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1. aa 18 Press SET to reverse servo direction a Press hold MENU returns to driving mode p on TO EN f Always turn your transmitter on first To set the SUB TRIM of the STEERING servo i Press hold MENU green LED blinks i x2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 Ed Press SET green LED blinks wal Press SET red LED blinks ali 12 Press MENU red LED blinks x2 aa 18 Use Multi Function knob to set neutral Press SET to save position r Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To set the END POINTS of the STEERING servo i Press hold MENU green LED blinks ae Press MENU green LED blinks x2 Press SET green LED blinks ad Press SET red LED blinks led 13 Press MENU twice red LED blinks x3 _ m Turn steering wheel to desired max left and right travel aa 18 Press SET to save each position _ 7 w Turn steering wheel to test settings IF END POINTS ARE OK Press hold MENU returns to driving mode IF END POINTS NEED TO BE CHANGED Press SET and repeat steps 6 8 To reset the END POINTS of STEERING servo to defaults i Press hold MENU green LED blinks i 12 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 Ed Press SET green LED blinks d Press SET red LED blinks id amp 11 Press MENU 3 times red LED blinks x4 aad 18 Press SET to reset end points a Pres
2. Nominal Stock Pinion 6 Cell NiMH 7 2V 3000 mAh Opt Pinion 7 Cell NiMH 8 4V 4000 mAh Opt Gearing 3S 20C LiPo 11 1V 4000 mAh Opt Gearing 3S 20C LiPo 11 1V 8000 mAh See the gearing chart on page 27 for more information iit 4 TRAXXAS e Don t Get Burned The ESC and motor can become extremely hot during use so be careful not to touch them until they cool Supply adequate airflow for cooling e Use the Factory Installed Stock Connectors Do not change the battery and motor connectors Improper wiring can cause fire or damage to the ESC Please note that modified speed controls can be subject to a rewiring fee when returned for service e No Reverse Voltage The ESC is not protected against reverse polarity voltage e Do Not Let the Transistor Tabs Touch Never allow the three separate transistor banks to touch each other or any exposed metal This will create a short circuit and damage the ESC e No Schottky Diodes External Schottky diodes are not compatible with reversing speed controls Using a Schottky diode with your Traxxas speed control will damage the ESC and void the 30 day warranty e Always adhere to the minimum and maximum limitations of the speed control as stated in the specifications table in the Owner s Manual If your ESC operates on two batteries do not mix battery types and capacities Use the same voltage and capacity for both batteries Using mismatched battery packs could
3. green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 red LED blinks red LED blinks x4 green LED blinks x8 returns to driving mode The Traxxas Docking Base Part 6510 sold separately for the TQi transmitter installs in minutes to transform your iPhone or iPod touch into a powerful tuning tool that allows you to replace the transmitter s button LED programming system with an intuitive high definition full color graphical user interface Made for Made for iPhone 4S Made for iPod and Made for iPhone mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod and iPhone respectively and has iPod touch 4th generation iPhone 4 been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and iPod iPhone iPod touch 3rd generation iPhone 3GS regulatory standards Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod and iPhone may affect wireless performance Traxxas Link The powerful Traxxas Link app available in the Apple App Store gives you complete control over the operation and tuning of your Traxxas model with stunning visuals and absolute precision Install Traxxas Link telemetry sensors on the model and Traxxas Link displays real time data such as speed RPM temperature and battery voltage Intuitive iPhone and iPod touch interface Traxxas Link makes it easy to le
4. BRUSHLESS MODEL 2407 2407L A EXTREME BRUSHLESS POWER SYSTEM BEFORE YOU PROCEED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BANDIT VXL OVERVIEW STAMPEDE VXL OVERVIEW RUSTLER VXL OVERVIEW TOOLS SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT QUICK START GETTING UP TO SPEED TRAXXAS TQi RADIO AND VELINEON POWER SYSTEM ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL DRIVING YOUR MODEL BASIC TUNING ADJUSTMENTS MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL ADVANCED TUNING ADJUSTMENTS TQ ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE 2 TRAXXAS Thank you for purchasing a Traxxas electric model equipped with the new Velineon Brushless Power System This manual covers the Rustler VXL Stadium race truck the Bandit VXL buggy and the Stampede VXL monster truck The Velineon Power System lets you experience the best that brushless motor technology has to offer Incredible speed efficient operation long run times and low maintenance operation are just some of the benefits No matter which model you have selected we are confident you will be rewarded with high speed performance in a durable long lasting product This manual contains the instructions you will need to operate and maintain your model so that you can enjoy it for years to come We want you to feel confident that you own one of the best performing models in the market and that it is backed by a team of professionals who aim to provide the highest level of factory support possible Traxxas models are
5. 26 e TRAXXAS Your model requires timely maintenance in order to stay in top running condition Frequently inspect the vehicle for obvious damage or wear Look for a oe i oO 9 Cracked bent or damaged parts Check the wheels and steering for binding Check the operation of the shock absorbers Check the wiring for any frayed wires or loose connections Check the mounting of the receiver and servo s and speed control Check the tightness of the wheel nuts with a wrench Check the operation of the radio system especially the condition of the batteries Check for any loose screws in the chassis structure or suspension The steering servo saver will wear out over time If the steering becomes loose the servo saver should be replaced 10 Inspect the gears for wear broken teeth or debris lodged 1 between the teeth 1 Check the tightness of the slipper clutch Other periodic maintenance Slipper clutch pads friction material i Under normal use ENC Ss the friction material S in the slipper clutch should wear very slowly If the thickness of any one of the slipper clutch pads is 1 8mm or less the friction disc should be replaced Measure the pad thickness using calipers or measuring against the diameter of the 1 5 and 2 0mm hex wrenches provided with the model Chassis Keep the chassis clean of accumulated dirt and grime Periodically inspect the chassis for damage Steering Over time
6. 3500 motor The gear combination that comes stock on each model provides good overall acceleration and top speed If you want more top speed install the included optional large pinion gear more teeth The included optional large pinion gear is intended for high speed running on hard surfaces and this gearing is not recommended for off road or repetitive starting and stopping Bandit VX Rustler VXL Stampede VXL Bandit VXL Rustler VXL Stampede VX pinion spur O o UO 6 Cell NiMH 7 2 3000 mAh Battery Nominal Voltage MAh Skill Level 28 76 Included 28 83 Included 25 86 Included 7 CellNiM SAV 4000 mAh LiPo Batteries LiPo batteries are intended only for the most advanced users that are educated on the risks associated with LiPo battery use It is critical to follow all instructions supplied by the battery manufacturer and the charger manufacturer for proper charging use and storage of LiPo batteries Make sure you understand how to use your LiPo batteries See Safety Precautions and warnings on page 3 for more information Advanced VXL 3s Electronic Speed Control Setup The VXL 3s electronic speed control is capable of controlling brushed brushless and sensored brushless motors The VXL 3s auto detects the motor type and has numerous built in safeguards to prevent damage from miswiring or damaged wiring Sensorless brushless motors Sensorless motors are the easiest an
7. Blink Red indicate Steering Percentage has been selected 5 Press SET to select The green LED will blink 8 times fast to indicate 2 Lock successful selection Two Blinks Red Press 6 Press and hold MENU to return to driving mode ee 3 Unlock All Three Blinks Red Press 1 Confirm Deletion SET One Blink Red TRAXXAS e 31 Restoring Factory Defaults Press MENU once The Press SET to clear settings LED Transmitter Hold both Transmitter Release MENU and SET are i La transmitter LED will blink will turn solid green Transmitter OFF MENU and SET ON red LED blinks i red twice repeatedly is restored to default 2 Delete Model Two Blinks Green TOI ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Set Multi Function knob for STEERING SENSITIVITY Expo al Press hold MENU green LED blinks dal Press SET red LED blinks aa amp 18 Press SET to confirm green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function i d i x2 ag 8 e MENU TREE FORMULAS ql To select functions and make adjustments to the TQi transmitter without referencing the menu tree turn your transmitter on find the function in the left column you wish to adjust and simply follow the corresponding steps knob for THROTTLE Press SET Press MENU to confirm SENSITIVITY Expo Press hold MENU green LED blinks red LED blinks red LED blinks x2 Press SET to select gr
8. adjustments are made turn off the receiver on your model followed by the hand held transmitter Range Testing the Radio System Before each running session with your model you should range test your radio system to ensure that it operates properly 1 Turn on the radio system and check its operation as described in the previous section 2 Have a friend hold the model Make sure hands and clothing are clear of the wheels and other moving parts on the model 3 Walk away from the model with the transmitter until you reach the farthest distance you plan to operate the model 4 Operate the controls on the transmitter once again to be sure that the model responds correctly 5 Do not attempt to operate the model if there is any problem with the radio system or any external interference with your radio signal at your location e Higher Speeds Require Greater Distance The faster you drive your model the more quickly it will near the limit of radio range At 60mph a model can cover 88 feet every second It s a thrill but use caution to keep your model in range If you want to see your model achieve its maximum speed it is best to position yourself in the middle of the truck s running area not the far end so you drive the truck towards and past your position In addition to maximizing the radio s range this technique will keep your model closer to you making it easier to see and control No matter how fast or far you dr
9. damage the batteries and electronic speed control LiPo Batteries Lithium Polymer LiPo batteries are becoming popular for use in R C models due to their compact size high energy density and high current output However these types of batteries require special care and handling procedures for long life and safe operation LiPo batteries are intended only for advanced users that are educated on the risks associated with LiPo battery use Your model is able to use LiPo batteries LiPo batteries have a minimum safe discharge voltage threshold that should not be exceeded The electronic speed control is equipped with built in Low Voltage Detection that alerts the driver when LiPo batteries have reached their minimum voltage discharge threshold Low Voltage Detection on the speed control is just one part of a comprehensive plan for safe LiPo battery use Be aware that Traxxas shall not be liable for any special indirect incidental or consequential damages arising out of the installation and or use of LiPo batteries in Traxxas models If you have questions about LiPo battery usage please consult with your local hobby dealer or contact the battery manufacturer As a reminder all batteries should be recycled at the end of their useful life FIRE HAZARD Charging and discharging batteries has the potential for fire explosion serious injury and property damage if not performed per the instructions In addition Lithium Polymer
10. may cause undesired operation of the device Radio Frequency RF Exposure Information The radiated output power of the Traxxas LP Device is below the Industry Canada IC radio frequency exposure limits The antenna for this transmitter must not be co located with any other transmitters except in accordance with FCC and Industry Canada multi transmitter procedures Co location means having a separation distance of less than 20 cm between transmitting antennas Carefully read and follow all instructions in this and any accompanying materials to prevent serious damage to your model Failure to follow these instructions will be considered abuse and or neglect Before running your model look over this entire manual and examine the model carefully If for some reason you decide it is not what you wanted then do not continue any further Your hobby dealer absolutely cannot accept a model for return or exchange after it has been run Throughout this manual you ll notice warnings and helpful hints identified by the icons below Be sure to read them An important warning about personal safety or avoiding damage to your model and related components Special advice from Traxxas to make things easier and more fun OD Refers you to a page with a related topic If you have any questions about your model or its operation call the Traxxas Technical Support line toll free at 1 888 TRAXXAS 1 888 872 9927 Technical support is available Mo
