Home

owners manual

1. Enter Programming 2 Throttle Sensitivity Expo and select options Press and hold Two Blinks Red MENU When you enter a menu you always start at the i y y y MENU for 3 seconds Steering Dual Rate Press MENU to move through options top Press MENU to move down the menu tree Three Blinks 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 servo direction SET Press SET to move across the menu tree and select e ae Four Blinks Red 2 ree ee NA j i to adjust options When an option is committed to the 1xx Multi Function Knob Press ee ale transmitter s memory the status LED will rapidly One Blink Green oer 5 m rots Tm Two Blinks Red _ SUD trim Press SET to save Five Blinks Red blink green End Points Use steering wheel to BACK Press both MENU and SET to go back one level in Press Knob Disabled Three BlinksRed adjust Turn right to desired the tri nu trec 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 i Press 1 Steering Channel 1 _ Press ECHO Press and hold SET to activate the echo function Two Blinks Green SET One Blink Green SET Reset En
2. Oo a o w Ke N o N N N N N N Ko w ye eae Thick black border indicates stock settings Use NiMH batteries with All Models L Only Bandit VXL and Rustler VXL Only Bandit VXL Do Not Use NiMH battery must have a continuous rating of at least 70A Consult with your hobby dealer or battery manufacturer TRAXXAS e 25 Starting Over Restoring Factory Defaults When programming your TQi transmitter you may feel the need to start over with a clean 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 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 tri
3. Pinion Gear Front Bumper Gear Cover ghosted li t i Am Shock ight Pipe eceiver Box Oil Damper Spur Gear Antenna Mount Upper Chassis Plate Front Slipper Clutch Shock Tower Servo Saver not visible Suspension Turnbuckle Arm Rear Steering Servo Toe Link under Upper Chassis Plate G6 TRAXXAS Shock Oil Damper Steering Block eering Bloc Half Shaft Electronic Speed Control VXL 3s Suspension Arm Rear Traxxas High Current Connector Rear Body Mount Chassis Brushless Motor Velineon 3500 EZ Set Button Battery TN Caster Block AN On Off Button Compartment Transmission Battery Hold Down Suspension Arm Front Bulkhead Front Bumper Steering Servo Receiver Wheelie Bar Box Pinion Gear Light Pipe Antenna Mount Front Shock Tower Spur Gear SEN Turnbuckle Rear Camber Link Gear Cover ghosted Front Body Mount Slipper Clutch Turnbuckle Toe Link Rear Turnbuckle Shock Tower Front Camber Link TRAXXAS e 7 Turnbuckle Electronic Speed Battery i Rear Camber Link Control VXL 3s Compartment Steering Block Half Shaft iagh Caster Block Traxxas High Battery Hold Down Rear Current Connector Shock Tower N EZ Set Button Chassis On Off Butt Rear Body Mount 13 On utton Turnbuckle Front Camber Link Brushless Motor Velineon 3500 Suspensio
4. 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 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 wi
5. 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 25 for more information a5 T 4 TRAXXAS f a battery gets hot to the touch during the charging process temperature greater than 140 F 60 C disconnect the battery fromthe charger and discontinue charging immediately e Always store battery packs safely out of the reach of children and pets e Do not short circuit the battery pack This may cause burns and severe damage to the battery pack and create the risk of fire Do not expose the charger to water or moisture e Do not disassemble the charger e Use the supplied charger to charge the included battery See Charging the Battery Pack on page 13 e Never leave batteries to charge unattended e Remove the battery from the model while charging e Always unplug the battery from the electronic speed control when the model is not in use and when it is being stored or transported Allow the battery pack to cool off between runs before charging e Children should have responsible adult supervision when charging and handling batteries Do not use battery packs that have been damaged in any way Do not use battery packs that have damaged wiring exposed wiring or a damaged connector e Do not short circuit the battery pack This may cause burns and severe dama
6. 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 Storage 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 g
7. 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 antenna Programming Patterns Mor Counts out number green or red then pauses Current menu position See Menu Tree for more information X X8 Fast green 8 times Menu setting accepted on SET X8 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 15 for information on how to use your transmitter controls Slow red 0 5 sec on 0 5 sec off Binding See page 16 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 TRAXXAS e 27 TQi 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 the following commands to navigate through the menu
8. 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 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 correspond 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 se
9. 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 activation 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 19 LP 1 TRAXXAS 20 e 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 25 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
10. Steering Dual Rate has been selected 4 Press MENU twice The red LED will blink three times repeatedly to Traxxas Link __ Press 1 Model Locking 1 Unlock i SET Blink SET One Blink Red indicate Steering Percentage has been selected Four Blinks Green One Hint areen eee 5 Press SET to select The green LED will blink 8 times fast to indicate 2 Lock successful selection Two Blinks Red 6 Press and hold MENU to return to driving mode Press MENU Unlock All Three Blinks Red i 1xx Confirm Deletion One Blink Red 2 Nitro Two Blinks Red Restoring Factory Defaults ansmitter Hold both Transmitter Release MENU and SET EE k OFF MENU and SET ON red LED blinks j red twice repeatedly Tr 283a e TRAXXAS Press SET to clear settings LED will turn solid green Transmitter is restored to default Delete Model Two Blinks Green 2 TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Set Multi Function knob for STEERING SENSITIVITY Expo Press hold MENU green LED blinks d Press SET red LED blinks did 3 Press SET to confirm green LED blinks x8 lt 4 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for THROTTLE SENSITIVITY Expo aiid 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks aid Press SET red LED blinks alld 3 x2 Press MENU to confirm red LED blinks x2 did 8 Press SET to select green LED blinks x8
