Specifications
If the endbell is removable, then the endbell should be removed and the rotor can be re-
moved. The commutator can be cleaned with some extra fine steel wool until it is shiny.
If the endbell is not removable, then the motor will usually have slots in the motor case
near the commutator. A cotton swab (such as a Q-tip) may be used on these types of mo-
tors to clean the commutator.
Motors with metal brushes (such as the Team Orion Elite Micro Modified) do not require
the commutator to be cleaned, and the motor should not be disassembled.
There are some "commutator lathes" designed for cleaning R/C car motor commutators,
but these are not recommended, because it is a better investment to buy a good brushless
motor and ESC combination.
d. Use a high frequency ESC.
A high frequency (about 100 khz) ESC minimizes brush and commutator wear by provid-
ing a smoother flow of electricity and minimizing the arcing between the brushes and com-
mutators.
A high frequency ESC is required for motors with metal brushes because metal brushes
will typically disintegrate within 10 flights with conventional ESCs. Motors which use metal
brushes include the Team Orion Elite Micro Modified and the grey endbell IPS-style mo-
tors.
e. Keep the motor cool by running the motor in the efficient range
See Section 30.1.10.1, “Pulse-width modulation” for more info.
f. Keep the motor cool by using a heatsink
There are many different heatsinks available which fit R/C helicopter motors.
See Section 30.2.2.5, “Cooling options” for more info.
30.1.12.2. Brushless motors
For a typical brushless motor, the magnets are attached to the motor shaft (rotor) and the mo-
tor windings are attached to the motor case (stator)
The commutation is performed by a brushless motor ESC which pulses the motor windings in
sequence to make the motor shaft rotate.
A brushless motor has no commutator nor brushes, so there are no parts which encounter sig-
nificant wear, so a typical brushless motors should never wear out. In extreme cases, the bear-
ings may fail, but this is rather unusual.
The primary failure mode of brushless motors is motor overheating, which is explained in more
detail in the brushed motor section.
Motor overheating can be avoided in two ways:
a. Keep the motor cool by running the motor in the efficient range
See Section 30.1.10.1, “Pulse-width modulation” for more info.
Technical Appendix
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