11. model on or near a beach e Even casual water contact can reduce the life of your motor Special care must be taken to modify your gearing and or your driving style in wet conditions to extend the life of the motor details follow Before Running Your Vehicle in Wet Conditions 1 Consult the section After Running Your Vehicle in Wet Conditions before proceeding Make sure you understand the additional maintenance required with wet running 2 The wheels have small holes molded in to allow air to enter and exit the tire during normal running Water will enter these holes and get trapped inside the tires if holes are not cut in the tires Cut two small holes 3mm or 1 8 diameter in each tire Each hole should be near the tire centerline 180 degrees apart 3 Confirm that the RX box O ring and cover are installed correctly and secure Make sure the screws are tight and the blue O ring is not visible protruding from the edge of the cover 4 Confirm that your batteries can be used in wet conditions 5 Use lower gearing smaller pinion gears as low as 12T or spur gear as large as 90T when running in mud deep puddles snow or other similar situations that will restrict the tires and put much higher loads on the motor Motor Precautions e Velineon motor life can be greatly reduced in mud and water If the motor gets excessively wet or submerged use very light throttle run the motor slowly until the excess water can run
12. move through options top Press MENU to move down the menu tree Three as ks Red Press SET to select an option When you reach the bottom of the tree pressing 1 Servo Reversing Press SET to reverse MENU again will return you to the top A Braking One Blink Red E T SET Press SET to move across the menu tree and select 1 TT ae Four Blinks Red 7 AF aa i ioni i i i to adjust options When an option is committed to the ulti Function Knob Press ub Trim se kno transmitter s memory the status LED will rapidly One Blink Green SET J Throttle Trim Two BlinksRed _Sub trim Press SET to save 4 i Five Blinks Red i blink green 3 End Points Use steering wheel to BACK Press both MENU and SET to go back one level in Press 6 Knob Disabled Three BlinksRed adjust Turn right to desired the menu tree MENU Six Blinks Red end point press set to save Turn left to desired endpoint and press set to save EXIT Press and hold MENU to exit programming To reset max throw Let go of controls and press SET Your selected options will be saved 2 Channel Setup Press 1 Steering Channel 1 _ Press ECHO Press and hold SET to activate the echo function Two Blinks Green SET One Blink Green SET 4 Reset End Points Press SET to restore _ Echo will play back your current position on the Press Four Blinks Red Factory GETU opeln Menu Tree should you lose your place For example MENU If your current position is Steering Channel En
13. out Applying full throttle to a motor full of water can cause rapid motor failure Your driving habits will determine motor life with a wet motor Do not submerge the motor under water Do not gear the motor by temperature when running in wet conditions The motor will be cooled by water contact and will not give an accurate indication of appropriate gearing After Running Your Vehicle in Wet Conditions 1 Drain the tires by spinning the tires at high speed to sling the water out One way to do this is to make several high speed passes on a flat dry surface if possible 2 Remove the batteries 3 Rinse excess dirt and mud off the truck with low pressure water such as from a garden hose Do NOT use pressure washer or other high pressure water Avoid directing water into the bearings transmission etc 4 Blow off the truck with compressed air optional but recommended Wear safety glasses when using compressed air 5 Remove the wheels from the truck 6 Spray all the bearings drivetrain and fasteners with WD 40 or similar water displacing light oil 7 Let the truck stand or you may blow off with compressed air Placing the truck in a warm sunny spot will aid drying Trapped water and oil will continue to drip from the truck for a few hours Place it on a towel or piece of cardboard to protect the surface underneath 8 As a precautionary step remove the sealed receiver box cover While unlikely humidity or tiny amoun
14. the manual to learn about important safety maintenance and adjustment procedures Turn to page 10 to begin In order to serve you better as our customer please register your product within 10 days of your purchase online at Traxxas com register Traxxas com register This device contains a module that complies with the limits for a Class B digital device as described in part 15 of the FCC rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation The limits for a Class B digital device are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential settings This product generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not operated in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications The user is cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user s authority to operate the equipment Canada Industry Canada IC This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES 003 and RSS 210 This device complies with Industry Canada license exempt RSS standard s Operation is subject to the following two conditions This device may not cause interference and this device must accept any interference including interference that
15. two 2 5x8mm cap screws securely D UJ Ov TRAXXAS 23 All of the toe links are installed on the truck so the left hand thread indicators point to the same direction This makes it easier to remember which way to turn the wrench to increase or decrease toe link length the direction is same at all four corners Note that the groove in the hex indicates the side of the toe link with the left hand threads Left Front Right Front 24 TRAXXAS Once you become familiar with driving your model you might need to make adjustments for better driving performance Adjusting Gear Mesh Incorrect gear mesh is the most common cause of stripped spur gears Gear mesh ies should be checked and adjusted anytime a gear is replaced To set the gear mesh cut a narrow strip of notebook paper and run it into the gear mesh Loosen the motor screws and slide the motor and pinion gear into the spur gear Retighten the motor screws and then remove the strip of paper You should be able to run a fresh strip of paper through the gears without binding them Screws Adjusting the Toe in Geometry and alignment specs play an important roll in your model s handling Take the time to set them correctly Set the steering trim on your transmitter to neutral Now adjust your servo and tie rods so that both wheels are pointing straight ahead and are parallel to each other 0 degrees toe in This will ensure the same am
16. visit Traxxas com powercell M Using Other Chargers Another convenient option for charging the included battery is an AC peak detecting charger that plugs directly into an AC wall outlet such as the TRX EZ Peak Part 2930 It contains special peak detection circuitry that automatically shuts the charger off when the battery is fully charged Caution Never use a 15 minute timed charger to recharge your model s battery packs Overcharging may result causing damage to the battery packs TRAXXAS e 15 l The following Traxxas High Current Connector packages are available from your hobby dealer When using adapters be careful not to exceed the current rating of the Molex connector Part 3060 Single Male Female Ai Part 3080 2 Pack Female Part 3061 Male Charge Adapter i Part 3070 2 Pack Male Part 3062 Female Charge Adapter os Ls 16 TRAXXAS Installing the Battery Pack Place the battery pack into the battery compartment of the model and then place the battery hold down over the posts Secure the battery hold down with body clips in the holes in the posts Do not connect the battery pack yet 3607 3607L The Traxxas High Current Connector Your model is equipped with the Traxxas High Current Connector Standard connectors restrict current flow and are not capable of delivering the power needed to maximize the output of th
17. wheels highest position on the cross bars Provides the flattest launches reducing the chance of Position 3 a wheelie Note Each setting can offer different results based on the individual ride height and droop settings of a particular vehicle Try to avoid riding on the wheelie bar Position 4 wheels during normal driving this can happen in the lowest setting with lower than stock ride heights If you have questions or need technical assistance call Traxxas at 1 888 872 9927 U S residents only Upper Arms Position Cross Bars gt i Do not run your model with the slipper clutch adjusting spring fully compressed The To achieve a good starting point for the slipper clutch in these models tighten the slipper clutch adjusting nut clockwise until the slipper clutch adjusting spring fully collapses do not over tighten and then turn the slipper clutch nut counter clockwise one full turn 1 4 Turn 3 4 Turn 90 j 270 1 2 Turn 180 minimum recommended slipper clutch setting is 1 2 turn counter clockwise from fully compressed TRAXXAS 25 1 Always wear eye protection when using compressed air or spray cleaners and lubricants High performance vehicles generate small vibrations while driving These vibrations may loosen hardware over time and require attention Always check your wheel nuts and other hardware and tighten or replace when necessary i gt
18. Function knob must be programmed to serve as a throttle trim adjustment Thermal Shutdown Protection Temperature sensing electronics used in the VXL 3s electronic speed control detect overloading and overheating of the transistor circuitry If excessive temperature is detected the unit automatically shuts down to prevent damage to the electronics 2 channel radio system The TQi radio system consisting of the receiver the transmitter and the servos The system uses two channels one to operate the throttle and one to operate the steering Voltage Voltage is a measure of the electrical potential difference between two points such as between the positive battery terminal and ground Using the analogy of the garden hose while current is the quantity of water flow in the hose voltage corresponds to the pressure that is forcing the water through the hose e For maximum range always point the front of transmitter toward the model e Do not kink the receiver s antenna wire Kinks in the antenna wire will reduce range e DO NOT CUT any part of the receiver s antenna wire Cutting the antenna will reduce range e Extend the antenna wire in the model as far as possible for maximum range It is not necessary to extend the antenna wire out of the body but wrapping or coiling the antenna wire should be avoided e Do not allow the antenna wire to extend outside the body without the protection of an antenna tube or the antenna wire m
19. LiPo batteries pose a SEVERE risk of fire if not properly handled per the instructions Before use read and follow all manufacturer s instructions warnings and precautions Never allow children under 14 years old to charge or use LiPo batteries without the supervision of a responsible knowledgeable adult e While charging or discharging ALWAYS place the battery all types of batteries in a fire retardant fire proof container and on a non flammable surface such as concrete e ALWAYS charge batteries in a well ventilated area e REMOVE flammable items and combustible materials from the charging area e ONLY use a Lithium Polymer LiPo balance charger with a balance adapter to charge LiPo batteries e If any battery or cell is damaged in any way do NOT charge discharge or use the battery e BEFORE you charge ALWAYS confirm that the charger settings exactly match the battery type chemistry specification and configuration to be charged e Do NOT exceed the maximum manufacturer recommended charge rate e Do NOT disassemble crush short circuit or expose the batteries to flame or other source of ignition uN TERMS OF USE The buyer assumes all risk associated with using this product Traxxas its affiliates manufacturers distributors and retail partners cannot control the use application charging or installation of this product and shall not be held responsible for any accident injury to persons or damage to property res
20. Receiver cable q RX wire Accessory sensor port for use with TQi Docking Base see Traxxas com and included materials for more information ESC Motor Wiring Diagram BATTERY Positive Negative A B E C o TRAXXAS e 13 If the power indicator doesn t light green check the polarity of the batteries Check rechargeable batteries for a full charge If you see any other flashing signal from the LED refer to the chart on page 30 to identify the code Use the Right Batteries Your transmitter uses AA batteries Use new alkaline batteries or rechargeable batteries such as NiCad or NiMH Nickel Metal Hydride batteries in your transmitter Make sure rechargeable batteries are fully charged according to the manufacturer s instructions If you use rechargeable batteries in your transmitter be aware that when they begin to lose their charge they lose power more quickly than regular alkaline batteries Caution Discontinue running your model at the first sign of weak batteries flashing red light to avoid losing control O5 14 TRAXXAS Your TQi transmitter uses 4 AA batteries The battery compartment is located in the base of the transmitter 1 Remove the battery compartment door by pressing the tab and sliding the door open 2 Install the batteries in the correct orientation as indicated in the battery compartment 3 Reinstall the battery door and snap it closed 4 T
