MODEL 5708 owner’s manual
INTRODUCTION 3 BEFORE YOU PROCEED 3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 5 TOOLS, SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT 6 ANATOMY OF THE SPARTAN 7 QUICK START: GETTING UP TO SPEED 8 TRAXXAS TQ 2.4GHz RADIO & VELINEON POWER SYSTEM 18 DRIVING YOUR MODEL 19 ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL 21 MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL 23 TROUBLESHOOTING 24 TQ 2.4GHz ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE The Traxxas Spartan raises the bar for reliable, high-performance RC boating.
BEFORE YOU PROCEED Carefully read and follow all instructions in this and any accompanying materials to prevent serious damage to your model. Failure to follow these instructions will be considered abuse and/or neglect. Before running your model, look over this entire manual and examine the model carefully. If for some reason you decide it is not what you wanted, then do not continue any further. Your hobby dealer absolutely cannot accept a model for return or exchange after it has been run.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS This model is not intended for use by children under 16 years of age without the supervision of a responsible and knowledgeable adult. Battery choice (see LiPo Batteries, right) effects the skill level of the model. See chart below. Batteries: Two 7-Cell NiMH (Stock) Voltage*: 16.8V mAh: 3000+mAh Batteries: Two 2S LiPo Voltage*: 14.8V mAh: 5000+mAh Batteries: Two 3S LiPo Voltage*: 22.
TOOLS, SUPPLIES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Your model comes with a set of specialty metric tools. You’ll need to purchase other items, available from your hobby dealer, to operate and maintain your model. Supplied Tools and Equipment Two 10mm motor coupler wrenches 2.5mm “T” wrench 2.0mm “T” wrench 1.5mm “L” wrench Using Other Batteries Your model is equipped with a state of the art, high-performance power system. It is designed to be able to flow large amounts power with the least amount of restriction.
ANATOMY OF THE SPARTAN Flex Cable Housing Steering Servo Velineon 540XL Motor Hull Battery Strap Channel Hatch Mount Collet Water Cooling Jacket High-Current Connector Propeller Nut Propeller Rudder Arm Rudder Support Waterproof Receiver Box Water-Cooling Tube Velineon VXL-6s Marine Speed Control Drive Strut Stuffing Tube Seal Drive Dog Trim Tab Turn Fin 6 • SPARTAN Steering Linkage Rudder Support Rudder Battery Strap Trim Tab Propeller Turn Fin Propeller Nut Power Cell Battery
QUICK START: GETTING UP TO SPEED The following guide is an overview of the procedures for getting your model running. Look for the Quick Start logo on the bottom corners of Quick Start pages. 1. Charge the battery packs • See page 11 Charge your batteries (included) now so they will be ready when you finish the other setup procedures. 2. Install batteries in the transmitter • See page 11 The transmitter requires 4 AA alkaline batteries. 3. Install battery packs in the model • See page 12 5.
TRAXXAS TQ 2.4GHz RADIO & VELINEON POWER SYSTEM INTRODUCTION Your model includes the latest Traxxas TQ 2.4GHz transmitter with Traxxas Link™ technology. The transmitter’s easy-to-use design provides instant driving fun for new R/C enthusiasts, and also offers a full compliment of pro-level tuning features for advanced users – or anyone interested in experimenting with the performance of their model. The steering and throttle channels feature adjustable Exponential, End Points, and Sub-Trims.
TRAXXAS TQ 2.4GHz RADIO & VELINEON POWER SYSTEM 500 charge cycles. A peak charger designed for NiMH batteries is required for optimal performance. Receiver - The radio unit inside your model that receives signals from the transmitter and relays them to the servos. Resistance - In an electrical sense, resistance is a measure of how an object resists or obstructs the flow of current through it. When flow is constricted, energy is converted to heat and is lost.
TRAXXAS TQ 2.4GHz RADIO & VELINEON POWER SYSTEM ESC/Motor Wiring Diagram Your model is equipped with the newest Traxxas 2.4 GHz transmitter with Traxxas Link.™ The transmitter has two channels for controlling your throttle and steering. The receiver inside the model has 5 output channels. Your model is equipped with one servo and an electronic speed control. MODEL WIRING DIAGRAM Motor Temperature Sensor TQ 2.
TQ 2.4GHz RADIO AND VELINEON POWER SYSTEM INSTALLING TRANSMITTER BATTERIES Your TQ transmitter uses 4 AA batteries. The battery compartment is located in the base of the transmitter. CHARGING THE BATTERY PACKS The most convenient type of charger for charging the included battery packs is an AC peak-detecting charger that plugs directly into an AC wall outlet, such as the TRX EZ-Peak™ (Part #2930).
TRAXXAS TQ 2.4GHz RADIO & VELINEON POWER SYSTEM INSTALLING THE BATTERY PACK Spartan uses hook-andloop straps to secure the batteries. To install the batteries, simply loosen the straps, slide the battery pack beneath them, and tighten the straps to hold the batteries snugly against the battery tray’s foam pads. They should be tight enough to prevent the batteries from sliding, but should not be pulled excessively tight.
TQ 2.4GHz RADIO AND VELINEON POWER SYSTEM TQ 2.4GHz RADIO SYSTEM CONTROLS In order for the transmitter and receiver to bind to one another, the receiver in the model must be turned on within 20 seconds of turning on the transmitter. The transmitter LED will flash fast red indicating a failure to link. If you miss it, simply turn off the transmitter and start over. Remember, always turn the TQ transmitter on first and off last to avoid damage to your model.
