Programming Your Traxxas Electronic Speed Control
This article will show you how to program your Traxxas electronic speed control. These programming steps are the same for the XL-2.5, XL-5, XL-10, EVX-2, VXL-3s, and VXL-3m. Your Traxxas electronic speed control may require periodic programming to maintain optimal performance. If your vehicle stops responding to throttle input, if you would like to change to a different mode, or if you switch from NiMH batteries to LiPo batteries you will need to go through these programming steps.
ESC Setup Programming (Calibrating your ESC and transmitter)
Read through all of the programming steps before you begin. If you get lost
during programming or receive unexpected results, simply unplug the battery,
wait a few seconds, plug the battery back in, and start over.
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the ESC.
2. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
3. Press and hold the EZ-Set button (A). The LED will first turn
green and then red. Release the EZ-Set button.
4. When the LED blinks RED ONCE, pull the throttle
trigger to the full throttle position and hold it
there (B).
5. When the LED blinks RED TWICE, push the throttle
trigger to the full reverse and hold it there (C).
6. When the LED blinks GREEN ONCE, programming
is complete. The LED will then shine green or red
(depending on low-voltage detection setting)
indicating the ESC is on and at neutral (D).
VXL-3s, VXL-3m, EVX-2, XL-5, and XL-2.5 Battery Settings (Low-Voltage Detection Setting)
The VXL-3s, VXL-3m, EVX-2, XL-5, and XL-2.5 electronic speed controls are
equipped with built-in Low-Voltage Detection. The Low-Voltage Detection
circuitry constantly monitors the battery voltage. When the battery voltage
begins to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage threshold for LiPo battery
packs, the speed control will limit the power output to 50% throttle. When the
battery voltage attempts to fall below the minimum threshold, the speed control
will shut down all motor output. The LED on the speed control will slowly
blink red, indicating a low voltage shutdown. The speed control will stay in this
mode until a fully charged battery is connected.
Your model includes a Power Cell NiMH battery. The electronic speed control’s
Low Voltage Detection has been disabled for best performance with
this NiMH battery. The speed control’s LED will glow red when it is turned on,
indicating Low Voltage Detection is disabled. Be certain to activate Low-
Voltage Detection if you install LiPo batteries in your model. Never use LiPo
batteries while Low-Voltage Detection is disabled.
Verify that Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED:
1. Turn on the transmitter (with the throttle at neutral).
2. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the speed control.
3. Press and release the EZ-Set button to turn the speed control on. If the LED is solid
red, then the Low-Voltage Detection is DISABLED (not safe to use LiPo
batteries). If the LED is solid green, then Low-Voltage Detection is ACTIVATED.
To activate Low-Voltage Detection (LiPo setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the speed control is on and red.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds.
The LED will turn off and then light green. Also, a
“rising” musical tone will be emitted from the motor on brushless equipped models.
Brushed models equipped with the XL-5, EVX-2, and XL-2.5
will beep twice.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now ACTIVATED.
To disable Low-Voltage Detection (NiMH setting):
1. Make sure the LED on the speed control is on and green.
2. Press and hold the EZ-Set button for ten seconds.
The LED will turn off and then light red. Also, a
“falling” musical tone will be emitted from the motor
on brushless models. Brushed models equipped with the
XL-5, EVX-2, and XL-2.5 will beep three times.
3. Low-Voltage Detection is now DISABLED.
ESC Profile Selection
The speed control is factory set to Profile #1 (100% forward, brakes, and
reverse). To disable reverse (Profile #2) or to allow 50% forward and 50%
reverse (Profile #3), follow the steps below. The speed control should be
connected to the receiver and battery, and the transmitter should be
adjusted as described previously. The profiles are selected by entering the
programming mode.
Profile Description
Profile #1 (Sport Mode): 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, 100% Reverse
Profile #2 (Race Mode): 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, No Reverse
Profile #3 (Training Mode): 50% Forward, 100% Brakes, 50% Reverse
Selecting Sport Mode (Profile #1: 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, 100% Reverse)
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to
the ESC and turn on your transmitter.
2. With the ESC off, press and hold
the EZ-Set button until the LED turns solid
green, then solid red and then begins blinking
red (indicating the Profile numbers).
3. When the LED blinks red once, release
the EZ-Set button.
4. The LED will blink and then turn solid green
(Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-
Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is ready to drive.
Selecting Race Mode (Profile #2: 100% Forward, 100% Brakes, No Reverse)
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to
the speed control and turn on your transmitter.
2. With the ESC off, press and hold
the EZ-Set button until the LED turns solid
green, then solid red and then begins blinking
red (indicating the Profile numbers).
3. When the LED blinks red twice, release
the EZ-Set button.
4. The LED will blink and then turn solid green
(Low-Voltage Detection ACTIVE) or red (Low-
Voltage Detection DISABLED). The model is ready to drive.
Selecting Training Mode (Profile #3: 50% Forward, 100% Brakes, 50% Reverse)
1. Connect a fully charged battery pack to the
ESC and turn on your transmitter.
2. With the ESC off, press and hold the EZ Set
button until the LED turns solid green,
then solid red and then begins blinking
LED Codes and Protection Modes
• Solid Green: Power-on light. Low-Voltage Detection is
ACTIVATED (LiPo setting).
• Solid Red: Power-on light. Low-Voltage Detection is
DISABLED (NiCad/NiMH setting). Never use LiPo batteries while
Low-Voltage Detection is disabled.
• Fast Blinking Red: Thermal Shutdown Protection Stage 1. If the
motor has lower than normal power and the speed control is hot, the speed control
has entered Stage 1 Thermal Shutdown Protection to guard
against overheating caused by excessive current flow. If the motor
has no power and the speed control is very hot, the speed control has entered
Stage 2 Thermal Shutdown Protection and has automatically
shut down. Let the speed control cool. Make sure your model is properly
geared for the conditions by referring to the gearing chart in the model's manual.
• Slow Blinking Red (with Low-Voltage Detection on): The speed control
has entered Low-Voltage Protection. When the battery voltage
begins to reach the minimum recommended discharge voltage
threshold for LiPo battery packs, the speed control will limit the power
output to 50% throttle. When the battery voltage attempts to
fall below the minimum threshold, the speed control will shut down all
motor output. The LED on the speed control will slowly blink red,
indicating a low-voltage shutdown. The speed control will stay in this
mode until a fully charged battery is connected.
• Alternating; Blinks Red then Green: If the motor has no power,
the speed control has entered Over Voltage Protection. If a battery with
too high voltage is used, the speed control will go into a fail-safe mode.
Warning: If input voltage exceeds approximately 20-volts,
the ESC may be damaged. Do not exceed 12.6 maximum peak
input voltage.
• Blinking Green: The speed control is indicating the transmitter
Throttle Trim is incorrectly set. If the Multi-Function
knob is set to throttle trim, then adjust the Throttle Trim to the
middle “0” setting.