21. about experiencing total performance and satisfaction not just with your model but also with the company that stands behind it We know you re excited about getting your new model on the road but it s very important that you take some time to read through the Owner s Manual This manual contains all the necessary set up and operating procedures that will allow you to unlock the performance potential that Traxxas engineers designed into your model Also be sure to read and follow the precautions and warnings in this manual and on any labels or tags attached to your model They are there to educate you on how to operate your model safely and also get maximum life and performance from your model Even if you are an experienced R C enthusiast it s important to read and follow the procedures in this manual Thank you again for going with Traxxas We work hard every day to assure you receive the highest level of customer satisfaction possible We truly want you to enjoy your new model FCC Compliance Traxxas Support Traxxas support is with you every step of the way Refer to the next page to find out how to contact us and what your support options are Quick Start This manual is designed with a Quick Start path that outlines the necessary procedures to get your model up and running in the shortest time possible If you are an experienced R C enthusiast you will find it helpful and fast Be sure and read through the rest of
22. ad 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 VXL 3s 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 VXL 3s is on and at neutral D Once Green To operate the speed control and test programming place the vehicle on a stable block or stand so that all of the driven wheels are off the ground Disconnect motor wires A and C see page 13 this will assure the motor does not drive the wheels during testing Do not test programming without disconnecting the motor wires 1 With the transmitter on press and release the EZ Set button The LED will shine red or green depending on Low Voltage Detection setting This turns the VXL 3s on 2 Apply forward throttle The LED will turn off until full throttle power is reached A
23. and could cause injury if allowed to collide with anyone e Because your model is controlled by radio it is subject to radio interference from many sources that are beyond your control Since radio interference can cause momentary losses of radio control always allow a safety margin in all directions around the model in order to prevent collisions e The motor battery and speed control can become hot during use Be careful to avoid getting burned e Don t operate your model at night or anytime your line of sight to the model may be obstructed or impaired in any way e Most importantly use good common sense at all times Speed Control Your model s electronic speed control ESC is an extremely powerful electronic device capable of delivering high current Please closely follow these precautions to prevent damage to the speed control or other components e Disconnect the Battery Always disconnect the battery or batteries from the speed control when not in use e Insulate the Wires Always insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink tubing to prevent short circuits e Water and Electronics Do Not Mix The speed control is waterproof for use in mud snow puddles and other wet conditions Make certain the other components of your model are waterproof or have sufficient water resistance before driving in wet conditions e Transmitter on First Switch on your transmitter first before switching on the speed control to prevent runawa
24. arn understand and access powerful tuning options Control Drive Effects settings such as steering and throttle sensitivity steering percentage braking strength and throttle trim by simply touching and dragging the sliders on the screen Drive Effects ta R a 5 RESET TO THROTTLE SENSITIVITY STEFRING 34 100 THROTTLE TRIM VVEVOVED Tap and slide to adjust Steering Sensitivity Throttle Trim Braking Percent and more Real Time Telemetry When you equip your model with sensors the Traxxas Link dashboard comes to life showing you speed battery voltage RPM and temperature Set threshold warnings and log maximums minimums or averages Use the recording function to document your dashboard view with sound so that you can keep your eyes on your driving and not miss a single apex Manage up to 30 Models with Traxxas Link The TQi radio system automatically keeps track of what vehicles it has bound to and what settings were used for each up to 30 models total Traxxas Link provides a visual interface to name the models customize their settings attach profiles and lock them into memory Simply choose a model and any previously bound transmitter power them up and start having fun iPod touch 2nd generation iPhone 3G iPhone and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the U S and other countries DEFAULTS The customizable Traxxas Link dashboard delivers real time rpm speed
25. ay get cut or damaged reducing range It is recommended to keep the wire inside the body in the antenna tube to prevent the chance of damage Your model is equipped with the newest TQi 2 4GHz transmitter with Traxxas Link Model Memory The transmitter has two channels for controlling your throttle and steering The receiver inside the model has 5 output channels Your model is equipped with one servo and an electronic speed control Set Button Throttle Neutral Steering Wheel Adjust Red Green Status LED see page 30 for more info Menu Button O gi d aran gTwm i Steering Trim Multi Function Knob Throttle Trigger Button Power Switch L Battery Compartment Traxxas High Current Connector Male to Battery Antenna Receiver Velineon Brushless Motor see side bar for proper Channel 2 motor wiring Electronic Speed Control V T Voltage Temp Senor Port RPM RPM Sensor Port BATT CH5 Battery Channel 5 CH4 Channel 4 Motor Cap CH3 Channel 3 Channel CH2 Speed Control CH1 Steering Servo CH1 Channel 1 Notused Accessory sensor port for use with TQi Docking Base see Traxxas com and included materials for more information to Motor Steering Servo Traxxas High Current Connector Male to Battery Cooling Fan Connector LED Heat Sink EZ Set Button Auxiliary Port On Off Button Aore
26. cells e AVOID short circuits by always connecting the charge cable to the charger i first and then to the battery to charge or discharge Remember to always e Do NOT attempt to build your own LiPo battery pack from loose cells reverse this procedure when disconnecting the battery e ALWAYS proceed with caution and use good common sense at all times NEVER connect more than one battery at a time to the charger e DO NOT disassemble the charger e ALWAYS proceed with caution and use good common sense at all times e REMOVE the battery from your model or device before charging e Children require adult supervision while using this charger e Do NOT expose the charger to water or moisture e Do NOT let any exposed battery contacts or wires touch each other This will cause the battery to short circuit and create the risk of fire e ALWAYS store battery packs safely out of the reach of children and pets While charging ALWAYS place the battery all types of batteries in a fire DO NOT charge batteries if you observe ANY of the following conditions retardant fire proof container and on a non flammable surface such as Batteries that are fully charged or have been only slightly discharged concrete Batteries that are hot temperature greater than 110 F 43 C e NEVER charge batteries on wood cloth carpet or on any other flammable Batteries that are not expressly stated by the manufacture to be suitable material to accept the power outp
27. d A Points holding SET will cause the LED to blink green Press 2 Throttle Channel 2 __ o Servo Reversing Press SET to reverse twice green once and then red three times Echo MENU Two Blinks Green Hne RINER eevee on will not alter your adjustments or change your 2 Sub Trim Use knob to adjust sub position in the programming sequence Press SET to select an option Two Blinks Red trim Press SET to save Below is an example of how to access a function in the menu 3 Mode Selection i Press 1 Electric 3 End Points Use trigger to adjust Pull tree In the example the user is setting the Multi Function knob Three Blinks Green SET One Blink Red Three Blinks Red back to desired end point to be a steering Dual Rate control l ress set to save Push Press P To set the Multi Function knob to control STEERING DUAL RATE MENU On eRe ey CCP Or ANG HIESS EEL 1O ave em tenant onc nrtercn To reset max throw Let go of controls and press SET 2 Press and hold MENU until th LED lights It will blink in singl aan 2 Nitro l a nae e green MEE LESS ELMS a MENU Two Blinks Red 4 Reset End Points Press SET to restore intervals a Four Blinks Red factory default endpoints 3 Press SET The red LED will blink in single intervals to indicate Steering Dual Rate has been selected 4 Press MENU twice The red LED will blink three times repeatedly to 4 Traxxas Link p Press 1 Model Locking H 1 Unlock Four Blinks Green SET One Blink Green One
28. d most reliable brushless motor type The VXL 3s is optimized to deliver the smoothest possible sensorless motor performance The Velineon 3500 is a sensorless brushless motor see sidebar for specs The wiring phase alignment of the motor determines its direction of rotation Refer to the wiring diagram on page 13 Sensored brushless motors The VXL 3s is fully compatible with sensored brushless motors Sensor motors use an additional sensor installed in the motor to communicate rotor position to the speed control The VXL 3s features a covered auxiliary port that accepts aftermarket motor sensors on the front face of the unit Sold Separately Sold Separately Sold Separately Sold Separately 26 86 Sold Separately 3S 20CEiPO 111V 4000F MAh Sold Separately 3S 20CEiPO 111V 8000F MAh Gearing Compatibility Chart The chart below shows recommended gear combination ranges when using a NiMH battery pack to power your model In the red range use a battery that has a continuous rating of at least 70A Spur Gear 76 83 86 90 hn 6 J UO i 2 a so iw e 0 sa lS N N N N o0 g9 ie 1 1 1 o w VI VI Thick black border indicates stock settings Use NiMH batteries with All Models E Only Bandit VXL and Rustler VXL E Only Bandit VXL Do Not Use NiMH battery must have a continuous rating of at least 70A Consult with your hobby dealer or battery manufacture
29. d so that all the tires are off the ground Make sure your hands are clear of the moving parts of the model 3 Plug the battery pack in the model into the speed control 4 The on off switch is integrated into the speed control With the transmitter on press and release the EZ Set button 25 seconds The LED will shine either RED or GREEN see note below This turns the model on To turn the VXL 3s off press and hold the EZ Set button until the LED turns off 5 seconds Note If the LED shines green Low Voltage Detection is activated This may cause poor performance from the NiMH battery packs Make sure to turn the Low Voltage Detection on when using LiPo batteries See page 20 for more information 5 Turn the steering wheel on the transmitter back and forth and check for rapid operation of the steering servo Also check that the steering mechanism is not loose or binding If the steering operates slowly check for weak batteries 6 When looking down at model the front wheels should be pointing straight ahead If the wheels are turned slightly to the left or right slowly adjust the steering trim control on the transmitter until they are pointing straight ahead 7 Gently operate the throttle trigger to ensure that you have forward and reverse operation and that the motor stops when the throttle trigger is at neutral Warning Do not apply full throttle in forward or reverse while the model is elevated 8 Once
30. d throttle control as the batteries lose their charge Frequency band The radio frequency used by the transmitter to send signals to your model This model operates on the 2 4GHz direct sequence spread spectrum kV Rating Brushless motors are often rated by their kV number The kV rating equals no load motor rpm with 1 volt applied The kV increases as the number of wire turns in the motor decreases As the kV increases the current draw through the electronics also increases The Velineon 3500 motor is a 10 turn 3500 kV motor optimized for the best speed and efficiency in lightweight 1 10 scale models LiPo Abbreviation for Lithium Polymer Rechargeable LiPo battery packs are known for their special chemistry that allows extremely high energy density and current handling ina compact size These are high performance batteries that require special care and handling For advanced users only mAh Abbreviation for milliamp hour A measure of the capacity of the battery pack The higher the number the longer the battery will last between recharges Neutral position The standing position that the servos seek when the transmitter controls are at the neutral setting NiCad Abbreviation for nickel cadmium The original rechargeable hobby pack NiCad batteries have very high current handling high capacity and can last up to 1000 charging cycles Applying the Decals The main decals for your model have been applied at the factor
31. driven repetitively from a stop to top speed and with repetitive hard acceleration Tips for Increasing Run Time e Use batteries with the highest mAh rating you can purchase e Use a high quality peak detecting charger e Read and follow all maintenance and care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your batteries and charger e Use the correct Low Voltage Detection setting for your battery see page 20 Low Voltage Detection can be off for maximum NiMH battery runtime Never use LiPo batteries while Low Voltage Detection is turned off e Keep the VXL 3s cool Get plenty of airflow across the ESC heat sinks e Lower your gear ratio Installing a smaller pinion or larger spur gear will lower your gear ratio causing less power draw from the motor and battery and reducing overall operating temperatures e Maintain your model Do not allow dirt or damaged parts to cause binding in the drivetrain Keep the motor clean mAh Ratings and Power Output The mAh rating of the battery can effect your top speed performance The higher capacity battery packs experience less voltage drop under heavy load than low mAh rated packs The higher voltage potential allows increased speed until the battery begins to become discharged Your new Traxxas model is designed with water resistant features to protect the electronics in the model receiver servos electronic speed control This gives you the freedom to have fun driving your model through
