NOVAK SPY Manual
SPY
SPY
SPY
SPY
SPY
MICRO REVERSIBLE ESC
PRECAUTIONS
NOVAK’S MICRO REVERSIBLE IS THE SPY
...and this spy gear is high-tech. Designed with ultra-small
surface mount technology and all the standard features
found in Novak electronic speed controls, the SPY gives
you the ultimate controller for the right price.
The SPY is capable of handling 4-7 cells and up to 280 size
motors that are used in 1/18th & 1/24th scale Micro R/C cars.
The rugged 5V/1A B.E.C. handles most any servo with ease,
and Radio Priority Circuitry means you’ll maintain control of
that servo even after the battery has discharged.
Smart Braking Circuitry brings the car to a slow speed
before throwing it into reverse to reduce ESC heating, and the
electronics will continue to stay cool with the Polar Drive
Technology that also improves radio system performance.
The Reverse Disable Circuitry lets you lock-out reverse for
racing. And of course, Novak’s original One-Touch Set-Up
means your spy gear is the easiest to program.
• WATER & ELECTRONICS DON’T MIX! Do not operate
model in or around water. Never allow water, moisture,
or other foreign materials to get inside the ESC.
• MICRO SIZE MOTORS ONLY Use only motors that are
intended for use with 1/18th scale or smaller R/C cars.
Never use larger than a 280 size motor
(1” diameter/3-5 watts)
.
• 4 TO 7 CELLS ONLY Never use fewer than 4 or more
than 7 cells
(4.8-8.4 volts DC)
in the main battery pack.
• NO REVERSE VOLTAGE! Reverse battery polarity can
damage speed control––Disconnect battery immediately.
• NO SCHOTTKY DIODES External Schottky diodes must
NEVER be used with reversible speed controls. Using an
external Schottky diode will damage the ESC.
• DISCONNECT BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE Always
disconnect the battery pack from the speed control when
not in use to avoid possible short circuits.
• TURN TRANSMITTER ON FIRST Turn on your
transmitter’s power before the speed control so you will
have control of the radio equipment.
• INSULATE WIRES Always insulate exposed wiring with
heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to avoid short circuits.
STEP 1
CHANGING INPUT HARNESS
The SPY ESC comes with the industry standard input harness
connector that works with all major radio brands. However,
with some older style receivers the wiring sequence in the
plastic connector needs to be changed. This is an important
step, because the electronics inside the receiver may be
damaged if the wiring sequence is incorrect. Changing the
sequence is easy to do, as described below.
JR • Hitec • New KO • Airtronics Z
JR, Hitec, Futaba, new KO, & Airtronics Z receivers do not
need to change the sequence of the ESC's input harness wires.
New Airtronics Z receivers have blue plastic cases & new KO
cases have tabs on the input harness openings as in Figure 1.
• Insert the input plug into the receiver with the BLACK
wire toward the outside edge of the receiver case.
Old-style KO • Old-style Sanwa/Airtronics
If your receiver is an older KO or Sanwa/Airtronics, you must
change the sequence of the ESC's input harness wires. Old
Sanwa/Airtronics cases are black in color. Old KO cases do
not have the tab openings, as in Figure 2 above.
• Interchange the red and black wires in the plug plastic of
the ESC's input harness as shown below.
• Insert the input plug into the receiver with the RED wire
toward the outside edge of the receiver case.
SPY SPECIFICATIONS
Input Voltage ............................... 4-7 cells
(1.2VDC/cell)
Motor Size Limit .......................... 280 size
(1”diam./1.2”L)
Motor Power Limit ...................... 10 watts
(continuous)
Rated Current
(fwd/rev) ....................
12 amps
On-Resistance .............................. 0.019 ohm
(@Transistors)
B.E.C. Voltage .............................. 5.0 volts DC
B.E.C. Current ............................. 1.0 amp
PWM Frequency .......................... 1000 Hertz
Protection .................................... Thermal Overload
Case Width .................................. 0.95 inch
(24.1mm)
Case Depth ................................. 1.12 inches
(28.4mm)
Case Height ................................. 0.48 inch
(12.1mm)
Weight ........................................ 0.51 ounce
(14.4 grams)
Part Number ............................... 1870
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
New KO (with tabs)
Old KO (no tabs)
tabs
no tabs
black
red
STEP 2
MOUNTING ELECTRONICS
1. DETERMINE BEST ESC MOUNTING LOCATION
The ESC should be positioned away from the receiver
and antenna as shown in the Set-Up photo below. Choose
a mounting position that will keep the power wires from
obstructing movement of suspension or the motor pod.
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.
www.teamnovak.com
SET-UP PHOTO
trail excess
wire off top
of antenna
mast
three 0.1
µ
F capacitors
•NO SCHOTTKY•
black wire
red wire
(+)
(–)
4-7 cell
battery
pack
SET button
280 size motor
maximum
ON/OFF
switch
status LED
twist
motor
wires to
reduce
RF noise
battery leads
(red connector)
motor leads
(yellow connector)
red
white
black
white