Are the brushless motors waterproof yet?

[neavissa123]

hi there,

i was wondering if the brushless motors are waterproof by now? i burned one of my stock emaxx motors and was wondering if i should get a brushless setup instead...i would like it to be waterproof though. from what i remember, the brushed ones are ok but not the brushless ones...is that still the case?

thanks,
G

[neavissa123]

wow, this place has become lamer and lamer...are you guys too cool to answer something simple like this?!

G

(watch how many replies i get now...)

[SS Pede]

I don't know of any brushless motors that are claimed to be truly waterproof. The Traxxas VXL system is now waterproof, mostly in terms of the ESC though. That's the big deal...a truly waterproof ESC. Many brushless motors (such as the Traxxas Velineon apparently) are "sealed enough" that they are effectively waterproof unless you're literally driving through 8 inches of water for extended periods. Other motors have some very obvious vents in them that would DEFINITELY let a bunch of water in if you had a big splash. So I would say most motors that "look" sealed such as a Novak, Castle, Traxxas, and various others are pretty well protected from water. I know I've driven my Novak motor through snow and such with no issues. Pay more attention to the water protection of the ESC.

[neavissa123]

I don't know of any brushless motors that are claimed to be truly waterproof. The Traxxas VXL system is now waterproof, mostly in terms of the ESC though. That's the big deal...a truly waterproof ESC. Many brushless motors (such as the Traxxas Velineon apparently) are "sealed enough" that they are effectively waterproof unless you're literally driving through 8 inches of water for extended periods. Other motors have some very obvious vents in them that would DEFINITELY let a bunch of water in if you had a big splash. So I would say most motors that "look" sealed such as a Novak, Castle, Traxxas, and various others are pretty well protected from water. I know I've driven my Novak motor through snow and such with no issues. Pay more attention to the water protection of the ESC.

makes sense...just picked up some quarks for super cheap. that might change a few things. i am not sure what to use them for yet...ha ha...
thanks for the input...

G

[SS Pede]

Let us know how it goes. Unfortunately, I can't be responsible for any motors you fry. :) Maybe someone else has some input as well. I know in my experience I haven't worried about water at all with my motor, and I've had no problems. But there still might be subtle differences that affect water resistance (sensored vs. sensorless, for example).

[neavissa123]

Let us know how it goes. Unfortunately, I can't be responsible for any motors you fry. :) Maybe someone else has some input as well. I know in my experience I haven't worried about water at all with my motor, and I've had no problems. But there still might be subtle differences that affect water resistance (sensored vs. sensorless, for example).

i keep you posted...

[Cope57]

I have not used a brushless motor yet, but I do use a cup of water to break in new brushes by submersing the motor and running it for about 10-20 seconds. Take the motor out of the water, and run it for another 30 seconds to dry it out.

A quick spray of motor cleaner removes the brush residue, and any water that may be left, and then lubricate the bearings. Ready for racing... ;)

[rccardude04]

Brushless motors have always been better in water than brushed motors. You just have to worry about the bearings rusting out over time. If you really get the thing wet, it'd be best to pull the motor out and clean/re-oil everything.

-Eric

[neavissa123]

Brushless motors have always been better in water than brushed motors. You just have to worry about the bearings rusting out over time. If you really get the thing wet, it'd be best to pull the motor out and clean/re-oil everything.

-Eric

does that include running it submerged or only once it got wet?!

thanks,
G

[rccardude04]

Any contact with water is bound to rust anything and everything steel on an r/c car (with the exception of stainless and some other alloys that are rare on r/c vehicles).

Mostly, it's your bearings and screws that will have trouble. Not just the motor bearings.

-Eric

[neavissa123]

Any contact with water is bound to rust anything and everything steel on an r/c car (with the exception of stainless and some other alloys that are rare on r/c vehicles).

Mostly, it's your bearings and screws that will have trouble. Not just the motor bearings.

-Eric

thanks

[ducati777]

@rccardude04, good answer.

The motor should keep working, even wet. But like rccardude says its the bearings that will take the most punishment.

If the vxl has enough power, its a great choice. I've got one in my slash and its been wet several times.

[neavissa123]

coolio...i think i am gonna go with the vxl...

[GSMnow]

Neo magnet material will corode if it s not protected, but most of th better motors now nickle plate the rotor magnet, so that should not be a problem. The windings are no better or worse in water than a brushed motor, and since there is no open switching contacts like a brush motor, the motor itself will run just fine submerged in almost any liquid. Since most sintered rotors are so smooth, they will not even froth up the water much. Even a motor with big open holes will run fine, it will drag down a bit acting like a pump it is has a fan it in, so you may want to avoid motors with internal fans. The shaft may rust a little, but that is true of any motor. The cans are alloy and should be good. I would avoid the ROAR style sensored motors. The lamination stack could very well rust out bad on you. The few I have opened to work on did not look like they had any corrosion protection on the steel laminations. The Castle motors have nothing like that in them, just a lot of wire that is all enamel coated. You could change out the bearings for ones withh full rubber seals, but they have more drag as well. As long as you spray it down and re-oil them, normal sealed bearing will hold up to a few good dunkings without too much trouble. Your wheel bearings are in a much worse place for that, treat them the same and you will be fine.

Careful with the ESC. Water is a killer there. Even a tiny amount of current leakage could make opposing FET's turn on and pull huge current destroying them in seconds. The Castle PC board is coated for some protection, it will handle splashes, but not submersion. Use and ESC rated for more power than you need. Gear it very slow to start, like 15 mph. Then put the ESC in a zip lock bag or balloon. Check the temp often, if it is getting too hot, you have to re-think your setup. It may be possible to make up a sealed box with a heat sink pass through. Maybe a heat pipe from a CPU cooler? Clamp it between the ESC heat sink fins with thermal grease, and put a good sized heat sink on it outside of the balloon? I have not tried it, but the theory is sound.

How wet do you need it to handle?

[rccardude04]

GSM has a good point that I didn't really think of... The sensored motors I sure wouldn't get wet!

I think the real idea is that, in general, sensorless brushless motors will fare much better in water than a brushed motor will. The ESC is obviously a concern, but the new VXL-3S ESCs are advertised by Traxxas as waterproof. And when Traxxas says waterproof, they seem to mean it.

-Eric

[hooppjs]

hi there,

i was wondering if the brushless motors are waterproof by now? i burned one of my stock emaxx motors and was wondering if i should get a brushless setup instead...i would like it to be waterproof though. from what i remember, the brushed ones are ok but not the brushless ones...is that still the case?

thanks,
G
Gday mate,
Fast electric tunnel boat hoon here. I have dunked many a motor into fresh water. Sometimes submerged for over 2-3 minutes. Neu 1515 motors, Align 600 motors, Neo brushed motors, KB45's and some.
Just giving you a boaters perspective. My esc'c are kept dry under perspex lids, sealed with tape etc. Same with batteries. Any of the before mentioned touch water - ZAP.
The electric motors on the tunnels get wet constantly. I have experienced nil problems so far. Of course I am talking maintainance once and a while.
Just my point.:)

Peter