32. e Velineon Brushless Power system The Traxxas connector s gold plated terminals with a large contact surfaces ensure positive current flow with the least amount of resistance Secure long lasting and easy to grip the Traxxas connector is engineered to extract all the power your battery has to give In order for the transmitter and receiver to bind to one another f the receiver in the model must be turned on within 20 seconds W i i l Remember always turn the of turning on the transmitter The transmitter LED will flash fast rE E PAE EE red indicating a failure to link If you miss it simply turn off the off last to avoid damage to transmitter and start over your model e Always turn on the transmitter before plugging in the battery Throttle Neutral Adjustment The throttle neutral adjustment is located on the transmitter face and controls the forward reverse travel of the throttle trigger Change the adjustment by pressing the button and sliding it to the desired position There are two settings available Automatic Fail Safe The TQi transmitter and receiver are equipped with an automatic fail safe system that does not require user programming In the event of signal loss or interference the throttle will return to neutral and the steering will hold its last commanded position If failsafe activates while you are operating your model determine the Neutral Brake Reverse 50 50 Allows equal t
33. e your parts list for accessory wheels and tires Adjusting the Slipper Clutch The model is equipped with an adjustable slipper clutch which is built into the large spur gear The purpose of the slipper clutch is to regulate the amount of power sent to the rear wheels to prevent tire spin When it slips the slipper clutch makes a high pitch whining noise Remove the rubber slipper clutch plug on the transmission cover in order to adjust the slipper Use the 4 way wrench to turn the adjusting nut clockwise to tighten and counter clockwise to loosen Place the model on a high traction surface such as carpet Adjust the slipper so that you can hear it slip for approximately two feet from a standing full throttle start Learn more about adjusting the slipper clutch in the sidebar Centering Your Servo If you have removed the servo horn from your model s steering servo or the servo has been removed for service or cleaning the servo must be re centered prior to installation of the servo horn or installation of the servo in the model 1 Remove the servo horn from the steering servo 2 Connect the steering servo to channel 1 on the receiver Connect the electronic speed control ESC to channel 2 The white wire on the servo lead is positioned towards the receiver s LED 3 Turn the transmitter power switch on Make certain the transmitter s batteries are not depleted 4 Turn the transmitter s steering trim knob to the cente
34. ed keep the EZ Set button adjusted as described previously The profiles are selected by entering pressed down and the blink cycle will repeat until the button is released the programming mode and a Mode is selected 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 e Solid Green VXL 3s power on light Low Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED LiPo setting e Solid Red VXL 3s power on light Low Voltage Detection is DISABLED NiCad NiMH setting Never use LiPo batteries while Low Voltage Detection is disabled J Fast Blinking Red Thermal Shutdown Protection Stage 1 If the motor has lower than normal power and the VXL 3s is hot the VXL 3s has entered Stage 1 Thermal Shutdown Protection to guard against overheating caused by excessive current flow If the motor has no power and the VXL 3s is very hot the VXL 3s has entered Stage 2 Thermal Shutdown Protection and has automatically shut down Let the VXL 3s cool Make sure your model is properly geared for the conditions see page 27 e Slow Blinking Red with Low Voltage Detection on The VXL 3s has entered Low Voltage Protection When the battery voltage begins to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage threshold for LiPo battery packs the VXL 3s will limit the power output to 50 throttle When the battery voltage att
35. een LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for STEERING DUAL RATE al Press hold MENU green LED blinks aa Press SET red LED blinks lid 13 Press MENU twice red LED blinks x3 aa 18 Press SET to select green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for BRAKING PERCENTAGE i Press hold MENU green LED blinks id Press SET red LED blinks PT Press MENU 3 times red LED blinks x4 aa amp 18 Press SET to select green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for THROTTLE TRIM ad amp Press hold MENU green LED blinks d Press SET red LED blinks i 15 Press MENU 4 times red LED blinks x5 aad 8 Press SET to select green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode o Adjust the Multi Function knob until the LED turns solid green To LOCK the Multi Function knob i Press hold MENU green LED blinks id Press SET red LED blinks i 16 Press MENU 5 times red LED blinks x6 aad 8 Press SET to lock green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To REVERSE the direction of STEERING servo i Press hold MENU green LED blinks i 2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 ad Press SET green LED blinks ad Press SET red LED blinks
36. empts to fall below the minimum threshold the VXL 3s will shut down all motor output The LED on the speed control will slowly blink red indicating a low voltage shutdown The VXL 3s will stay in this mode until a fully charged battery is connected e Alternating Blinks Red then Green If the motor has no power the VXL 3s has entered Over Voltage Protection If a battery with Selecting Sport Mode Profile 1 100 Forward 100 Brakes 100 Reveno 1 Connect a fully charged battery pack to A the VXL 3s and turn on your transmitter 2 2 With the VXL 3s off press and hold the EZ Set button until the LED turns solid green then solid red and then begins 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 VXL 3s and turn on your transmitter 2 With the VXL 3s 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 N Z N too high voltage is used the VXL 3s will go into a fail safe mode the EZ Set button WY as Warning If input voltage exceeds approximately 20 volts 4 The LED will blink and then turn solid gre
37. en the ESC may be damaged Do not exceed 12 6 maximum peak input Low Voltage Detection ACTIVE or red Rec voltage e Blinking Green The VXL 3s is indicating the transmitter Throttle Trim see page 29 is incorrectly set If the Multi Function knob is set to throttle trim then adjust the Throttle Trim to the middle 0 setting 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 VXL 3s and turn on your transmitter See page 27 for Advanced VXL 3s features 2 With the VXL 3s off press and hold the EZ Set button until the LED turns Patent Pending Training Mode Profile 3 reduces forward and reverse throttle by 50 Training Mode is provided to reduce the power output allowing beginning drivers to better control the model As driving skills improve simply change to Sport or Race Mode for full power operation Tip For Fast Mode Changes The VXL 3s is set to Profile 1 Sport Mode as the default To quickly change to Profile 3 Training Mode with the transmitter on press and hold the SET button until the light blinks red three times and then release For full power quickly change back to Profile 1 Sport Mode by pressing and holding the SET button until the light blinks red one time and then releasing The VXL 3s has built in programming that prevents accidental activati
38. equipped with a Throttle Trim Seek mode to prevent accidental runaways See the sidebar for more information Steering and Throttle End Points The TQi transmitter allows you to choose the limit of the servo s travel range or its end point independently for left and right travel on the steering channel and throttle brake travel on the throttle channel This allows you to fine tune the servo settings to prevent binding caused by the servo moving steering or throttle linkages in the case of a nitro model farther than their mechanical limits The end point adjustment settings you select will represent what you wish to be the servo s maximum travel the Steering Percentage or Braking Percentage functions will not override the End Point settings Steering and Throttle Sub Trim The Sub Trim function is used to precisely set the neutral point of the steering or throttle servo in the event that simply setting the trim knob to zero does not completely center the servo When selected Sub Trim allows finer adjustment to the servo output shaft s position for precise setting of the neutral point Always set the Steering Trim knob to zero before making final adjustment if required using Sub Trim If Throttle Trim has been previously adjusted the Throttle Trim will need to be reprogrammed to zero before making final adjustment using Sub Trim Setting Lock Once you ve adjusted all of these settings the way you like them you
39. es instant driving fun for new R C enthusiasts and also offers a full compliment of pro level tuning features for advanced users or anyone interested in experimenting with the performance of their model The steering and throttle channels feature adjustable Exponential End Points and Sub Trims Steering and braking Dual Rate are also available Many of the next level features are controlled by the Multi Function knob which can be programmed to control a variety functions The detailed instructions page 29 and Menu Tree page 31 included in this manual will help you understand and operate the advanced functions of the new TQi radio system For additional information and how to videos visit Traxxas com Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these radio and power system terms They will be used throughout this manual A detailed explanation of the advanced terminology and features of your new radio system begins on page 29 2 4GHz Spread Spectrum This model is equipped with the latest R C technology Unlike AM and FM systems that require frequency crystals and are prone to frequency conflicts the TQi system automatically selects and locks onto an open frequency and offers superior resistance to interference and glitching BEC Battery Eliminator Circuit The BEC can either be in the receiver or in the ESC This circuit allows the receiver and servos to be powered by the main battery pack in an electric model Thi
40. espond exactly with the input from the transmitter s steering wheel Turning the knob clockwise from the left will result in negative exponential and decrease steering sensitivity by making the servo less responsive near neutral with increasing sensitivity as the servo nears the limits of its travel range The farther you turn the knob the more pronounced the change in steering servo movement will be The term exponential comes from this effect the servo s travel changes exponentially relative to the input from the steering wheel The exponential effect is indicated as a percentage the greater the percentage the greater the effect The illustrations below show how this works Normal Steering Sensitivity 0 exponential In this illustration the steering servo s travel and with it the steering motion of the model s front wheels corresponds precisely with the steering wheel The ranges are exaggerated for illustrative purposes Decreased Steering Sensitivity Negative Exponential By turning the Multi Function knob clockwise the steering sensitivity of the model will be decreased Note that a relatively large amount of steering wheel travel results in a smaller amount of servo travel The farther you turn the knob the more pronounced the effect becomes Decreased steering sensitivity may be helpful when driving on low traction surfaces when driving at high speed or on tracks that favor sweeping turns whe
41. fire e Do NOT disassemble crush short circuit or expose the batteries or cells to flame or any other source of ignition Ifa battery gets hot to the touch during the charging process temperature greater than 110 F 43 C immediately and disconnect the battery from charger immediately and discontinue charging e ALWAYS inspect your LiPo batteries carefully before charging Look for any loose leads or connectors damaged wire insulation damaged cell packaging impact damage fluid leaks swelling a sign of internal damage cell deformity missing labels or any other damage or irregularity If any of Do NOT leave the charger and battery unattended while charging the above conditions are observed do not charge or use the battery pack discharging or anytime the charger is ON with a battery connected If there are any signs of a malfunction unplug the power source and or stop the e Do not store or charge LiPo batteries with or around other batteries or charging process immediately battery packs of any type including other LiPos e ALWAYS unplug the charger from the wall outlet and disconnect the e Store and transport your LiPo batteries in a cool dry place Do not store in battery when not in use direct sunlight Do not allow the storage temperature to exceed 140 F or o 60 C or the cells may be damaged and risk of fire created Do NOT operate the charger inside of an automobile Do NOT disassemble LiPo batteries or
