Novak Crawler Review/ Tech thread

[MattH]

Right, and I totally agree. But as it is now it's really not that great for comps.
If it's fixed so that it is, it will work better for the general crawler too.

Thus, sell more units. Mabey a bunch more because its a true all around crawling package.

I certainly wouldn't recommend it for someone who mostly crawls comps, and I agree, overall, it would be better with stronger drag brakes and a even less sensitive locked rotor detection. As is, I think it's still a great product and a good choice for a lot of people.

Edit: The LR issue where the rig goes careening down a hill, breaking who knows what, isn't good for anyone, and I think this is why many people won't use it.

I haven't had that happen yet, but it is possible.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

I haven't had that happen yet, but it is possible.

I almost lost my rig off a 30 foot cliff one time because of the LR detection. I wasnt paying attention (forgot about the LR thing) and trying to hold my spot on the slope while I moved positions and WEEEEEEE!!! there she went! I was lucky enough to grab it before it fell off my favorite crawl spot.

 

[cars69]

I almost lost my rig off a 30 foot cliff one time because of the LR detection. I wasnt paying attention (forgot about the LR thing) and trying to hold my spot on the slope while I moved positions and WEEEEEEE!!! there she went! I was lucky enough to grab it before it fell off my favorite crawl spot.

I've used novak products for a long time. I still think the super rooster esc
is a better esc than a rebel 2 tekin, but others may not agree. The Super
Rooster is out of production, why? Like a few people have stated the Box
says Novak (Crawler) Brushless Motor System, 18.5 turn (crawler edition),
GET this ONE- (Special CRAWLER EDITION SUPER SPORT ESC).
I live in Az. we crawl on faces of a Moutain when we have a Gtg or a
Comp. This system is only good for bashing in a flat cow pasture where
you will not total your rig when the LR crap kicks in.

 

[microgoat]

I think 90% of it is the difference between inrunner and outrunner designs. Outrunners are inherently torquier, and even though they're designed for aircraft, have much better position-holding properties. It's just the way the poles are configured. I don't think any inrunner design will match an outrunner for holding power. Torque is another matter, the Novak's got that down pat.

But if they're working on it, you can bet that it'll get better.

 

[JasonInAugusta]

I almost lost my rig off a 30 foot cliff one time because of the LR detection. I wasn't paying attention (forgot about the LR thing) and trying to hold my spot on the slope while I moved positions and WEEEEEEE!!! there she went! I was lucky enough to grab it before it fell off my favorite crawl spot.

Same thing happened to me when we were crawling at Capen Park. Heck, you were there, you saw it! :lol:

Ralph started making a suicide run for the cliff and deep body of water below. If I hadn't caught the rig in time, it'd have been lost.

In the following picture, on that little slope, the drag brake won't keep the rig in place. It rolls down the hill like a Hot Wheels. Don't bother trying to hold it in place with throttle, either. If you do the LR detection will deenergize the system and it's time to go for a ride. To get this shot we tried several things...having syco's rig park right behind Ralph, blipping the throttle, and I think we finally decided to put a rock behind Ralph's left rear (and use Syco's tire to "hide" the rock) to keep him in place.

I called Novak to ask about the drag brake and LR detection...to see if I had somehow improperly programmed the drag brake. If it hadn't been for the weak drag brake I wouldn't have found out about the LR detection at an inopportune time. :lol:

Regardless, I still love the performance from the Novak system.

It still won't find its way into my comp rig.

It's been in Ralph from the start and it'll stay there. The performance of the Novak system changed the way I drive that rig. Smooth with low throttle inputs and a good wheel speed when you yank the trigger.

Since Moab I've gone through three inner axles and two ring/pinion sets. It's been fun, though. "thumbsup"

 

[microgoat]

A big part of the problem is that crawlers and racers have a different definition of "drag brake".

Try running Ralph at top speed, and let go of the throttle trigger. I bet he stops like he hit a brick wall. That's Novak's "racer" definition of drag braking. What we want is a HOLD brake.

 

[cars69]

A big part of the problem is that crawlers and racers have a different definition of "drag brake".

Try running Ralph at top speed, and let go of the throttle trigger. I bet he stops like he hit a brick wall. That's Novak's "racer" definition of drag braking. What we want is a HOLD brake.