11. 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 18 s TRAXXAS VXL 3s Battery Settings 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 Your model includes a Power Cell NiMH battery The VXL 3s speed control s Low Voltage Detection has been disabled for best performance with this battery The speed control s LED will glow red when it is turned on indicating Low Voltage Detection is disabled Be certain to activate Low Voltage Detection if you install LiPo batteries in your model Verify that Low Voltage Detection is DISABLED 1 Turn on the transmitter with the throttle at neutral 2 Connect a fully charged battery pack to the 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
12. blinks i Press SET to reverse servo direction Press hold MENU returns to driving mode MENU TREE FORMULAS 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 ky Always turn your transmitter on first To set the SUB TRIM of the STEERING servo i 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks aid 3 2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 ait Press SET green LED blinks aid Press SET red LED blinks aid 3 2 Press MENU red LED blinks x2 Use Multi Function knob to set neutral did Press SET to save position Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To set the END POINTS of the STEERING servo i 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks i o Press MENU green LED blinks x2 ai Press SET green LED blinks Press SET red LED blinks ee Press MENU twice red LED blinks x3 X X z Turn steering p 8 wheel to desired max left and right travel Press SET to save each position 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 aii
13. entering the programming mode Profile Description Profile 1 Sport Mode 100 Forward 100 Brakes 100 Reverse Profile 2 Race Mode 100 Forward 100 Brakes No Reverse Profile 3 Training Mode 50 Forward 100 Brakes 50 Reverse Selecting Sport Mode Profile 1 100 Forward 100 Brakes 100 Reverse 1 Connect a fully charged battery pack to A 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 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 A 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 the EZ Set button 4 The LED will blink and then turn solid green Low Voltage Detection ACTIVE or red Low Voltage Detection DISABLED The model is ready to drive Selecting Training Mode Profile 3 50 Forward 100 Brakes 50 Reverse 1 Connect a fully charged battery pack to the VX
14. range of oil viscosities 4 Pre load Spacer 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 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 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l 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 diff
15. red LED blinks x3 max throttle or brake Use trigger to test returns to driving mode IF END POINTS NEED TO BE CHANGED Press SET and repeat steps 7 9 To reset the END POINTS of THROTTLE servo to defaults aiid 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks aid 3 x2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 ai Press SET green LED blinks lid 3 x2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 i Press SET red LED blinks a xo Press MENU 3 times red LED blinks x4 did 3 gt s Press SET green LED blinks x8 4 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode TRAXXAS 29 The Traxxas Link Wireless Module is sold separately part 6511 The Traxxas Link application is available from the Apple App store for iPhone iPad or iPod touch and on Google Play for Android devices iPhone iPad iPod touch or the Android device are not included with the Traxxas Link Wireless Module For more information about the Traxxas Link Wireless Module and the Traxxas Link application visit Traxxas com Available on the E App Store ANDROID APP ON The Traxxas Link Wireless Module part 6511 sold separately for the TQi transmitter installs in minutes to transform your Apple iPhone iPad iPod touch or Android device into a powerful tuning tool that allows you to replace the transmitter s button LED programming system with an intuitive high definition ful
16. seconds The LED will shine RED 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 included NiMH battery pack The default factory setting is for Low Voltage Detection to be disabled LED shines red Make sure to turn the Low Voltage Detection on when using LiPo batteries Never use LiPo batteries while Low Voltage Detection is turned off See page 18 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 adjustments are made turn off the receiver on your model followed by the hand held transmitter Range Testing the Radio System Before each running
17. 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 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 drive your model always leave adequate space between you the model and others Never drive directly toward yourself or others TQi Binding Instructions
18. 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 Model Lock The Traxxas Link Model Memory feature can store up to twenty models receivers in its memory If you bind a twenty first receiver Traxxas Link Model Memory w
19. 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 27 for more info Menu Button open a tran Steering Trim Multi Function Knob Throttle Trigger Link Button o TKEOGRAS 24an L Battery Compartment Accessory sensor port for use with the Telemetry Expander Module see Traxxas com for more information Power Switch Traxxas High Current Brushless Motor see sidebar for proper motor wiring Channel 1 Steering Servo Traxxas High Current Connector Male to Battery Antenna Motor Cap Cooling Fan Connecke for optional use V T Voltage Temp Sensor Port RPM RPM Sensor Port Channel 2 BATT Electronic Speed Control CH5 Battery Channel 5 CH4 Channel 4 CH3 Channel 3 CH2 Speed Control CH1 Steering Servo CH1 Channel 1 Notused Accessory sensor port for use with the Telemetry Expander Module see Traxxas com and included materials for more information Connector Male to Battery to Motor Cooling Fan Connector F for optional use Receiver cable RX wire Heat Sink LED EZ Set Button On Off Button 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 p
20. 1 If the x 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 25 g Very Fast Blinking Red Thermal Shutdown Protection and Low A Voltage Protection see above have occurred at the same time a e Alternating Blinks Red then Green If the motor has no power the VXL 3s has entered Over Voltage Protection If a battery with too high voltage is used the VXL 3s will go into a fail safe mode WARNING If input voltage exceeds approximately 20 volts the ESC may be damaged Do not exceed 12 6 maximum peak input voltage e Blinking Green The VXL 3s is indicating the transmitter Throttle Trim see page 26 is incorrectly set If the Multi Function knob is set to throttle trim then adjust the Throttle Trim to the middle 0 setting Patented 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
