Quark Brushless Systems

 

Instruction Manual for Quark Brushless ESC for Vehicles:

Quark Pro Car 22A/33A, Roadster 65A, Competition 80B, and Monster Pro 125B

 

Precautions:

 

o   WARNING!  High-powered brushless systems can be very dangerous as high currents can heat and/or melt wires and batteries, causing fire, property damage, and serious bodily injury (including death).  Follow the Instruction Manual carefully.  Only drive at a sanctioned track.  Quark ESC is equipped with a safety-arming feature, but users should still use caution when connecting the battery.

o   The Quark Electronic Speed Controller complies with FCC and CE regulations.  CE approval is your guarantee the unit meets all the relevant interference emission and rejection regulations when in operation.

o   The battery wires must be connected with correct polarity.  Quark ESC may be damaged if the polarity is incorrect and it will VOID the WARRANTY.

o   Quark Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC) are designed for operation exclusively with R/C batteries.  DO NOT use ESCs in conjunction with a power supply.  Energy reversal may occur which can damage/destroy the power supply and/or ESC and will VOID WARRANTY.

o   When Motor and Battery are connected to the ESC, handle the vehicle with extreme care! Keep clear of moving/rotating parts when the battery pack is connected.

o   Do not exceed the specified voltages as it may cause an overload, damage the ESC, and VOID WARRANTY.

o   Do not use Schottky Diodes or Condensers with Brushless Motors.

o   Ni-MH and Ni-CD may be used in place of each other, but never in place of Li-Poly

o   Exercise Caution during and after use as the motor, battery, controller and all connecting wires may become hot.  Contact with your skin may cause a burn or serious bodily injury. 

o   The power ON/OFF switch on the Quark ESC does not disconnect the battery from the ESC.  A low residual current flows even if the Power switch is OFF and can cause deep under loading, especially with Li-Poly Cells.  Connect the battery to the ESC shortly before operation and disconnect shortly after use.

o   Never disconnect the battery pack while the motor is running, as this could cause damage on the speed controller and/or motor.

o   Safeguard the Quark from excessive mechanical loads, vibration, dirt, or moisture. Should the ESC become wet, only reuse after air-drying for an extended period.  If malfunction ensues, it may be sent to manufacturer for repair.

o   Allowing water, lubricants, moisture or other foreign materials inside the ESC will VOID WARRANTY.  Exposure to CA glue or its fumes can cause the ESC damage and it may malfunction; this will VOID WARRANTY.

o   Speed controller needs to be completely checked after a model crash.  Never use a damaged ESC.

o   The heat sinks on the ESC must be used for maximum cooling and performance – Never allow separate heat sinks to touch each other or any exposed conductive surface.  This may cause a short circuit, damage ESC, and VOID WARRANTY.

1.0          Installation of Quark Controller

 

¡¤    Motor wires can be connected to the Quark ESC in any order.  If the motor rotates in the opposite direction, swap any two of the three motor wires to reverse the motor rotation. 

¡¤    Please connect the Servo Plug to the throttle channel of the receiver. 

¡¤    Use high quality connectors for Battery and Motor wires.  Connectors with low conductivity may cause erratic motor rotations or other unexpected movements.  Use connectors that cannot be plugged in backwards to prevent possible incorrect polarization and comply with the allowed voltage capacity of the connectors.  When possible, direct soldering is recommended for best conductivity.

¡¤    Do not mount the Motor in the vehicle before all wires are properly soldered and/or connected.  Mount the Motor only after everything has been connected and is working properly.

¡¤    When connecting Quark to the battery pack, ensure that multiple touches of the connectors are not made.

¡¤    Check the motor manufacturer¡¯s instruction manual for screw mounting length.  Mounting longer screws can damage motor and/or short-circuit the ESC and/or motor and VOID WARRANTY. 

¡¤    Wires connecting the ESC to the motor and the battery should be kept as short as possible, preferably less than 20 cm. 

 

2.0    Initial Setup

 

¡¤          Reset all the functions of the throttle channels of the transmitter.

¡¤          The Fail Safe systems of PCM transmitters/receivers must be turned off.

¡¤          Double check the polarity of the battery wires.

¡¤          Warning!! 

o         The motor should not be connected to the drive train during programming because the vehicle may move and may result in property damage and/or personal injury. 

o         The default battery settings are Ni-MH low.  When using a Lithium battery, please change the settings to prevent damage to the battery. 

