NOVAK GTB 5.5 System Questions

[knucklebusta]

What's up folks, just got a GTB 5.5 system to blow apart the drivetrain in my XX-4 :lol:

In the manual it has all these terms I'm unfamiliar with and of course offers no explanation to the noob. Anybody that knows what these are and could help, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Kevin

Min. Drive %
Min. Brake %
Drag Brake
Dead Band %

[CharlieS]

Minimum Drive is Kind Of Like the "starting" power of the motor. Lower is smother, higher is more aggressive. This effects motor response from Neutral.

Minimum Brake is the same thing but for the brake, you change how it "starts" the brakes. Higher makes them start harder, lower softer.

Drage Brake is kind of like Auto Brake, Engine Brake, or other terms for the motor Slowing on its' own instead of coasting. So when let off the throttle and return to neutral, the brakes are applied automatically. Makes the brushless motor feel more like a regular motor. And it's fully adjustable.

Dead Band is the amount of space between the First movement of Throttle, to the first pulse of brakes. You can make it feel slightly more or less sensitive to initial throttle by adjusting up or down.

Thanks
Charlie

[semore]

So howw do you like the GTB? I will be getting one soon. I have the SS with 5800 motor andd really like. just wish it had more power. I am looking for forward to the GTB 5.5.

[knucklebusta]

Charlie, you work for Novak, right?


UNREAL. I hook the thing up in my XX-4, run the thing and it's working, configure it an whatnot. The battery is kind of dull so I charge it. It's a 6 pack, 3700 GP's, hook them up and turn on the ESC and the thing beeps and smokes.

Any ideas what I did? Nothing was crossed, everthing was tight. I even ran the same pack in my XXX-4 with my SS5800 for fear that pack fried the ESC. The pack is fine, works fine in the xxx-4. Think I got a bum unit? I just can't for the life of me figure out if I did anything wrong.

Also, how fast is Novak with repairs?

Thanks, Kevin

[chilledoutuk]

its probable your unit is defective if you are adament that there was no dodgy wiring.

[bigair78]

Novak is very fast with repairs. The faster you get it to them the faster you'll get it back. I have sent my SS5800 in a few times and they have always taken care of it. Charlie will do his best to help you out and it's nice to know he is the man that usually takes care of it for you. It's part of the reason why 3 out of my 4 BL systems are Novak.

My GTB is still going strong.

[cart213]

The same thing happened to my first GTB 5.5. It smoked the first time I tried to use it, too. I sent it to Novak and got a new system about 2 weeks later. The new one has performed flawlessly.

[TBone77]

I love my GTB 6.5. No problems, which cannot be said for my Sphere/NEO. I recognize that electronics like these go bad from time to time, but Novak handles these situations SO much better than the rest, which is why I'm loyal to them.

[knucklebusta]

Nope, no faulty wiring, all I did was shorten the motor wires, no solder touching the other leads. like I said it was fine when the battery was dull, then with a fresh pack? POOF. I'm lucky the thing didn't explode. I couldn't believe how hot it was. I overnighted it to Novak today.

I'm just concerned that when I charged my pack, it said like 8.4v when it was done, is this normal? Never a problem with my SS5800 and I used the same pack in that car with the SS5800 and it wasn't a problem. Probably a bad unit like you said.

The SS has been awesome. I had the gearing like 21/92 per RC Excitements advice and I'm surprised the motor didn't melt. It only thermalled once, but I didn't realize that that was too high of a pinion. I got an 18 in it now, it still gets hot as hell.

Kevin

[knucklebusta]

I love my GTB 6.5. No problems, which cannot be said for my Sphere/NEO. I recognize that electronics like these go bad from time to time, but Novak handles these situations SO much better than the rest, which is why I'm loyal to them.


Are they a smaller outfit than LRP/Reedy? Is there stuff manifactured in house, or malaysia? Anyhow I'm happy with my SS 5800. I had it geared 92/21 in my XXX-4 and the motor got so hot it was unreal. It only thermalled once, but the damn motor you couldn't touch. RC Excitement told me that that gearing was fine. Someone else told me it was way off. I have it down to 18T pinion now. I just can't believe that the SS5800 still works after how hot I use to get the motor. So if that fried, I'd understand it would have been my fault.

Is this normal for that system? The motor getting so hot? The ESC has a fan on it, which I don't even use as the ESC doesn't get hot. The motor still gets hot, too hot too touch, even with the 17T pinion on it.

[semore]

Thats wiierd, i have my 5800 geared 87/24 iin a B4 and the motor never got that kinda hot. heck I have used it in my TC4 with a 26 tooth pinion. I would ask charlie from Novak tech support. He has helped me out and he is greatt tto work with. I am almost sure can answer any question you have.

[SpEEdyBL]

With 7 fresh matched gp3300 cells, my novak was able to run 21/92 in my xxx4 with stock tires. When the cells started to get old, 23/94 gearing worked fine. The novak esc does tend to heat up more during low throttle. The motor can heat up if the magnet is not completely gripping, or otherwise slipping against the shaft. This could be the case if you have an older system and you will need to buy a new rotor for about $20. Or you could send the system to Novak any they may replace the rotor for free if they find the original defective rotor.