21. 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 26 and Menu Tree page 28 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 26 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 This eliminates the need to carry a
22. L A 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 Profile numbers 3 When the LED blinks red three times 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 Note If you missed the mode you wanted keep the EZ Set button pressed down and the blink cycle will repeat until the button is released and a Mode is selected LED Codes and Protection Modes W Solid Green VXL 3s power on light Low Voltage Detection is ss ACTIVATED LiPo setting m 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 M Slow Blinking Red with Low Voltage Detection on The VXL 3s has ZA entered Low Voltage Protection When the battery voltage begins N to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage threshold BS 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 M Fast Blinking Red Thermal Shutdown Protection Stage
23. Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for STEERING DUAL RATE Press hold MENU green LED blinks i Press SET red LED blinks i o Press MENU twice red LED blinks x3 did e Press SET to select green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for BRAKING PERCENTAGE i 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks did Press SET red LED blinks a x x Press MENU 3 times red LED blinks x4 did 3 8 Press SET to select green LED blinks x8 A Press hold MENU returns to driving mode Set Multi Function knob for THROTTLE TRIM Press hold MENU green LED blinks d Press SET red LED blinks i 5 Press MENU 4 times red LED blinks x5 did 8 Press SET to select green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode 9 Adjust the Multi Function knob until the LED turns solid green To LOCK the Multi Function knob aid 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks aid Press SET red LED blinks aiid 3 xo Press MENU 5 times red LED blinks x6 did 3 8 Press SET to lock green LED blinks x8 Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To REVERSE the direction of STEERING servo Press hold MENU green LED blinks d 2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 8 Press SET green LED blinks 8 Press SET red LED
24. 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 reason for signal loss and resolve the problem before operating your model again Stop immediately at the first sign of weak batteries Never turn the transmitter off when the battery pack is plugged in The model could run out of control i TRAXXAS e 1G 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 gt 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 stand 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
25. Voltage Detection is DISABLED not safe to use LiPo batteries If the LED is solid green then Low Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED To activate Low Voltage Detection LiPo setting 1 Make sure the LED on the 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 Transmitter Adjustments for the VXL 3s ESC 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 restore
26. a a ae Ta MODEL 36076 1 BRUSHLESS MODEL 24076 1 BRUSHLESS EXTREME BRUSAHLESS POWER SYSTEM BEFORE YOU PROCEED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TOOLS SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ANATOMY OF THE RUSTLER VXL ANATOMY OF THE STAMPEDE VXL ANATOMY OF THE BANDIT VXL 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 TQi ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Z2 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 Traxxas Support Traxxas support is with you every step ofthe way Refer to the next page to find out howto contact us and what your support options ar
27. able to U S residents only Traxxas 6200 Traxxas Way McKinney TX 75070 Phone 972 549 3000 Toll free 1 888 TRAXXAS Internet Traxxas com E mail support Traxxas com Entire contents 2015 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 Registering Your Model 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 TRAXXAS ee 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 Nominal Stock Pinion
28. 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 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 Good charging procedures are required to reduce the possibility of developing a memory effect and shortened run times
29. d 3 Press hold MENU green LED blinks aid 3 2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 aid Press SET green LED blinks aid Press SET red LED blinks FTP Press MENU 3 times red LED blinks x4 did 3 Press SET to reset end points Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To REVERSE the direction of THROTTLE servo Press hold MENU green LED blinks aid 2 Press MENU green LED blinks x2 ait Press SET green LED blinks PE Press MENU green LED blinks x2 i Press SET red LED blinks did 3 Press SET to reverse servo direction Press hold MENU returns to driving mode To set the SUB TRIM i 3 aid 2 ai lid 3 x2 aid id 3 x2 id s of the THROTTLE Press hold MENU Press MENU Press SET Press MENU Press SET Press MENU Use Multi Function Press SET Press hold MENU eae 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 s n ii j3 x j8 x x ad j xs ED MET e km POINTS of the Use throttle THROTILE servo 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 green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 green LED blinks green LED blinks x2 red LED blinks
30. d Points Press SET to restore _ Echo will play back your current position on the Press FourBlinksRed factory default endpoints Menu Tree should you lose your place For example MENU If your current position is Steering Channel End Points holding SET will cause the LED to blink green Press 2 Throttle Channel 2 1 Servo Reversing ti a EE twice green once and then red three times Echo MENU Two Blinks Green H One Blink Red Seva direcion 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 Press 1 Electric tree In the example the user is setting the Multi Function knob Three Blinks Green SET One Blink Red to be a steering Dual Rate control End Points Use trigger to adjust Pull Three Blinks Red _ back to desired end point press set to save Push forward to desired endpoint and press set to save To reset max throw Let go of controls and press SET Reset End Points Press SET to restore Four Blinks Red factory default endpoints Press To set the Multi Function knob to control STEERING DUAL RATE MENU 1 Switch the transmitter on Press 2 Press and hold MENU until the green LED lights It will blink in single MENU intervals 3 Press SET The red LED will blink in single intervals to indicate
