mclarkson

I recently acquired my first plane with a brushed motor - by accident (long story).

Manufacturer recommends 'at least 10A' ESC. I was planning on getting a 15A. But I have a few quick questions.

Do I have to do anything different, other than using a brushed ESC? Different Rx / servos / etc.?

With the proper ESC, I'm able to use lipos, correct?

Is this a brushed ESC? How can I tell?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKZZ0&P=0

Forgive my ignorance; it's been all brushless for me up 'till now.

crxmanpat

Yes, the ESC you chose is a brushed ESC. Either GWS or an old Castle Creations Pixie 20P are about the only brushed ESCs you'll find anymore.

The main difference between a brushed ESC and brushless is that a brushed ESC only has 2 wires to the motor instead of 3.

If you click on the Tech Notes, you'll see all the specs on that ESC. It can handle up to 3S lipo, but you will need to make sure the motor can handle the volts. Most of the larger brushed motors (like a 480 or bigger) can handle 3S for a while, but it will burn out eventually.

Is there any chance you can switch out the brushed motor for a brushless? Eventually the brushed motor will die, and you'd have to replace it anyway.

mclarkson

Thanks for the info!

I can switch it out for a brushless but I'm planning on flying it for a while with the brushed motor since that's what I've got.

This motor is a 370 with a gearbox. (Here's the plane.) I'm planning on running 1300 mAh 3S batteries, mainly because that's what I've got lying around. Is that a horrible idea?

CHELLIE

you will be fine using the 3 cell lipo on that geared brush motor, you dont want to use a 3 cell lipo with a direct drive brush motor, that will burn it up real quick

http://www.towerhobbies.com/products...tra4322_e.html

<SCRIPT src="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti6011p?I=LXLHU5"></SCRIPT>
stock#
LXLHU5
Only
<SCRIPT src="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti6000p?&I=LXLHU5"></SCRIPT>$59.99
Stock Status:
<SCRIPT src="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti6001p?&I=LXLHU5"></SCRIPT>In Stock
<SCRIPT src="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti6009p?&I=LXLHU5"></SCRIPT> Tech Notes Accessories Needed


if (AC_FL_RunContent == 0) { alert("This page requires AC_RunActiveContent.js."); } else { AC_FL_RunContent( 'codebase', 'http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0', 'width', '550', 'height', '400', 'src', 'gpmz4111', 'quality', 'high', 'pluginspage', 'http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer', 'align', 'middle', 'play', 'true', 'loop', 'true', 'scale', 'showall', 'wmode', 'window', 'devicefont', 'false', 'id', 'gpmz4111', 'bgcolor', '#ffffff', 'name', 'gpmz4111', 'menu', 'true', 'allowFullScreen', 'true', 'allowScriptAccess','sameDomain', 'movie', 'gpmz4111', 'salign', '' ); //end AC code }</script>Click the picture to view video
-->

The celebrated Bearcat is reborn as an amazing air race favorite with the 34” span 1/12 Scale Rare Bear EP ARF from Thunder Tiger! Features a 370-size motor, crash-tough foam construction, a factory-painted cowl and spinner, a 3-blade prop, sponsor logo decals and more.

• 0.08 in. (2 mm) dia. wire main/tail gear – can be fixed or retracted.
• Ultra-light 1.9 in. (48 mm) foam main wheels; 0.75 in. (19 mm) rubber tailwheel.
• 3-blade propeller.
• Factory-painted spinner.
• Comprehensive hardware package.
• Two detailed logo decal sheets.
• Epoxy glue.
• Flight-ready in several hours.
• Limited manufacturer’s warranty.

• Designed for intermediate/advanced pilots, with tough EPS foam construction.
• One-piece foam wings.
• 370-size motor with leads and red JST connector.
• 4:1 ratio gearbox.
• The radio compartment, which can be accessed over the wing, includes plywood servo mounts.
• Plastic cowl, factory-painted in gold.
• Clear, single canopy.
• Single-servo aileron control.

Specifications
Wingspan: 34 in (864 mm) Wing Area: 221 in² (14.3 dm²) Weight: 17.5 oz (496 g) Length: 29.8 in (756 mm)
Requirements: 3-4 channel radio with mini receiver and two sub-micro servos, 10A (min.) ESC, 8-cell 600mAh NiMH or 2-3 cell (2-3S) LiPo battery, Battery charger, Building

mclarkson

Thanks, just double-checking. If I'd been more careful in the first place, I wouldn't have a brushed motor. Didn't want to compound the error by missing something stupid.

I'll run it 'till it quits.

CHELLIE

The brush motor is fine, we just all got spoiled with the brushless motors LOL

Dr Kiwi

The motor may not last long at the very high RPM it will be turning on 3s... but so what!

I'd be more concerned about having a JST connector on it... those are rated for 2A... can survive 5A... but tend to melt beyond that.

mclarkson

I'm gonna have to change connectors on the motor and/or ESC anyways. I'll prolly go with small bullet connectors (or wire nuts.)

Bub Steve

solder those bullets , wire nuts will be trouble:

mclarkson

Thanks. I always run a timer ... although sometimes I forget to start it. Or start it, think I forgot, and then stop it while trying to start it. Or accidentally set it to 'up' rather than 'down.' Or ...

All I have are 3S lipos, except for some tiny little ones. A quick test fit/jam of a 1300mAh 3S against the firewall balances pretty close. I'm currently disinclined to buy new batteries just for this plane.

And, with a brushed ESC, the voltage going to the motor varies with the throttle, correct? So I can reduce wear and tear by just going easy on the gas, correct?

mclarkson

Anyone ever use the GWS 15A brushed ESC? It comes with a heat sink and what appears to be a super-thin sheet of rubber, the exact size of the heat sink. Any idea what the rubber sheet is? Is there adhesive hidden in there or something?

mclarkson

Nada, huh? Well, not knowing what else to do, I just epoxied the sink onto the FET.