Traxxas 1/16 SLASH VXL 4WD 7108 - Manual (Page 10)

10 • TR A X X AS
THE TRAXXAS TQ RADIO SYSTEM
Use the Right Batteries
Your transmitter uses AA
batteries. Use new alkaline
batteries, or rechargeable
batteries such as NiCad or
NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride)
batteries in your transmitter.
Make sure rechargeable
batteries are fully
charged according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you use rechargeable
batteries in your
transmitter, be aware
that when they begin
to lose their charge, they lose
power more quickly than
regular alkaline batteries.
Caution: Discontinue running
your model at the first sign of
weak batteries (flashing red
light) to avoid losing control.
RADIO SYSTEM TERMINOLOGY
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these radio and
power system terms. They will be used throughout this manual.
BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit) - The BEC can either be in the
receiver or in the ESC. This circuit allows the receiver and servos
to be powered by the main battery pack in an electric model.
This eliminates the need to carry a separate pack of 4 AA
batteries to power the radio equipment.
Brushless Motor - A D/C brushless motor replaces the brushed
motor’s traditional commutator and brush arrangement with
intelligent electronics that energize the electromagnetic
windings in sequence to provide rotation. Opposite of a brushed
motor, the brushless motor has its windings (coils) on the
perimeter of the motor can and the magnets are mounted to the
spinning rotor shaft.
Channel - The 27 MHz frequency band is divided into 6 channels
so that up to six models can be operated simultaneously. Each
channel is referred to by its flag color and channel number, as
shown below.
Clearing your frequency - A routine, verbal check to make sure
nobody else in your area is operating on the same channel.
Always clear your frequency by calling out your channel number
before operating your model. Wait or move to another area if
your channel is already being used.
Cogging - Cogging is a condition sometimes associated with
brushless motors. Typically it is a slight stutter noticed when
accelerating from a stop. It happens for a very short period as
the signals from the electronic speed control and the motor
synch with each other. The VXL-3m is optimized to virtually
eliminate cogging.
Crystal (X-tal) - The plug-in device that determines which channel
the radio system will operate on. For each channel, there are
two crystals, one for the receiver and one for the transmitter. Of
those two crystals, the one marked with the lower number (.455
MHz lower) must be inserted into the receiver.
Current - Current is a measure of power flow through the
electronics, usually measured in amps. If you look at wire like a
garden hose, current is a measure of how much water is flowing
through the hose.
ESC (Electronic Speed Control) - An electronic speed control is
the electronic motor control inside the model. Electronic speed
controls use power more efficiently than mechanical speed
controls so that the battery runs longer. An electronic speed
control also has circuitry that prevents loss of steering and
throttle control as the battery loses its charge.
Frequency band - The radio frequency used by the transmitter to
send signals to your model. All Traxxas RTR models operate on a
27 MHz frequency band.
kV Rating - Brushless motors are often rated by their kV number.
The kV rating equals no-load motor rpm with 1 volt applied.
The kV increases as the number of wire turns in the motor
decreases. As the kV increases, the current draw through the
electronics also increases.
LiPo - Abbreviation for Lithium Polymer. Rechargeable LiPo
battery packs are known for their special chemistry that allows
extremely high energy density and current handling in a
compact size. These are high performance batteries that require
special care and handling. For advanced users only.
mAh – Abbreviation for milliamp hour. A measure of the capacity
of the battery pack. The higher the number, the longer the
battery will last between recharges.
Neutral position - The standing position that the servos seek
when the transmitter controls are at the neutral setting.
Channel Frequency
Band
Flag
Color
Traxxas
Part No.
1 26.995 Brown 2031
2 27.045 Red 2032
3 27.095 Orange 2033
4 27.145 Yellow 2034
5 27.195 Green 2035
6 27.255 Blue 2036