Novak Rooster returns: smaller, tougher and LiPo-ready

[PeterV]

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/rooster2.jpg

Latest from www.teamnovak.com

ROOSTER REDUX: RESURRECTING NOVAK’S BESTSELLING ESC

Irvine, CA – October 19, 2006 – Novak is resurrecting the Rooster! For nearly 14 years, the Rooster Reversible ESC ruled the roost. Hobbyists not only appreciated the low-cost sport ESC, they appreciated its quality and durability. Now, after many years, Novak has not only decided to revisit this popular ESC, but make it better, stronger, and faster. Some would even describe it as…a bionic Rooster. This one, however, won’t cost you six million dollars!

While the new ESC retains the original Rooster name, there is not much resemblance — inside or out — to the original Rooster. Externally, it is apparent that the Rooster now sports a modern outer casing, and consequently, a smaller footprint. It also sports a new heat sink assembly and 14-gauge power wires on PCB-direct solder tabs, making soldering extremely easy.

Internally, the Rooster has also undergone some technological advancements. This more powerful, robust ESC can now handle motors down to 12 turns, where previously it had a 15-turn limit. This extra power, plus a new heavy-duty, 6 Volt / 1.5 Amp BEC adds to its durability, making it ideal for those running modified motors. Its power and performance solidly places the newest addition to Novak’s Reversible ESC line between the #1830 XRS Sport Reversible, and the heavy-duty, high-voltage
#1865 Super Duty XR.

When the original Rooster debuted way back in 1993, it was Novak’s first ESC with the now standard One-Touch Set-Up feature. The new Rooster 12T has the honor of being first again with another great new feature: built-in Li-Po cutoff protection. Novak’s newest technology monitors the vehicle’s Lithium Polymer battery pack’s voltage, and prevents the batteries from going below the critical safety voltage level. The driver is cued via throttle blips when the voltage drops to a certain level. It then shuts off, however, full control of the steering servo is left intact. The Li-Po cutoff protection feature can be utilized in two of the four throttle profiles the Rooster 12T now has:

1. Forward/Brake/Reverse (Default)
2. Forward/Brake
3. Forward/Brake/Reverse with Li-Po Cutoff
4. Forward/Brake with Li-Po Cutoff

Other new features include Smart Braking II, a water-resistant case, a user-replaceable input harness, Direct-Solder Wiring Tabs, and auxiliary fan connectors. While the Rooster 12T has been infused with many new features, it still includes all the great, standard features for which Novak is known, such as: One-Touch Set-Up, Radio-Priority Circuitry, Polar Drive Circuitry, Thermal Overload Protection, and of course being designed and manufactured in the USA.

The #1840 Rooster 12T Reversible ESC will be available December 2006. The retail price is $149.

ROOSTER 12T REVERSIBLE ESC FEATURES
• Operates down to a 12-turn brushed motor
• 4 Driving Profiles
• Built-in Li-Poly Cutoff Protection (2 Driving Profiles)
• Reverse Disable (one with Li-Poly Cutoff)
• Smart Braking II
• Water-Resistant Case
• Direct-Solder Wiring Tabs
• User Replaceable Input Harness
• One-Touch Set-Up
• Built-in Power Output for Optional 6V Accessory Fan (#5648 or #5646)
• Radio-Priority Circuitry
• Polar Drive Circuitry
• Thermal Overload Protection
• Designed and Manufactured in the USA

ROOSTER 12T REVERSIBLE ESC SPECIFICATIONS
• Forward/Reverse Forward and Reverse
• Input Voltage 4-7 Ni-Cd/Ni-MH cells (1.2V/cell) or 2 Li-Poly cells
• On-Resistance 0.0014 ohms (forward); 0.0028 ohms (reverse)*
• Footprint 1.54” x 1.18” (39 x 30 mm)
• Weight 2.66 oz. (75.5 g) w/wires; 1.57 oz. (44.5 g) w/o wires
• Rated Current 400 amps* (forward)
• Braking Current 200 amps*
• Power Wires 14-Gauge
• BEC 6.0 volt/1.5 amp
• Motor Limit 12-turn brushed (at 6 cells Ni-MH)
• Discrete Steps 256 Forward; 256 Reverse
• Battery Plug Tamiya
• Motor Plug Bullet connectors
• Drive Profiles 4
--FWD/BRK/REV (Default)
--FWD/BRK
--FWD/BRK/REV w/Li-Po Cut-off
--FWD/BRK w/Li-Po Cut-off
• Status LEDs 2
• Voltage Cut-off 6.25 volts (Li-Poly Profiles)
*Mosfet rating at 25 C junction temperature

[Hard Core RC Guy]

I'd buy that for a dollar......okay, a few more than that!

Looks nice!

J :D

[4DMNYC]

BOOYAH!!! I knew this was going to make a comeback!! I'll be getting this.