[knucklebusta]

Thanks, I'm not giving up on Novak just yet. I probably got one of the earlier ss5800's and it's probably no good for some reason. I emailed charlie but haven't heard back yet about both systems. The GTB 5.5 was overnighted today. The 5800 still works, just gets hot as hell. I'm talking too hot to touch. I took the rotor out and it looks fine, but what do I know. I'll send that in when I get the 5.5 back. Then I'm going to buy 2 more of each. I hope these things last a while. I'm going to try out an LRP as well, but I'm not mad at Novak. I look at what's inside the ESC at all the stuff inside it and shake my head. Thanks for the support and inspiring some confidence in me in regards to Novak.

Kevin

[TBone77]

Are they a smaller outfit than LRP/Reedy? Is there stuff manifactured in house, or malaysia? Anyhow I'm happy with my SS 5800. I had it geared 92/21 in my XXX-4 and the motor got so hot it was unreal. It only thermalled once, but the damn motor you couldn't touch. RC Excitement told me that that gearing was fine. Someone else told me it was way off. I have it down to 18T pinion now. I just can't believe that the SS5800 still works after how hot I use to get the motor. So if that fried, I'd understand it would have been my fault.

Is this normal for that system? The motor getting so hot? The ESC has a fan on it, which I don't even use as the ESC doesn't get hot. The motor still gets hot, too hot too touch, even with the 17T pinion on it.

WHOAH! That gearing is way off. I gear mine 92/16 in my XXX-4, and the GTB manual recommends 16T or 17T. My temp doesn't exceed 120*F. A 21T would no doubt fry the sucker, especially since you have a 5.5 and that should actually be geared a tooth lower than the 6.5. The 5.5 should be geared 15T - 16T. You can download the gearing chart at Novak's site (www.teamnovak.com).

Regarding Novak, the company, I believe it's all made in the USA. LRP is made in Germany and AE is merely their distributor. The relationship between LRP and AE doesn't seem very solid, and you may sense this if/when you need support on an LRP product.

FWIW, I've owned two Sphere/NEO systems and neither one lasted more than a few race days before severe throttle issues plagued the product. I'm still waiting on one to return from AE support.

[SS Pede]

I'm just concerned that when I charged my pack, it said like 8.4v when it was done, is this normal?
That's normal for a peaked battery pack. In fact, I usually see higher voltage with my GP3300's. It depends on things like the internal resistance of the cells and the condition of your packs in general.

[CharlieS]

Hey Guys,

Wow, I missed a lot here. I've replied to your emails KB. If you didn't get them send again and I'm happy to reply. I'm pretty sure your stuff's already been through the "System" so it should on its way back to you shortly.

Oh, To address the question, we design, build, test, and warranty everything from our one facility in good old Irvine California.

Thanks
Charlie

[knucklebusta]

Yep, thanks Charlie, you guys are awesome :thumbsup:

Kevin

[knucklebusta]

I got screwed today. UPS. Package delivered. No package. Just kill me. Guess I have to buy another GTB 5.5 KILL ME

[knucklebusta]

So I paid $260 for a GTB 5.5 that fried in 5 seconds. $25 to overnight it to Novak. I pay $27 to have it overnighted back

$312 total and I don't have a motor. I think I'm gonna sell all my stuff. I've had it. :(

[Rtsbasic]

Why not phone them up instead of ranting on here? If they care in the slightest about their reputation and their customers they will sort you out. $52 in shipping charges though! And having to pay return shipping!! Whats up with that?

[glassdoctor]

$25 to ship it to them is your choice. Overnight is an expensive option. You use it when the cost is worth it or isn't important to you so don't complain.

The $27 overnight back to you? That's not normal either. That's usually by customer request in my experience. If they did that without asking you have a point there. Paying for return shipping is not uncommon, although I think warranty repairs should cover return shipping. imo

Standard shipping rates should be like $5-7 range each way... $10 at worst.

Btw how long did it take to get it back? Probably not long...

Some other (euro) brands take months to get a controller repaired if you get it back at all.

[knucklebusta]

Well that's why I didn't go with lehner or the other ones. Sorry for the rant, I am just livid. Or was livid. Turns out is wasn't UPS's fault. It was shipped to my address, but in Hartford, CT instead of Worcester, MA

However, Novak comes through again. Shipped me on as soon as I got off the phone with them. Guy was holding the ups truck for me. I'll have it tomorrow. That is if UPS doesn't screw it up.


Oh, and yes, it was my option to pay overnight, on the shipping of the unit and the receiving of it back. I'm headed to NC for the next week and since I can actually use a car down there without my **lls freezing my legs together, I'm all over it. Having my new XX-4 shipped down there as well.

Now all I have to do is buy 2 more GTB 5.5's and I'll be all set. I buy 2 of everything. That's why I'm always broke. But hell, my family and buddies give me endless crap. However, I'll die with my toys, they'll die with their money.

[TBone77]

You'll love the GTB when you get it into your 4WD. Brushless and 4WD were MADE to play together :D .

[glassdoctor]

Yeah, I plan to get a GTB next summer if I start racing 4wd again. That is too much fun, and it's a perfect match.

[semore]

I got miine i have not had a chance to race it but I looks really cool and I can tell i has alot of power. I will be going this fri.