TQ 2.4GHz RADIO AND VELINEON POWER SYSTEM USING THE TQ 2.4GHZ RADIO SYSTEM The TQ 2.4GHz Radio System has been pre-adjusted at the factory. The adjustment should be checked before running the model, in case of movement during shipping. Here’s how: 1. Turn the transmitter switch on. The status LED on the transmitter should be solid green (not flashing). 2. Elevate the model on the included stand. Make sure your hands are clear of the moving parts of the model.
TQ 2.4GHz RADIO AND VELINEON POWER SYSTEM Steering Sensitivity (Exponential) The Multi-Function knob on the TQ2.4GHz transmitter has been programmed to control Steering Sensitivity (also known as exponential). The standard setting for Steering Sensitivity is “normal (zero exponential),” with the dial full left in its range of travel. This setting provides linear servo response: the steering servo’s movement will correspond exactly with the input from the transmitter’s steering wheel.
ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Velineon VXL-6s Marine Specifications: Input voltage: 4.8-25.7V (6 to 18 cells NiMH or 2S to 6S LiPo) Supported Motors: Sensorless brushless Motor limit: None Continuous current: 80A Peak current : 300A BEC voltage: 6.0V DC Transistor type: MOSFET Battery connector: Traxxas High-Current Connector Motor connectors: TRX 3.
ADJUSTING THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL 5. Return the trigger to neutral and allow the prop to stop. Note that there is no programmed delay when changing from reverse to forward. Use caution to avoid slamming the speed control from reverse to forward and vice versa. This could result in driveline damage. 6. Push the trigger away from the grip to apply reverse throttle. The LED will go out, then glow at full throttle. (Note that reverse throttle is only about 15% of forward throttle. This is normal.) 7.
DRIVING YOUR MODEL Caution! If your model suddenly stops running or runs very slowly, release the throttle immediately! Refer to Troubleshooting on page 23 for more information. 7 18 • SPARTAN Now it’s time to have some fun! This section contains instructions on driving and making adjustments to your model. Before you go on, here are some important precautions to keep in mind. • Use extra caution when traveling into the wind and/or against the direction of waves.
ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL Adjusting the Trim Tabs Spartan features stainless-steel trim tabs to help set the angle of the boat’s hull as it rides in the water. Setting the trim angle correctly will provide maximum speed and efficiency from your model. From the factory, the trim tabs are set for best all-around performance and stability at Spartan’s maximum speed, but you can experiment with their position to improve performance.
ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL Adjusting the Rudder Angle Spartan features an adjustable rudder support that permits the angle of the rudder to be changed to alter the model’s cornering feel. The stock setting is 0°, or ‘vertical,’ meaning the rudder is parallel with the transom (see illustration). By loosening the rudder angle adjustment screws, the rudder can be pivoted back up to 3°. Altering the rudder angle effects how much the rudder ‘lifts’ the hull while cornering.
MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL Your model requires maintenance in order to stay in top running condition. The following procedures should be taken very seriously. Form the habit of visually inspecting the mechanical integrity of the model before and after each run. Inspect the model for obvious damage or wear: • Normally, some water will accumulate inside the boat. Empty any standing water out of the boat between runs. Pour any water out the side or back of the boat.
MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL Radio Tray Removal 5 Spartan’s unique power module allows you to easily remove 1 the motor, drive system, and 4A electronics as a unit for easy access to the hull interior. With 5 the power module removed, you can easily work on the drive system or electronics without the entire hull taking up your bench space. To remove the power module, follow these steps: 1. Loosen the drive cable collet. Using the two 10mm wrenches supplied, grip the collet base and collet clamp.
TROUBLESHOOTING The following section addresses some very basic questions you may have about your model. If you can’t find a solution here, you may call Traxxas Customer Service at 1-888-TRAXXAS (U.S. residents only). 2. Maintain your boat. Your model will be faster if it is kept clean and in good working order. Replace the prop if it gets nicked or damaged. Keep the motor clean and oiled. Make sure the drivetrain turns freely with no binding or excess friction.
TQ 2.4GHz ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Starting Over: Restoring Factory Defaults When programming your 2.4GHz transmitter, you may feel the need to start over with a clean slate. Follow these simple steps to restore the factory settings: 1. Turn transmitter off. 2. Hold both MENU and SET. 3. Turn transmitter on. 4. Release MENU and SET. The transmitter LED will blink red. 5. Press MENU once. The transmitter LED will blink red twice repeatedly. 6. Press SET to clear settings.
TQ 2.4GHz ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Model Lock The Traxxas Link feature can store up to twenty models (receivers) in its memory. If you bind a twenty-first receiver, Traxxas Link will delete the “oldest” receiver from its memory (in other words, the model you used the longest time ago will be deleted). Activating Model Lock will lock the receiver in memory so it cannot be deleted.
TQ 2.4GHz ADVANCED TUNING GUIDE Press MENU to move through options. Press SET to select an option. MENU TREE The menu tree below shows how to navigate through the TQ 2.4GHz transmitter’s various settings and functions. Press and hold MENU to enter the menu tree, and use the following commands to navigate through the menu and select options. MENU: When you enter a menu, you always start at the top. Press MENU to move down the menu tree.
TQ 2.
owner’s manual MODEL 5708 1100 Klein Road, Plano Texas 75074 1-888-TRAXXAS 100930 KC1293-R01
