brushless motors
Sqeakybp
As a "return-bie" to r/c cars, I've been very interested in the recent progress
several companies have made in developing brushless DC motors for the R/C
industry. Currently I am weighing options on buying a new chassis- electric
vs. nitro. I started adding things up... motors, brushes, comm lathe, dyno...
hrmm... lots of cpocket change if I want to do all my own motor maintenance.
True, one does not "need" all that stuff to be competitive, but to be able to
do it all at home, the full set of equipment can be a bit much.
Enter the brushless motor. No more roached brushes or comms. Consistent
performance comparable to a respectable modified touring-car brushed motor.
No need for expensive maintenance tools. More time spent on the track driving.
Buy it, and as long as you don't destroy it in a wreck, it should last nearly
forever-
just keep it clean. Why don't the rules allow brushless motors in modified
competition?
Currently, my esc is technologically outmoded (funny, when I bought it, it was
one of the hottest on the market!), so I was going to get another anyway.
Since I am the sort who detests farming out routine maintenance every time it
needs done, if I run a conventional motor, I'll end up getting that lathe, at
least. Figure that cost in, and I'd be close to the cost of a brushless
motor+esc package.
I'd really like to be able to justify enjoying hassle-free electric drive, but
if I can't run at any sanctioned races, it'd be a luxury I could not afford.
It's shame, too, because my driving skills are really rusty, and I'd much
rather spend my track time improving on suspension tuning and driving...
I will confess to a shameless lust for new technology that carries a high
"neato" factor- however, the rules which ban use of rare-earth magnets etc.
for modified racing are out-of-date, IMO... at one time, they were a positive
thing, and helped keep costs for racers reasonable. (Please note I am not
suggesting anything at all regarding stock-class rules- that's another topic.)
However, I can't help but wonder if things have stayed they way they are simply
because too many commercial interests would lose a LOT of revenue if a racer
only ever needed to buy one motor, and it never wore out and rarely needed
parts? I'd be interested to see a formal study on cost comparison of setting
up to race a current "legal" top end mod setup vs. a brushless one. Are the
rules actually now having the reverse effect of their original intent?
(no disrepspect toward conventional electric running gear manufacturers is
intended by this post; they have certainly done a great deal to advance our
hobby, and their efforts are appreciated.)
regards,
bp
Trent
Sqeakybp wrote:
**<SNIP>**
>Why don't the rules allow brushless motors in modified
> competition?
> bp
I would like to know the answer to that as well. The old "racer can't
afford it" argument ain't cutting it anymore. I saw some stock off-road
racers in the hobby shop throwing down $80.00 for a pack of batts to be
competitive.
I own several brushless motors, and they are very interesting, very
powerful, and sad to say somewhat boring cuz you soon realize that there
is no tweaking. They run great and never change.
No secret drops, no special cut brushes, no lathe, no magnet zappers...
(had to throw that one in cuz I did buy one when they hit the market.)
No spring assortment - etc.etc.
When it boils down to it, I would say it's a question of bucks. Not what
brushless motors cost, but what they would do to manufacturers. Unless
of course a *certain manufacturer* was to gear up, make one available,
and use their influence in ROAR to get them allowed.. (HINT HINT)
When other manufacturers see the performance of the 3oz gem from Astro
Flight (the 020 cobalt brushless) it might make them sit up and take
notice.
Until then, there's gold in them 'thar brushes, springs, drops, diamond
tools, dyno's, sprays.......
Trent
Lava Web Pages
Does this mean i can run my matrix motor with no brushes???
sorry if i sound like a fool to you guys and girls.
Barry O'Grady
sqea...@aol.com (Sqeakybp) wrote:
:As a "return-bie" to r/c cars, I've been very interested in the recent
:progress several companies have made in developing brushless DC motors
:for the R/C industry.
I'm curious to know how they work. My guess is that they include circuitry
to switch the power electronicly to the coils as required rather than use
the commutator for that purpose. Brushless dc fans have been available
for years but I suppose it needed further development to be adapted to
powerful motors.
Barry
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Trent
Lava Web Pages wrote:
>
> Does this mean i can run my matrix motor with no brushes???
> sorry if i sound like a fool to you guys and girls.
No not really - go to http://www.aveox.com for a technical (good)
explanation of how it works.
then to http://www.astroflight.com to see the Astro motor I described.
Trent