Novak Rooster Crawler ESC (55-1841-1 Ver. 2) - Manual (Page 2)

The Rooster Crawler Brushed ESC has the industry-standard receiver input
connector on a user-replaceable input harness & works with all major
radio brand’s new receivers. However, some very old receivers must have
the wiring sequence in the plastic 3-pin connector housing changed. This is
important, because receiver & servo electronics may be damaged if the
sequence is incorrect.
JR • Hitec • Futaba • New KO • Airtronics Z
JR, Hitec, Futaba, new KO, & Airtronics Z receivers do not need input har-
ness re-wiring. Airtronics Z receivers have blue plastic cases & new KO
cases have tabs on the input harness openings as in Figure 1.
• Plug one end of the input signal harness into the THROTTLE CHANNEL (#2) of
receiver with the BLACK wire toward the outside edge of receiver case.
• Plug the other end of the input harness into 3-pin header on the front edge
of the ESC’s circuit board with the WHITE wire toward the left side of the
ESC (refer to pin-out label on case).
Old-style KO • Old-style Sanwa/Airtronics
If you have an older KO or Sanwa/Airtronics, you must change the sequence
of the ESC’s input harness wires--Old Sanwa/Airtronics cases are black color
& Old KO cases do not have tab openings, as in Figure 2 above.
• Using a small flat blade screwdriver, remove the red & black wires from the
plastic housing at the receiver end of the input harness as in Figure 3 below.
• Interchange the red and black wires in the plastic 3-pin connector housing
at the receiver end of the input harness.
• Insert modified end of the harness into the THROTTLE CHANNEL (#2) of
receiver with the RED wire toward the outside edge of receiver case.
• Plug the other end of the input harness into the ESC with the WHITE wire
toward the ‘S’ (signal) marking on the ESC’s case.
C H A N G I N G W I R I N G S E Q U E N C E @ R E C E I V E R END
With ESC connected to (at least) a receiver & a charged battery pack:
1. TURN ON THE TRANSMITTER’S POWER
2. PRESS & HOLD ESC’S ONE-TOUCH/SET BUTTON
3. TURN ON THE SPEED CONTROL’S POWER
With transmitter throttle at neutral, and still pressing the SET button,
slide the ESC’s ON/OFF switch to ON position.
4. CONTINUE HOLDING SET BUTTON UNTIL RED LED COMES ON
5. RELEASE SET BUTTON AS SOON AS LED TURNS RED
6. PULL TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION
Hold it there until the green status LED turns solid green.
Note: Motor will not run during programming even if connected.
7. PUSH TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO FULL-BRAKES
Hold it there until the green status LED blinks green.
8. RETURN TRANSMITTER THROTTLE TO NEUTRAL
Red status LED will turn solid red, indicating that speed control is at
neutral and that proper programming has been completed.
NOTE: If transmitter settings are changed, One-Touch Programming must be
repeated. If you experience any problems, turn off ESC & repeat One-Touch.
REMEMBER: Whenever One-Touch set-up is performed,
ESC automatically reverts to Throttle Profile #1.
P2 P3
S T E P 1 – C O N N E C T I N P U T H A R N E S S
S T E P 2 – M O U N T I N G E S C
S T E P 4 – O N E - T O U C H P R O G R A M M I N G
Be sure to position the ESC with the power wires away from other electronics
& moving parts in the vehicle. Select a location that allows airflow through
heat sinks--If the ESC gets good air flow, it will run cooler; and that
means it will be more efficient!
1.
MOUNT ESC IN THE VEHICLE using the included double-sided tape.
Be sure receiver & antenna are mounted as far from ESC, power
wires, battery, & servo as possible--these components all emit RF
noise when throttle is applied. On graphite or aluminum chassis
vehicles, it may help to place receiver on edge with crystal & antenna
as far above chassis as possible.
Note: Mount antenna as close to receiver as possible--trail any excess wire off top
of antenna mast (cutting or coiling excess antenna wire will reduce radio range).
