Novak Tempest Max ESC (1760) - Manual (Page 2)

Refer to Quick Set-Up photo on front
1. INSTALL MOTOR CAPACITORS
Electric motors generate radio noise that can interfere
with your receiver and cause radio problems. Included
in the accessory kit with the speed control are three
0.1
µ F (50V) non-polarized, ceramic capacitors. These
capacitors must be installed on every motor to help
reduce the noise generated by the motor and also to
prevent possible damage to the speed control. Extra
0.1
µ F capacitors are available in Novak kit #5620.
Solder 0.1 µ F (50V) capacitors between:
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & NEGATIVE ( - ) motor tab.
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
• NEGATIVE (
- ) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
*If your motor does not have a ground tab, solder the
capacitor leads to the can of the motor as shown below.
Negative (-) motor tab
0.1 µ F Capacitors
Schottky diode
Optional Schottky diode*
Positive (+) motor tab
Ground/motor can
* A second Schottky diode may be needed if using a low turn modified motor.
2. INSTALL SCHOTTKY DIODE
Solder the lead CLOSEST to the silver stripe on the body
of the Schottky diode to the POSITIVE (+) motor tab.
Solder the lead OPPOSITE the silver stripe on the body
of the Schottky to the NEGATIVE (-) motor tab.
If installed backwards, a Schottky diode will be destroyed. The
body of a bad diode will normally crack open. Replace only
with Schottky diodes that have a minimum rating of 35 volts/
8 amps. Schottky diodes are available in Novak kit #5640.
3. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE RECEIVER
After the proper input plug plastic has been installed
to match the receiver (Refer to Step 1), plug the speed
control into the THROTTLE CHANNEL of the receiver.
4. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE BATTERY PACK
Cut the BLACK wire of speed control to the desired
length and strip about 1/4” of insulation off the end.
Solder to the negative side of a completely charged 4
to 10 cell battery pack (1.2 volts DC/cell).
Strip a short section of insulation (1/4”-3/8”) from the
middle section of the RED wire of speed control where
it will attach to positive of battery pack. Solder the
stripped section of RED wire to positive of battery pack.
5. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO THE MOTOR
Cut the BLUE wire of speed control to the desired
length and strip about 1/4” of insulation off the end.
Solder to the negative tab of the motor.
Cut the RED wire of speed control (after battery pack
connection) to desired length and strip about 1/4” of
insulation off the end. Solder to positive tab of motor.
TIP: Twisting the BLUE & RED motor wires one or two times
around each other as they go to motor can help reduce any
radio noise that may be emitted from the power wires.
6. USING PLUGS FOR BATTERY & MOTOR CONNECTION
High-quality/low-resistance connector plugs, such as
Dean’s Ultra Plugs, can also be used to connect the
motor and battery pack. While these connectors make
component changes quick and easy, the connection
will never have the low resistance of a good solder joint.
Be sure to use connectors that can not be connected
backwards, as this will damage the speed control.
It is good practice to use a female connector on the
main battery pack to keep the pack from shorting if
the connector touches a conductive surface.
If you plan to use connector plugs for the battery pack
and the motor, use a male connector on the speed
control wires going to the battery pack and a female
connector on the wires going to the motor. By doing
this, you will avoid plugging the battery pack into the
motor output of the speed control by mistake.
1. DETERMINE BEST ESC MOUNTING LOCATION
The ESC should be positioned away from the receiver
and antenna as shown in Quick Set-Up photo on front
page. Choose a mounting position that will keep the
power wires as short as possible without obstructing
movement of the suspension or the motor pod.
Remember, even though heat sinks are not required,
cooler operating temperatures mean higher efficiency.
So choose a mounting position that allows maximum
airflow through the transistor tabs.
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 the switch
where it will be easy to get to. Mount the switch using
a piece of double-sided tape or with a screw through
the hole in the base of the switch housing.
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 tube.