[CarbonMadness]

"built-in Li-Po cutoff protection" why haven't they put this in the GTB yet? :confused:

[sosidge]

Shame they couldn't keep it at the same low price as the old Rooster.

Lipo cutoff is a great feature, we'll be seeing this a lot more on future ESC's I am sure.

[chilly4kc]

I'd buy that for a dollar......okay, a few more than that!

Looks nice!

J :D

LOL! Isn't that line from Robocop (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/)? That movie IS as old as the original Rooster! :D

[evilc66]

Well, it should sell for around $100 which is not bad considering the specs.

Now they need to redo the Super Rooster: No motor limit w/3 cell lipo :D

[venom813]

$90 Tower: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPMX0&P=7

[metalry101]

Excellent. Hopefully it keeps the bomb-proofness of the old Rooster. I swear Roosters were indestructable. Either way, this looks like a killer speedo. If my next crawler stays brushed, this will definately be the ESC going in it. Nice work Novak!

[Adanmtxt1]

Can we expect a revised Super Rooster some time? Now that would be nice.

$90 for this Rooster is great. I am glad to see Novak bringing this back.

[4wdmt]

Very nice specs there. I will be buying one for sure. No more over bidding on used roosters on ebay, lol.

[RichieRich]

Cool, I can use one of these on my F-350.

[cooleocool]

Hmm... Very cool! I've often wondered what Novak was thinking with just their XRS for single motor trucks. It's a decent ESC, but not the greatest. I have an original Rooster. Great ESC... Until I tried to rewire it. I got some solder where it shouldn't be and I cannot figure out where it is. Oh well...

The only thing that gets me is the price. The Traxxas XL-10 ESC has a 10-turn limit. Granted it doesn't have the li-po feature and it's not water resistant, but it's cheaper. I may buy one some day! Especaily since it's water resistant! I drive in some wet conditions... They need to release one with a higher limit that way it can be sold for cheaper and compete with LRP's Runner series...

[metalry101]

...They need to release one with a higher limit that way it can be sold for cheaper and compete with LRP's Runner series...
I definately like the idea of a cheaper version...but if you've ever used any LRP with that AI system (like their waterproof Runner series), you know ANY programmable speed control is better. And I mean ANY.

[Natedog]

Awesome! Just hope it doesn't need a huge freakin capacitor soldered to the leadwires like most other Novak escs. Thank God they upped the BEC to 1.5 amps...that's the one bad thing about my Novak Rooster...can't handle a real steering servo.

[metalry101]

Awesome! Just hope it doesn't need a huge freakin capacitor soldered to the leadwires like most other Novak escs. Thank God they upped the BEC to 1.5 amps...that's the one bad thing about my Novak Rooster...can't handle a real steering servo.
It shouldn't need one if you use reverse I don't think...I can't recall any reversing ESC that needs a capacitor. Hopefully it doesn't need one for forward-only mode either though because I plan on putting one of these in my BK2 for stock racing. That Li-Po cutoff makes it perfect for a stock buggy running an Orion 3200.

[cooleocool]

I think you're thinking of diodes metalry. Those are for forward only ESCs.

Capacitors are usually installed on motors (3), but some ESC's have them as well. My Novak SS controller has one, the GT7 has one, the GTX has one I believe, etc, etc... As long as they give me a nice mounting bracket like withe SS controller, I'll be happy.

[RControl Freak]

Memo To Self: Buy The Novak Rooster For Next Esc :d

[cooleocool]

Memo To Self: Buy The Novak Super Rooster For Next Esc :dSuper Rooster!?! What does that have to do with the new Rooster?

Anyway, I'm pretty tempted to get one of these when they come out. The price on Tower should drop a bit I would think. Then again, if I can figure out how to fix my old Rooster, I'd be set. Or my fried XRS... Or my fried LRP F1. ESC's haven't been my friends over the past year and a half. At least I didn't fry the F1...

[RControl Freak]

oops..... typo

[kufman]

Now they need to redo the Super Rooster: No motor limit w/3 cell lipo

It already exists, the Mamba controller from CC.

http://www.castlecreations.com/support/documents/Mamba%20Max%20User%20Guide.pdf

Page 5 of 21

[cooleocool]

See, I'm wondering if Tower's price will come down at all. I hope it does... I would like to buy one, but I could just get my old Rooster fixed for around $35 or I could just mess with it myself for even less.

[RControl Freak]

that depends.... if you know what you're doing, than that's a great idea, but if you don't...... then you could damage it even further!

[cooleocool]

Yeah... I just have some solder some where it shouldn't be that I cannot find. I rewired it... It hasn't worked sense :(.

[RControl Freak]

man, that sucks! have you called novak for help?

[cooleocool]

I've talked to them, but not about this particular problem. I know that it's solder some where it shouldn't be because it worked before and twitches when power is applied. I'm going to get a solder removal tool thing from Radio Shack and see if I can find the solder that shouldn't be there...

[RControl Freak]

well, good luck! :D