 

3.0    Quark Programming Instructions

 

There are three steps to Quark ESC programming

1.       Neutral/Maximum Throttle Position Programming (section 3.1)

 

2.       Basic Programming (section 3.2)

Includes:

                    1.     Mode Selection                            4.     Battery Selection

                    2.     Brake Selection                            5.     Li-Poly Cut-off Voltage Selection

            3.     Drag Brake Amount Selection

 

3.       Advanced Programming (section 3.3)

Includes:

1.     Motor Type Selection                  5.     Torque Selection

2.     Drag Brake On/Off Selection       6.     Neutral Range Selection

3.     Race/Safe Mode Selection          7.     Delayed Brake/Reverse Selection

4.       Noise Cancel Selection

3.1      Neutral/Max Throttle Position Programming

 

This is the starting point for all programming.  It allows the user to set Neutral and Maximum throttle positions.  All transmitters emit their own transmitter signals and have varying Neutral and Maximum throttle positions and thus, it is the necessary first step in the overall programming of the Quark ESC.

 

1)             Turn ¡°ON¡± the Transmitter

2)             Press and hold the Quark program button and then turn ¡°ON¡± the external power switch on Quark.

3)             Release the Quark program button approximately 2 - 3 seconds later.

4)             Move the throttle stick until you hear a recognition beep (¡°¢Ü¡±).

¡¤    The red LED will blink once at this time.

5)             Move the throttle stick to the desired Neutral Throttle Position and press the Quark program button and release.  You will hear another recognition beep (¡°¢Ý¡±) signaling that the Neutral position has been saved.

6)             Move the throttle stick until you will hear a recognition beep (¡°¢Ý¡±).

¡¤    The red LED light will blink twice at this time.

7)             Move the throttle stick to the desired Maximum/Full Throttle Position and press the Quark program button and release.

8)             You will hear two recognition beeps (¡°¢Ý¢Ý ¡°) signaling that the Maximum/Full Throttle Position has been saved

9)             Turn ¡°Off¡± the external Quark power switch.

¡¤    Note:  If you have correctly followed the steps above and are unsuccessful at properly programming the Neutral and Full Throttle Settings, please reverse the Throttle Channel on the transmitter. 

 

 

 

3.2       Basic Programming

 

Basic Programming includes 5 settings:

1. Mode selection                                4. Battery selection

2. Brake selection                                5. Li-Poly cut-off voltage selection

3. Drag brake amount selection

 

            3.2.1       Entering Basic Programming

1. Turn ¡°ON¡± Transmitter

2. Move throttle stick to the Maximum/Full Position; Hold until step 4.

3. Turn ¡°On¡± Quark Power Switch (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¡±)—transmitter recognition beep (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¡±).

4. Press and Hold Quark Program Button and then move the throttle stick to the Minimum position and hold (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¡±).

5. Release the Quark Program Button after approximately 2 -3 seconds

6. Move the throttle stick until you hear recognition beep (¡°¢Ü¡±).  You have entered Basic Programming*.

* You will know that you have successfully entered basic programming when you notice the LED color changes when the throttle stick is moved up and down.

 

3.2.2           To choose any selection

1. Move the throttle stick to enter setting (or move to the next setting).

2. Move the throttle to the position that illuminates the desired led pattern** and hold.

3. Press the Program button on the Quark.

4. Repeat step 1-3 until all settings 1 through 5 are completed*.

5. Power OFF the Quark to store selected settings.

*User may set desired selections, starting from Mode Selection until desired settings are stored.  User may then, Power ¡°OFF¡± Quark to avoid resetting remaining selections (Example: User may set selections of Mode Forward and Normal Brakes, then power ¡°OFF¡± Quark.  Those two selections will be saved and the previous settings for selections 3-4 will remain saved.

**Use Tables 3.2-1 though 3.2-4 to set Basic Settings

 

*Note.  Settings highlighted in blue are the Factory default settings*

Table 3.2-1 Mode Selection

Mode

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Brake Reverse

 

 

 

¡Ü

Reverse is activated only when the throttle stick is at Full Brake, returned to Neutral, and then reverse is applied.                                                                                               

Delayed Reverse

 

 

¡Ü

 

Reverse is applied only when the throttle stick is maintained above a delay time (table 3.3-7) in the neutral position.  Brakes will be applied if it is below the preset time. 

Direct Reverse

 

¡Ü

 

 

Reverse is applied instantaneously.  Only braking is drag brake at neutral throttle.

Forward

¡Ü

 

 

 

Forward/Braking Only. No reverse.

 

              Table 3.2-2 Brake Selection

Brake

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

100%

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

100% Braking at any throttle position below neutral

Double

 

 

 

¡Ü

Hard Proportional Braking.

Normal

 

 

¡Ü

 

Standard Proportional Braking.

Soft

 

¡Ü

 

 

Soft Proportional Braking.

0%

¡Ü

 

 

 

No Braking.

