17LikesCeramic Bearing vs Steel Bearing
03-08-2017, 08:06 AM
#1
Ceramic Bearing vs Steel Bearing
What are the pros and cons of Ceramic Bearing vs Steel Bearing ?
I know Ceramic Bearing are smoother but for a sportsman class racer like myself are they worth it or stick to steel due to hard hits or crashes ?
I know Ceramic Bearing are smoother but for a sportsman class racer like myself are they worth it or stick to steel due to hard hits or crashes ?
03-08-2017, 09:29 AM
#2
Tech Fanatic
If you're running anything On-road; get the Ceramic Ball Bearings. They're on the less-weight side.
-no R.C. Car crash can crack a ceramic ball in a bearing (to my knowledge).
-no R.C. Car crash can crack a ceramic ball in a bearing (to my knowledge).
03-08-2017, 09:38 AM
#3
03-08-2017, 10:08 AM
#4
Tech Regular
Ceramic v Steel
As long as you are comparing comparable bearing classes the advantage of ceramics is the lighter weight and therefore lower inertia on startup , only a handful of the elite drivers can notice a difference in the motor when using ceramics. As for the rest of the car just avoid them in areas where they will see an impact - we've had issues using ceramics in clutches and on layshafts.
03-08-2017, 10:13 AM
#5
As long as you are comparing comparable bearing classes the advantage of ceramics is the lighter weight and therefore lower inertia on startup , only a handful of the elite drivers can notice a difference in the motor when using ceramics. As for the rest of the car just avoid them in areas where they will see an impact - we've had issues using ceramics in clutches and on layshafts.
03-08-2017, 10:50 AM
#6
From which RC bearing "manufacturers" (many just buy chineese stuff) have you ever seen real specsheets of the bearings? If you get a bearing from a normal manufacturer like SKF and INA you can find specsheets about the used materials, RPM range, hardness, max side load etc with different numbers based on different lubrications.
So yes, not knowing the specs I can say a good steel bearing will always be better than a crappy Chineese ceramic bearing.
Yes, Ceramic balls are lighter and need less lubrication for a less resistance. But what will be the total weight difference in rotating mass between the steel and ceramic balls and added the weight of the crankshaft, piston/rod, clutch and the force of the gearing, shafts and weight of the car? The difference is almost nothing...
Will ceramics make a difference? If you need that last 1/10th of a seccond to get on podium between all other toplevel drivers then yes, maybe. If you are more than a half seccond away from them then getting ceramics is the last thing to worry about.
We all know it is in between the ears knowing ceramics must be better, saddly the wallet (mine for sure) has also a limit. Last season the ceramic bearing of my Ielasi needed a change, 70 euro for an original Novarossi ceramic or 25 euro for a steel version, I have saved 45 euro and the engine was running the same.
Going for TKO, Lilly Bearing, Boca etc then yes, for 25 dollar you will have a ceramic main bearing and still for 10 euro a steel bearing. Pricewise the ceramic from those guys is affordable but in my eyes still a not needed option.
So yes, not knowing the specs I can say a good steel bearing will always be better than a crappy Chineese ceramic bearing.
Yes, Ceramic balls are lighter and need less lubrication for a less resistance. But what will be the total weight difference in rotating mass between the steel and ceramic balls and added the weight of the crankshaft, piston/rod, clutch and the force of the gearing, shafts and weight of the car? The difference is almost nothing...
Will ceramics make a difference? If you need that last 1/10th of a seccond to get on podium between all other toplevel drivers then yes, maybe. If you are more than a half seccond away from them then getting ceramics is the last thing to worry about.
We all know it is in between the ears knowing ceramics must be better, saddly the wallet (mine for sure) has also a limit. Last season the ceramic bearing of my Ielasi needed a change, 70 euro for an original Novarossi ceramic or 25 euro for a steel version, I have saved 45 euro and the engine was running the same.
Going for TKO, Lilly Bearing, Boca etc then yes, for 25 dollar you will have a ceramic main bearing and still for 10 euro a steel bearing. Pricewise the ceramic from those guys is affordable but in my eyes still a not needed option.
