A brushless motor is becoming one of the most powerful RC models. It is advanced compared to brush motors and has many benefits.
However, it is not necessarily the answer for every situation.
This article aims at explaining some of the essential facts relating to a brushless motor.
How long do brushless motors last? On average brushed motor has a lifespan that ranges between 1,000 – 3,000 hours.
Notably, this is a good range; however, a brushless motor has a longer lifespan. It can attain tens of thousands on average, as it has no brush that wears out quickly.
Approximately it can function fully for over 10,000 hours. If well-taken care of, for instance, watching the temperatures a brushless RC motor last for so long.
The lack of brushes makes it have a long lifespan.
Do Brushless Motors Wear Out?
Unfortunately, they also wear out. Brushless motors are not exempted from wearing out, especially when they overheat, the magnets lose their grip, and they fail.
Once the temperature gets too high, the stator electromagnets and the rotor magnets within the motor have a lesser ability to get the rotor moving well.
Also, an increasing level of a current surge via the motor’s wiring heats up slowly, building up in the motor windings, making it overheat eventually.
Hence, it would be best if you had cooling solutions, for instance, having a cooling fun that produces cool breezes directed to the steaming motor’s direction.
Dust or pollen, among other substances, can also affect the fan of the motor affecting its normal function, leading to overheating, which affects the motor.
How Do You Check a Motor To See If It’s Bad?
At times you might end up purchasing a faulty RC motor. One way to ensure you identify the problem immediately is by hooking the motor to a brushless electronic speed controller.
Particularly, this shows how fast an electric motor can run at a given time. You need to check if there is no sign of life when the ESC is connected; it means the motor is faulty.
A brushless motor, the electronic speed controller regulates pulses of the current it feeds the engine’s windings.
The ESC shows a current of 30amps and a burst output of 40amps for 15 seconds.
Once you start using it, the motor may produce a distinct sound; once you hear this, check where the problem may be and if you have no experience handling it, takes the motor to a professional.
Can Brushless Motors Be Repaired?
If the motor is not damaged, you can repair it. You can clean the motor using soap and a super- brite to free it from rust and other stains and, using a DIY clip, disassembly the motor using a flat-tipped tool.
Ensure you undo the tabs and pull the mechanism apart. Afterward, clean the inside, eliminating any dust or grains that might be present. Ensure to be careful to avoid damaging any part.
It is recommended you use paper towels to wipe off and ensure you have latex gloves as the motor has copper salts that are toxic to humans.
You can carry out essential repairs and fixes, for instance replacing cables you can use some old ribbon cabling or outsource someone to do it.
Once you have all the necessary maintenance, seal the motor up again.
What Causes a Brushless Motor To Fail?
A brushless motor performs better than a brushed motor and is more efficient. However, they are also prone to failure.
They are many causes of total loss or partial problems. The main problem is excessive heat that causes the motor to stop functioning well and eventually failing.
Also, dust may cause the motor to completely shut down as it may interfere with the motor’s proper functioning.
It affects the motor’s bearings, which is an issue as the bearings slowly depleting can leave the rotor exposed to the magnets.
You should regularly take your motor to a professional to analyze it to avoid it incurring damages and shutting down to your surprise.
Besides, if misaligned, this causes the motor to sway unusually, causing the motor to shake.
Also, old vibrations in that the steeming’s physical instability from many possible scenarios while loose screws and bearings cause the motor to fail.
Lastly, wrongly placing the motor on an uneven or unstable surface plays a role in its failure.
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