 

Table 3.2-3 Drag Brake Amount Selection***

Amount

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

30% Brake

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

30% braking applied in the neutral range

 

 

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

¡Ü

 

 

 

 

¡Ü

 

 

 

 

¡Ü

 

 

 

3% Brake

¡Ü

 

 

 

3% braking applied in the neutral range

***Only applied when Drag Brake is turned ¡°ON¡± (refer to table 3.3-2).

              Table 3.2-4 Battery Selection

Brake

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Manual

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

User can manually set the cut-off voltage in Li-Poly Cut-off Selection in Table 3.2‑5.  Warning! — Damage to the battery may result if the cut-off voltage is set too low.

Li-Poly High

 

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

Select when the Battery is compatible with the voltage in use.  Faster throttle response time and increased torque compared to when Li-Poly Normal is selected.

Li-Poly Normal

 

 

¡Ü

 

Select when the Battery capacity and discharge rate are lower than voltage in use.  Slower throttle response and lower torque than when Li-Poly High is selected.

Ni-MH High

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

Select when the Battery is compatible with the voltage in use.  Faster throttle response time and increased torque compared to when Ni-MH Normal is selected.

Ni-MH Normal

¡Ü

 

 

 

Select when the Battery capacity and discharge rate are lower than voltage in use.  Slower throttle response and lower torque than when Ni-MH High is selected.

                Note:  Li-Poly High, or Ni-MH High should be selected when using a very high capacity battery.

 

 

**Disregard Table 3.2-5 unless the ¡°Manual¡± Battery Selection was made**

**To do so, Just Power ¡°OFF¡± Quark ESC after completing Battery Selections**

 

                Table 3.2-5 Li-Poly Cut-Off Voltage Selection

Cut-off Voltage

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

3.0V

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

 Cut-off voltage is set to 3.0V per cell.

2.9V

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.9V per cell.

2.8V

¡Ü

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.8V per cell.

2.7V

 

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.7V per cell.

2.6V

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.6V per cell.

2.5V

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.5V per cell.

2.4V

 

¡Ü

 

 

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.4V per cell.

2.2V

¡Ü

 

 

 

 Cut-off voltage is set to 2.2V per cell.

 

 

* Default battery setting is Ni-MH Normal.  When using a Li-Poly battery, please change the settings to prevent any damage to the battery. 

* Selection of Li-Poly High or Ni-MH High should only be selected when the discharge capacity of the battery exceeds the actual current used in extreme running conditions by at least by 150% (When the discharge capacity is insufficient to handle the actual current usage in such instances, driving feel may be affected and/or battery damage may result).

* Exercise Caution when setting the cut-off voltages.  When the voltage per cell falls below a certain level, a Li-Poly battery may be permanently damaged making it un-rechargeable.  In extreme cases, it may cause fire. 

* The ¡°Manual¡± cut-off voltage applies to only Li-Poly batteries.

* Once you have selected ¡°Manual¡± from table 3.2-4 and set the cut-off voltage manually, switching the battery type to an automatic cut-off will not automatically change the cut-off voltage.  (For example: If you have selected ¡°Manual¡± and a cut-off voltage of 2.2V, any attempts to change the battery selection to ¡°Li-Poly Normal¡± or ¡°Li-Poly High¡± will maintain the cut-off voltage of 2.2V and thus, the cut-off voltage must be reprogrammed). 

 

 

3.3      Advanced Programming

 

Advanced programming allows the user to choose from a wider variety of features for more control and performance:

1.  Motor Type Selection                         5.  Torque Selection

2.  Drag Brake On/Off Selection             6.  Neutral Range Selection

3.  Race/Safe Mode Selection                 7.  Delayed Brake/Reverse Time Selection

4.  Noise Cancel On/Off Selection

 

3.3.1     Enter Advanced Programming

1. Turn ¡°ON¡± Transmitter

2. Move throttle stick to the Minimum Position; Hold until step 4

3.  Turn ¡°On¡± Quark Power Switch (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¡±)—transmitter recognition beep (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¡±) and (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¡±) signaling Quark is ready.

4.  Press and Hold Quark Program Button and then move the throttle stick to the Maximum position and hold (¡°¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¡±).

5.  Release the Quark Program Button after approximately 2 -3 seconds

6.  Move the throttle stick until you hear recognition beep (¡°¢Ü¡±).  You have entered Advanced Programming*.

* You will know that you have successfully entered Advanced programming when the LED color sequence changes when the throttle is moved up and down.

