Max15 - Operating instructions

Thank you for purchasing the easiest to use electric propulsion system available today. This "American Made" hardware has been manufactured from the same materials, and designed by the same engineers that routinely supply motors to power machinery, steer missiles and provide thrust to deep sea submersibles. This is a miniaturization of the same technology that allowed the "University of Michigan" to win the 1990 "Sunrayce" (solar powered electric cars from Epcot Center, Fl. to the G.M Tech Center, Detroit, Mi.)

Please read these instructions before hooking up your motor, batteries and controller.

Since this controller uses a microprocessor, no setup or tuning is required. Every time your transmitter is turned on and the system battery connected, the built in microprocessor automatically calibrates to the received signal from the radio receiver.

To obtain maximum throttle stick control range, preset your transmitter every time you fly as follows:

• Set the throttle stick to the low speed end of travel (bottom)
• Set the throttle trim to its mid position (full down will be the motor brake)
• Turn on the transmitter, the receiver and then the controller, in that order!
• Wait 0.5 to 1 sec. The microprocessor is now calibrated to your radio system.

Now Fly and enjoy hassle free electric power.

These Instructions apply to Models Maxµ35B-21 and Maxµ35D-21 controllers.

Obviously you can't fly without first installing the equipment. This is where the important stuff starts.

The Maxµ35B/C-21 controller is equipped with a "Battery Eliminator Circuit", meaning that you do not need a separate receiver battery pack. This feature is selected by a jumper on the controller. To insure power to the receiver, a separate input wire is provided which must be connected to the + battery power (14 cells max.). This wire should be connected on the battery side of the fuse (Don't fly without a fuse) (Refer to the wiring diagram) We recommend the "Sermos Fuse and Charging Jack" and a 30 Amp automotive style fuse. (This can be used as an arming "switch")

However, if you choose to use a separate receiver battery pack, then remove the BEC select jumper. (But connect the small red wire to + battery (14 cells max.) to power the motor controller.)

Plug the Speed Controller servo connector into the receiver throttle channel slot (Futaba channel 3 - Rev).

The Maxµ35B/C-21 controller is equipped with a "Motor Rotation Direction" jumper. The factory setup is for direct tractor drive prop applications (Counter-Clock-Wise (CCW) Rotation). For ordinary gearboxes, or pusher applications, the motor rotation direction can be reversed by removing the installed jumper.

The Maxµ35B/C-21 controller will power other "Hall Effect Sensor" equipped brushless dc motors. If the other brushless motor doesn't run or runs poorly, CALL or email. It will not drive brush type motors. Please don't try, you will likely cause smoke to leak!

The Maxµ35B/C-21 controller has an LED (light emitting diode) to indicate "On" and to assist in trouble-shooting. A remote LED connection is provide for your convenience. Please order the "Remote LED" option.

Through the use of the "Current Limiting" feature of the controller, the LED can be used to assist in selection of a prop/cell combination at the limit of the available controller power for aggressive flying situations.

An optional "Electronic Reversing Switch" is available that allows reversal of the motor rotation direction from a transmitter switched channel.

Remember: The BEC/Controller Power Input Wire MUST be connected to the + battery wire but at 14 cells max. If you use 15-21 cells, tap the BEC/Controller wire into the harness at up to 14 cells.

It is suggested that this wire have a connector (Sermos® style) and be connected to the battery side of an automotive style 30 Amp fuse. This insures that the receiver will continue to receive voltage even after the fuse blows! This wire should contain a switch (or the batteries be disconnected) to prevent running down the battery packs in transit or storage. The following is a possible arrangement.

"MaxCim advice for users":

Check the LED (See table for Red LED functions.) (it is located above the remote LED connector pins) for indications of current limiting. On the test stand or other controlled, safe condition, (where the LED can be seen without coming close to the prop) run the motor slowly up to speed, checking the LED as the throttle is advanced. If the LED is steadily On while the throttle is in the Power-on range, then current limiting IS being applied. The prop load characteristics can be checked by slowly advancing the throttle while watching the LED. If it starts to come on, and the throttle is not fully up, the motor/controller is too heavily loaded, reduce the cell count, or prop pitch, or diameter.

(If you prop for lower peak currents, this will not apply to you.)

If at full throttle on the bench 60+A is drawn with no current-limiting light on when the controller is cold, you can expect to see the LED light up and the current to drop in a very short time without good air flow over the controller. Since there is hysteresis in the current limiting, if the throttle is backed off to get out of current limiting, it is possible to re-approach high currents until the limit is reached again.

It is suggested to not prop the motor to limit current under cold bench testing, since it will likely be current limited in the air when hot and performance will deteriorate.

The Maxµ35B/C-21 controller includes "State of the art", "Auto - Phase - Advance" software. This automatically adjusts the commutation timing to the most efficient angle for the selected motor rotation direction. The motor end bell position is factory set and must not/need not be adjusted.

Please DO NOT remove the rear end bell. You will most likely damage something inside. The warranty will not be honored if interior damage is found.

A convenient Max15 Series motor mount (P/N G96307-1) is available. It allows easy "Firewall" mounting of the motor.

The motor may be mounted to the aircraft using any of the popular methods, such as "Bob Kopski's" "Nyrod" clamps, "SonicTronics" electric motor mount, or bolted to a firewall using the 4, #4-40 tapped holes on the front end bell. If you use these holes, the screws must not screw into the face more than 1/4".

Screws which are too long will contact the stator coils and cause a fatal short. This is not repairable, so please be careful.

Gearboxes provide a means to obtain significant performance improvement over direct drive. They allow you to turn a much larger prop at lower current, while operating the motor nearer its peak efficiency rpm.

The gears are supplied prelubed with a TeflonÒ filled synthetic grease. A small vial of special teflon gear lube is available from us.

The Max15 Series motors are manufactured with a .1872 dia. (3/16") shaft. It is important to use a properly fitted prop driver to prevent vibration damage to the motor and/or aircraft. Our prop driver is CNC machined to very close tolerances to provide the recommended shaft fit. It is suggested that you apply a drop of 222, or 242 Loctite to each of the setscrews when installing the prop driver on the motor shaft.

Important: Installation in the model should be carefully planned to provide Air-cooling Flow to the Controller, Batteries, and Motor. Always provide an opening in the cowl to allow air to flow into the fuselage. It is equally important to provide an air exit hole Larger than the inlet to let hot air out. You will realize more efficiency (longer flights) by cooling the system components, remember watts=I²R and as R increases due to temperature, so does the Lost power.

The controller should be mounted uncovered in free air. It is not necessary or advised to wrap the controller in foam or a plastic bag. Velcro tape attached to the thin aluminum cover is recommended for fastening to the fuselage. In no case should the thick aluminum cover be used for mounting, this is the FET heat sink and must be mounted free and clear in the cooling air.

The controller MUST NOT be mounted by clamping it across the thickness dimension using screws, TY-wraps or other clamping means.

Please do not mount the controller such that a constant pull force is exerted on the lead wires. Although they are sturdily attached, they are not meant to deal with a constant force.

RED LED Functions: Both normal and Fault indications are visible

For service and technical support contact MaxCim Motors, Inc. (See the homepage for contact info and times.)

Look at the technical specs.