Your right about how the Novak Crawler system will stop at a good speed. Let go of the throttle and your truck will go end over end. The LR is the biggest problem as I see it. You are also right about the system needing a hold brake, because if you stop moving at anytime the LR will kick in and your rig is going going gone! Unless you are on flat ground then you have to backup before you can move forward. Now how can Novak call this a Crawler System?? Why would anyone pay the price of this setup when you can use a $20.00 Lathe Motor and a Basic Cheap ESC and out perform this System in a Comp or just Playing around. It does look cool.

 

[Mnster]

Its the motor, I and Soya wired one to a Mamba maxx esc. No drag brake, choppy acceleration, Junk. Drag brake is the single biggest advantage of brushless, without it you might as well go back to a lathe motor.

 

[Thorsteenster]

so yall think the crawler would be decent with a mechanical brake? the tuber im building now i got a crawler system for and ive got a mechanical brake on a seperate channel in the works for it.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

Sure, dont see why not. It would give you extra safety at least. Braking of the Novak is excellent. It just doesnt have a Hold brake when you are sitting still.

 

[Thorsteenster]

thats what i was thinking, for holding while i move or for going down steep hills. i hope to get the brake together in week or 2, i'll post pics on my build thread.

 

[onebadtj]

Well I went ahead and bought the Crawler system for my new crawler and so far I love it. This will not be a comp rig and the power this thing has is insane. The brakes are a "little" weak and it will not hold itself on anything more than about a 10-15 degree slope, but for having fun climbing hills and bashing I am happy. As of right now I'm running an 87 tooth spur and a 15 tooth pinion. What is everyone else using on the same system? I want to add the sintered rotor soon, but I'm having trouble finding one in stock. So if anyone knows where to get one...

 

[cars69]

I just picked up another SW2 chassis so I can install one of the two
Novak Crawler Systems I paid big money for back into a chassis. Now
I will have a high dollar rig to bash around the yard with and I can use
my low buck brushed setup SW2 in the Comps.:?:

 

[Thorsteenster]

got mine

 

[JasonInAugusta]

thorsteenster, Nice Campbell buggy! You're gonna love the Novak system. "thumbsup"

A big part of the problem is that crawlers and racers have a different definition of "drag brake".

Try running Ralph at top speed, and let go of the throttle trigger. I bet he stops like he hit a brick wall. That's Novak's "racer" definition of drag braking. What we want is a HOLD brake.

If you run Ralph at top speed and let off you'd better be wearing steel toe boots, shin guards, and a cup. :lol:

Yeah, hold brake would be better terminology. We're just used to calling it drag brake from the Castle and Quark setups.

 

[DISTURBIN' tha PEACE]

You sound like a politician.:lol:

it is a very good option for the vast majority of crawlers.

Which ones?

Also, Novak is helping crawling a lot by having this product out there. I know that's not their intention, but having a real mainstream company advertising a crawling product is a good thing.

Why wouldn't it be their intention?
If they help the crawling community grow, they'll sell more product.

Is the Novak system the best choice for competitive crawling? No, and I don't believe it's intented to be that, either.

Then what is it intended for? Bashing?

Is this RCBasher.com?

To me, the only real difference between crawling & competitive crawling is one keeps score, that's all. Same rocks, same climbs, same decends. If it's no good for comps, it's no good. I drive less at comps, so when we have GTG's, I don't want a system that goes into LR all day long. And that, to me, makes it worthless.

 

[cars69]

You sound like a politician.:lol:


To me, the only real difference between crawling & competitive crawling is one keeps score, that's all. Same rocks, same climbs, same decends. If it's no good for comps, it's no good. I drive less at comps, so when we have GTG's, I don't want a system that goes into LR all day long. And that, to me, makes it worthless.

WELL SAID!!!

 

[Thorsteenster]

thorsteenster, Nice Campbell buggy! You're gonna love the Novak system. "thumbsup"

JIA, i got a 10t pinion on it now, think i should go bigger?

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

How much speed do you want? You can gear it to the moon if you wished.

 

[Thorsteenster]

well 2 reasons i went with the crawler and emaxx trans, motor range and 2 speeds. when im not crawling or no rocks around i can go run it around faster than a walking pace. a good crawler and runner. i'll have to experimant once i get it together, maybe try a 15t or 20t