Posted: 8/18/11
Set-up tips for installing and programming Axial's AE-2 ESC.
Set-up:
1. Mount ESC in an area that is well ventilated, and isolated from vibration and shock.
2. Connect ESC wires to the motor(s).
3. Plug the receiver wire into the throttle channel on your receiver.
4. Before plugging the battery into the ESC, make sure your transmitter is on and that the throttle trim is set to zero.
5. Double check that the battery wires on the ESC are wired correctly, red on red and black on black. **Reversing the polarity will permanently damage the ESC**
6. Plug the battery into the ESC, with the ESC switch in the "off" position.
7. Apply full throttle on the transmitter.
8. Turn the ESC on while applying full throttle.
9. The ESC will emit a series of beeps through the motor with the "Red" LED.
10. Continue applying full throttle until the ESC blinks "Green" and emits a series of beeps to finalize the full throttle endpoint.
11. Once the ESC blinks "Red", apply full brake/reverse, and hold.
12. The ESC will emit a series of beeps while blinking "Red" to finalize the reverse/brake endpoint.
13. Return the throttle to neutral and the ESC will emit a series of beeps to finalize the neutral point.
14. The ESC will emit one last series of beeps confirming the ESC is ready to go.
15. Apply throttle to make sure motor turns in the proper direction. To reverse the direction of the motor, switch the wires going to the motor.
Notes:
1. If ESC set-up does not initialize while holding full throttle, try switching the throttle reverse switch on the transmitter. Also double check that the throttle trim is still set to zero.
2. Lipo "Cut-off" is set to "On" from the factory.
3. Use the "Castle Link" to access the advanced settings in this ESC.
Specifications:
Input Voltage - 6 cell NiCad/NiMH or 2cell lipo**
Size - 1.7" x 1.24"
Weight - 45 Grams
Motor Limit - 19t
On-Resistance FET - .0018
Rated/Peak Current - 106A Peak
Braking Current - 106A Peak
BEC Voltage - 5.0V/2A Peak
PWM Frequency - 6KHZ
**You can run higher voltage batteries such as a 7 cell NiCad/NiMH or 3 cell lipo with the installation of a "Castle BEC"
Manually programming Axial's AE-2 ESC
Here are a few tips for programming Axial's AE-2 ESC, without a computer or "Castle Link".
You can manually adjust 3 of the most important settings in the AE-2 ESC.
1. Lipo Cut-off
2. Drag Brake
3. Reverse
Manual programming
Follow these steps to change settings on your Axial AE-2 ESC without a computer.
*Remove your pinion gear before calibration and manual programming as a safety precaution!*
STEP 1: Start with the transmitter ON and the ESC switched OFF and not connected to the battery.
STEP 2: Plug a battery into the ESC. Hold full throttle on the transmitter and turn the ESC switch ON. After a few seconds you will get the four rings in a row signaling full throttle calibration. Keep on holding full throttle. After a few more seconds, you will hear another four rings in a row. After the second group of four rings, relax the throttle to neutral. If you have successfully entered programming mode, the ESC will beep twice, pause, and repeat the two beeps.
STEP 3: The programming sequence is always presented in sequential order and always starts with the first setting (None) within the first section (Voltage Cutoff). The first beep(s) signifies which section of the programming you are in and the second beep(s) signifies which setting is waiting for a "yes" or "no" answer. As you go sequentially through the options, you will need to answer "yes" by holding full throttle, or answer "no" by holding full brake until the ESC accepts your answer by beeping rapidly. Once an answer has been accepted, relax the throttle back to neutral for the next question. After a "no" answer is accepted, the ESC will then present you with the next option in that section. After a "yes" answer is accepted, the ESC knows you aren't interested in any other option in that section, so it skips to the first option in the next section.
Settings and explanations
The following section explains all the settings available to you via manual programming and what each one does to change the reactions of the ESC in order to tune it to your specific preferences. More settings are available via "Castle Link".
1. Cutoff Voltage
Sets the voltage at which the ESC lowers or removes power to the motor in order to either keep the battery at a safe minimum voltage (Lithium Polymer cells) or the radio system working reliably (NiCad/NiMH cells).
Setting 1: None
Does not cut off or limit the motor due to low voltage. Do not use with any Lithium Polymer packs!
Use this setting ONLY with NiCad or NiMH packs. With continued driving, the radio system may eventually cease to deliver pulses to the servo and ESC, and the vehicle will not be under control.
You will irreversibly damage Lithium Polymer packs with this setting!
Setting 2: Auto-LiPo (Default)
This setting allows you to go back and forth between 2 and 3 cell LiPo packs without having to change the cutoff voltage for each one. The ESC automatically sets the cutoff voltage correctly for a 2 or 3 cell pack when that pack is plugged in.
2. Drag Brake
Sets the amount of drag brake applied at neutral throttle to simulate the slight braking effect of a neutral brushed motor while coasting.
Setting 1: Drag Brake OFF
Vehicle will coast with almost no resistance from the motor at neutral throttle.
Setting 2: Drag Brake 15%
Very Low amount of braking effect from the motor at neutral throttle
Setting 3: Drag brake 25%
Low amount of braking effect from the motor at neutral throttle
Setting 4: Drag Brake 40%
More braking effect from the motor at neutral throttle.
Setting 5: Drag Brake 50%
Fairly high braking effect from the motor at neutral throttle.
Setting 6: Drag Brake 100% (Default)
Full braking effect from the motor at neutral throttle.
3. Brake / Reverse Type
Sets whether reverse is enabled or not, and exactly how it can be accessed.
Setting 1: Reverse Lockout
This setting allows the use of reverse only after the ESC senses two seconds of neutral throttle. Use it for race practice sessions and bashing, but check with your race director to see if this setting is allowed for actual racing.
Setting 2: Forward/Brake Only
Use this setting for actual sanctioned racing events. Reverse cannot be accessed under any circumstances with this setting.
Setting 3: Forward/Brake/Reverse (Default)
Reverse or forward is accessible at any time after the ESC brakes to zero motor RPM.
Axial Car ESC Programming Reference:
1: Voltage Cutoff
Option 1 : None
Option 2 : Auto-LiPo (D)*
2: Drag Brake
Option 1 : Disabled
Option 2 : 15%
Option 3 : 25%
Option 4 : 40%
Option 5 : 50%
Option 6: 100% (D)*
3: Brake/Reverse Type
Option 1 : Reverse Lockout
Option 2 : Forward/Brake Only
Option 3 : Forward/Brake/Reverse (D)*
(D)* = Default setting from the factory