 

3.3.2   To choose any selection:

1. Move the throttle stick to enter setting (or move to the next setting).

2. Move the throttle to the position that illuminates the desired led pattern** and hold.

3. Press the Program button on the Quark.

4. Repeat step 1-3 until all settings 1 through 7 are completed*.

5. Power OFF the Quark to store selected settings.

                            *User may set desired selections, starting from Motor Type until desired settings are stored.  User may then, Power ¡°OFF¡± Quark to avoid resetting remaining selections (Example: User may set selections of Inrunner Motor Type, Drag Brake ON, and Race Mode, then power ¡°OFF¡± Quark.  Those three selections will be saved and the previous settings for selections 4-7 will remain saved.

**Use Tables 3.3-1 though 3.3-7 to set Basic Settings

 

 

 **Note.  Settings highlighted in blue are the factory default settings**

 

                Table 3.3-1 Motor Type Selection

Motor Type

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Outrunner

¡Ü

 

 

¡Ü

Select when using an outrunner type brushless motor.

Inrunner

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

Select when using a normal type brushless motor.

Note:  Please select Out-runner type if an In-runner has 6 poles or above. Also, please select In-runner when using an out-runner with less than 600kv.

 

 

 

Table 3.3-2 Drag Brake On/Off Selection

Mode

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

On

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

¡Ü

Brake is applied in the neutral range at the amount set in table 3.2-3.

Off

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

No brake is applied in the neutral range

 

 

 

                Table 3.3-3 Race/Safe Mode Selection

Mode

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Race Mode

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

Competition Mode.

 

Safe Mode

 

¡Ü

 

 

Transmitter recognizes only the User¡¯s TX.  Fail-safe system is activated.  

*When safe mode is selected, the fail-safe shut down function may cause shut downs in an environment when there are several interferences. 

 

 

Table 3.3-4 Noise Cancel On/Off Selection

Mode

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Noise Cancel On

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

Filters out short interference noises.  Quark may not respond to very fine throttle adjustments. 

Noise Cancel Off

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

Quark responds to the slightest throttle adjustments.

*Noise Cancel On is recommended only for driving environments with heavy interference.

 

 

 

Table 3.3-5 Torque Selection

Torque

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Dynamic

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

Dynamic initial torque

Normal 2

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

Normal 1

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

 

Soft

¡Ü

 

 

 

Smooth initial torque

*Proportional Torque is applied regardless of torque selected (torque corresponds with the amount of throttle applied).

 

Table 3.3-6 Neutral Range Selection

Neutral Range

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

Wide

¡Ü

 

 

¡Ü

Widest Neutral range

Normal 2

 

¡Ü

 

¡Ü

 

Normal 1

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

Narrow

 

¡Ü

 

 

Very Narrow Neutral range

*Use the narrow selection if low speed control is needed.  The wide selection should be used when cogging occurs.

 

 

                Table 3.3-7 Delayed Brake/Reverse Time Selection

Time

Red

Green

Yellow

Red

Description

2.5sec

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

After braking, reverse is applied only after the throttle is maintained for at least 2.5 sec in the neutral position and throttle is returned to reverse position

1.8 sec

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

1.5 sec

¡Ü

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

1.0 sec

 

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

0.8 sec

 

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

0.6 sec

¡Ü

¡Ü

 

 

 

0.4 sec

 

¡Ü

 

 

 

0.2 sec

¡Ü

 

 

 

Reverse is applied only after the throttle is maintained for at least 0.2 sec in the neutral position.

*Only applies when the Delayed Brake/Reverse is selected from Mode Selection (table 3.2-1).

 

 

 

4.0   Programming Tips

Please visit our website for more detailed programming tips. 

 

a. Programming Sounds

 

                    Quark generates a recognition sound in the following situations:

o         Quark Power ON: ¢Ý¢Ý

o         Transmitter ON: ¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý

o         Minimum Throttle Position: ¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý

o         Program Data Saved: ¢Ü

For example, when the transmitter is turned on and the throttle stick is at the minimum position the following successive sounds will be generated when Quark¡¯s power switch is turned On:  ¡° ¢Ý¢Ý ~ ¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý ~ ¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý¢Ý ¡°

 

 

                b. Trouble Shooting

 

¡¤          When the ¡°Quark Power ON¡± sound is not generated:  Check the battery connection and if the power switch is ¡°On¡±. 

¡¤          When the ¡°Transmitter ON¡± sound is not generated:  Check the transmitter and receiver crystals and that the Receiver wires are properly connected.

¡¤          When the ¡°Minimum Throttle Position¡± sound is not generated: refer to section 3.1 and reprogram the neutral/maximum throttle position settings.  You may also adjust the Transmitter¡¯s throttle EPAs and Trims.

 

 

 

 

5.0   OPTO Modification

 

* OPTO Modification must be applied when using batteries above Ni-MH 10cell Li-Poly 4 Cell. When done user must use a digital BEC or a Receiver battery.

 

Disconnect or remove the red wire from the middle pin of the socket.