NOVAK THE DIG - 7-2009 Setup Manual

Input Voltage .................................................................4-12 V

Power Consumption ...................................................... 10 mA

Output Current (handling) ........................................... 5 Amps

Weight ....................................................0.12 oz. / 3.50 grams

Size ................. 1.53” x 0.65” x 0.49” / 39.0 x 16.5 x 12.5 mm

LEDs ...................................................... 2 on-board, 2 external

#55-5450-1 

7-2009

Refer to 

Figure 1 for the following steps.

1.  Using one signal harness, connect the AUX 

output (usually CH. 3 or CH. 4) of the 

receiver to the AUX input (Fig. 1, #1) of the 

Dig Unit.

2.  Using the other signal harness, connect the 

Throttle output (CH. 2) of the receiver to the 

Throttle input (Fig. 1, #2) of the Dig Unit.

3.  Connect the signal harness from the rear 

ESC to the rear output (Fig. 1, #3) of the 

Dig Unit.

4.  Connect the signal harness from the front 

ESC to the front output (Fig. 2, #4) of the 

Dig Unit.

5.  Connect the LED harnesses to the LED 

indicator plugs (Fig. 1, #5 & #6) of the 

Dig Unit.  Referring to Figure 1, the blue 

LED corresponds to #5 and the red LED 

corresponds to #6.

1.  Use double-sided tape or tie-wraps to 

secure the Dig Unit to a safe location near 

the vehicle’s receiver, making sure that the 

One-Touch Set-Up button is easily accessible. 

2.  Use tie-wraps to secure the blue and red 

indicator LEDs to an easily visible location in 

the vehicle.

3.  Double check that the Dig Unit is located in 

a place that will not pinch or damage the 

wires or harnesses.

1.  Locate the AUX channel on the transmitter.

2.  With some transmitters, the AUX channel must 

be adjusted. If your transmitter offers AUX 

adjustments, the following is recommended:

a)  Set HIGH ATV or EPA settings to the 

maximum setting.

b)  Set LOW ATV or EPA settings to the 

maximum setting.

c)  Make sure the AUX trim setting is set to 

zero or the middle setting.

1.  Turn on the transmitter’s power.

2.  Before turning on your vehicle’s electronics, 

make sure that your transmitter’s throttle 

position and the AUX switch or dial are both in 

the NEUTRAL position.

3.  PRESS and HOLD the Dig Unit’s One-Touch button.

4.  Turn on the power to the ESC.

5.  CONTINUE TO HOLD the Dig’s One-Touch  

  button UNTIL THE RED LED TURNS ON,  

releasing the button AS SOON AS THE  

  LED TURNS RED.

6.  Move the AUX switch or dial to one end   

  position, and hold it there until the green  

  status LED TURNS SOLID GREEN.

7.  Move the AUX switch or dial to the  

opposite end position, and hold it there  

until the green status LED BLINKS GREEN. 

When the green light stops blinking, the Dig 

Unit is programmed.

8.  Return the AUX switch or dial to NEUTRAL.  

It  is  recommended  to  disconnect  the  red  wire 

from one of the ESC signal harnesses and use the 

switches for both the front and rear ESCs.

A  three-position  switch  or  dial  control  is  required  to 

operate the Dig Unit. A two-position switch will not work.

#5450

This one-of-a-kind unit requires two brushless or brushed systems and a three-channel transmitter to 

operate. Refer to the Novak Web site 

(www.teamnovak.com)

 for a list of compatible systems and transmitters.

To benefit from all of the technical features of The Dig,  

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATION

Before  programming  Novak’s  One-Touch  Setup 

for the Dig Unit, both front and rear ESCs need to 

be set up either simultaneously or individually. Be 

sure to follow manufacturer’s set-up procedures 

for the ESCs carefully.

Please follow the steps below to ensure that your Dig 

Unit is adjusted properly.

1.  Turn on the transmitter and both speed controls power.

2.  When the AUX switch is in the neutral position, 

the blue and red indicator LEDs should be 

illuminated, as well as the red LED and green LED 

on board the Dig Unit.

a)  Apply a small amount of throttle to confirm 

that both front and rear speed controls are 

functioning properly.

3.  Position the AUX switch to the left or the right to 

illuminate the red front indicator LED (Fig.1, #6). 

This position should also illuminate the red LED 

on board the Dig Unit. These should be the only 

lights illuminated on the Dig Unit. 

a)  Apply a small amount of throttle to confirm 

that ONLY the front ESC is operating.

b)  Under normal operation, this is the “Front 

Dig” function. This will allow the front motor 

to spin (dig), while the rear motor locks into 

neutral position (hill brake).

4.  Position the AUX switch to the opposite direction 

than the previous step. The blue rear indicator 

LED (Fig. 1, #5) should be illuminated, as well 

as the green LED on board the Dig Unit. These 

should be the only lights illuminated on the  

Dig Unit.

a)  Apply a small amount of throttle to confirm 

that ONLY the rear ESC is operating.

b)  Under normal operation, this is the “Rear Dig” 

function. This will allow the rear motor to spin 

(dig), while the front motor locks into neutral 

position (hill brake).

front ESC

rear ESC

red LED 

harness

blue LED 

harness

rear Crawler 

sensor-based 

brushless motor

front Crawler 

sensor-based 

brushless motor

ESC ON/OFF 

switch

ESC ON/OFF 

switch

1*

2*

3*

4*

*refer to Figure 1 for input harness installation

The Dig 

Unit

blue, yellow & 

orange motor 

phase wires

blue, yellow & 

orange motor 

phase wires

sensor 

harness

sensor 

harness

–     +     S

–     +     S

–     +     S

–     +     S

–

+

–

+

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1.  AUX (CH. 3 or CH. 4) input from receiver

2.  Throttle (CH. 2) input from receiver

3.  Output to rear ESC

4.  Output to front ESC

5.  LED harness indicator (blue) for rear ESC

6.  LED harness indicator (red) for front ESC

7.  On-board (red) LED indicator for front 

ESC (also used with One-Touch Set-Up)

8.  On-board (green) LED indicator for rear 

ESC (also used with One-Touch Set-Up

9.  One-Touch Set-Up button

FIGURE 1

THE DIG UNIT SET-UP GUIDE

HARNESS INSTRUCTIONS

MOUNTING THE DIG

TRANSMITTER ADJUSTMENTS

ONE-TOUCH PROGRAMMING

SPECIFICATIONS

PROPER FUNCTION

PRODUCT WARRANTY:

The Dig Unit is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 120 days from the original date of 

purchase (verified by dated, itemized sales receipt). Warranty does not cover incorrect installation, components worn by use, tampering with internal electronics, allowing 

water, moisture or any other foreign material to enter module or get onto the PC board, or any damage caused by a crash, flooding or natural disaster.

Because Novak has no control over the connection & use of the module, no liability may be assumed nor will be accepted for any damage resulting from the use of this 

product. Every Novak module is thoroughly tested before leaving our facility and is, therefore, considered operational. By the act of connecting/operating module, user 

accepts all resulting liability. In no case shall our liability exceed the product’s original cost. We reserve the right to modify warranty provisions without notice. Designed 

by Novak Electronics, Inc. in Irvine, Calif., and assembled with globally sourced components.

©2009 Novak Electronics, Inc. • All Rights Reserved • No part of these instructions may be reproduced without the written permission of Novak Electronics, Inc. • The 

Dig: Electronic Dig Unit for Dual System Crawlers is a trademark of Novak Electronics, Inc.

THE DIG SETUP PHOTO

(FIGURE 2)