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I got it in my head to do a Novak receiver, this old Novak 1 ESC I got, and a Novak steering servo on my green and gold RC10 build. There are a few complications such as the servo and esc use the older Futaba connectors with some sort of pin sticking out. The receiver uses the newer style connectors.

I have one adaptor plug from the old to new style, but I don't trust that it's working correctly. The alternative would be to cut and install newer style Futaba connectors on the servo and ESC.

I tried hooking this up with the adaptor connector I have but didn't get any signs of life from the ESC so that may need some troubleshooting.

Not sure how to tackle this due to the connector mismatches and unknown working condition of the ESC. Can anyone offer some advice?

is there a crystal in the receiver?

Maybe try powering up all the different componants with other gear you know for certain works. This might eliminate the weak link if there is one. Also double check the crystals are a good match and one isn't busted.
Personaly I don't mind rewiring all my old esc's etc... and if it were me I'd rewire and lose those old Futaba pin plugs.

I like the way you have gone about fitting out your green pan with all orange novak gear.

My order of operations would be this.

Take a known good receiver and transmitter combo with the old school 4 AA battery pack. Check with servos you have that use the Futaba J connectors(same as the novak recevier.) Transfer the xtal and servos and batt pack to the novak receiver. If that works, receiver is OK.

Swap out one of known good servo with the novak servo with any adapters or connectors needed.(I'd suggest channel one, as that is the destination anyway)

lastly, put a 6 cell nicad, nimh pack fully charged on the esc, and turn it on, and measure the voltage on the small receiver wires, black and red for anywhere from +5 to +6v. If that checks out, install it on the receiver (remove 4 cell AA pack)and see if it will adjust and control a motor. Lots of times you'll have an esc that has a blown out BEC circuit causing nothing to work.

Thanks guys, good info. Yes there is a crystal in the receiver.

Servo and receiver work, esc is dead.

flipwils11 wrote:esc is dead.

i'll take it.

do you get the voltage out of the black and red wires to the receiver(BEC)? They can be repaired, but gotta get a guy who knows the schematics. the BEC is usually easy, but if the FET's are blown, you have to dig in a little more to find out which one it is.

Is this car going to be run? I only ask because from memory those Novak steering servo's are pretty weak. Also curious what motor you have slated for this project?

Good point on clarification, this is just a shelfer but I like them to be in running condition.

I know exactly how you feel. I have sent an old esc off to be repaired just so that I know it now works.

I didn't get the voltmeter out to check, will do that tonight. Does Novak do repairs on old gear?

lol scrp8, I"ll let you know if I give up on this thing.

flipwils11 wrote:lol scrp8, I"ll let you know if I give up on this thing.

my halsey replica will thank you.