Novak Micro Pro Basic Set-Up (55-1856-1.2) User Manual
Basic set-up guide -- micro pro esc, Product warranty, Specifications
#55-1856-1.2
1-2014
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Voltage ................... 1S*-2S LiPo cells, 4-7 NiMH cells (*requires a 1S LiPo booter)
Motor Limit ..................... Any sensor-based 2-pole 380-size brushless (17.5T 540-size)
ESC Size .............................................1.15” x 0.95” x 0.66”H (29.0 x 24.3 x 16.8mm)
ESC Weight (w/o wires).......................................................... 0.69 ounce (19.5 grams)
B.E.C. Voltage/Current (built-in) ..............................................6.0 volts DC / 2.0 amps
Power Wire (Battery/Motor) ..................................................... 16G Super-Flex Silicone
On-Resistance .............................................. 0.0011ohm per phase @25°C trans.temp.
Thermal Overload Protection ..................................................................................Yes
The Micro Pro Brushless ESC features Novak’s exclusive new Super-Tuner
TM
programming interface, X-Drive, enhanced Dynamic Motor Timing control,
Thermal Overload Protection, and on-board temperature monitoring.
MOD 0.6 PINION GEAR SETS--Anodized aluminum
Sets of 3--11/12/13 Teeth (#5200), 14/15/16 Teeth (#5201), 17/18/19 Teeth (#5202).
MOD 0.5 PINION GEAR SETS--Anodized aluminum
Sets of 3--11/12/13 Teeth (#5210), 14/15/16 Teeth (#5211), 17/18/19 Teeth (#5212).
PLUG-IN INPUT SIGNAL HARNESS (MINI-JST) [Novak kits #5304 & #5309]
Input signal harness with 2mm Mini plug on ESC end--4.5” (#5304), 9” (#5309).
BATTERY HARNESS WITH TRAXXAS® CONNECTOR [Novak kit #5331]
14GA red and black Super-Flex silcone power wire with Traxxas® battery connector.
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 16GA WIRE SET [Novak kit #5509]
Two each of 9” length black, red, blue, yellow, and orange 16GA 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]
Optional capacitor provides reserve power to receiver during times of extreme load
experienced with high-power 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).
REPLACEMENT POWERCAP HARNESS [Novak kit #5682]
1000µF, 16V replacement ESC PowerCap harness.
POWER CONNECTORS–2mm / 5 Pairs [Novak kit #5721]
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).
WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX!
Allowing water, moisture or other foreign materials to get inside ESC will void warranty.
MUST BE 14 YEARS OR OLDER TO OPERATE
Strict adult supervision is required for use by children under 14 years of age.
SENSOR-BASED 2-POLE BRUSHLESS MOTORS ONLY
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!
1S-2S LiPo OR 4-7 NiMH CELLS ONLY
NEVER exceed 2S LiPo for vehicle’s main battery & be sure Voltage Cut-Off option is
ON.
NEVER exceed 7-cell NiCd/NiMH (1.2VDC/cell), & disable Voltage Cut-Off Circuitry.
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 switched ON, serious damage can occur.
NO REVERSE VOLTAGE!
Reverse battery connection will damage ESC immediately & will void the warranty
!
POWERCAP REQUIRED/GLITCH BUSTER SUGGESTED
The external PowerCap installed on ESC MUST be used to avoid high ESC temperatures
& possible damage. Use of an optional Glitch Buster helps with heavy BEC loading.
GOOD QUALITY LiPo BATTERIES SUGGESTED
Using LiPo batteries that cannot supply the amperage required by this system will
result in possible battery, ESC, & motor damage, and will void the warranty.
TRANSMITTER ON FIRST
Turn on transmitter power first so you will have control of vehicle when you turn it on.
GOOD QUALITY RADIO SYSTEM 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.
DO NOT BUNDLE POWER & SIGNAL WIRES TOGETHER
RF noise in the power wires can adversely effect radio system performance.
INSULATE WIRES
Insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent short circuits.
NO CA GLUE
CA glue or fumes can damage internal components of ESC & cause premature failure.
BASIC SET-UP GUIDE -- micro pro ESC
• Download “ESC Track Guide” from our web site for Proper Gearing & Custom Programming • Read All Instructions Before Use •
PRECAUTIONS
ACCESSORIES
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 7 cells
(1.2 volts DC/cell) or more than 2 LiPo cells input voltage, damage resulting from using LiPo batteries without
Smart-Stop 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, 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 or incorrect installation of a PowerCap or Power Trans-Cap Module on ESC 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. Micro Pro Brushless ESC, Super-Tuner programming interface,
Hall Sensor Test, & One-Touch Set-Up are all trademarks of Novak R/C, Inc.
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).
Re-charge battery after Smart-Stop circuitry shuts off throttle
Even though the pack’s voltage will rise (after a short resting period) to a level high enough
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!
When the ESC is switched ON, the Yellow & Red LEDs will flash
together 2 times to indicate LiPo Cut-Off is ACTIVE.
With the Voltage Cut-Off turned ON & using 1S LiPo or 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 recommends the use of an external receiver battery pack to supply
power to the electronics when using very high-power servos, as these servos
put excessive load on the speed control’s internal BEC.
Using an external reciever pack will greatly increase life span of
your ESC, as this is a leading cause of speed control failure.
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.