31. d 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 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 e 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 TOI transmi
32. d properly If you have questions or need technical assistance call Traxxas at TRAXXAS e 23 24 o 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 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 os 10 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 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 7 Check the operation of the radio system especially the condition of the batteries 8 Check for any loose screws in the chassis structure or suspension 9 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 lodg
33. d to default VXL 3s Setup Programming Calibrating your ESC and transmitter Read through all of the programming steps before you begin If you get lost during programming or receive unexpected results simply unplug the battery wait a few seconds plug the battery back in and start over 1 Connect a fully charged battery pack to the 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 gt 4 When the LED blinks RED ONCE pull the throttle 8 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 VXL 3s Operation 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 12 this will assure the motor does not drive the wheels during testing Do not test programming without disconnecting the motor wires Note that in steps 1 7 below Low Voltage Detection is DISABLED factory default and the LED shines red If Low Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED the LED will shine gr
34. d with the receiver LED directing water into the bearings transmission etc 2 Plug ESC and servo wires into the receiver see page 12 4 Blow off the truck with compressed air optional but recommended Wear 3 Bundle wiring as necessary safety glasses when using compressed air 4 Make sure the O ring is properly seated into the groove in 5 Remove the wheels from the truck the receiver box bottom so that the cover will not pinch it 6 Spray all the bearings drivetrain and fasteners with WD 40 or similar water or damage it in any way displacing light oil 5 Place receiver box top onto receiver box bottom and 7 Let the truck stand or you may blow off with compressed air Placing the truck install and tighten the two 3x10mm cap screws securely in a warm sunny spot will aid drying Trapped water and oil will continue to 6 Inspect the cover to make sure that the O ring seal is not visible drip from the truck for a few hours Place it on a towel or piece of cardboard to 7 Arrange the wires neatly using the wire guides on the protect the surface underneath receiver box top B Excess ESC and servo wiring should 8 As a precautionary step remove the sealed receiver box cover While unlikely be bundled inside the receiver box Pull out all available humidity or tiny amounts of moisture or condensation may enter the receiver antenna wiring from the receiver box box during wet running This can cause long term problems with the sensitive 8 Appl
35. de sufficient voltage for optimum transmitter performance Caution Discontinue running your model at the first sign of weak batteries flashing red light to avoid losing control O5 A J TRAXXAS ee 13 1 Battery iD Your model s included battery pack is equipped with Traxxas Battery iD This exclusive feature allows Traxxas battery chargers sold separately to automatically recognize connected battery packs and optimize the charge settings for the battery This eliminates the need to worry over charger settings and menus for the easiest and safest charging solution possible Visit Traxxas com to learn more about this feature and available Traxxas iD chargers and batteries 05 gt Ly 14 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 Stampede 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 the 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 gri
36. e l 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 the manual to learn 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 about experiencing total performance and satisfaction not just with your model but also with the company that stands behind it about important safety maintenance and adjustment procedures Turn to page 9 to begin 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 agai
37. eal time rpm speed temperature and voltage data Manage up to 30 Models with Traxxas Link The TQi radio system a automatically keeps track of cee Vehicle Selection what vehicles it has bound to and what settings were used ae De a ure Linked Jato 3 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 PAG Slash 4X4 ean kod neh 4X4 Vehicle Categories 2wd Off Road Electric 5 7 mode 4wd Off Road Electric 5 Traxxas Link Model Memory simplifies organizing Google play LLY NT Z lt transmitter power them up your collection of vehicles and start having fun Compatible with iPhone 4S iPod touch 5th generation and later iPhone 5 e iPad 3rd generation and later iPhone 5C gS eS iPad mini iPhone 5S Apple the Apple logo iPhone iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the U S and other countries App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc TRAXXAS 31 BRUSHLESS BRUSHLESS 6200 TRAXXAS WAY MCKINNEY TX 75070 1 83 8 TRAXXAS 150224 24076 36076 37076 1 OM N EN R01
38. ear 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 spur and or pinion gear is changed x 2 72 Final Gear Ratio This model is equipped with a Velineon 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 VXL Rustler VXL j Stampede VXL 35 mph 35 mph Bandit VXL Rustler VXL Stampede VXL O gt Sa gt Os W ge 6 Cell NiMH 7 2 Battery Nominal Voltage mAh Skill Level 8 4V 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 bat
39. ed between the teeth 11 Check the tightness of the slipper clutch ee ni oO Other periodic maintenance Slipper clutch pads friction material Under normal use Oy the friction material S I 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 e Chassis Keep the chassis clean of accumulated dirt and grime Periodically inspect the chassis for damage Steering Over time you may notice increased looseness in the steering system There are several components that will wear out from use the servo saver the tie rod ends and the bellcrank bushings Rustler and Bandit only Replace these components as needed to restore factory tolerances The bell crank bushings may be replaced with 5x8mm ball bearings See the parts list included with your model for replacement part number 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