42. flow is constricted energy is converted to heat and is lost The Velineon power system is optimized to reduce electrical resistance and the resulting power robbing heat Rotor The rotor is the main shaft of the brushless motor In a brushless motor the magnets are mounted to the rotor and the electromagnetic windings are built into the motor housing Sensored Sensored refers to a type of brushless motor that uses an internal sensor in the motor to communicate rotor position information back to the electronic speed control The VXL 3s electronic speed control is able to use sensored motors when applications benefit from them such as some sanctioned racing classes Sensorless Sensorless refers to a brushless motor that uses advanced instructions from an electronic speed control to provide smooth operation Additional motor sensors and wiring are not required The VXL 3s electronic speed control is optimized for smooth sensorless control Servo Small motor unit in your model that operates the steering mechanism Solder Tabs Accessible external contacts on the motor that allows for easy wire replacement The Velineon 3500 is equipped with solder tabs Transmitter The hand held radio unit that sends throttle and steering instructions to your model Trim The fine tuning adjustment of the neutral position of the servos made by adjusting the throttle and steering trim knobs on the face of the transmitter Note The Multi
43. g wire clamp feature gives you the ability to also install aftermarket radio systems and maintain the watertight features of the receiver box Removing the Receiver 1 Remove the wire clamp by removing the two 2 5x8mm cap screws 2 Remove the cover by removing the two 3x10mm cap screws 3 To remove the receiver from the box simply lift it out and set to the side The antenna wire is still inside the clamp area and cannot be removed yet 4 Unplug the servo cables from the receiver and remove the receiver Receiver Installation 1 Install the electronic speed control ESC servo and antenna wiring through the receiver box top A Make sure the box light pipe is aligned with the receiver LED 2 Plug ESC and servo wires into the receiver see page 13 Bundle wiring as necessary 4 Make sure the O ring is properly seated into the groove in the receiver box bottom so that the cover will not pinch it or damage it in any way 5 Place receiver box top onto receiver box bottom and install and tighten the two 3x10mm cap screws securely Inspect the cover to make sure that the O ring seal is not visible C 7 Arrange the wires neatly using the wire guides on the receiver box top B Excess ESC and servo wiring should be bundled inside the receiver box Pull out all available antenna wiring from the receiver box 8 Apply a small bead of silicone grease to the foam on the wire clamp C 9 Install the wire clamp and tighten the
44. harging the provided 2 Cell LiPo battery please read an understand all safety precautions at the beginning of this manual The included charger can be used to charge the provided battery pack The supplied charger has an output rate of 800mAh 0 8 amps and may require up to seven hours to fully charge a battery For faster charging the optional Traxxas EZ Peak Plus can charge at up to 6 amps to reduce charging time to an hour or less WARNING ONLY use a charger designed for LiPo batteries NEVER charge a LiPo battery using a NiMH charger or a NiMH charging mode 0 1 Insert the AC power cord into the charger 2 Insert the AC cord into a wall socket 110 240V All three LEDs will light steady green and flash red to indicate the charger is ready to charge 3 Plug your Traxxas Power Cell 2 cell LiPo into the charger using its balance plug LEDs 1 and 2 will glow steady red indicating charging is underway Do not leave battery and charger unattended while charging 4 This charger is not designed to charge two packs simultaneously If two batteries are plugged into the charger at the same time the charger will shut down Unplug the charger and remove any installed batteries to reset it 5 When a cell is completely charged its corresponding LED will glow steady green The 2 cell pack is fully charged when LEDs 1 and 2 are steady green Note If the charger detects any of the battery s cells are already fully cha
45. 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 VXL 3s 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 3 Low Voltage Detection is now ACTIVATED To disable Low Voltage Detection NiMH setting 1 Make sure the LED on the VXL 3s 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 3 Low Voltage Detection is now DISABLED Before attempting to program your VXL 3s ESC it is important to make sure that your transmitter is properly adjusted set back to the factory defaults Otherwise you may not get the best performance from your speed control The transmitter should be adjusted as follows If the transmitter setting have been adjusted reset them to the factory defaults 1 Turn transmitter off 2 Hold both MENU and SET 3 Turn transmitter on 4 Release MENU and SET The transmitter LED will blink red 5 Press MENU once The transmitter LED will blink red twice repeatedly 6 Press SET to clear settings The LED will turn solid green and the transmitter is restored to default Calibrating your ESC and transmitter Re
46. ive your model always leave adequate space between you the model and others Never drive directly toward yourself or others TQi Binding Instructions For proper operation the transmitter and receiver must be electronically bound This has been done for you at the factory Should you ever need to re bind the system or bind to an additional transmitter or receiver follow these instructions Note the receiver must be connected to a 4 8 6 0v nominal power source for binding and the transmitter and receiver must be within 5 feet of each other 1 Press and hold the transmitter s SET button as you switch transmitter on The transmitter s LED will flash red slowly Release the SET button 2 Press and hold the receiver s LINK button as you switch on the speed control by pressing the EZ Set button Release the LINK button 3 When the transmitter and receiver s LEDs turn solid green the system is bound and ready for use Confirm that the steering and The ranges are exaggerated for illustrative purposes throttle operate properly before driving your model Steering Sensitivity Exponential The Multi Function knob on the TQi transmitter has been programmed to control Steering Sensitivity also known as exponential The standard setting for Steering Sensitivity is normal zero exponential with the dial full left in its range of travel This setting provides linear servo response the steering servo s movement will corr
47. lled by radio it is subject to radio interference from many sources beyond your control Since radio interference can cause momentary losses of control allow a safety margin of space in all directions around the model in order to prevent collisions Use good common sense whenever you are driving your model Intentionally driving in an abusive and rough manner will only result in poor performance and broken parts Take care of your model so that you can enjoy it for a long time to come When using the supplied optional pinion for top speed running limit your driving to paved surfaces only Running in grass and off road could cause excessive loads on the electrical system in the model High performance vehicles produce small vibrations which may loosen hardware over time Frequently check wheel nuts and other screws on your vehicle to ensure that all hardware remains properly tightened About Run Time A large factor affecting run time is the type and condition of your batteries The milliamp hour mAh rating of the batteries determines how large their fuel tank is A 3000 mAh battery pack will theoretically run twice as long as a 1500 mAh sport pack Because of the wide variation in the types of batteries that are available and the methods with which they can be charged it s impossible to give exact run times for the model Another major factor which affects run time is how the model is driven Run times may decrease when the model is
48. lockwise to its stop will eliminate all servo travel Be aware that the steering End Point settings define the servo s maximum steering throw If you set Steering Percentage to 100 by turning the Multi Function knob fully clockwise the servo will travel all the way to its selected end point but not past it Many racers set Dual Rate so they have only as much steering throw as they need for the track s tightest turn thus making the model easier to drive throughout the rest of the course Reducing steering throw can also be useful in making a model easier to control on high traction surfaces and limiting steering output for oval racing where large amounts of steering travel are not required Braking Percentage The Multi Function knob may also be set to control the amount of brake travel applied by the servo in a nitro powered model Electric models do not have a servo operated brake but the Braking Percentage function still operates the same way in electric models Turning the Multi Function knob full clockwise will deliver maximum brake throw turning the knob counter clockwise reduces brake throw Note Turning the dial counter clockwise to its stop will eliminate all brake action Throttle Trim Setting the Multi Function knob to serve as throttle trim will allow you to adjust the throttle s neutral position to prevent unwanted brake drag or throttle application when the transmitter trigger is at neutral Note Your transmitter is
49. may want to disable the Multi Function knob so none of your settings can be changed This is especially handy if you operate multiple vehicles with a single transmitter via Traxxas Link Model Memory Multiple Settings and the Multi Function Knob It is important to note that settings made with the Multi Function knob are overlaid on top of each other For example if you assign the Multi Function to adjust Steering Percentage and set it for 50 then reassign the knob to control Steering Sensitivity the transmitter will remember the Steering Percentage setting Adjustments you make to Steering Sensitivity will be applied to the 50 steering throw setting you selected previously Likewise setting the Multi Function knob to disabled will prevent the knob from making further adjustments but the last setting of the Multi Function knob will still apply Traxxas Link Model Memory is an exclusive patent pending feature of the TQi transmitter Each time the transmitter is bound to a new receiver it saves that receiver in its memory along with all the settings assigned to that receiver When the transmitter and any bound receiver are switched on the transmitter automatically recalls the settings for that receiver There is no need to manually select your vehicle from a list of model memory entries Starting Over Restoring Factory Defaults When programming your TQi transmitter you may feel the need to start over with a clea
50. model is unlocked To unlock all models press MENU twice at step 6 and then press SET To delete a model At some point you may wish to delete a model you no longer drive from the memory k 2 d Og Switch on the transmitter and receiver you wish to delete Press and hold MENU Release when the status LED blinks green Press MENU three times The status LED will blink green four times repeatedly Press SET once The status LED will blink green once repeatedly Press MENU once The status LED will blink green twice repeatedly Press SET The memory is now selected to be deleted Press SET to delete the model Press and hold MENU to return to driving mode Notes 9 Solid green Normal Driving Mode See page 17 for information on how to use your transmitter controls Slow red 0 5 sec on 0 5 sec off Binding See page 18 for more information on binding X X Flashing fast green 0 1 sec on 0 15 sec off Throttle Trim Seek Mode Mute a TON iae feu OF reunite CED sobs larning See page 29 for more information Flashing medium red 0 25 sec on 0 25 sec off Low Battery Alarm Put new batteries in the transmitter See page 14 for more information Flashing fast red 0 125 sec on 0 125 sec off Link Failure Error Transmitter and receiver are no longer bound Turn the system off and then back on to resume normal operation Find source of the link failure ie out of range low batteries damaged ante
51. n slate Follow these simple steps to restore the factory settings 1 Turn transmitter off 2 Hold both MENU and SET 3 Turn transmitter on 4 Release MENU and SET The transmitter LED will blink red 5 Press MENU once The transmitter LED will blink red twice repeatedly 6 Press SET to clear settings The LED will turn solid green and the transmitter is restored to default Throttle Trim Seek Mode When the Multi Function knob is set to throttle trim the transmitter remembers the throttle trim setting If the throttle trim knob is moved from the original setting while the transmitter is off or while the transmitter was used to control another model the transmitter ignores the actual position of the trim knob This prevents the model from accidentally running away The LED on the face of the transmitter will rapidly blink green and the throttle trim knob Multi Function knob will not adjust the trim until it is moved back to its original position saved in memory To restore throttle trim control simply turn the multi function knob either direction until the LED stops blinking TRAXXAS e 29 Failsafe Your Traxxas radio system is equipped with a built in failsafe function that returns the throttle to its last saved neutral position in the event of a signal loss The LED on the transmitter and the receiver will rapidly flash red 30 e TRAXXAS Model Lock The Traxxas Link Model Memory feature ca
