NOVAK TEMPEST PRO Operating Instructions

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

INTRODUCING

 THE 

TEMPEST

SPECIFICATIONS

Input Voltage

4-10 cells 

(1.2 volts DC/cell)

Case Width

2.04 inches [51.82 mm]

Case Depth

1.35 inches [34.29 mm]

Case Height

0.73 inch

[18.54 mm]

Weight 

(w/o heat sinks)

2.46 ounces [69.74 g]

On-Resistance 

@ Transistors

1.167m

Ω

Rated Current

420 amps

Braking Current

210 amps

BEC Voltage

6.0 volts DC

BEC Current

5.0 amps

Wire Size 

(Battery/Motor)

12 gauge 

(Super-Flex 12™)

Wire Length 

(Battery/Motor)

9 inches

[228 mm]

Signal Harness Length

8 inches

[203 mm]

Transistor Type

HYPERFET II™

Current Limiter Range

20 to 80 amps / OFF

PWM Frequency

2500 hertz 

(fixed)

Part Number

1760

@ 25

°

C transistor

junction temp.

The Novak Tempest Pro combines the power of HYPERFET

II transistors with full-digital micro-computer control to give

you the smoothest, fastest, and coolest speed control the

racing industry has to offer. Team driver or not!

The Tempest Pro features Novak’s exclusive Polar Drive

Technology™ that gives increased power with operating

temperatures cool enough that heat sinks are not needed.

This means smoother throttle response along with quicker

acceleration, increased radio system range, and longer run

times than conventional ESC’s (Electronic Speed Controls).

All this and the ability to run the hottest modified motors.

SIX HYPERFET II drive transistors and new Super-Flex 12™

wire give demanding racers the lowest voltage drop and

highest current rating in the industry, while THREE more

HYPERFET II’s supply the braking circuit with more power

than any other racing speed control.

Other features include the original One-Touch Set-Up™,

Radio Priority & Digital Anti-Glitch Circuitry™, the Novak

Input Plug System™, CLC II™ current limiter with ‘OFF’

position, ultra-light case design, and a heavy-duty BEC with

the power to handle today’s high power servos.

TEMPEST ACCESSORIES

MOTOR CAPACITORS

To prevent radio interference problems, you must have

three 0.1

µ

F capacitors properly installed on every motor.

Included with the Tempest Pro speed control are three

0.1

µ

F (50v) capacitors for one motor. Additional 0.1

µ

F

(50V) capacitors are available in Novak kit #5620. Refer

to Step 3 for motor capacitor installation instructions.

SCHOTTKY DIODES

The Tempest Pro uses an external Schottky diode. For op-

timum performance, we suggest installing the Schottky

diode on the motor. One Schottky diode is included with

the Tempest and must be installed as described in Step 3.

If using a low turn modified motor, it may be necessary to

use two Schottky diodes on the motor. Install the second

Schottky diode as shown in Step 3. Additional Schottky

diodes are available in Novak kit #5640.

HEAT SINKS

Heat sinks are not required with the Tempest. However,

if transistors get excessively hot during operation, the

added cooling provided by heat sinks will result in a slight

increase in efficiency. An optional Heat Sink Set is avail-

able as Novak kit #5407. Heat sinks are recommended

for multi-motor/heavy load applications and set-ups with

limited air circulation.

PRECAUTIONS

• READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING!

• 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.

• 4 to 10 CELLS  ONLY  Never use more than 10 cells (12

volts DC) in the main battery pack.

• MOTOR CAPACITORS REQUIRED  Three 0.1

µ

F (50V)

ceramic capacitors must be properly installed on every

motor to prevent radio interference.

• NO REVERSE VOLTAGE!  Reverse battery polarity can

damage speed control––Disconnect battery immediately.

• DON’T LET TRANSISTOR TABS TOUCH  Never allow

the two transistor tab banks to touch each other or any

exposed metal, as this will create a short circuit and dam-

age the speed control.

• DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES  Always disconnect the

battery pack from the speed control when not in use.

• TRANSMITTER ON FIRST  Always turn on the power of

your transmitter first so that you will have control of the

radio equipment when you turn on the speed control.

• DON’T LET INPUT WIRES TOUCH!  Never allow the input

harness’ black and red wires touch each other while the ESC

is on, as this will create a short circuit and damage the ESC.

