adr3naline fix

I thought I might start an official Brush matinence and other motor matinence thread. I spent about an hour searching for some very deep information and it was very hard to find in the RCTech forums. Everything is so spread apart.

So lets keep the info in this thread so its easier for new comers to find what they are looking for.

Starter Questions:

1) "How long should I wait before I change my brushes?"
2) "Which kinds of brushes do different things?"
3) "What Exactly does a "stiffer" spring or a lighter spring do for your motor?"
4) "What does cutting the comm mean?"


That should be a good start

Desolas

iTrader: (2)

A good link that has some info on comm cutting ..
· http://www.balakracing.com/commcutting.htm

How to install brushes ..
· http://www.balakracing.com/changingbrushes.htm

The RC motor forum on RCCars.com is a worthwhile resource that will pretty much answer any question you could have about tuning if you take the time to read through it.
· http://www.rccars.com/forums/index.php

nick51

iTrader: (1)

1) "How long should I wait before I change my brushes?"

list wheather its a mod motor or stock when your changing the brushes

adr3naline fix

Ok Nick when would you change brushes for a stock 27T and a 19t?

Here's a few more that I thought might be conveinient for new comers:

-Is there anyway to avoid the costly comm lathe/cutting devices out there for cutting your commutator?

-Does it make quite a difference in performance when choosing the right brushes?

nick51

iTrader: (1)

1. for stock ill usually run 767 or 4499 and ill change the brushes prolly after 6-7 runs and cut the comm. 19t i run f-brush or 767 and change brushes after 4-6 runs and cut the comm.
2. Copper brushes will last longer and have less power. Brushes w/ a good amout of silver dont last very long but have good power. The new silver brushes last for 15-20 runs i believe and have good power to.
3. Stiffer springs will produce more torque and a soft spring will give u more rpm.
4. Cutting the comm is basically making the comm new and ready for new brushes to be broken in on or old brushes to be re seatted.

Switch Blade

remember that reducing the size of the comm increases timing to adjust acordingly.
I like the hurricane gold brushes, and I really noticed a difference between them and 4499's, but they require a comm cut after every run and only last about 3-4 runs(my experience and this is what hurricane told me)

adr3naline fix

Can anyone answer this because I cannot

-Is there anyway to avoid the costly comm lathe/cutting devices out there for cutting your commutator?

Team Duratrax

Use either a comm stick or a pencil eraser. 1500 grit sandpaper works to.

Sean

Grizzbob

iTrader: (2)

Those things work to clean the comm surface, but they do not TRUE the comm, which is what a lathe is for. As brushes wear, they also put wear on the comm surface, & as that happens, the surface becomes uneven. And as that happens, the brushes will begin to bounce on it as the motor runs, which only makes the motor lose performance & also accelerates the brush & comm wear. And only a lathe can get the comm surface perfectly round(true) again, so the shot answer is no, there's no cheap alternative to cutting the comm(because comm sticks & sandpaper do not do the same thing, they only clean it)....

adr3naline fix

AH, delete this post

ottoman

iTrader: (13)

Sure ... have someone cut your com for you

adr3naline fix

i hope someone at my local track has a lathe/cutting device.