2. MOUNT POWER CAPACITOR IN THE VEHICLE using the included
double-sided tape, or secure it to part of the vehicle with a tie-wrap. The
Power Capacitor can also be tie-wrapped along the battery power wires.
If the Power Capacitor becomes dented or damaged, ESC failure
will occur--replace damaged Power Capacitors immediately.
3. INSTALL ON/OFF SWITCH using a screw or the included double-sided
tape. Position in the vehicle where it will be easy to access.
If you have any problems with Step 4, adjust transmitter as follows and then
repeat One-Touch programming in Step 4:
A. Set HIGH ATV or EPA to maximum setting.
[amount of throw at full throttle]
B. Set LOW ATV, EPA, or ATL to maximum setting.
[amount of throw at full brakes]
C. Set EXPONENTIAL to zero setting. [throttle channel linearity]
D. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL REV. SWITCH to opposite position.
E. Set THROTTLE CHANNEL TRIM to middle setting.
[adjusts neutral position/increases or decreases coast brakes]
F. Set ELECTRONIC TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to 50% throttle
and 50% brake throw--best for reversible ESCs.
[adjusts trigger throw electronic/digital pistol-grip transmitters]
G. Set MECHANICAL TRIGGER THROW ADJUSTMENT to position with
1/2 throttle and 1/2 brake throw.
•NOT
ALL
TRANSMITTERS HA
VE THESE
ADJUSTMENTS•
T R A N S M I T T E R A D j U S T M E N T S
The Rooster Crawler is equipped with 2 user-selectable Throttle Profiles:
Parameter PROFILE 1 PROFILE 2
Li-Po Cut-Off (see next page) Disabled Enabled
W/ Reverse Yes (100%) Yes (100%)
Drag Brake 90% 90%
NOTE: ESC is factory set to Throttle Profile #1.
SELECTING THROTTLE PROFILE:
With ESC on & connected to a charged battery (transmitter ON or OFF):
1. IF TRANSMITTER IS OFF, DISCONNECT ESC FROM RECEIVER
To avoid possible radio interference from other transmitters, remove the
ESC’s input signal harness from the receiver.
2. PRESS & HOLD THE ESC’S ONE-TOUCH SET BUTTON
Continue to hold SET button on ESC until both LEDs turn on.
3. RELEASE SET BUTTON AS SOON AS BOTH LEDs COME ON
Once released, the 2 status LEDs will flash to indicate what Throttle
Profile is currently selected. The number of times the LEDs flash
indicates the Throttle Profile selection (1 of 2).
4. QUICK PRESS (& release) SET BUTTON TO CHANGE SELECTION
Each press will change to the next consecutive Throttle Profile.
*** Note: there is a time constraint during this selection process. ***
5. ESC STORES SELECTION & EXITS TO NEUTRAL
If SET button is not pressed for 3 sec., ESC stores selected Profile into memory
& the red LED will come on solid. The speed control is at neutral & is ready to go.
NOTE: Whenever One-Touch set-up is performed, ESC reverts to Throttle Profile #1.
T H R O T T L E P R O F I L E S E L E C T I O N
S T E P 3 – M O T O R & B AT T E R Y C O N N E C T I O N
1. INSTALL MOTOR CAPACITORS
Electric motors generate RF noise that causes interference. The included
0.1µF (50V) non-polarized, ceramic capacitors must be used on all motors
to reduce motor noise & prevent ESC damage. Novak’s Crawler Brushed
Motors (#3545 & #3555) have the required capacitor’s factory installed.
Note: Some motors come with capacitors built-in. If your motor only
has two capacitors, you need to install a capacitor between the positive
& negative motor tabs––If you experience radio interference when using
only built-in capacitors, install external ones.
Solder 0.1µF (50V) capacitors between:
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & NEGATIVE (–) motor tab.
• POSITIVE (+) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
• NEGATIVE (–) motor tab & GROUND tab*.
