KAVAN Pro ESCs - Instruction manual

Introduction

Programmable Electronic Controllers for Brushless Motors

Congratulations on your purchase of a KAVAN Plus line electronic speed controller for brushless motors. The state-of-the-art KAVAN PRO line covers almost the entire range of electric-powered planes and helicopters - from small and light models, up to giant ones. Large gliders equipped with several servos or 3D models with strong digital servos will benefit from the powerful switched SBEC voltage stabiliser of KAVAN Pro controllers. KAVAN PRO OPTO HV controllers are here for your 6-14S LiPo power systems. All the ESCs can be quickly programmed using your transmitter and even easier with the optional Program card KAVAN PRO.

Warnings

• Read through the manuals of all power devices and aircraft and ensure the power configuration is rational before using this unit.
• Ensure all wires and connections are well insulated before connecting the ESC to related devices, as a short circuit will damage your ESC. Ensure all devices are well connected, to prevent poor connections that may cause your aircraft to lose control or other unpredictable issues like damage to the device. If necessary, please use a soldering iron with enough power to solder all input/ output wires and connectors.
• Never get the motor locked up during high-speed rotation, otherwise, the ESC may get destroyed and may also get your motor damaged. (Note: move the throttle stick to the bottom position or disconnect the battery immediately if the motor really gets locked up.)
• Never use this unit in extremely hot weather or continue to use it when it gets overheated. High temperature will activate the ESC thermal protection or even damage your ESC.
• Always disconnect and remove batteries after use, as the ESC will continue to consume current as long as it's connected to the batteries. Long-time contact will cause batteries to completely discharge and damage batteries and/or ESC. This will not be covered under warranty.
• When used in EDF aeroplanes, the "Normal Start-up" mode is not viable due to the characteristics of the ducted fan & motor. If the diameter of the ducted fan is 75 mm to 90 mm (90 mm is not included), please select the “Soft Start-up” or "Very Soft" start-up mode. If the diameter of the ducted fan is 90 mm or above, please select the "Very Soft" start-up mode.

Features

• ESC, which features a high-performance 32-bit ARM M4 microprocessor (with a running frequency of up to 72 MHz), is compatible with various brushless motors.
• A microprocessor powered by a separate DC controller has better anti-interference performance, greatly reducing the possibility of losing control.
• DEO (Driving Efficiency Optimization) Technology greatly improves throttle response & controlling efficiency and reduces ESC's temperature.
• Built-in high-power BEC with output voltage adjustable among 5.2 V, 6.0 V and 7.4 V (5.2 V PRO R-20SB/R-30SB). The BEC module is separated from other circuits on the ESC, so the normal BEC output can be guaranteed (when an issue like a burnt power board occurs) to allow users to get the aircraft back before crashing.
• Normal/Soft/Very Soft start-up modes are compatible with regular propeller aeroplanes and EDF jet aeroplanes (please make sure to select the “Very Soft Start-up” mode when using EDF jet aeroplanes).
• A separate programming cable for connecting the ESC to an LED program card allows users to program the ESC anytime, anywhere. (For detailed info, please refer to the user manual of the KAVAN PRO LED programming card.)
• Normal/proportional/reverse brake modes (especially reverse brake mode) can effectively shorten the landing distance of the aircraft.
• Multiple protection features like start-up, ESC thermal, capacitor thermal, over-current, over-load, abnormal input voltage and throttle signal loss effectively prolong the service life of the ESC.

Specification

	Cont. current	Peak current	Input voltage	BEC output	Weight	Dimensions
KAVAN PRO G2 R-20SB	20 A	30 A	2–4S LiPo	5.2 V, 2.5 A continuous / 4 A peak	13 g	25×15×5 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-30SB	30 A	45 A	2–4S LiPo	5.2 V, 3.5 A continuous / 5 A peak	23 g	37×17×5 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-40SB	40 A	60 A	3–6S LiPo	5.2, 6.0, 7.4 V, 8 A continuous / 20 A peak	44 g	47×28×14 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-60SB	60 A	80 A	3–6S LiPo	5.2, 6.0, 7.4 V, 8 A continuous / 20 A peak	73 g	69×35×18 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-80SB	80 A	100 A	3–8S LiPo	5.2, 6.0, 7.4 V, 8 A continuous / 20 A peak	92 g	70×35×19 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-120SB	120 A	150 A	3–8S LiPo	5.2, 6.0, 7.4 V, 8 A continuous / 20 A peak	93 g	77×35×19 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-130HV OPTO	130 A	160 A	6–14S LiPo	None	221 g	110×50×33 mm
KAVAN PRO G2 R-160HV OPTO	160 A	200 A	6–14S LiPo	None	221 g	110×50×33 mm

Connecting the ESC

The speed controller can be connected to the motor by soldering directly or with high-quality connectors. Always use new connectors, which should be soldered carefully to the cables and insulated with a heat shrink tube. Use only high-quality connectors to connect the ESC to the flight pack as well.

Caution: Please bear in mind improper polarity or short circuit will damage the ESC, therefore, it is your responsibility to double check all plugs for proper polarity, and proper connection BEFORE connecting the battery pack for the first time, (+) RED, (- BLACK).

1. Throttle Signal cable (long White/Red/Black tri-colour cable or 2-wire White/Black with R-130 and R-160 HV OPTO): plug it into the TH channel on the receiver or flight controller. The White wire is for transmitting the throttle signals, the Red & Black wires are BEC output wires.
2. Reverse Brake Signal wire (Yellow wire): it must be plugged into any vacant channel on the receiver (when using the Reverse Brake mode) to control the ON/OFF of the Reverse Brake function.
3. Programming cable (short White/Red/Black Tri-colour cable): connect it to an LED program box if users want to program the ESC.

Note:

1. PRO 130HV OPTO and 160HV OPTO don't have the Reverse Brake Signal wire.
2. PRO 130HV OPTO and 160HV OPTO don't have the BEC output wire (long red wire).
3. PRO R-20SB and R-30SB – the Yellow wire is the programming cable.

Powering up the KAVAN Pro ESC for the first time, Throttle calibration

ESC/Radio Calibration

Caution: The default throttle range of this ESC is 1100–1940 μs (Futaba standard); users need to calibrate the throttle range when they start using a new KAVAN Pro brushless ESC or another transmitter.

The KAVAN PRO ESC features Automatic Throttle Calibration to ensure the smoothest throttle response and resolution throughout the entire throttle range of your transmitter. This step has to be performed just once to allow the ESC to "learn and memorise" the throttle output signal of your transmitter. It only needs to be repeated if you change your transmitter.

1. Turn on the transmitter and move the throttle stick to the top position.
2. Connect a battery to the ESC; the motor will emit "123" to indicate the ESC is normally powered on.
3. Then the motor will emit two short beeps to indicate the maximum throttle endpoint is accepted.
4. Move the throttle stick to the bottom position within 5 seconds after the two short beeps, the minimum throttle position will be accepted 1 second later.
5. The motor emits "Number" beeps to indicate the number of LiPo cells you have plugged in.
6. The motor emits a long beep to indicate the calibration is complete.

Normal ESC start-up procedure

1. Turn on the transmitter, and then move the throttle stick to the bottom position.
2. After connecting the ESC to a battery, the motor will emit "123" to indicate the ESC is normally powered on.
3. The motor will emit several beeps to indicate the number of LiPo cells.
4. The motor emits a long beep to indicate the ESC is ready to go.