Novak Crawler Review/ Tech thread

[Rockpiledriver]

I know its only been a few days, and its right after Christmas, but has there been anything on if the "updated" systems are out yet. I am going to buy this system, but don't want to do so until the new version comes out.

As soon as I have any info on a release date that I can share I will. Novak is a large corporation, and this system is only a small part of their line. It will happen, just don't expect it next week. ;-)

I am still in the testing phase, and it is still performing flawlessly. I have been beating on it daily. I plan to meet with them right after the first of the year."thumbsup"

 

[onebadtj]

Novak is shipping mine via next day air on their dime and I should have it 12/28. I would like to thank them for taking care of my warranty and shipping it red at their expense without me even asking them to do so. I'll post up tomorrow after I run it at the Falls of the Ohio.

DE

 

[TMXONR]

RPD, what is charley's email, is it just charley(at)teamnovak.com. I have a couple questions that I want to ask him.

obtj, if you can, can you get some video of the system.

 

[onebadtj]

RPD, what is charley's email, is it just charley(at)teamnovak.com. I have a couple questions that I want to ask him.

obtj, if you can, can you get some video of the system.

I have the cameras loaded and I just hope I don't forget to film some. ;-)

 

[onebadtj]

Well I got the new unit today. So I installed it per the instructions and fired it up for a test run before I headed a 1/2 hour from the house to the nearest craw spot to make sure it was working ok. I turned it on and set it to my conroller and pressed the gas... and poof! It did make it about two inches before the smoke show. Before I fired it up I triple checked the pos. and neg. were in the correct spots and after the smoke show I checked them three more times to make sure I was not looking at something wrong. The motor also got very warm in that short time as well. I followed all of the other wires as well to make sure none of the factory wires were crossed and could not see anything out of wack. So I called Novak just about 10 mins after the UPS man dropped it off to see what was up and they forwarded the message to tech and said they would call me back. I'll post up again when I hear back from them.

Missed another crawl with my buddy's.

I am going in the morning to buy a brushed ESC and motor as I cannot miss anymore crawling without losing my mind!

I thought about going and buying another Crawler System so I could have a spare when one is in the shop, but I could not justify another $250.

DE

 

[slugbugg]

WOW I'm glad I looked for this post on the NOVAK CRAWLER esc because it was looking like a good setup and I have always liked NOVAK products.
It seems like they still have some problems to work out so I'll just have to wait to see how it works out.I'm in no big rush for it and it sounds close to being right.


I do feel strongly that if they are going to call it the CRAWLER it should be crawler comp worthy PERIOD.


I was just wondering, is there are different part number to tell the older/first version from the latest/final version? So as not to get stuck with the first version ESC ?

 

[onebadtj]

WOW I'm glad I looked for this post on the NOVAK CRAWLER esc because it was looking like a good setup and I have always liked NOVAK products.
It seems like they still have some problems to work out so I'll just have to wait to see how it works out.I'm in no big rush for it and it sounds close to being right.


I do feel strongly that if they are going to call it the CRAWLER it should be crawler comp worthy PERIOD.


I was just wondering, is there are different part number to tell the older/first version from the latest/final version? So as not to get stuck with the first version ESC ?

I do love the system when it was working and I do want to put it back in as soon as possible. When I got the new one their invoice said X3018 and the first system said 3018. Not sure if that was official but just something I noticed.

DE

 

[Rockpiledriver]

Well I got the new unit today. So I installed it per the instructions and fired it up for a test run before I headed a 1/2 hour from the house to the nearest craw spot to make sure it was working ok. I turned it on and set it to my conroller and pressed the gas... and poof! It did make it about two inches before the smoke show. Before I fired it up I triple checked the pos. and neg. were in the correct spots and after the smoke show I checked them three more times to make sure I was not looking at something wrong. The motor also got very warm in that short time as well. I followed all of the other wires as well to make sure none of the factory wires were crossed and could not see anything out of wack. So I called Novak just about 10 mins after the UPS man dropped it off to see what was up and they forwarded the message to tech and said they would call me back. I'll post up again when I hear back from them.

Missed another crawl with my buddy's.

I am going in the morning to buy a brushed ESC and motor as I cannot miss anymore crawling without losing my mind!

I thought about going and buying another Crawler System so I could have a spare when one is in the shop, but I could not justify another $250.

DE

My guess is that something went wrong with the repair, not the programming.
What happened to it in the first place that required you to send it back?

Mine is still going strong.

 

[slugbugg]

Ahh ok so the "X3018" might be the updated one.

 

[onebadtj]

My guess is that something went wrong with the repair, not the programming.
What happened to it in the first place that required you to send it back?

Mine is still going strong.

They said it had a broken Mosfet.

I would say I now have a toasted Mosfet.

I just bought a brushed set up to get me by and I cannot wait to get the brushless back in the rig.

DE

 

[Creep]

I'm liking where this is going. I gotta set aside some money to become one of the crawlers storming the gates after hearing of the release of the improved versions! :twisted: Anyone have any updates?

 

[onebadtj]

I'm liking where this is going. I gotta set aside some money to become one of the crawlers storming the gates after hearing of the release of the improved versions! :twisted: Anyone have any updates?

I waited 3 days and never heard from Tech so I just shipped it back.:-(

I know I can't stand my brushed 55 turn motor after driving the old Crawler System and I cannot wait to get the new in my rig.

DE

 

[TMXONR]

Well after talking to Charley last week I decided to go ahead and buy the Crawler Brushless System. I can't wait until tomorrow so I can test it out.

 

[TMXONR]

This system has lots of power, especially with a 7 cell battery. Enough power to snap 2 CVD's and twist another one. I was able to get the LRD to kick in while crawling in the house, but once out side it never kicked in.

Install shots

 

[Rockpiledriver]

Is that the updated one?

 

[TMXONR]

No, it is the old one. After talking to Charley, He said I could go ahead and get the old one and have it updated if i didn't like it. Even at 95% drag brake it isn't much, but it doesn't bother me, and I haven't had the Locked Rotor Detection kick in while crawling, but I have been breaking plenty of parts.

 

[cartronicshn]

wow, i hope i didn't make a mistake, i just got of ordering a novak crawler system and a couple of esc form novak's site, you think the one i ordered today should be the upgraded version or not?

 

[racerx]

I have this motor in my scaler and I also run it in my Rock Racer, It runs awesome in those rigs because the LRD is not an issue. What is an issue is that reverse only has like half the power! Does anyone else have this problem and is the updated version going to address this also? If they address this problem I will send it back for updating. Also has anyone got this motor wet? Not just a little snow or drops of water, I mean under water.

 

[rustler421]

i would rather not use the novak crawler because of the locked rotor detection just seems if your trying climb something and its struggling and it goes into nuetral idk how madd i would be

 

[TMXONR]

As long as your tires keep spinning the LRD won't kick in.