Advice on brushed motor capacitors...

[pete2222]

Can someone advise me whether it's really necessary to solder capacitors to the rear of brushed motors. I'm not racing, just driving my B4 in the park etc.
My 1/10th scale electric experience so far has all been brushless, but I've now got hold of a couple of old brushed motors (without capacitors on) that I'd like to try out just to see how they compare.
Thanks

[MatJohnson]

Give it a go, All mine have got them on but I dunno if they are essential any more

[sosidge]

Definitely worth it.

Without the capacitors the motor will cause interference which will spoil your day, on the track or in the park.

But bear in mind that a lot of the more modern motors have small surface-mount capacitors built in. You can normally see a small circuit board on the endbell screws. The V2 motors have the board hidden inside the endbell.

I don't 100% trust the SM capacitors though, so if you are having interference problems, solder some on externally as well. Generally three should sort you, positive to negative, positive to can, and negative to can.

[bodgit]

are you thinking of capacitors or skotty diodes

[pete2222]

Originally Posted by bodgit

are you thinking of capacitors or skotty diodes

I think I'm on about capacitors, but if there is anything else that's essential for me to solder on before I start, let me know

[Titch]

Depends on your ESC, if it has reverse on it don't install a schottky diode else it will go pop..

When you hit the brakes on a brushed system the motor gives off electrical current, this ends up going back to the ESC and causing the brake FETs to overheat. running the diode on the motor, or inline to the motor soaks up this current and stops the overheating..

Most entry level ESC's which require them already have them installed internally, some top end models require you to add one yourself.. This way manufacturers can make the units smaller thus saving you space and choice of where to put the SD.



ps - that's as I understand it anyway.

[Col]

That's bang on there titch about reverse.
Brushed motors are no less competative than brushless. The main difference is less runtime per equilivent motor.