40. een instead of red in steps 1 7 below Never use LiPo batteries while Low Voltage Detection is disabled 1 With the transmitter on press and release the EZ Set button The LED will shine red This turns the VXL 3s on 2 Apply forward throttle The LED will turn off until full throttle power is reached At full throttle the LED will illuminate red 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 red 4 Return the throttle trigger to neutral The LED will shine red 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 red 6 To stop return the throttle trigger to neutral Note that there is programmed delay when changing from reverse to forward This prevents damage to the transmission on high traction surfaces 7 To turn the VXL 3s off press the EZ Set button until the LED turns off 5 seconds Once Green VXL 3s Profile Selection The speed control is factory set to Profile 1 100 forward brakes and reverse To disable reverse Profile 2 or to allow 50 forward and 50 reverse Profile 3 follow the steps below The speed control should be connected to the receiver and battery and the transmitter should be adjusted as described previously The profiles are selected by
41. erent 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 hard dry surfaces In loose dirt a tire with large spikes should and you have equal throw in both directions Use the transmitter s perform better See your parts list for accessory wheels and tires steering trim knob to fine tune the position of the servo horn so i i To achieve a good startin the model tracks straight when the steering wheel is at neutral ES Adjusting the Slipper Clutch point for 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 Stampede VXL Wheelie Bar Set up sis clockwise until the slipper Position clutch adjusting spring fully collapses do not over tighten and then turn the
42. 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 slide the antenna wire into bottom of antenna tube until white tip of aN 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 Antenna Tip gt K2 KM Sess Rustler and Bandit Stampede q 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 TRAXXAS e 17 O VXL 3s Specifications Input voltage 4 8 11 1V 4 to 9 cells NIMH or 2S to 3S LiPo Supported Motors 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 connectors Motor Battery Wiring 12 gauge Maxx Cable Thermal Protection 2 stage thermal shutdown The VXL 3s features Locked Rotor Protection
43. ge to the battery pack Do not burn or puncture the batteries Toxic materials could be released If eye or skin contact occurs flush with water e Store the battery pack in a dry location away from heat sources and direct sunlight e Nickel Metal Hydride batteries must be recycled or disposed of properly Recycling Your Traxxas Power Cell NiMH Battery Traxxas strongly encourages you to recycle your Power Cell NiMH battery when it has reached the end of its useful life All Power Cell NiMH battery packs display the RBRC Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation icon indicating they are recyclable To find a recycling center near you ask your local hobby dealer or visit www call2recycle org 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 Your model is able to use LiPo batteries with nominal voltage not to exceed 11 1 volts 3S packs LiPo batteries have a minimum safe discharge voltage threshold that should not be exceeded The Velineon VXL 3s 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 f
44. ignment 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 amount of steering in both directions 2Y 2r 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
45. ill 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 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 model is unlocked To unlock all models press MENU twice at step 6 and then press SET 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 NOM 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 At some point you may wish to delete a model you no longer drive Model Memory there is no need remember which transmitter goes from the memory with which model and there is never a need to have to select any model 1 Switch on the transmitter and receiver you wish to delete from a list
46. ing wire clamp feature gives you the ability to also install aftermarket the excess water can run out Applying full throttle to a motor full of water can radio systems and maintain the watertight features of the receiver box cause rapid motor failure Your driving habits will determine motor life with a Removing the Receiver wet motor Do not submerge the motor under water 1 Remove the wire clamp by removing the two 2 5x8mm cap screws Do not gear the motor by temperature when running in wet conditions The 2 Remove the cover by removing the two 3x10mm cap screws motor will be cooled by water contact and will not give an accurate indication of 3 To remove the receiver from the box simply lift it out and set to the side appropriate gearing The antenna wire is still inside the clamp area and cannot be removed yet 4 Unplug the servo cables from the receiver and remove After Running Your Vehicle in Wet Conditions the receiver 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 Receiver Installation 2 Remove the batteries 1 Install the electronic speed control ESC servo and 3 Rinse excess dirt and mud off the truck with low pressure water such as froma antenna wiring through the receiver box top A Make garden hose Do NOT use pressure washer or other high pressure water Avoid sure the box light pipe is aligne
47. l color graphical user interface Traxxas Link The powerful Traxxas Link app available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play 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 iPad iPod Touch and Android interface Traxxas Link makes it easy to learn 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 STEERING SENSIT O gt gy Saale i RESET TO d DEFAULTS THROTTLE SENSITIVITY 0 0 fea STEERING 100 0 _ BRAKING 1 PROFILES THROTTLE TRIM 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 The customizable Traxxas Link dashboard delivers r
48. m 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 Z6 TRAXXAS 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 17 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 28 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 17 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 clockwise to its stop will eliminate all servo tra