STEP 3
HOOK-UP INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 4
TRANSMITTER ADJUSTMENTS
For proper ESC operation adjust transmitter as follows:
1. Set HIGH ATV or EPA to maximum setting.
[Amount of throw at full throttle]
2. Set LOW ATV, EPA, or ATL to maximum.
[Amount of throw at full brakes]
[Reduce this after programming to reduce amount of brakes]
3. Set EXPONENTIAL to zero.
[Throttle channel linearity]
4. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM to middle setting.
[Adjusts neutral position/Increases or decreases coast brakes]
5. Set CHANNEL REVERSING SWITCH to either position.
6. Set MECHANICAL THROW ADJUSTMENT to position
with 2/3 throttle and 1/3 brake throw.
[Adjusts pistol-grip transmitter’s throttle trigger throw]
STEP 5
SPEED CONTROL PROGRAMMING
Before beginning this step, the speed control should be
connected to the receiver and to a charged 4 to 10 cell
battery pack, and the transmitter should be adjusted.
1. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER.
2. TURN ON THE SPEED CONTROL
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.
3. PRESS AND HOLD SPEED CONTROL’S SET BUTTON
With the transmitter throttle in the neutral position, press
and hold the SET button on the speed control until the
status LED turns solid red.
4. RELEASE SPEED CONTROL’S SET BUTTON
5. PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION
Hold it there until the status LED turns solid green.
NOTE: The motor will not run during programming even if
it is connected to the speed control.
6. PUSH TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-BRAKE
Hold it there until the status LED blinks green.
7. RETURN TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO NEUTRAL
The status LED will turn solid red, indicating that the
throttle is in the neutral position and also that proper
programming has been completed.
If transmitter settings are changed during programming,
it will be necessary to complete the programming sequence
once again. If you experience problems during program-
ming, turn off the speed control and repeat programming.
The Tempest Pro should not require an external receiver bat-
tery pack for most racing situations. The built-in Radio-Priority
Circuity™ provides complete control of the steering servo
even after the main battery pack has ‘dumped’ and can no
longer provide the power required to operate the motor.
However, applications using 4-cell set-ups, multiple high-pow-
ered servos, and main battery packs with 8 or more cells
require the use of an external receiver battery pack to pre-
vent overloading or underpowering of the ESC’s voltage
regulator. Failure to use an external receiver battery pack in
these applications will damage the voltage regulator and void
the product warranty.
1. Plug the external 5 cell nickel cadmium receiver battery
pack into the battery slot of the receiver.
2. Leave the speed control’s ON/OFF switch in the OFF posi-
tion. This switch is not used with this configuration.
3. Use the ON/OFF switch on the external receiver battery
pack to turn the system power on and off.
Note: If using a FET servo with an external receiver battery pack, the
separate power wire from the servo must be connected to the red (posi-
tive) servo wire. For this application do not use the blue wire from the ESC.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE
ESC Will Not Program Properly
• Too little transmitter throw––Increase ATV/EPA setting.
• Make sure ESC is plugged into the throttle channel of
receiver. Check throttle channel operation with a servo.
• ESC SET button not held long enough––Press and hold
SET button until status LED turns solid red.
Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run
[Status LED is solid RED at all throttle positions]
• No signal from receiver––Make sure speed control is
plugged into throttle channel of receiver. Check throttle
channel operation with a servo. Check the wiring color
sequence of receiver harness.
Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run
[Status LED is RED at neutral / GREEN at full throttle]
• Check motor connections. Check motor and brushes.
Steering Channel Works But Motor Will Not Run
• Not programmed––Repeat programming.
• Check wiring and connections––Check operation of
system without speed control.
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.
• Excessive current to motor––Use a milder motor or a
smaller pinion gear.
ESC Is Melted Or Burnt/ESC Runs With Switch Off
• Internal damage––Refer to Service Procedures.
*For more help call our Customer Service Department.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
Before sending in your Tempest Pro for service, review
the Trouble-Shooting guide and the instructions. The ESC
may appear to have failed when other problems exist.
