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6) The radio system should be range-tested before each session
of running. With the radio system on, have a friend carry the
model away from you a distance equal to the maximum range
you plan to operate the model. Make sure your friend avoids
contact with the wheels while holding the model. At distance,
once again test for complete radio control. Never attempt to
run the model if the radio appears to be malfunctioning in any
way. The model could run out of control.
DRIVING:
1) Slide the on/off switch on the transmitter to the "on" position.
Check for a solid red light.
2) Install a freshly-charged battery in the Spirit. Set the rear of
the Spirit on a block so that the rear tires are not touching the
ground. Now plug the battery in.
3) If the motor started running when you plugged in the battery
pack, then slowly adjust the throttle trim on the transmitter
until the motor stops running. Now operate the throttle trigger
to ensure that you have full forward and reverse operation,
and that the motor stops when the throttle trigger is at neutral.
4) Adjust the steering trim on the transmitter so that the front
wheels are pointing straight ahead. Now operate the steering
wheel to ensure that the steering works properly with no binding.
5) Drive the Spirit slowly at first, until you become accustomed to
the controls on the transmitter.
6) Each shock absorber may be adjusted by pushing down on
the upper spring collar and twisting it to a new locking position.
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS:
• Always unplug the battery pack when the Spirit is not in use.
• The radio system is not waterproof. Avoid driving through pud-
dles, wet grass, or mud. If water gets into the electronics it
could damage them.
• Do not continue to operate The Spirit with low batteries or you
could lose control of it. After the battery power drops below a
certain point, the Spirit will continue with the last command it
had from the transmitter. Indications of low battery power
include slow operation, sluggish servos and, for the transmitter,
a flashing red power light. When using nicad batteries, be
especially alert for signs of weak batteries. Stop immediately at
the first sign of weak batteries.
• Do not drive the Spirit at night, on public streets, or in large
crowds of people.
• If the Spirit becomes stuck in sand or against an object, do not
continue to run the motor. Remove the obstruction before con-
tinuing to drive.
• Vary your speed. If you drive at low speeds for long periods of
time, the speed control resistors will become very hot and the
run time will decrease. Do not touch the hot resistors.
• Do not attempt to jump the Spirit over any type of ramp.
• Do not attempt to push objects or tow objects with the Spirit.
• Because the Spirit is controlled by radio, it is subject to radio
interference from many sources beyond your control. Since
radio interference can cause momentary losses of control,
allow a safety margin of space in all directions around the Spirit
in order to prevent collisions.
• Use good, common sense whenever you are driving your Spirit.
Intentionally driving in an abusive and rough manner will only
result in poor performance and broken parts. Take care of your
Spirit so that you can enjoy it for a long time.
MAINTENANCE:
The Spirit requires maintenance for top performance.
• Keep the Spirit clean of accumulated dirt and oil, especially
around the shock absorbers and the bushings in the wheels.
• Clean and re-oil the bushings whenever the wheels are not
rolling freely. Lightly oil the bushings with a lightweight electric
motor oil. If the wheels are wobbly and loose, then the
bushings should be replaced.
• The steering servo saver will wear out over time. If the steering
becomes loose, then the servo saver should be replaced. Refer
to the assembly steps to change the servo saver.
RADIO SYSTEM ADJUSMENTS
• THROTTLE NEUTRAL ADJUST
The throttle neutral adjustment is located on the transmitter
face and controls the amount of desired forward and reverse
travel of the throttle trigger. There are two settings. 50/50 gives
you the same amount of throttle travel in both forward and
reverse. 70/30 gives you more travel for throttle and less for
reverse. Change the adjustment by pressing the button and sliding
it to the desired position. The drawings below show how the set-
tings are arranged. Always use the 50/50 setting when using a
mechanical speed control or forward/reverse electronic speed con-
trol. Use the 70/30 setting with a forward/brake electronic speed
control or Traxxas fuel-powered models. This setting provides more
proportional control over your forward speed. If you change this
adjustment, your transmitter throttle trim will have to be reset. In
some cases, the throttle servo may have to be re-centered with the
throttle trim adjustment reset at "zero" (see "centering your servos").
• SERVO REVERSING SWITCHES
On the front of the transmitter there are two switches, labeled
channel 1 and channel 2. Moving the switches reverses the
direction of the servo. Channel 1 controls the steering servo.
Channel 2 controls the throttle servo. For example, if you turn
your steering wheel right and the model moves left, then switch
the steering servo (channel 1) reversing switch to correct the
servo direction. The corresponding trim knob on the transmitter
may need readjustment after reversing the direction of the servo.
3
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