KAVAN GRT-10 Brushed - Instruction manual
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of this KAVAN Europe s.r.o. product. You should enjoy many hours of fun and excitement from this advanced R/C model. Please read all instructions and familiarize yourself with the systems and controls of this model before running. If you have any technical questions please contact our product specialists on info@kavanrc.com.
Have fun and enjoy the exciting world of radio control cars!
Safety precautions
Please read all instructions thoroughly before operation including the radio and ESC manual.
- This product is not a toy. It is a high performance model product. It is im portant to familiarize yourself with the model, its manual, and its construc tion before assembly or operation.
- Always keep this instruction manual ready at hand for your assembling and operating reference, even after completing the assembly.
- Do not operate model products in rain, on public roads, near crowds, near airport, or near areas with restricted radio operation.
- This product, its parts, and its construction tools can cause damage to yours or others health and/or property if not used properly. Always exer cise extreme caution when assembling and/or operating this product. Do not touch any part of model that rotates.
- Always check your radio for proper operation before operating a model.
- Use an adequate charger for the batteries and follow the instruction co rrectly.
- Right after use, do not touch motor, ESC and battery on the model because they may be hot!
- Do not stall the motor. The ESC may fail if power is applied to the motor when car cannot move freely.
- By the act of assembling or operating this product, the user accepts all resulting liability. If the buyer is not prepared to accept this liability, then he/she should return this product in new, unassembled, and unused con dition to the place of purchase.
Specifications
| Lightning Truggy | Thunder Truck | |
|---|---|---|
| Length (mm) | 412 | 425 |
| Width (mm) | 312 | 316 |
| Height (mm) | 162 | 190 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 296 | 296 |
| Drive System | 4WD | 4WD |
| Wheel Diameter (mm) | 104 | 110 |
| Wheel Width (mm) | 52 | 56 |
| Motor | RC 550 | RC 550 |
| ESC | GRT-10 Brushed 40A | GRT-10 Brushed 40A |
| Battery | *7.2 V 2000–5000 mAh NiMH | *7.2 V 2000–5000 mAh NiMH |
(* Not included in the RTR set)
Recommended tools and accessories
Charging the battery pack
You will need 7.2 V NiMH 2000-5000 mAh battery pack or 7.4 V 2S LiPo 2000- 5000 mAh battery pack (a hard-case pack preferred) with Dean-T® connector. You will need an appropriate charger to for NiMH or LiPo batteries as well. Suitable batteries and chargers can be found on www.kavanrc.com Whatever battery and charger you are going to use, always follow the instruction manuals closely observing all safety notes given in there. Ignoring the proper usage routine may cause incidents leading to serious property damage and/or personal injure.
Safety Notes on Battery Handling
- Do not leave the battery and charger unattended.
- Touch the battery pack periodically during the charging process. Unplug the battery immediately if it becomes hot and/or “inflates” in the case of LiPo batteries.
- In the charging process, keep your charger and your battery in a cool and shady place, away from any possible source of fire or flammable materials. Do not cover the charger or the battery with clothes or similar: the ventilation is crucial for the necessary cooling of the device.
- Children may not use the charger without constant adult supervision.
- Do not use the charger if the wire is frayed or worn. Otherwise a short circuit can cause a fire or burns.
Preparing the transmitter and reciever
Specification
| Transmitter | Receiver | |
|---|---|---|
| Antenna | Built-in | Built-in |
| Frequency Range | 2,400–2,4835 GHz | |
| RF Output Power | <20 dBm | – |
| Max. Range | 300 m | |
| Input Voltage | 4x 1.5V AA battery | 4.8-6.0 V |
| Low Voltage Warning | <4.2 V | – |
Loading the Transmitter Batteries
- Open the battery compartment cover.
- Insert 4 fully charged AA batteries into the compartment. Make sure that the cells are inserted with the correct polarity (as marked on the bottom); batteries make good contact with the terminals of the battery compartment.
- Replace battery compartment cover.
Low battery alarm:
When the transmitter battery voltage is lower than 4.2 V, the G.LED on the panel will flash slowly. Stop the running; replace the batteries for fresh ones.
Power On
Follow the steps below to turn on the transmitter:
- Check to make sure that that battery is fully charged and installed correctly.
- Toggle the switch to the [ON] position. When active the red R.LED will be lit.
- Power on the receiver.
Binding the Transmitter and Receiver
The transmitter and receiver have already been bound at the factory. However if the receiver needs to be replaced or additional receivers bound follow these steps:
- Turn on the transmitter while holding the bind button to enter bind mode. Red G.LED will start flashing quickly. Once in bind mode release the bind button.
- Turn on your receiver (turn on the ESC switch); the receiver will enter bind mode automatically when powered on.
- Once binding is successful the receiver‘s LED will flash slowly
- Turn off the receiver and then your transmitter.
- Turn on your transmitter and then the receiver - and the receiver LED will glow red solid.