49. n Arm Front Transmission oe Ys aes T Front Bumper Pinion Gear Front Gear Cover ghosted Body Mount Receiver BOX Shock Spur Gear Antenna Mount Oil Damper Slipper Clutch Upper Chassis Plate Front Shock Tower Servo Saver Suspension not visible Arm Rear Wing Mount Hole Turnbuckle Steering Servo Toe Link under Upper Chassis Plate Se TRAXXAS M The following guide is an overview of the procedures for getting your model running Look for the Quick Start logo on the bottom Bp corners of Quick Start pages The Quick Start Guide is not intended to replace the LJ 1 Read the safety precautions on page 3 4 LJ 8 Detail your model See page 10 full operating instructions For your own safety understand where carelessness and misuse Apply other decals if desired available in this manual Please read this entire manual for complete instructions on the proper LI 2 Charge the battery pack See page 13 LI 9 Drive your model See page 20 use and Heese of your model could lead to personal injury Fully charge the included battery pack Charge your battery now Driving tips and adjustments for your model so it will be ready when you finish the other setup procedures L 3 Install batteries in the transmitter See page 13 CL 1o Maintain your model See page 24 The transmitter requires 4 AA alkaline batteries sold separately Follow these critical steps to maintain the perf
50. n 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 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 may cause undesired operation of the device Radio Frequency RF Exposure Statement This equipmen
51. of model memory entries The transmitter and receiver doit 2 Press and hold MENU Release when the status LED blinks green all for you automatically 3 Press MENU three times The status LED will blink green four times repeatedly 4 Press SET once The status LED will blink green once repeatedly 5 Press MENU once The status LED will blink green twice repeatedly 6 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 To delete a model 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 Notes Solid green Normal Driving Mode See page 15 for information on how to use your transmitter controls Slow red 0 5 sec on 0 5 sec off Binding See page 16 for more information on binding X X Flashing fast green 0 1 sec on 0 15 sec off Throttle Trim Seek Mode Turn the Multi Function knob right or left until the LED stops flashing See page 26 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 13 for more information Flashing fast red 0 125 sec on 0 125 sec off Link Failure Error Transmitter and receiver are no longer bound
52. 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 controlled 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 ba
53. or 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 DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHARGE LIPO BATTERIES OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF BATTERY WITH THE INCLUDED TRAXXAS CHARGER e Disconnect the Batteries Always disconnect the battery pack from the speed control when not in use e Transmitter on First Switch on your transmitter first before switching on the speed control to prevent runaways and erratic performance e Don t Get Burned The heat sink can get extremely hot so be careful not to touch it until it is cool Supply adequate airflow for cooling e Use Stock Connectors If you decide to change the battery or motor connectors only change one battery or motor connector at a time This will prevent damage from accidentally mis wiring the speed control Please note that modified speed controls can be subject to a rewiring fee when returned for service Removing the battery connector on the speed control or using the same gender connectors on the speed control will void the product s warranty e Insulate the Wires Always insulate exposed or damaged wiring with heat shrink tubing to prevent sho
54. ormance of your model and keep it in excellent running condition LI 4 Install the battery pack in the model s See page 14 Your model requires a fully charged battery pack L 5 Turn on the radio system See page 15 Make a habit of turning the transmitter on first and off last L 6 Check servo operation See page 16 Make sure the steering servo is working correctly LI 7 Range test the radio system See page 16 Follow this procedure to make sure your radio system works properly at a distance and that there is no interference from outside sources Look for the Quick Start logo at the bottom of Quick Start pages a5 TRAXXAS 9 Applying the Decals The main decals for your model have been applied at the factory 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 gt X 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 a5 TRAXXAS Your model includes the latest Traxxas TQi 2 4GHz transmitter with Traxxas Link Model Memory The transmitter s easy to use design provides instant driving fun for new R
55. ough the hose 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 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 Do not allow the antenna wire to extend outside the body without the protection of an antenna tube or the antenna wire may 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 q 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 R Correct No TRAXXAS e 11 O op Velineon 3500 Specs Type Sensorless brushless RPM volt 3500 Magnet type Ultra High Temperature Sintered Neodymium Connection type 3 5mm bullet Wire size 12 Gauge Max RPM 50 000 Diameter 36mm 1 42 540 size Length 55mm 2 165 Weight 262g 9 240z ESC Motor Wiring Diagram BATTERY Positive Negative A B im C E 12 TRAXXAS 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
56. p the Traxxas connector is engineered to extract all the power your battery has to give Neutral Brake Reverse TKESSAS amp 4GH 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 type of malfunction but the first best defense against a runaway model is to always turn the transmitter on first and off last e Always use new or freshly charged batteries for the radio system Weak batteries will limit the radio signal between the receiver and the transmitter Loss of the radio signal can cause you to lose control of your model Always turn your transmitter on first Turn on the model Plug in the battery In order for the transmitter and receiver to bind to one another the receiver in the model must be turned on within 20 seconds of turning on the transmitter The transmitter LED will flash fast red indicating a failure to link If you miss it simply turn off the transmitter and start over M 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 posi
57. port 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 and could cause injury if allowed to collide with anyone e Because your model is controlled by radio it is subject