52. n store up to twenty models receivers in its memory If you bind a twenty first receiver Traxxas Link Model Memory will delete the oldest receiver from its memory in other words the model you used the longest time ago will be deleted Activating Model Lock will lock the receiver in memory so it cannot be deleted You may also bind multiple TQi transmitters to the same model making it possible to pick up any transmitter and any previously bound model in your collection and simply turn them on and drive With Traxxas Link Model Memory there is no need remember which transmitter goes with which model and there is never a need to have to select any model from a list of model memory entries The transmitter and receiver do it all for you automatically To activate Model Lock 1 Switch on the transmitter and receiver you wish to lock 2 Press and hold MENU Release when the status LED blinks green 3 Press MENU three times The status LED will blink green four times repeatedly LED Color Pattern Name NOAUA Press SET The status LED will blink green in single flash intervals Press SET once The status LED will blink red once repeatedly Press MENU once the LED will blink red twice repeatedly Press SET the LED will blink rapidly green The memory is now locked Press and hold MENU to return to driving mode Note To unlock a memory press SET twice at step 5 The LED will blink rapidly green to indicate the
53. nday through Friday from 8 30am to 9 00pm central time Technical assistance is also available at Traxxas com support You may also e mail customer support with your question at support Traxxas com Join thousands of registered members in our online community at Traxxas com Traxxas offers a full service on site repair facility to handle any of your Traxxas service needs Maintenance and replacement parts may be purchased directly from Traxxas by phone or online at BuyTraxxas com You can save time along with shipping and handling costs by purchasing replacement parts from your local dealer Do not hesitate to contact us with any of your product support needs We want you to be thoroughly satisfied with your new model All of us at Traxxas want you to safely enjoy your new model Operate your model sensibly and with care and it will be exciting safe and fun for you and those around you Failure to operate your model in a safe and responsible manner may result in property damage and serious injury The precautions outlined in this manual should be strictly followed to help ensure safe operation You alone must see that the instructions are followed and the precautions are adhered to e Your model is not intended for use on public roads or congested areas where its operation can conflict with or disrupt pedestrian or vehicular traffic e Never under any circumstances operate the model in crowds of people Your model is very fast
54. nna Programming Patterns Counts out number green or red then pauses Current menu position Soe See Menu Tree for more information X KB Fast green 8 times Menu setting accepted on SET N Fast red 8 times Menu SET invalid User error such as trying to delete a locked model LED Color Pattern Name Notes Solid green Normal Driving Mode See page 17 for information on how to use your transmitter controls Slow red 0 5 sec on 0 5 sec off Binding See page 18 for more information on binding Flashing fast red 0 125 sec on 0 125 sec off Fail Safe Low Voltage Detect Consistent Low Voltage in the receiver triggers Fail Safe so there is enough power to center the throttle servo before it completely loses power TQ ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Press MENU to move through options Press SET to select an option 1 Steering Sensitivity Expo Note The transmitter is live during programming One Blink Red so you can test the settings real time without having to exit the menu tree MENU TREE The menu tree below shows how to navigate through the TQi transmitter s various settings and functions Press and hold MENU to enter the menu tree and use eee ee see a one eo Enter Programming 2 Throttle Sensitivity Expo Press and hold Two Blinks Red MENU When you enter a menu you always start at the MENU for 3 seconds 3 Steering Dual Rate Press MENU to
55. on of reverse while in forward motion and vice versa You must come to a complete stop release the throttle trigger then apply opposite throttle to engage the motor in the desired direction TRAXXAS e 21 os j 22 TRAXXAS Now it s time to have some fun This section contains instructions on driving and making adjustments to your model Before you go on here are some important precautions to keep in mind Allow the model to cool for a few minutes between runs This is particularly important when using high capacity battery packs that allow extended periods of running Monitoring temperatures will extend the lives of the batteries and motors See page 28 for advanced user information on monitoring temperatures Do not continue to operate the model with low batteries or you could lose control of it Indications of low battery power include slow operation sluggish servos slow to return to center or ESC shutdown due to the Low Voltage Detection circuitry Stop immediately at the first sign of weak batteries When the batteries in the transmitter become weak the red power light will begin to flash Stop immediately and install new batteries Do not drive the model at night on public streets or in large crowds of people If the model becomes stuck against an object do not continue to run the motor Remove the obstruction before continuing Do not push or pull objects with the model Because the model is contro
56. ount of steering in both directions 1 2 2 Toe in For increased stability add one to two degrees of toe in to each front wheel Use the turnbuckles to adjust the alignment Adjusting the Camber The camber angle of both the front and rear wheels can be adjusted with the camber rods upper turnbuckles Use a square or right angle triangle to set the camber accurately Adjust the front wheels to 0 degrees of camber wheel perpendicular to the ground In the rear adjust the wheels to 1 to 2 degrees of negative camber These adjustments should be set with the truck positioned at its normal ride height Fine Tuning the Shocks The four shocks on the model greatly influence its handling Whenever you rebuild your shocks or make any changes to the pistons springs or oil always make changes to them in pairs front or rear Piston selection depends on the range of oil viscosities that you have available For example using a two hole piston with a lightweight oil will at one point give you the same damping as a three hole piston with heavier oil We recommend using the two hole pistons with a range of oil viscosities from 10W to 50W available from your hobby shop The thinner viscosity oils 30W or less flow more smoothly and are more consistent while thicker oils provide more damping Use only 100 pure silicone shock oil to prolong seal life The model s ride height can be adjusted by adding or removing
57. ped with an additional connector to supply power to an optional heat sink cooling fan Part 3340 The optional heat sink cooling fan can assist in cooling the VXL 3s in high current motor applications If you have questions or need technical assistance call Traxxas at 1 888 872 9927 U S residents only Your Traxxas transmitter has a programmable Multi Function knob that can be set to control various advanced transmitter functions set to Steering Sensitivity by default see page 19 Accessing the programming menu is done by using the menu and set buttons on the transmitter and observing signals from the LED An explanation of the menu structure follows on page 31 Experiment with the settings and features to see if they can improve your driving experience Throttle Sensitivity Throttle Exponential The Multi Function knob can be set to control Throttle Sensitivity Throttle Sensitivity works the same way as Steering Sensitivity as described on page 19 but applies the effect to the throttle channel Only forward throttle is affected brake reverse travel remains linear regardless of the Throttle Sensitivity setting Steering Percentage Dual Rate The Multi Function knob can be set to control the amount percentage of servo travel applied to steering Turning the Multi Function knob fully clockwise will deliver maximum steering throw turning the knob counter clockwise reduces steering throw note turning the dial counter c
58. puddles wet grass snow and through other wet conditions Though highly water resistant the model should not be treated as though it is submersible or totally 100 waterproof Water resistance applies only to the installed electronic components Running in wet conditions requires additional care and maintenance for the mechanical and electrical components to prevent corrosion of metal parts and maintain their proper function Precautions Without proper care some parts of your model can be seriously damaged due to contact with water Know that additional maintenance procedures will be required after running in wet conditions in order to maintain the performance of your model Do not run your model in wet conditions if you are not willing to accept the additional care and maintenance responsibilities Not all batteries can be used in wet environments Consult your battery manufacturer to see if their batteries can be used in wet conditions Do not use LiPo batteries in wet conditions e The Traxxas TQi transmitter is not water resistant Do not subject it to wet conditions such as rain e Do not operate your model during a rain storm or other inclement weather where lightning may be present e Do NOT allow your model to come in contact with salt water ocean water brackish water between fresh water and ocean water or other contaminated water Salt water is highly conductive and highly corrosive Use caution if you plan to run your
59. r TRAXXAS e 27 Q dh Velineon 3500 Specs Type Sensorless brushless RPM volt 3500 10 turn Magnet type Ultra High Temperature Sintered Neodymium Connection type 3 5mm bullet Wire size 12 Gauge Current Ratings 200A constant 320A peak burst Max RPM 50 000 Diameter 36mm 1 42 540 size Length 55mm 2 165 Weight 262g 9 2402 Always use the proper length motor bolts The standard motor mounting bolts are 3x8mm Using motor bolts that are too long can interfere with the motor s rotation and damage the motor s internals The VXL 3s features Locked Rotor Protection The VXL 3s checks to make sure the motor is turning If the motor is locked or damaged the ESC will enter fail safe until the motor is free to rotate 28 TRAXXAS The VXL 3s has built in Sensor Motor Backup Protection to prevent damage if the sensor leads or phase leads become disconnected If a sensor lead becomes damaged or is disconnected the VXL 3s automatically switches to sensorless brushless operation The VXL 3s also features Sensor Phase Detection When a sensored brushless motor is connected the VXL 3s will check for proper wiring If the motor phase wiring is incorrect the VXL 3s will not apply power to the motor until it is wired correctly Optional sensored brushless motor wiring diagram BATTERY Sensor Leads Brushed motors For the ultimate in versatility the VXL 3s ha
60. r 0 position 5 Disconnect motor wires A and C see page 13 to prevent the motor from turning during the next steps Connect a fresh battery pack to the speed control and turn on the ESC see page 17 The servo s output shaft will automatically jump to its center position 6 Install the servo horn onto the servo output shaft The servo horn should face toward the center of the chassis and be perpendicular to the servo body 7 Check servo operation by turning the steering wheel back and forth to ensure that the mechanism has been centered properly and you have equal throw in both directions Use the transmitter s steering trim knob to fine tune the position of the servo horn so the model tracks straight when the steering wheel is at neutral Stampede VXL Wheelie Bar Set up The Traxxas wheelie bar comes standard with the Stampede VXL It is available as a bolt on accessory Part 3678 for the Rustler VXL and Bandit VXL See your local hobby dealer for more information Changing the position of the wheelie bar height setting is easiest when installed on the vehicle To set the position unsnap the upper arms from the cross bars of the lower arms Move the upper arms to the desired location and then snap the arms together Position 1 Pos 1 The highest angle of the wheels lowest position on the cross bars Allows the vehicle to tip back the most for longer wheelies Pos 4 The lowest angle of the
61. radio signal between the receiver and the transmitter Loss of the radio signal can cause you to lose control of your model Multi Function Knob The Multi Function knob can be programmed to control a variety of functions battery pack is plugged From the factory the Multi Function knob in The model could run out controls steering sensitivity also known as exponential or expo of control When the knob is turned counterclockwise all the way to the left default position expo is off and steering sensitivity will be linear the most commonly used setting Turning the knob clockwise will van add expo and decrease the steering sensitivity in the initial range Always turn your of steering wheel travel left or right from center For more detail on i gt transmitter on first Plug in tne pattery Tun on the model steering exponential refer to page 19 TRAXXAS e 17 l Using Reverse While driving push the throttle trigger forward to apply brakes Once stopped return the throttle trigger to neutral Push the throttle trigger forward again to engage proportional reverse 05 168 e TRAXXAS The TQi Radio System has been pre adjusted at the factory The adjustment should be checked before running the model in case of movement during shipping Here s how 1 Turn the transmitter switch on The status LED on the transmitter should be solid green not flashing 2 Elevate the model on a block or a stan
