This article will show you how to program your Traxxas electronic speed control. These programming steps are the same for Traxxas speed controls. Your Traxxas electronic speed control may require periodic programming to maintain optimal performance. If your vehicle stops responding to throttle input, if you would like to change to a different mode, or if you switch from NiMH batteries to LiPo batteries you will need to go through these programming steps.
ESC Setup Programming (Calibrating your ESC and transmitter)
Read through all of the programming steps before you begin. If you get lost during programming or receive unexpected results, simply unplug the battery, wait a few seconds, plug the battery back in, and start over.
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the ESC.
2. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
3. Press and hold the EZ-Set button (A). The LED will first turn green and then red. Release the EZ-Set button.
4. When the LED blinks RED ONCE, pull the throttle trigger to the full throttle position and hold it there (B).
5. When the LED blinks RED TWICE, push the throttle trigger to the full reverse and hold it there (C).
6. When the LED blinks GREEN ONCE, programming is complete. The LED will then shine green or red (depending on low-voltage detection setting) indicating the ESC is on and at neutral (D).
Low-Voltage Detection Settings
Traxxas electronic speed controls are equipped with built-in Low-Voltage Detection. The Low-Voltage Detection circuitry constantly monitors the battery voltage. When the battery voltage begins to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage threshold for LiPo battery packs, the speed control will limit the power output to 50% throttle. When the battery voltage attempts to fall below the minimum threshold, the speed control will shut down all motor output. The LED on the speed control will slowly blink red, indicating a low voltage shutdown. The speed control will stay in this mode until a fully charged battery is connected.
If your model came with a NiMH battery, the electronic speed control's Low Voltage Detection has been disabled for best performance with this battery. The speed control's LED will glow red when it is turned on, indicating Low Voltage Detection is disabled. Be certain to activate Low- Voltage Detection if you install LiPo batteries in your model. Never use LiPo batteries while Low-Voltage Detection is disabled.
Verify that Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED:
1. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
2. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the speed control.
3. Press and release the EZ-Set button to turn the speed control on. If the LED is solid red, then the Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED (not safe to use LiPo batteries). If the LED is solid green, then Low-Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED.
To activate Low-Voltage Detection (LiPo setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the speed control is on and red.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds.
The LED will turn off and then light green. Also, a "rising" musical tone will be emitted from the motor on brushless equipped models. Brushed models will beep twice.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now ACTIVATED.
To disable Low-Voltage Detection (NiMH setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the speed control is on and green.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds.
The LED will turn off and then light red. Also, a "falling" musical tone will be emitted from the motor on brushless models. Brushed models will beep three times.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now DISABLED.
ESC Profile Selection
The speed control is factory set to Profile #1 (100% forward, brakes, and reverse). To disable reverse (Profile #2) or to allow 50% forward and 50% reverse (Profile #3), follow the steps below. The speed control should be connected to the receiver and battery, and the transmitter should be adjusted as described previously. The profiles are selected by entering the programming mode.
Profile Description
Profile #1 (Sport Mode): 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, 100% Reverse
Profile #2 (Race Mode): 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, No Reverse
Profile #3 (Training Mode): 50% Forward, 100% Brakes, 50% Reverse
Selecting Sport Mode (Profile #1: 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, 100% Reverse)
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the ESC and turn on your transmitter.
2. With the ESC off, press and hold the EZ-Set button until the LED turns solid green, then solid red and then begins blinking red (indicating the Profile numbers).
3. When the LED blinks red once, release the EZ-Set button.
4. The LED will blink and then turn solid green (Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is ready to drive.
Selecting Race Mode (Profile #2: 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, No Reverse)
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the speed control and turn on your transmitter.
2. With the ESC off, press and hold the EZ-Set button until the LED turns solid green, then solid red and then begins blinking red (indicating the Profile numbers).
3. When the LED blinks red twice, release the EZ-Set button.
4. The LED will blink and then turn solid green (Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is ready to drive.
Selecting Training Mode (Profile #3: 50% Forward, 100% Brakes, 50% Reverse)
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the ESC and turn on your transmitter.
2. With the ESC off, press and hold the EZ Set button until the LED turns solid green, then solid red and then begins blinking.
LED Codes and Protection Modes
Solid Green: Power-on light. Low-Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED (LiPo setting).
Solid Red: Power-on light. Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED (NiCad/NiMH setting). Never use LiPo batteries while Low-Voltage Detection is disabled.
Fast Blinking Red: Motor has lower than normal power and the speed control is hot, the speed control has entered Stage 1 Thermal Shutdown Protection to guard against overheating caused by excessive current flow. If the motor has no power and the speed control is very hot, the speed control has entered Stage 2 Thermal Shutdown Protection and has automatically shut down. Let the speed control cool. Make sure your model is properly geared for the conditions by referring to the gearing chart in the model's manual.
Slow Blinking Red (with Low-Voltage Detection on): The speed control has entered Low-Voltage Protection. When the battery voltage begins to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage threshold for LiPo battery packs, the speed control will limit the power output to 50% throttle. When the battery voltage attempts to fall below the minimum threshold, the speed control will shut down all motor output. The LED on the speed control will slowly blink red, indicating a low-voltage shutdown. The speed control will stay in this mode until a fully charged battery is connected.
Alternating; Blinks Red then Green: If the motor has no power, the speed control has entered Over Voltage Protection. If a battery with too high voltage is used, the speed control will go into a fail-safe mode.
Blinking Green: The speed control is indicating the transmitter Throttle Trim is incorrectly set. If the Multi-Function knob is set to throttle trim, then adjust the Throttle Trim to the middle "0" setting.
