Figure 1 - ESC Installation
INSTALLATION
• RECEIVER / MOTOR / BATTERY CONNECTIONS
Refer to figure 1 when connecting the TYPHOON to your R/C receiver, motor, and battery
pack. Please read the following section completely making certain to follow the directions in
the proper order before applying power to the unit.
1. Plug the three wire servo type connector into the throttle output on your receiver. The
TYPHOON comes equipped with a “JR” style connector making it automatically
compatible with any standard servo configuration whereby the battery and signal
polarity is negative, plus, signal. CAUTION: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INTERFACE
THE STANDARD CONNECTOR PROVIDED WITH THE UNIT TO AN “OLD
STYLE” AIRTRONICS RECEIVER OR DAMAGE WILL RESULT TO THE SPEED
CONTROLLER AND THE RECEIVER NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY! Should
you elect to interface the TYPHOON to an “old style” Airtronics receiver, the proper
connector shell is provided for this purpose. Follow the directions included with the
shell to replace the standard JR type connector shell with the Airtronics shell. Make
certain to maintain the proper polarity as indicated in the illustration. Remember, “old
style” Airtronics connectors are the reverse polarity of industry standard and are wired
positive, negative, signal! If you are unsure of the polarity of your receiver, contact
your local dealer or phone FMA Direct immediately at (301) 831-8980 for assistance!
2. One heavy-duty rectifier diode is provided with the TYPHOON for use with the motor
that will be connected to the motor outputs of the unit. The diode will prevent current
from flowing through the motor in the wrong direction and will reduce the amount of
electrical noise that the motor creates. It is recommended that you install this diode
to ensure predictable performance of the TYPHOON. Cut the leads down on the
diode so that it reaches across the motor without touching any metal objects other
than the terminals, but short enough so the remainder of the leads do not project
beyond the edges of the motor. Solder this diode in place such that the cathode (the
banded end of the diode) is towards the positive terminal of the motor. If necessary,
use heat shrink tubing to insulate the diode leads from surrounding metal objects.
3. Connect the heavy, WHITE wire from the ESC to the positive (+) terminal on your
motor. Connect the BLUE wire from the ESC to the negative (-) terminal on your
motor. Typically, the peak current produced by the TYPHOON in conjunction with a
high output motor in competition racing conditions is enough to fuse most connectors
including the “bullet” type. For this reason, it is recommended that you avoid using
any connectors when connecting the motor to the TYPHOON and instead solder the
RED WIRE BATT(+ ) DIODE CATHODE M OTOR(+ )
WHITE WIRE MOTOR(+ )
BLUE WIRE MOTOR(-)
BLAC K WIRE BATT(-)
wires directly to the motor terminals.
4. Care must be taken when connecting a battery to the TYPHOON. Because of the
high current consumption in high output motors, it is recommended that you avoid
using standard “TAMIYA” type connectors when installing a battery to the TYPHOON.
Depending on your current requirements, your best bet is to use high capacity
connectors (see your local dealer) between the TYPHOON and the battery terminals
or solder the wiring directly to the battery pack. Make certain that the ESC switch is
in the off position. Connect the heavy, RED wire from the ESC to the positive (+)
terminal on your battery. Connect the heavy, BLACK wire from the ESC to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery. Be certain to maintain proper polarity between the
battery and the TYPHOON. Failure to do so will result in damage to the unit not
covered by warranty!
5. Secure all wiring to appropriate chassis components using wire tie. Fasten the ESC
securely to the vehicle chassis using double-sided tape or the like.
EZ SETUP OF THE TYPHOON TO YOUR RADIO SYSTEM
• OVERVIEW
The EZ SETUP feature of your TYPHOON enables it to interface properly with your radio
equipment. Performing the following EZ SETUP steps with your specific transmitter/receiver/
ESC combination will: 1) SET NEUTRAL (no motor movement); 2) SET FULL THROTTLE
(full current will be applied to the motor); 3) SET FULL BRAKE (a complete stop of the
motor); and 4) ACTIVATE OR DE-ACTIVATE ABS BRAKING FEATURE. You may choose
to complete any one or all four of the steps outlined above sequentially while within EZ
SETUP as many times as needed to assure proper setup of your vehicle. Each time you
enter EZ SETUP, the new configuration changes you make will replace the current settings.
You will also need to perform all EZ SETUP steps each time you use a different receiver/
transmitter combination with the TYPHOON. NOTE: EZ SETUP is initiated by pressing the
EZ SETUP button until the GREEN LED begins flashing. If the GREEN LED stops flashing,
you are no longer in EZ SETUP mode, you are in RUN mode. If the motor responds to your
throttle commands, you are no longer in EZ SETUP mode. For each EZ SETUP step, it is
important that you know what the GREEN, RED, or GREEN/RED combinations of flashing
LEDs indicate and that you respond with the proper inputs on the transmitter. EZ SETUP
progresses rapidly once it is initialized, so it is important that you read the following
descriptions of each step several times until you get the hang of it. Then it will become
second nature. An EZ SETUP QUICK REFERENCE is provided to assist you as well.
• EZ SETUP PREPARATION
1. Verify that the TYPHOON is mounted in the vehicle as illustrated in Figure 1 and
described in the previous section, RECEIVER / MOTOR / BATTERY CONNECTIONS.
2. Make certain the battery pack connected is fully charged.
3. CAUTION: Before you attempt EZ SETUP of the TYPHOON, elevate the vehicle’s
wheels above the bench so that it cannot go anywhere when the wheels spin. Although
no power is applied to the motor while EZ SETUP is commencing, it will take a little
practice before you know when you are in or out of EZ SETUP mode and you will wish
to test your settings after you complete any portion of EZ SETUP.
4. Turn on your transmitter and make certain the throttle trim is reset to neutral.
5. Turn on the ESC power switch. With battery power applied to the TYPHOON and the
transmitter on, the GREEN indicator LED should glow continuously. NOTE: If this is
the first time you have used EZ SETUP, the GREEN LED may not glow at all.
• EZ SETUP STEPS
1. SET NEUTRAL - With the transmitter throttle at neutral, press and hold the EZ SETUP
button until the GREEN LED begins flashing. Neutral is now set.
2. SET FULL THROTTLE - Make certain you are in EZ SETUP mode; i.e. the GREEN
LED is flashing. Push the throttle to full forward and hold it there for 3 seconds. The
microprocessor will memorize the full throttle position and the RED LED will glow
continuously. Note: If the RED LED does not light when you push the throttle full
forward for 3 seconds, you must set the throttle channel reverse switch on your
transmitter to the opposite position and begin this portion of EZ SETUP again. Return
the throttle to neutral and the GREEN LED will begin flashing again.
3. SET FULL BRAKE - Make certain you are in EZ SETUP mode; i.e. the GREEN LED is
flashing. Pull the throttle back for full brake. Both the RED and the GREEN LED
indicators will light simultaneously indicating that the full brake point is set. Re-position