62. rage When you are through running the model for the day blow it off with compressed air or use a soft bristled paint brush to dust off the vehicle Always disconnect and remove the battery from the model whenever the model is stored If the model will be stored for a long time then also remove the batteries from the transmitter Gearing One of the more significant advantages to your model s transmission is the extremely wide range of available gear ratios Changing the gearing allows you to fine tune the speed of the model and control the temperatures of the battery pack and motor Use a lower gear ratio numerically larger to reduce current draw and temperatures Use a higher gear numerically lower to increase top speed Use the following formula to calculate the overall ratio for combinations not listed on the gear chart Spur Gear Teeth Pinion Gear Teeth When using higher gear ratios it is important to monitor the temperatures of the battery and motor If the battery is extremely hot and or the motor is too hot to touch your model is probably over geared and drawing too much current This temperature test assumes that the model is close to factory stock weight and operates freely with no excessive friction dragging or binding and the battery is fully charged and in good condition Note Check and adjust gear mesh if a sour and or pinion gear is changed x 2 72 Final Gear Ratio This model is equipped with a Velineon
63. ransmission aa a s C Front Shock Tower Pinion Gear Shock Spur Gear Front Camber Link Receiver Box Antenna Mount Slipper Clutch LED Light Pipe Steering Servo Rear Suspension Arm Wing Mounting Hole Battery Compartment Toe Link G6 TRAXXAS SS Half Shaft Rear Shock Tower Electronic Speed Control Front Body Mount Steering Block Rear Body Mount Traxxas High Current Connector Caster Block Battery Hold Down Motor Toe Link Chassis Transmission Front Suspension Arm Wheelie Bar Front Bumper Steering Servo Front Shock Tower Antenna Mount Pinion Gear Front Camber Link Receiver Box Battery Compartment Spur Gear Slipper Clutch LED Light Pipe Rear Camber Link Rear Suspension Arm TRAXXAS e 7 Rear Camber Link L Electronic Speed Control Steering Block Caster Block Half Shaft Battery Hold Down Chassis Rear Shock Tower Traxxas High Current Connector Front Camber Link Upper Chassis Plate Rear Body Mount r Front Suspension Arm Motor i Transmission 7 J O O f l ai Front Bumper Pinion Gear Front Shock Tower Spur Gear Antenna Mount Receiver Box Shock Sli Clutch Steering Servo PEST aa LED Light Pipe Rear Suspension Arm j Battery Compartment Front Body Mount Toe Link Se TRAXXAS Your model comes with a set of specialty metric tools You ll need to purchase other i
64. ravel for both acceleration and reverse 70 30 Allows more throttle travel 70 and less reverse travel 30 Note We strongly recommend to leave this control in its factory Accelerate location until you become familiar with all the adjustments and i aes reason for signal loss and capabilities of your model To change the throttle neutral adjust resolve the problem before position turn the transmitter off before adjusting the neutral operating your model again position You will need to reprogram your electronic speed control to recognize the 70 30 setting Turn to ESC Setup Programming on page 20 for instructions e Always turn your TQi transmitter on first and off last This procedure will help to prevent your model from receiving stray signals from another transmitter or other source and running out of control Your model has electronic fail safes to prevent this Steering Trim type of malfunction but the first best defense against a runaway The electronic steering trim located on the When rechargeable batteries model is to always turn the transmitter on first and off last begin to lose their charge y face of the transmitter adjusts the neutral they will fade much faster e Always use new or freshly charged batteries for the radio system center point of the steering channel than alkaline dry cells Stop immediately at the first sign of weak batteries Never turn the transmitter off when the Weak batteries will limit the
65. re gentle steering inputs are required iD To prevent loss of radio range do not kink or cut the black wire do not bend or cut the metal tip and do not bend or cut the white wire at the end of the metal tip Effective Turning Range on Model Turning Range at Transmitter Correct No Experiment Try varying degrees of exponential It s easy to go back to zero if you don t like the effect There s no wrong way to adjust exponential Any setting that makes you more comfortable with your model s handling is the right setting The receiver antenna has been set up and installed from the factory When reinstalling the antenna first P slide the antenna wire into bottom of antenna tube until white tip of antenna is at top of tube under the black cap Next insert the antenna tube into the mount while making sure that antenna wire is in slot in the antenna mount Do not bend or kink the antenna wire See the side bar for more information Do not shorten the antenna tube Rustler and Bandit Stampede TRAXXAS e 19 O ap VXL 3s Specifications Input voltage 4 8 11 1V 4 to 9 cells NiMH or 2S to 3S LiPo Supported Motors Brushed Brushless Sensorless brushless Motor limit None Continuous current 200A Peak current 320A BEC voltage 6 0V DC Transistor type MOSFET Battery connector Traxxas High Current Connector Motor connectors TRX 3 5mm bullet connector
66. rged when you plug it into the charger the LEDs corresponding to the charged cells will not glow steady red and will default to steady green to indicate those cells are fully charged i Using Other Batteries Your model is equipped with a state of the art high performance power system It is designed to be able to flow large amounts power with least amount of restriction The benefits are drastically increased speed and acceleration However this places extra demands on the battery and electrical system connections For best performance your model requires the use of battery packs that have cells rated for high discharge and use high quality low resistance assembly techniques such as the included Traxxas Power Cell Battery Pack Cheaply made battery packs do not retain their performance characteristics after repeated uses in high powered electric applications They will lose their punch and run time and may require frequent replacement In addition poor quality high resistance cell connectors could fail requiring disassembly and repair The main goal is to reduce all sources of high resistance in the pack This includes the connector the wire and the bars attaching the cells together High pack resistance will create additional heat and rob you of the full power the cells are capable of producing We recommend using Traxxas Power Cell batteries for best performance For a complete list of the Power Cell packs for your model
67. s Motor Battery Wiring 12 gauge Maxx Cable Thermal Protection 2 stage thermal shutdown See page 27 for advanced VXL 3s features and setup 20 e TRAXXAS Low Voltage Detection Setting The Velineon VXL 3s electronic speed control is 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 VXL 3s will limit the power output to 50 throttle When the battery voltage attempts to fall below the minimum threshold the VXL 3s will shut down all motor output The LED on the speed control will slowly blink red indicating a low voltage shutdown The VXL 3s will stay in this mode until a fully charged battery is connected The VXL 3s speed control s Low Voltage Detection has been set for best performance with the included battery If your model included a NiMH battery the speed control s LED will glow RED indicating Low Voltage Detection is disabled If your model included a LiPo battery the speed control s LED will glow GREEN indicating Low Voltage Detection is activated To verify the Low Voltage Detection setting 1 Turn on the transmitter with the throttle at neutral 2 Connect a fully charged battery pack to the VXL 3s 3 Press and release the EZ Set button to turn the VXL 3s on If the LED is solid red then the Low Voltage Detection
68. s eliminates the need to carry a separate pack of 4 AA batteries to power the radio equipment Brushless Motor A D C brushless motor replaces the brushed motor s traditional commutator and brush arrangement with intelligent electronics that energize the electromagnetic windings in sequence to provide rotation Opposite of a brushed motor the brushless motor has its windings coils on the perimeter of the motor can and the magnets are mounted to the spinning rotor shaft Cogging Cogging is a condition sometimes associated with brushless motors Typically it is a slight stutter noticed when accelerating from a stop It happens for a very short period as the signals from the electronic speed control and the motor synch with each other The VXL 3s electronic speed control is optimized to virtually eliminate cogging Current Current is a measure of power flow through the electronics usually measured in amps If you think of a wire as a garden hose current is a measure of how much water is flowing through the hose ESC Electronic Speed Control An electronic speed control is the electronic motor control inside the model The VXL 3s electronic speed control uses advanced circuitry to provide precise digital proportional throttle control Electronic speed controls use power more efficiently than mechanical speed controls so that the batteries run longer An electronic speed control also has circuitry that prevents loss of steering an
69. s hold MENU returns to driving mode To REVERSE the direction of THROTTLE servo ad amp Press hold MENU green LED blinks ad 2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 Press SET green LED blinks ad 12 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 Press SET red LED blinks aad 18 Press SET to reverse servo direction Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To set the SUB TRIM al ald 12 d i 12 id A He 12 AA i of the THROTTLE Press hold MENU Press MENU Press SET Press MENU Press SET Press MENU Use Multi Function Press SET Press hold MENU SEINO green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 red LED blinks red LED blinks x2 knob to set neutral to save position returns to driving mode IF END POINTS oe Fae Poe d da ad ao on wee oe POINTS of the Use throttle CHANGED THROTTLE Press hold MENU Press MENU Press SET Press MENU Press SET Press MENU twice trigger to set desired Press SET to save Press hold MENU Press SET eis green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 red LED blinks red LED blinks x3 max throttle or brake Use trigger to test returns to driving mode and repeat steps 7 9 foreseen gid ee ad ee ade a aed ad ate i a POINTS of THROTTLE Press hold MENU Press MENU Press SET Press MENU Press SET Press MENU 3 times Press SET Press hold MENU servo to defaults green LED blinks green LED blinks x2
70. s no motor limit when used with a brushed motor This allows you to use any readily available 540 or 550 size brushed motors in your VXL 3s equipped vehicle Always be sure to follow all break in and maintenance instructions set forth by the motor manufacturer The VXL 3s automatically detects what kind of motor it is connected to so no programming actions are required to use brushed motors Simply be sure to properly connect the motor to the speed control as shown Optional brushed motor wiring diagram BATTERY e Motor positive should be connected to phase A blue e Phase B is not used e Motor negative should be connected to phase C white If the wiring is reversed the motor will operate in reverse If the motor is wired incorrectly using phases A B or B C the VXL 3s will send short pulses to the motor and turn off the LED indicating a fail safe mode It will not return to normal operation until wired properly Temperatures and Cooling Monitoring temperatures will extend the lives of the batteries and motors There are many options available that will help you monitor temperatures and cool your components Temperature gauge An on board temperature gauge such as Part 4091 can aid you in monitoring your motor temperature Generally try to keep your motor below 200 F If necessary increase airflow to the motor by cutting out the rear of the body or windshield Heat sink cooling fan The VXL 3s is equip
71. t full throttle the LED will illuminate 3 Move the trigger forward to apply the brakes Note that braking control is fully proportional The LED will turn off until full braking power is reached At full brakes the LED will illuminate 4 Return the throttle trigger to neutral The LED will shine red or green de pending on Low Voltage Detection setting 5 Move the throttle trigger forward again to engage reverse Profile 1 The LED will turn off Once full reverse power is reached the LED will illuminate 6 To stop return the throttle trigger to neutral Note that there is pro solid green then solid red and then grammed delay when changing from reverse to forward This prevents begins blinking red indicating the Profile damage to the transmission on high traction surfaces numbers 7 To turn the VXL 3s off press the EZ Set button until the LED turns off 3 When the LED blinks red three about 5 seconds times release the EZ Set button 4 The LED will blink and then turn solid green R Low Voltage Detection ACTIVE or red Low Voltage Detection DISABLED The model is ready to drive 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 Note If you missed the mode you want
72. temperature and voltage data O i The TQi Docking Base is sold separately Part 6510 The Traxxas Link application is available from the Apple App store for iPhone and iPod touch mobile devices iPhone and iPod touch are not included with the TQi Docking Base For more information about the TQi Docking Base and the Traxxas Link application visit Traxxas con Available on the E App Store TRAXXAS e 33 SHLESS 1100 KLEIN ROAD PLANO TEXAS 75074 1 388 TRAXXAS ma 120912 2407 3607 37070M LN EN R00
