Question about brushless upgrade

[Nitroaddict]

I am contemplating installing a brushless motor in my E-Starter but have a couple questions.

1. Can I use the same standard nimh packs that I have been using with the stock motor?
2. Do brushless motors draw more amps than brushed motors?
3. Do brushless motors require a special speed control?
4. Do brushless motors use more or less battery power than regular motors?
5. Will I get more, less, or the same run time than with the stock motor?
6. Do I use the same gear reduction drive, go direct drive, or do I need a special gearbox?
7. Will brushless motors fit on the standard GWS motor mount, or do I need something special?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[El Pirata]

I don't know about using them in a starter but the novak brushless needs it's own esc to run. So I am told but never tried the motor will not reach it's full potential without it's computer chip to regulate the speed and so forth of the motor.

 

[Nitroaddict]

LOL. Sorry, let me clear that post up. I am interested in upgrading this model: http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=GWS1045

It is the GWS E-Starter electric airplane. Not a 'starter'. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[scottm]

NA, there are brushless hackers and several others that fit right into the gws gearbox. All bl's need a bl spedd control. Your nimh batteries will work, but all batts have a discharge rate limit. You will have to choose the motor by the type of batt you have or want to use. Bl motors are more efficient, so you will have more power or longer run times for the same batts. You choose the gearbox by the type of flying you want. Park fliers, 3d planes and trainers are all low speed planes, so you will need a gearbox around 4-5:1 ratio.

 

[Nitroaddict]

scottm - Thanks for your help. I have been getting more info on discharge rates for batteries. The ones I am using have a discharge rate of about 10C, or 7.2Amps. Will a brushless motor with the same gearing and same prop produce more or less amps?

 

[scottm]

Amp draw also depends on the motor. The number of turns determines amp draw and power output, just like a brushed motor. So call a manufacturer to get the details on a particular setup. Oh, write to [email protected] (that's Jason Shulman, one of the best rc pilots in the world. Do a search on him at rcu) We will be sharing a booth with the hacker guys at RCX in April. Every r/cer in the world should go, it will be awesome. We have 7 HOURS of track time over 3 days!

 

[BlueRidge1]

NitroAddict...

Scott hit pretty much everything. Just wanted to add that you should get a free trial of motocalc (google it). It will handle all of your questions. It's not perfect, but it sure will ballpark you on amp draw, run time, performance, prop size, etc.

As far as prop size, when you gear down you can swing a bigger prop. Larger props are more efficient. Generally diameter is good for thrust and pitch equates to speed. Overall watts will be consumed based on both diameter and pitch. Motocalc will help you w/ all of this.

Just remember that while the brushless is more efficient, it is also more powerful. This means that if for the same power output, it will run longer, BUT if you crank it up and get twice the power you had before - of course you won't run as long.

Castle creations ESC seems to have the most features for the money. The ESC is responsible for the electronic commutation of the motor. Basically, a brushless motor is more like an AC motor. This is why the ESC must be able to take a DC signal and present an AC type waveform to the motor.

Good value motors: Mega, Himax

Premium: Aveox, Hacker, Pletenburg, Razor.