58. ressing 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 Turn 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 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 27 for more information on the transmitter Status LED codes The Traxxas Battery Charger is a fully featured NiMH Nickle Metal Hydride charger It features 4 amp charge current for fast charging and advanced peak detection to optimize every charge Take this compact charger with you wherever you want to have radio controlled fun Do not charge batteries inside of an automobile Read the Safety Precautions section of this manual 1 Plug the charger into a 12 volt automotive auxiliary power socket The charger is compatible with 12 volt automotive auxiliary power sockets only The LED on the charger will glow red to indicate it is ready to charge a battery Disconnected 2 Connect the battery to begin charging Plug the battery into the charger The charger s LED will flash green indicating that charging has begun The flashing green LED on the charger indicates
59. ring 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 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 thr
60. rings tires if holes are not cut in the tires Cut two small holes 3mm or 1 8 diameter e Transmission Remove disassemble clean and re grease the transmission in each tire Each hole should be near the tire centerline 180 degrees apart components Use a light coating of wheel bearing grease from an auto parts 3 Confirm that the RX box O ring and cover are installed correctly and secure store on the metal gear teeth Refer to your exploded view diagrams for help Make sure the screws are tight and the blue O ring is not visible protruding with disassembly and reassembly from the edge of the cover Velineon motor Remove the motor clean with aerosol motor cleaner and 4 Confirm that your batteries can be used in wet conditions re oil the bearings with lightweight motor oil Be sure to wear eye protection 5 Use lower gearing smaller pinion gears as low as 12T or spur gear as large as when using spray aerosol cleaners 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 Removing and Installing Radio Gear Motor Precautions The unique design of the receiver box allows the removal and installation of the Velineon motor life can be greatly reduced in mud and water If the motor gets receiver without losing the ability to maintain a watertight seal in the box The excessively wet or submerged use very light throttle run the motor slowly until patent pend
61. rt circuits Your model comes with a set of specialty metric tools You ll need to purchase other items available from your hobby dealer to operate and maintain your model 2 For more information on batteries see Use the Right Batteries on page 13 Recommended Equipment These items are not required 2 5mm L wrench 2 0mm L wrench 1 5mm L wrench Turnbuckle wrench U joint wrench 4 way wrench for the operation of your model but are a good idea to include in any R C toolbox e Safety glasses e Traxxas Ultra Premium Tire Glue Part 6468 CA glue e Hobby knife e Side cutters and or needle nose pliers e Philips screwdriver e Soldering iron 7 cell NiMH battery pack with Traxxas High Current Connector Optional Pinion Various pre load spacers and shock Body clips and body Gear see page 25 pistons on parts tree see page 22 washers NiMH battery charger 4 AA alkaline batteries Battery and charger style are subject to change and may vary from images e e Turnbuckle Electronic Speed Control VXL 3s Steering Block Rear Camber Link EZ Set Button On Off Button Half Shaft Caster Block Rear Battery Compartment Shock Tower Traxxas High Rear Body Mount KHE biet he che Turnbuckle Front Camber Link Chassis Transmission Front Battery Hold Down Brushless Motor Body Mount Velineon 3500 Ta Suspension Arm Front Le l
62. rvo 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 where gentle steering inputs are required The ranges are exaggerated for illustrative purposes Effective Turning Turning Range Range on Model at Transmitter Experiment Try varying degrees of
63. 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 soeed 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 and throttle control as the
64. servo horn from the steering servo bars Provides the flattest spring fully compressed The 2 Connect the steering servo to channel 1 on the receiver Connect launches reducing the chance of no minimum recommended the electronic speed control ESC to channel 2 The white wire on a wheelie ean slipper clutch setting is 1 2 the servo lead is positioned towards the receiver s LED turn counter clockwise from 3 Turn the transmitter power switch on Make certain the Note Each setting can offer different fully compressed transmitter s batteries are not depleted results based on the individual ride height 4 Turn the transmitter s steering trim knob to the center 07 and droop settings of a particular vehicle position l Try to avoid riding on the wheelie bar 5 Disconnect motor wires A and C see page 12 to prevent the wheels during normal driving this can Position 4 motor from turning during the next steps Connect a fresh battery happen in the lowest setting with lower pack to the speed control and turn on the ESC see page 15 The than stock ride heights 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 1 888 872 9927 U S residents only forth to ensure that the mechanism has been centere
65. slipper clutch nut counter 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 Upper Arms Cross Bars Changing the position of the wheelie bar clockwise one full turn 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 7 E 1 4 Turn AMAL 3 4Turn tighten and counter clockwise to loosen Place the model on a high together traction surface such as carpet Adjust the slipper so that you can l Position 1 20 A N Sa hear it slip for approximately two feet from a standing full throttle Pos 1 The highest angle of the wheels start Learn more about adjusting the slipper clutch in the sidebar lowest position on the cross a NHI Centering Your Servo bars Allows the vehicle 180 If you have removed the servo horn from your model s steering to tip back the most for a servo or the servo has been removed for service or cleaning the longer wheelies PORN a servo must be re centered prior to installation of the servo horn or dh installation of the servo in the model Pos 4 The lowest angle of the wheels A Do not run your model with highest position on the cross the slipper clutch adjusting 1 Remove the
66. t 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 may want to disable the Multi Function knob