73. tems available from your hobby dealer to operate P and maintain your model A A A EC f For more information on batteries see Use the Right Batteries on page 14 Recommended Equipment These items are not required for the operation of your model but are a good idea to include in any R C toolbox 2 5mm L wrench 2 0mm L wrench 1 5mm L wrench U joint wrench Turnbuckle wrench 4 way wrench e Safety glasses Traxxas Ultra Premium Tire Glue Part 6468 CA glue er 2 Ps i 3 5 e Hobby knife Optional pinion gear Body clips and body washers Foam battery pad Pre load spacers and shock pistons e Side cutters and or needle nose pliers 2407 3607 3707 2407L 3607L 3707L e Philips screwdriver e Soldering iron NiMH battery charger LiPo battery Batteries packaged separately Ask your dealer for details Battery charger 4 AA alkaline batteries Battery and charger style are subject to change and may vary from images NS TRAXXAS 9 q The Quick Start Guide is not intended to replace the full operating instructions available in this manual Please read this entire manual for complete instructions on the proper use and maintenance of your model Look for the Quick Start logo at the bottom of Quick Start pages a5 10 e TRAXXAS T4 The following guide is an overview of the procedures for getting your model running Look for the Quick Start logo on the bo
74. the clip on spring pre load spacers Adjust the ride height so that the suspension arms are slightly above being parallel to the ground Observe how the model handles in turns Proper set up will add stability and help prevent spin outs Experiment with different springs and shock oils to find what works best for your current track conditions Wheels and Tires Many types of aftermarket tires and wheels can be adapted for use on your model Most will affect the overall width and the suspension geometry of the model The offsets and dimensions designed into the model s wheels are intentional therefore Traxxas cannot recommend the use of other non Traxxas wheels with different specifications The diameter of the wheels is an innovative design and there are a variety of different tires available for you to experiment with in addition to the included tires on the model listed in your parts list Experimentation with different types of tires is recommended to see which ones work the best on the terrain where the model is run When selecting tires consider the overall diameter and the rubber compound hard or soft If the overall diameter of the tire is significantly increased you will need to use a smaller pinion gear to compensate for the larger tire Soft compound tires with many short spikes generally work better on as Pre load Spacer hard dry surfaces In loose dirt a tire with large spikes should perform better Se
75. ts of moisture or condensation may enter the receiver box during wet running This can cause long term problems with the sensitive electronics in the receiver Removing the receiver box cover during storage allows the air inside to dry This step can improve the long term reliability of the receiver It is not necessary to remove the receiver or unplug any of the wires 9 Additional Maintenance Increase your frequency of disassembly inspection and lubrication of the following items This is necessary after extended wet use or if the vehicle will not be used for an extended period of time such as a week or longer This additional maintenance is needed to prevent any trapped moisture from corroding internal steel components Stub axle housing bearings Remove clean and re oil the bearings e Transmission Remove disassemble clean and re grease the transmission components Use a light coating of wheel bearing grease from an auto parts store on the metal gear teeth Refer to your exploded view diagrams for help with disassembly and reassembly Velineon motor Remove the motor clean with aerosol motor cleaner and re oil the bearings with lightweight motor oil Be sure to wear eye protection when using spray aerosol cleaners Removing and Installing Radio Gear The unique design of the receiver box allows the removal and installation of the receiver without losing the ability to maintain a watertight seal in the box The patent pendin
76. ttom corners of Quick Start pages L 1 Read the safety precautions on page 3 For your own Safety understand where carelessness and misuse could lead to personal injury CL 2 Charge the battery pack See pages 14 amp 15 Fully charge the included battery pack Charge your battery now so it will be ready when you finish the other setup procedures L 3 Install batteries in the transmitter See page 14 The transmitter requires 4 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries L 4 Install the battery pack in the model See page 16 Your model requires a fully charged battery pack L 5 Turn on the radio system See page 17 Make a habit of turning the transmitter on first and off last L 6 Check servo operation See page 18 Make sure the steering servo is working correctly L 7 Range test the radio system See page 18 Follow this procedure to make sure your radio system works properly at a distance and that there is no interference from outside sources L 8 Detail your model See page 11 Apply other decals if desired O 9 Drive your model See page 22 Driving tips and adjustments for your model CL 10 Maintain your model See page 26 Follow these critical steps to maintain the performance of your model and keep it in excellent running condition Your model includes the latest Traxxas TQi 2 4GHz transmitter with Traxxas Link Model Memory The transmitter s easy to use design provid
77. ulting from the use of this product e NEVER leave batteries unattended while charging After reading all if you do not agree with these terms and conditions and are not prepared to accept complete liability for the use of this product return this product immediately in new unused condition to your place of purchase Your retailer absolutely cannot accept product for return or exchange if it has been used in any way If you have any questions call Traxxas Customer Support at 1 888 TRAXXAS 1 888 872 9927 Outside the US 1 972 265 8000 or e mail support traxxas com h Lithium Polymer LiPo batteries are significantly more volatile than other rechargeable batteries ONLY use a Lithium Polymer LiPo balance charger with a balance adapter Such as the Traxxas EZ Peak Plus Charger 2933 or the 2 Cell 3 Cell LiPo Balance Charger to charge LiPo batteries Never use NiMH or NiCD type chargers or charge modes to charge LiPo batteries The use of a NiMH or NiCD charger or charge mode will damage the batteries and may e Do NOT use the 2 3 cell LiPo charger 2935 to charge NiMh batteries cause fire and personal injury e Do NOT exceed the maximum battery manufacturer s recommended Never charge LiPo battery packs in series or parallel with this charger charge rate Charging packs in series or parallel may result in improper charger cell recognition and an improper charging rate that may lead to overcharging cell imbalance cell damage and
78. urn on the transmitter and check the status indicator for a solid green light If the status LED flashes red the transmitter batteries may be weak discharged or possibly installed incorrectly Replace with new or freshly charged batteries The power indicator light does not indicate the charge level of the battery pack installed in the model Refer to the Troubleshooting section on page 30 for more information on the transmitter Status LED codes Models 2407 3607 3707 The included charger can be used to charge the included battery pack The battery pack should be removed from the vehicle before charging Do not leave the battery unattended while charging For faster charging the optional Traxxas EZ Peak Plus can charge at 4 amps to reduce charging time to only 45 minutes It is normal for the battery to become slightly warm as it nears full charge but the battery should never become hot If the battery becomes hot disconnect it from the charger immediately NEVER charge a LiPo battery using a NiMH charger 1 Plug the charger into the wall The LED on the charger should glow green 2 Connect the included battery pack to the charger output cord The LED will glow red indicating the battery is charging 3 The battery should charge for approximately 8 2 hours The LED will turn green when the battery is fully charged Disconnect the battery from the charger after charging Models 2407L 3607L 3707L Before c
79. ut voltage and amperage the charger delivers e ALWAYS charge batteries in a well ventilated area during the charging process REMOVE flammable items and combustible materials from the charging Batteries that are damaged or defective in any way Examples of damage area or defects include but are not limited to batteries with dented cells damaged or frayed wires loose connections fluid leaks corrosion plugged vents swelling cell deformity impact damage missing labels melted components or any other signs of damage e DO NOT operate the charger in a cluttered space or place objects on top of the charger or battery If any battery or battery cell is damaged in any way do NOT charge Battery packs that have been altered from original manufacturer discharge use the battery configuration e Keep a Class D fire extinguisher nearby in case of fire Non rechargeable batteries explosion hazard e BEFORE you charge ALWAYS confirm that the charger settings exactly match the type chemistry specification and configuration of the battery to be charged Batteries that have an internal charge circuit or a protection circuit TRAXXAS Rear Camber Link Electronic Speed Control Steering Block Battery Hold Down Half Shaft Chassis Caster Block Traxxas High Current Connector Rear Shock Tower Upper Chassis Plate Front Body Mount Rear Body Mount Front Suspension Arm Motor a F Front Bumper T
80. y The decals are printed on self adhesive clear mylar and are die cut for easy removal Use a hobby knife to lift the corner of a decal and lift it from the backing lt N 3 A To apply the decals place one end down hold the other end up and gradually smooth the decal down with your finger as you go This will prevent air bubbles Placing both ends of the decal down and then trying to smooth it out will result in air pockets Look at the photos on the box for typical decal placement ae TRAXXAS e 11 iD To prevent loss of radio range do not kink or cut the black wire do not bend or cut the metal tip and do not bend or cut the white wire at the end of the metal tip Correct No 12 TRAXXAS Good charging procedures are required to reduce the possibility of developing a memory effect and shortened run times NiMH Abbreviation for nickel metal hydride Rechargeable NiMH batteries offer high current handling and much greater resistance to the memory effect NIMH batteries generally allow higher capacity than NiCad batteries They can last up to 500 charge cycles A peak charger designed for NiMH batteries is required for optimal performance Receiver The radio unit inside your model that receives signals from the transmitter and relays them to the servos Resistance In an electrical sense resistance is a measure of how an object resists or obstructs the flow of current through it When
81. you may notice increased looseness in the steering system There are several components which will wear out from use the servo saver Part 3744 the bellcrank bushings Part 2545 and the tie rod ends Part 2742 Replace these components as needed to restore factory tolerances The bellcrank bushings Rustler VXL and Bandit VXL only may be replaced with 5x8mm ball bearings Part 2728 Rustler and Bandit bellcranks can also be upgraded to Part 6845 bellcranks with built in servo saver Shocks Keep the oil level in the shocks full Use only 100 pure silicon shock oil to prolong the life of the seals If you are experiencing leakage around the top of the shock inspect the bladder in the top cap for signs of damage or distortion from overtightening If the bottom of the shock is leaking then it is time for a rebuild The Traxxas rebuild kit for two shocks is part 2362 Suspension Periodically inspect the model for signs of damage such as bent or dirty suspension pins bent turnbuckles loose screws and any signs of stress or bending Replace components as needed Driveline Inspect the driveline for signs of wear such as worn drive yokes dirty axle half shafts and any unusual noise or binding If a u joint pops apart then it is time to replace the part Remove the gear cover and Inspect the spur gear for wear and check the tightness of set screws in the pinion gears Tighten clean or replace components as needed Sto
82. ys and erratic performance e Do not remove the heat sinks from the ESC Three heat sinks are factory installed on the speed control and must be used for maximum cooling and performance Toll free support is available to U S residents only ELOGE 1100 Klein Road Plano Texas 75074 Phone 972 265 8000 Toll free 1 888 TRAXXAS Internet Traxxas com E mail support Traxxas com Entire contents 2012 Traxxas Traxxas Ready To Race Ready To Win Rustler Bandit Stampede Velineon and ProGraphix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Traxxas Other brand names and marks are the property of their respective holders and are used only for purposes of identification No part of this manual may be reproduced or distributed in print or electronic media without the express written permission of Traxxas Specifications are subject to change without notice TRAXXAS 3 dh All instructions and precautions outlined in this manual should be strictly followed to ensure safe operation of your model This model is not intended for use by children under 14 years of age without the supervision of a responsible and knowledgeable adult Gearing and battery choice see LiPo Batteries right effect the skill level of the model See chart below Gearing Battery Voltage mAh Gearing Battery Voltage mAh Gearing Battery Voltage mAh Gearing Battery Voltage mAh

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