Brushless - the definitive guide

[Hog]

Right - I'm confused.

I'm hoping to make the switch next year to brushless, but I'm looking to probably mix and match ESC and motors. So I don't go making expensive mistakes, can someone try and write an "idiots guide" so far as sensored / sensorless / bonded / sintered / etc, 'cos I just don't understand, especially the sensored / sensorless bit.

I'm going to need to run both modified and stock, and over the winter months I'm hoping to go LiPo as well.

Please don't turn this into a "get this one mate, it's the dogs, and better than that one" type thread - I'd like to make my own judgement, but I'd like to make the decision armed with as much info as possible about what ESC's are compatable with what motors.

Thanks in advance.

[chrispattinson]

Ok lets keep this from the point of view of the driver (not technical), factual and concise:

Sensored v sensorless - as I understand it, sensorless is less complex and cheaper(?), but with sensored you get improved throttle control (smoother).

Sintered v bonded. Sintered provides more drag braking(in neutral position), cooler running motor / esc, is less prone to magnet fade with excessive heat.

Fact, not opinion: Novak GTB speedo and Novak motors used for 3 years in 3 cars, with one GTB failure in May 2007, fixed by Novak cheaply (it was outside warranty) and quickly.

I am not sponsored by anyone.

[DCM]

Sensorless gives more raw power and uses feedback from the motor windings to give feedback but can have a small cogging issue on initial take-off, sensored will work better at low RPM but is suppose to produce a little less power.

I should have my R1 next week, with motor, it will run both sensorless and sensored motors, it can be hooked up to a PC for firmware updates, plus up and download setups, is lipo enabled and very very small.

someone poke me on tuesday when my parcel arrives, if it is what I think it is, then I will take some pics.

[super__dan]

I believe the only brushless in the 2wd worlds A final this year were sensored and orange.

[Hog]

Okay - thanks for the tech info so far guys.

How about mixing Sensored ESC's with sensorless motor's , and vice versa? What happens then? Does it still work or does the "magic blue smoke" suddenly appear?

What causes cogging?

I'm just wary because my current setup of Robitronic i-Cube and V2 modifieds do go well, as do the stock motors I use, but it's blatantly obvious from those already running them at my club that 13.5T is the way to go for stock. Not only are they quicker, but the lack of maintenance is appealing too (same goes for modified).

I know I'm probably asking questions that are bread and butter to most of you guys, but I want to make the right choice first time.

[KyoshoK]

Novak GTB runs only sensor motors

why u want to mix and match for? run novak motor and novak esc, you'll be fine.

[Richard Lowe]

Originally Posted by DCM

Sensorless gives more raw power

You've said this before Steve, please explain how the sensor wire changes how much power the motor produces

[Hog]

Originally Posted by Richard Lowe

You've said this before Steve, please explain how the sensor wire changes how much power the motor produces

Exactly the reason I asked the initial question. Too many myths floating about without hard evidence to back them up.

Most of the guys where I race that have made the switch are running Novak sytems - GTB with a 13.5 motor for stock and generally a 5.5 for outside when it's warmer. These seem a good system and are not ridiculously priced either.

However I'm probably going to have to buy 2nd hand, which may mean mixing and matching my ESC and motors as I'll need both stock and mod, and I don't want to go and get an ESC that's going to prove restrictive when it comes to choosing motors. I know everyone has different opinions on what they feel is "the best" system out there. Hence me asking for a little background info so I can make an informed choice.

I only intend to buy once. I can't afford to make an expensive mistake.

[RLGfx]

my personal choice, as an unsponsored driver for electronics, is the Nosram speedo (or LRP, depending if you wand red or blue) and the Novak motors. All the Novaks I have are sintered, and so reliability is great, and they work well with the ESC and are very fast.

HTH

Robin