67. t complies with radio frequency exposure limits set forth by FCC and Industry Canada for an uncontrolled environment This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator and your body or bystanders and must not be co located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter 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 h 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 Q 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 Monday through Friday from 8 30am to 9 00pm central time Technical assistance is also available at Traxxas com sup
68. teries Make sure you understand how to use your LiPo batteries See Safety Precautions and warnings on page 4 for more information 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 sensor To accurately monitor motor temperature and prevent overheating a telemetry temperature sensor part 6523 can be installed on the motor to continually monitor temperature as you drive Generally try to keep your motor h 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 equipped 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 28 76 Included 28 83 31 76 Included 25 86 Included 7 Cell NiMH Sold Separately Sold Separately Sold Separately 26 86 Sold Separately 3S 20C LiPo 11 1V 4000 mAh Sold Separately Sold Separately 40 Gali 6e 11 1V 8000 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
69. the charge progress 3 Disconnect the battery when charging is complete The Traxxas 4 amp DC charger uses sophisticated voltage detection circuitry to monitor the battery and automatically stop charging when the pack has reached maximum capacity When the battery is fully charged the LED will light solid Charged CHARGE PROGRESS x 1 green flash X2 2 green flashes 0 25 charged 25 50 charged green The battery will 43 3 green flashes 50 75 charged be warm in your hand You 4 green flashes 75 or more charged Disconnect the battery Solid green LED 100 charged CHARGER LED INDICATION Solid Red LED X Slowly Flashing Green LED Solid Green LED Flashing Red LED MEANING Ready for Charging Charging see Charge Progress chart Battery Fully Charged Charger error p The included charger is designed for use only with Traxxas NiMH batteries with iD Legacy Traxxas High Current Connectors are not compatible with this charger DO NOT try to force legacy connectors into the charge connector If the status LED 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 27 to identify the code Use the Right Batteries Your transmitter uses AA batteries Use new alkaline batteries Do not use rechargeable AA cells to power the TQi transmitter as they will not provi
70. tion There are two settings available 50 50 Allows equal travel 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 location until you become familiar with all the adjustments and capabilities of your model To change the throttle neutral adjust position turn the transmitter off before adjusting the neutral position You will need to reprogram your electronic speed control to recognize the 70 30 setting Turn to ESC Setup Programming on page 18 for instructions Steering Trim The electronic steering trim located on the face of the transmitter adjusts the neutral center point of the steering channel Multi Function Knob The Multi Function knob can be programmed to control a variety of functions From the factory the Multi Function knob controls steering sensitivity also known as exponential or expo 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 add expo and decrease the steering sensitivity in the initial range of steering wheel travel left or right from center For more detail on steering exponential refer to page 17 Remember always turn the TQi transmitter on first and off last to avoid damage to your model Automatic Fail Safe
71. 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 Your model uses rechargeable batteries that must be handled with care for safety and long battery life Make sure to read and follow all instructions and precautions for charging and maintaining the batteries It is your responsibility to charge and care for the battery packs properly In addition to your battery and charger instructions here are some more tips to keep in mind e Do not charge batteries inside of an automobile Do not charge batteries while driving in an automobile The charger is equipped with a long cord intended to allow the battery to be charged outside of an automobile when using the automobile s auxiliary power socket If the cord will not reach outside of the automobile find another power source e Never charge batteries on wood cloth carpet or on any other flammable material Do not operate the charger in a cluttered space or place objects on top of the charger or battery Toll free support is avail
72. tter is not water resistant Do not subject it to wet conditions such as rain 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 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 9 Additional Maintenance Increase your frequency of disassembly inspection 1 Consult the section After Running Your Vehicle in Wet Conditions before and lubrication of the following items This is necessary after extended wet proceeding Make sure you understand the additional maintenance required use or if the vehicle will not be used for an extended period of time such as a with wet running week or longer This additional maintenance is needed to prevent any trapped 2 The wheels have small holes molded in to allow air to enter and exit the tire moisture from corroding internal steel components during normal running Water will enter these holes and get trapped inside the Stub axle housing bearings Remove clean and re oil the bea
73. tteries 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 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 Use the correct Low Voltage Detection setting for your battery see page 18 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 spee
74. vel 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 equipped with a Throttle Trim Seek mode to preven
75. y a small bead of silicone grease to the foam on the electronics in the receiver Removing the receiver box cover during storage wire clamp C allows the air inside to dry This step can improve the long term reliability of the 9 Install the wire clamp and tighten the two 2 5x8mm cap receiver It is not necessary to remove the receiver or unplug any of the wires screws securely D TRAXXAS 21 rie 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 22 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 e 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 al

owners manual

Contents

Download Pdf Manuals

Related Search

Related Contents