Channel Description
The transmitter outputs a total of 4 channels, which are allocated as follows:
- CH1: Steering Wheel – Connect the steering servo.
- CH2: Throttle Trigger – Connect the ESC (Electronic Speed Controller).
- CH3: Three-position Switch – Unused with GRT-10
- CH4: Button – Unused with GRT-10
Channel Reverse Switches (ST.REV, TH.REV)
This function is used to adjust each channels direction of movement in relation to its input.
The ST.REV / TH.REV switches are the reverse switches for CH1 and CH2.
Steering and Throttle Trims
The trims serve for fine adjustment of the neutral (centre) positions of steering and throttle channels. One push of (+) or (-) button shifts the neutral position by one step to one or the other side. The push of a button is also signalled by a flash of the green G.LED: one flash means one step, dual flash means the centre (zero) position of the trim. If there is no G.LED flash accompanying the button push, you have reached the end point of the trim range in the given direction.
Steering Dual Rate ST.D/R
ST.D/R is for a quick steering servo travel adjustment; adjustment range: 0-120% (step 5%). One push of ST.D/R- button decreases servo travel by one step, ST.D/R+ increases servo travel (the push of a button is also signalled by a flash of the green G.LED). If there is no G.LED flash accompanying the button push, you have reached the end point of the steering range in the given direction.
Fail-safe
This function dictates what the receiver will do in the event that it loses signal from the transmitter (the receiver LED starts blinking); it presets the emergency servo/ESC position. For electric cars we strongly recommend setting the fail-safe for both steering and throttle to neutral (you car will stop once the signal is lost). For nitro cars the throttle fail-safe should make the brake engage. Function Setting:
- Turn on the transmitter and make sure it is connected to the receiver.
- Hold the steering wheel and throttle trigger at the desired fail-safe position.
- Press and hold the BIND button for 3 seconds; the G.LED starts to flash for 2 seconds, indicating that the settings are successful.
Beginner Mode
Beginner mode is designed for the people who are new to the hobby. In this mode the throttle has been limited to 50 percent.
Function setting:
To switch between beginner and normal modes, press and hold the CH4 button while turning the steering wheel completely counter clockwise as far as it can, and at the same time, power on the transmitter.
Preparing your car for the first run
Turning on the Power
- Turn on transmitter first. Set both the steering and throttle trims to the centre (double blink); set the steering dual rates to max. (keep pushing the ST.D/R+ button until the G-LED stop blinking).
- Depending on the power pack you are using (NiMH or LiPo) set this type on the ESC; check the running mode is set to Forward/Brake/Reverse (refer to the ESC manual in the appendix).
- Connect the power pack to the speed controller in your car. Turn on the ESC switch. The receiver LED indicator should glow continuously red. If the receiver LED is flashing or does not light at all, the transmitter and receiver have not been paired. Refer to the „Binding the Transmitter and Receiver“ section.
- The ESC gives the ready signal (refer to the „ESC Throttle Range Calibration“ section). The car is ready for the first test.
Transmitter Control Check and Trim Setup
- Turn the steering wheel to the left (counter clockwise); the front wheels of your car have to turn left. If the wheels turn right, flip the ST.REV reverse switch on the transmitter.
- With the steering wheel and trim in the centre the front wheels must point straight forward. If wheels point left, push the steering trim to the right. If wheels point right, push the steering trim to the left. (The front wheels actually have a slight toe-in or toe-out.)
- Pull the throttle trigger slightly just to see the wheels turning – your car has to go forward. Push (twice) the throttle trigger forward – your car has to go back. With the throttle trigger and trim in the centre the wheels may not spin. If this is not the case, refer to the „ESC Throttle Range Calibration“ section.
Range Check
The range check should be performed in the beginning of each riding session, after any RC equipment change, after a heavy crash or whenever you are in doubts on proper operation of your radio. Ask a friend to take your model to the most distant place of the race track you are going to ride on. The car has to respond without any delay to the control inputs, they may be no servo buzzing or jitter, no drop outs. Do no try to drive your car if the range test was not 100% successful.
Fail Safe Setup
The receiver has a built in failsafe. The failsafe will automatically go to a pre-set position if the receiver lose radio signal from the transmitter or suffer any interference. If properly set up, the fail safe cuts the throttle to neutral so the car won’t go away under such circumstances.
- Turn on the transmitter and make sure it is connected to the receiver.
- Hold the steering wheel and throttle trigger at the desired fail-safe position.
- Press and hold the BIND button for 3 seconds; the G.LED starts to flash for 2 seconds, indicating that the settings are successful.
- The fail-safe check: Move the throttle trigger elsewhere from the neutral and turn off your transmitter. The ESC has to cut the throttle and stop the motor.
Turning Off the Power
ALWAYS turn off the receiver first and only then turn off your transmitter. If you switch off the transmitter first before the R/C car, you may lose control of the R/C car.