*If motor has no ground tab (below), solder the capacitors to motor can.
Negative (-) motor tab
**NO SCHOTTKY DIODE**
0.1µF Capacitors
Positive (+) motor tab
Ground / motor can
Extra 0.1µF capacitors are available in Novak kit #5620.
2. DO NOT USE SCHOTTKY DIODES
Schottky diodes must NOT be used with reversible ESCs (including
brushless). Schottky diode usage will damage the ESC & void warranty.
If you are going to use connectors on the ESC’s motor wires, we highly
suggest Dean’s Ultra plugs or Novak’s low-loss connectors--do not use
crimp type connectors. Note: If you plan to change the battery connector, be
aware that this can void the warranty if not done properly.
To prevent possible cross-connection of motor and battery wires:
• Use connectors that cannot be plugged in backwards. Reverse voltage
will damage the ESC and void warranty.
• Use a female connector on battery packs to avoid shorting.
For additional information on Novak connectors & their usage, visit our Web site.
C O N N E C T O R U S A G E
3. FACTORY-INSTALLED POWER CAPACITOR REQUIRED
The ESC comes with a factory-installed Power Capacitor, and it MUST be
used for proper operation and protection.
If Power Cap. becomes dented or damaged, ESC failure will occur--replace
immediately (#5682). Longer Power Capacitor wires will decrease performance.
4. SOLDER MOTOR POWER WIRES TO MOTOR
a. Cut the ESC’s BLUE & YELLOW silicone motor power wires to the desired
length, and strip 1/8-1/4” of insulation from the end of each wire. Tightly
twist the exposed strands of wire. Tin the wire ends with solder.
b. Solder the ESC’s BLUE motor wire to the motor’s negative (–) tab.
c. Solder the ESC’s YELLOW motor wire to the motor’s positive (+) tab.
5. CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO BATTERY PACK
Connect the ESC’s Tamiya-style JST battery connector to a charged 4 to
7 cell (1.2VDC/cell) battery pack (or 2-cell Li-Po pack). The connector can
also be changed to a different type, or the ESC can be hard-soldered directly
to the battery pack.
FIGURE 4
U S I N G A R E C E I V E R B AT T E R Y PA C K
The Rooster Crawler has a built-in BEC (battery eliminator circuit), and you
do not need to use a separate receiver battery pack, however if you are
planning to use one to power the electronics you need to do the following:
1. Plug the external 5 cell (1.2VDC/cell) receiver battery pack into the battery
slot of the receiver.
2. Leave the ESC’s ON/OFF switch in the OFF position, and use receiver
battery pack’s ON/OFF switch to turn the system power on and
off––Do not use the ESC’s switch.
R
O
O
S
T
E
R
C
R
A
W
L
E
R
S
E
T
-U
P
P
H
O
T
O
(–)
(+)
Battery Pack
NiMH: 4 to 7 cell pack
Li-Po: 2S pack*
Servo
plugged
into
steering
ch. (#1)
27-turn or higher
brush-type motor
Power Capacitor
tie-wrapped
along power wires
Status LEDs
One-Touch
Set-Up
button
User-replaceable input
signal harness (Ch.2)
Black power wire
(battery negative)
Red power wire
(battery positive)
Trail excess wire off top
of antenna mast
Tamiya-style
battery connector
ON/OFF
switch
Blue power wire
(motor negative)
Yellow power wire
(motor positive)
FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2
New KO (with tabs) Old KO (no tabs)
tabs no tabs
black red
red
white
black
white
w w w . t e a m n o v a k . c o m
Novak #3555 Fifty-Five
Crawler Brushed
Motor Shown
*If using Li-Po
batteries, be sure
to select Throttle
Profile 2 so that
Li-Po Cut-Off
Circuitry is enabled.
Rooster
Crawler ESC
FIGURE 3
With a small standard screwdriver, gently lift plastic prong
until wire and metal socket easily slide out of plastic housing.