miniczar

iTrader: (2)

I am new to rc car racing and I just bought a comm cutter. I understand the jist of it. The only thing I have questions on is how many volts do you suggest I run to the motor turning the armature. Also what does zapping the engine mean? Finally how do I break the engine in with new brushes?
Thanks!

ALBERTO

iTrader: (23)

i usally cut a comm at 2.5 volts, In my poinion any faster and copper flakes end up every where

zapping the can is remagnetizing the can, at times giving more power. poor analogy, it's like recharging the magnet power which you might have lost over time.


breaking in motors... everyone has a different way so get ready to take notes. I use a fan a 2volts for about 2 min after that i relube and race

good luck with the cutter

MikeWO

what exactly do you mean use a fan?
do you mean hook a prop to the end and run it or what?

ALBERTO

iTrader: (23)

exactally it a little plactic fan (like a prop) pushed on the armature. when the motor is running it adds a little resistance and cools the motor at the same time

MikeWO

Okay, this is what I imagined. It's similar to breaking in a nitro on a bench.

Thanks,
Mike

Dodgersfan

i personally don't use a fan, especially during the first minute or so. too much arching.

TL_XXX-S_racer

After cutting the comm i like to clean the slots with an exacto knife to get any copper cuttings out. Then i take a ball point pen and run it along or in the slots to help round out the slots.
What motor are you going to be breaking in anyways? I usually break my motors in at 2.0 volts for about 5 minutes. That with a fan on. I also lube the bushings before i break it in and about half way i put a little more lube. Some guys at my track break in their 19T motors with silver brushes at 1 volt for about 10 minutes.
You want to break in the motor enough to set the brushes in place and get rid of minimal arching. People have many different ways on how they do things, which means you will get different replies.
I hope this helps you out. Good luck racing.

Chris

miniczar

iTrader: (2)

I am doing this on a 19t motor. That makes sense with the fan. So you guys normally build a stand to break in the engine then? Now that I know what zapping means, how do you do it? Thanks for all your guys help. I appreciate it. And Alberto, the comm cutter is working great so far! Took me awhile to get used to it, but it is awesome!

dakrat

in order to zap the motor (not engine), you gotta have a magnet zapper. what it does is it zaps the magnet with a high voltage to recharge the magnetic field. the stronger the magnet, the powerful the motor.

ALBERTO

iTrader: (23)

zapping is done with a large $500 machine lol you few people have them. as for the motor stand rpm has one for like 10 or 20 bucks like this

miniczar

iTrader: (2)

JESUS! That is way out of my price range to zap my can then! Is it really that necessary to zap the can? That noticable? Thanks for the link for the stand

ALBERTO

iTrader: (23)

Well you can build a meter to read the magnetizum of the can. It's called a GAUST METER (might be spelled wrong) anyway that can be built from a multi meter for a couple of bucks. In my opinion most new motors dont really need to be zapped . and it takes a while for an old motor to lose it magnetic field. By all means it's nice to have but not needed.. I rather give someone a few buck and have it done when needed.

zapper

miniczar

iTrader: (2)

ok... good to know. But, how do you tell when your loosing your magnets and you nned to zap them? Sounds like it would be easier to buy a new motor for $30 instead, but for curiousity sake would be nice to know. thanks!

ALBERTO

iTrader: (23)

with a gauss meter. ( spelled correctly lol )

miniczar

iTrader: (2)

Sorry, I didnt clarify, is that the only way to tell, or is it noticable with the motors performance?