5800ss Customized Settings Suggestions Please!

[DaveG35]

Was wondering if many of you who own the 5800ss use the customized settings? If so, can you give me a good explanation of what they mean and what do you typically set them at.

Braking Type - (Constant Force or Drag)
Minimum Brake/Drag - (20-65%)
Drag Brake - (25-65%)
Dead Band - (2-6%)
Minimum Drive - (2-12%)

I have been just using the factory setting but am thinking of experimenting with the custom settings. I'm fairly new to the sport so any explanations/suggestions would help.

[XXX-T for me]

Are you talking about the Novak SS5800 system? Because I was under the impression that it only has 4 settings and they are the factory default.

[DaveG35]

Yes, the Novak SS5800. I am referring to the Super Sport Plus ESC. It has 6 different profiles, of which 5 can be independently customized. I was wondering if any had used this feature and what setting they recommend in addition to getting a better understanding of what they are.

[AudiTT-Quattro]

Well, this really begs the question "What do you not like about one of the factory settings?" and go from there.

EDIT: Oh and please tell us what car the system is in and if you're bashing or racing.

[DaveG35]

I'm running the system in a T3 and I am just now starting to do some racing at a local track (RC Madness). I just picked up the sport at the beginning of this year.

I am assuming that Drag Braking is different from Constant Force Braking in the the car will brake during nuetral in the Drag Braking mode? I also assume that the degree to which it will brake in nuetral will depend on what % you set it at, where the hogher the setting the more brake? I also have no clue what "Minimum Drive %" is. Other than verifying my assumtions I was wondering what setting most people prefer (for racing) and why.

[masterdummy]

minimun drive % means the amount of power allowed to the motor when you pull the trigger at the very least, it is measured by percentage ("trigger" if a pistol radio is used) that's all I can help you with!

[DaveG35]

I found the definitions I was looking for at the Team Novak site:

What is DEAD BAND? Dead Band is the space between Minimum Brake and Minimum Drive, with Neutral located at the center of this space. This value is usually given as as a percentage, most Novak ESCs are set to a 5% default dead band value.

What is DRAG BRAKE?
Drag Brake turns the dead band area between throttle and brakes into a preset amount of brakes, which eliminates the time, or dead space, to travel from brakes to throttle.

What is DRAG BRAKE FREQUENCY?
Drag Brake Frequency is the frequency at which the duty cycle information is being sent from the Cyclone to the motor for Drag Braking during neutral/deadband. Drag Brake Frequency also controls the deceleration characteristics of the vehicle with Drag Brake during neutral/deadband. Drag Brake Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).

What is MINIMUM DRIVE?
Minimum Drive is the amount of drive applied with the first pulse of transmitter throttle information. This value is usually given in a percentage ranging anywhere between 1% and 12% of full throttle. The higher this value the less smooth the initial amount of throttle will be. For modified motors or lower traction conditions, a lower minimum drive value is best. For stock, 19 turn motors, or high traction conditions, a higher minimum drive value can be used. Most default settings are 3%.

What is MINIMUM BRAKE?
Minimum Brake is the amount of brake applied with the first pulse of transmitter throttle information. On most Novak ESCs this default value is set to 20% of full braking force.

My guess is that the factory setting for the non-expert driver is the way to go. Customizing these settings might help a "Team Driver" but for the average club racer I would guess wouldn't see much benefit. I would equate it to putting the latest golf equipment in the hands of a 30 handicapper versus Tiger Woods. The high handicapper probably wouldn't see much improvement in his game. Any thoughts?

[CharlieS]

Drag brake is there so you can make the "coast" or Auto Brake effect of the motor greater. Helps the car get into corners sometimes as it slows it down. With the SS+ setting 4-6 is about "normal" motor feel.

Minimum Drive can help make the ESC more Smooth or more aggressive. Higher is more aggressive, lower is smoother.

Drag brake is good to try a few different settings, they can make or break you laptime. We raced our SS's so long with out the Drag Brake we forgot what we were missing.... For track/racing applications its a great tuning tool to have.

Thanks
Charlie

[DaveG35]

Charlie,

I used Drag Brake during a race this weekend and thought it really helped getting into the corners smoother. Does the use of it have any negative affect on the heating of the ESC? I wouldn't think for a 5 minute race at the track it would have any affect at all, but how about if you are going10-15 hard minutes? Also, under what conditions would you change the Minimum Drive setting to lower/higher? I'm thinking the slicker the track the LOWER you go to avoid spin out, but what other considerations come into play? Number of corners versus long straights??

[CharlieS]

Hi, Right, lower Min Drive for slicker conditions. Drag brake can make the ESC and the motor slightly hotter, the parts are doing more basically. You're correct for shorter races it's not much of an issue, but for longer runs on hot days you'll see a hotter ESC and Motor.

Cooling vents in the body can do wonders for your ESC temps, also standard clip on heatsinks work on the motor.

Thanks
Charlie