• INSULATE WIRES  Always insulate exposed wiring with

heat shrink tubing to prevent short circuits.

RADIO INTERFERENCE

The high frequency switching operation of electronic

speed controls can generate radio interference. Here are

some common causes of radio interference problems:

• CAPACITORS NOT INSTALLED ON MOTOR  Electric

motors generate radio noise that can interfere with the

receiver. To prevent radio problems, every motor must

have three 0.1

µ

F (50V) ceramic capacitors installed on

it. Refer to Step 3 on back page for proper installation.

• RECEIVER/ANTENNA INCORRECTLY MOUNTED  The

receiver and antenna should be mounted as far from

the motor, power wires, battery, and servo as possible,

as these components all emit radio noise. On graphite

or aluminum, place receiver on edge with the crystal

and antenna as far above the chassis as possible. Mount

the antenna close to receiver and trail any excess wire

off the top of antenna. Do not cut or coil excess wire!

• MOTOR BRUSHES WORN  As motor brushes continue

to wear, excessive motor noise will be generated. To

avoid radio interference, worn motor brushes should

be replaced. The motor commutator may also need to

be cleaned or trued and can be machined to help the

motor run more efficiently.

TEMPEST QUICK SET-UP

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION REFER TO STEPS 1 THRU 5

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

INSTALL SPEED CONTROL

Use double-sided tape to mount ESC in model where the

power wires are neatly routed away from the receiver and

antenna. For more details refer to Step 2 on back.

CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO RECEIVER

Plug the ESC input signal harness into the throttle channel

of receiver. Make sure the proper plug plastic is installed

on ESC signal harness. Refer to Step 1 for changing plug.

CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO BATTERY

Solder the 

BLACK

 wire of ESC to negative of a completely

charged 4 to 10 cell battery pack (1.2 volts DC/cell).

Strip a short section of insulation off the 

RED

 wire of ESC

where it will attach to battery positive.

Solder stripped section of 

RED

 wire to battery positive.

TURN ON TRANSMITTER POWER

Refer to Step 4 on back for transmitter adjustments.

TURN ON SPEED CONTROL

Slide ON/OFF switch to ON position.

PRESS AND HOLD SPEED CONTROL SET BUTTON

With transmitter throttle in neutral position, press and hold

SET button until status LED turns solid red, then release.

PULL THROTTLE TO FULL-ON POSITION

Hold until status LED turns solid green.

PUSH THROTTLE TO FULL-BRAKE POSITION

Hold until status LED blinks green, then return throttle to

neutral position. LED will then turn solid red indicating

proper programming and throttle is in neutral position.

CONNECT SPEED CONTROL TO MOTOR

Turn off speed control and then transmitter.

Solder the BLUE wire of ESC to motor negative.

Solder the end of the RED wire of ESC to motor positive.

STORM THE TRACK & WIN!

Turn on transmitter and then speed control.

You are now prepared to experience the smoothest

motor control, lowest voltage drop, and highest

current rating available in racing speed controls!

NOVAK ELECTRONICS, INC.

18910 Teller Avenue

Irvine, CA  92715

DETAILED INFORMATION

Included with the Tempest Pro is the Novak Input Plug

System

TM

 to convert the Futaba J style signal harness to

be compatible with Airtronics, KO, Kyosho, JR, and Hitec

radios. Refer to Figures 1 through 3 to convert plug.

Airtronics (A)        KO      Kyosho (KYO)   JR/Hitec

FIGURE 1  With a small standard screwdriver, press on

each of the three metal prongs until the wires are easy to

remove. Remove wires.

FIGURE 2  With the screwdriver, carefully lift up each of

the metal locking tabs to the angle shown.

FIGURE 3  Insert each pin into the correct plug slot. Each

pin should "click" into place.

(Airtronics plug shown)

WHT = White wire terminal (signal)

BLK = Black wire terminal (negative)

RED = Red wire terminal (positive)

CAUTION

  Improper installation or shortening of these wires

may cause damage to the receiver, servo, and speed control.

STEP 1

CHANGING THE INPUT PLUG

The locking tab must not extend

outside the plastic plug housing.

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

Part #1760

red wire  (+)                     (-)  black wire

(+)

blue wire       (-)

blue

wire

NOTE:  The small

blue wire from the

ESC is for powering

a FET servo without

an external receiver

battery pack.

A