- Turn off the ESC switch.
- Disconnect the battery connector from the speed control connector.
- Turn off the transmitter switch.
Driving
- Driving an R/C car may take some time to master but here are some basic tips on driving:
- Drive your car in a large space, especially until you get the feel of driving the vehicle.
- Do not run on public streets or roads. This could cause serious accidents, personal injuries and/or property damage.
- Do not run in water or sand.
- If you keep pulling the throttle trigger on the transmitter, the vehicle will keep accelerating and run very fast. It is difficult to steer the vehicle running at high speed – try to run slowly being gentle on the throttle until you become used to driving.
- When the vehicle is running toward you, you need to operate the steering wheel in the opposite direction – take your time to get used to it.
- Practice turning the vehicle, referring to the following:
- Rather than just paying attention to the direction of the steering wheel, imagine that you are at the centre of the steering wheel, looking ahead of the vehicle, to turn in the direction you like.
- Once you become comfortable driving the vehicle, practice driving on a track with cones.
- Keep practising until you feel comfortable with the steering and throttle at low speed.
- Once you are feeling comfortable try using reverse.
- When you have mastered the basics you will be able to drive at higher speed having your car under control all the time.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | What to do? |
|---|---|---|
| The vehicle does not move | Transmitter or receiver is off | Turn on both the transmitter and receiver |
| Batteries are not placed correctly in the transmitter | Place batteries in the transmitter properly | |
| The power pack is not charged enough | Charge the power pack | |
| The vehicle does not follow your driving inputs | Transmitter or receiver is off | Turn on both the transmitter and receiver |
| Transmitter reverse switches are set incorrectly | Check the reverse switch settings | |
| Transmitter End Point Adjustment (EPA) dials and/or the steering Dual rates (D/R) are set incorrectly | Check the settings of EPA dials and/or D/R on your transmitter. | |
| Weak batteries in either the transmitter or the car | Replace batteries in the transmitter and recharge the power pack. | |
| Motor and/or ESC overheats | Gear mesh is too tight | Let motor cool and reset gear mesh: use a strip of paper inserted between the pinnion and spur gear in order to get the correct setting. |
| The gear ratio is too high | Let motor cool and check recommended gearing for your car, motor and battery. |
Maintenance after driving
Proper maintenance is essential. Make sure to always perform appropriate maintenance after driving so that you can enjoy driving without problems next time.
- Always disconnect the battery pack and turn off the radio system when the car is not in use.
- Remove the sand, mud, dirt, and any other elements completely from the car before you store it.
- Never use chemicals or any solvents to clean the chassis as it may cause damage to the electronics components and plastic parts as well. Use compressed air, soft paintbrush, or toothbrush to clean dust and dirt.
- Inspect each part, screw and nut for loosening, missing or damage.
- You should always make sure the wheels are tightly secured and all moving or rotating parts move freely after and before use.
Recycling and waste disposal note (European Union)

Electrical equipment marked with the crossed-out waste bin symbol must not be discarded in the domestic waste; it should be disposed off via the appropriate specialised disposal system. In the countries of the EU (European Union) electrical devices must not be discarded via the normal domestic waste system (WEEE - Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2012/19/EU). You can take your unwanted equipment to your nearest public collection point or recycling centre, where it will be disposed off in the proper manner at no charge to you. By disposing off your old equipment in a responsible manner you make an important contribution to the safeguarding of the environment!
EU declaration of conformity

Hereby, KAVAN Europe s.r.o. declares that the radio equipment type: GRT-10 series car with RC set and the accessories supplied with them is in compliance
with Directive 2014/53/EU.
The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: www.kavanrc.com/doc/
This 2.4GHz radio equipment can be used without any prior registration or individual authorisation in the entire European Union, Switzerland and
Norway.
Guarantee
The KAVAN Europe s.r.o. products are covered by a guarantee which fulfils the currently valid legal requirements in your country. If you wish to make a claim under guarantee, please contact the retailer from whom you first purchased the equipment. The guarantee does not cover faults which were caused in the following ways: crashes, improper use, incorrect connection, reversed polarity, maintenance work carried out late, incorrectly or not at all, or by unauthorised personnel, use of other than genuine KAVAN Europe s.r.o. accessories, modifications or repairs which were not carried out by KAVAN Europe s.r.o. or an authorised KAVAN Europe s.r.o., accidental or deliberate damage, defects caused by normal wear and tear, operation outside the Specification, or in conjunction with equipment made by other manufacturers. Please be sure to read the appropriate information sheets in the product documentation!
Appendix
GRT-10 40A BRUSHED FORWARD/REVERSE ESC
Introduction
Thanks for purchasing our electronic speed controller (ESC). The power system for RC model can be very dangerous, please read this manual carefully. In that we have no control over the correct use, installation, application, or maintenance of our products, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damages, losses or costs resulting from the use of the product.