PLEASE NOTE: Speed controls that operate normally
when received will be charged a minimum service fee
and return shipping costs.
WHAT TO SEND: Fill out all of the information requested
on the enclosed ESC SERVICE CARD and return it with
your speed control.
WARRANTY WORK: For warranty work, you MUST CLAIM
WARRANTY on the ESC SERVICE CARD and include a valid
cash register receipt with the purchase date on it, or an
invoice from previous service work. If warranty provisions
have been voided there will be a service charge.
SERVICE COSTS: Customer is responsible for all service
costs (parts, labor, and shipping/handling charges). Speed
controls are returned by UPS/COD CASH ONLY. See ESC
SERVICE CARD for other payment and shipping options.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
• Hobby dealers/distributors are not authorized to replace
speed controls thought to be defective.
• If a hobby dealer sends your speed control for service,
submit a completed ESC SERVICE CARD to the dealer
and make sure it is sent with the speed control.
• To provide the most efficient service possible to our
customers, it is not our policy to contact customers by
phone or mail.
• Novak Electronics, Inc. does not make any electronic
components (transistors, resistors, etc.) available for sale.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Novak Electronics, Inc. guarantees the Tempest Pro to be free
from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 90 days
from original date of purchase (verified by dated, itemized sales re-
ceipt). Warranty does not cover incorrect installation, components
worn by use, damage from using less than 4 or more than 10
cells (1.2 volts DC/cell) input voltage, short-circuiting heat sinks,
cross-connection of battery/motor, reverse voltage application,
damage resulting from thermal overload, damage from incorrect
use of an external receiver battery pack, damage from incorrect
installation of FET servo or receiver battery pack, damage from
excessive force while installing heat sinks, not installing three 0.1
µ F
(50V) capacitors and a Schottky diode on motor, splices to input
or switch harnesses, damage from excessive force when using
SET button or current limiter or from disassembling case, tamper-
ing with internal electronics, allowing water, moisture, or any other
foreign material to enter ESC or get onto PC board, incorrect
installation of alternate input plug plastic, allowing exposed wir-
ing to short-circuit, or any damage caused by a crash.
In no case shall our liability exceed 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 ac-
cepted 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 connect-
ing/operating ESC, the user accepts all resulting liability.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS (PST)
Monday-Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
(714) 833-8873 • FAX (714) 833-1631
©1996 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.
Tempest Pro™, HYPERFET II™, Polar Drive Technology™, One-Touch Set-
Up™, Radio Priority Circuitry™, Digital Anti-Glitch Circuitry™, and Input
Plug System™ are all trademarks of Novak Electronics, Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A. 3/96 • #IM-1760-2
STEP 2
MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 6
ADJUSTING THE CURRENT LIMITER
RECEIVER BATTERY PACK
The Tempest Pro ESC is equipped with CLC II current lim-
iting circuitry. The current limiter pot controls the maximum
amount of current going to the motor upon acceleration.
CLC II can be used to prevent excessive amp draw which
wastes energy and overheats the batteries and motor. And,
for slippery tracks, CLC II can be used as traction control.
The Tempest’s CLC II is smooth and effi-
cient. The "OFF" position bypasses the
current limiter for maximum punch. Set-
ting CLC II is simple, just turn the knob to
the desired maximum amp draw. Before
adjusting, set up the car similar to how it will be when
racing. Use practice time at the track to set the current
limiter to match track conditions.
• TO REDUCE WASTED ENERGY We recommend start-
ing at a high level and adjusting downward to suit the
track conditions. The recommended setting is just above
the point where the CLC II starts reducing the accelera-
tion of the motor.
• TO CONTROL TRACTION ON SLIPPERY TRACKS We
recommend starting at the lowest setting and adjusting
upward. The recommended setting is just below the point
where the car is difficult to control during acceleration.
• FOR MAXIMUM PUNCH Turn the knob to the "OFF"
position and punch the throttle!
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