART #1960