03-08-2017, 10:56 AM
#7
From which RC bearing "manufacturers" (many just buy chineese stuff) have you ever seen real specsheets of the bearings? If you get a bearing from a normal manufacturer like SKF and INA you can find specsheets about the used materials, RPM range, hardness, max side load etc with different numbers based on different lubrications.
So yes, not knowing the specs I can say a good steel bearing will always be better than a crappy Chineese ceramic bearing.
Yes, Ceramic balls are lighter and need less lubrication for a less resistance. But what will be the total weight difference in rotating mass between the steel and ceramic balls and added the weight of the crankshaft, piston/rod, clutch and the force of the gearing, shafts and weight of the car? The difference is almost nothing...
Will ceramics make a difference? If you need that last 1/10th of a seccond to get on podium between all other toplevel drivers then yes, maybe. If you are more than a half seccond away from them then getting ceramics is the last thing to worry about.
We all know it is in between the ears knowing ceramics must be better, saddly the wallet (mine for sure) has also a limit. Last season the ceramic bearing of my Ielasi needed a change, 70 euro for an original Novarossi ceramic or 25 euro for a steel version, I have saved 45 euro and the engine was running the same.
Going for TKO, Lilly Bearing, Boca etc then yes, for 25 dollar you will have a ceramic main bearing and still for 10 euro a steel bearing. Pricewise the ceramic from those guys is affordable but in my eyes still a not needed option.
So yes, not knowing the specs I can say a good steel bearing will always be better than a crappy Chineese ceramic bearing.
Yes, Ceramic balls are lighter and need less lubrication for a less resistance. But what will be the total weight difference in rotating mass between the steel and ceramic balls and added the weight of the crankshaft, piston/rod, clutch and the force of the gearing, shafts and weight of the car? The difference is almost nothing...
Will ceramics make a difference? If you need that last 1/10th of a seccond to get on podium between all other toplevel drivers then yes, maybe. If you are more than a half seccond away from them then getting ceramics is the last thing to worry about.
We all know it is in between the ears knowing ceramics must be better, saddly the wallet (mine for sure) has also a limit. Last season the ceramic bearing of my Ielasi needed a change, 70 euro for an original Novarossi ceramic or 25 euro for a steel version, I have saved 45 euro and the engine was running the same.
Going for TKO, Lilly Bearing, Boca etc then yes, for 25 dollar you will have a ceramic main bearing and still for 10 euro a steel bearing. Pricewise the ceramic from those guys is affordable but in my eyes still a not needed option.
WOW great info Reolof and you always bring the knowledge !
03-08-2017, 02:00 PM
#9
03-09-2017, 03:34 AM
#10
on the dyno the ceramic add no power !
03-09-2017, 04:10 AM
#11
I'm with the few above posters, Steel is fine. And even on motors that come with Ceramics etc. having performed a few rebuilds which include a swap to steel bearings, I have not seen a difference. The Timesheets during practice and racing do not indicate a differance, and my fuel mileage is un-affected as well (1/8 On-Road 2wd Pan & 1/8 Buggy). So along with as stated saving money, its a no brainer.
03-09-2017, 06:15 AM
#12
I'm with the few above posters, Steel is fine. And even on motors that come with Ceramics etc. having performed a few rebuilds which include a swap to steel bearings, I have not seen a difference. The Timesheets during practice and racing do not indicate a differance, and my fuel mileage is un-affected as well (1/8 On-Road 2wd Pan & 1/8 Buggy). So along with as stated saving money, its a no brainer.
03-09-2017, 07:05 AM
#13
For sure talking about the 100+ dollar ceramic bearings from the Novarossi Virtus with weird dimensions 14.5 x 26 x 6 x 5.7 x 4.7
Due the pattent no alternative available... then just modifying the crank case:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/onroad-n...gs-virtus.html
Due the pattent no alternative available... then just modifying the crank case:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/onroad-n...gs-virtus.html
03-09-2017, 08:18 AM
#14
For sure talking about the 100+ dollar ceramic bearings from the Novarossi Virtus with weird dimensions 14.5 x 26 x 6 x 5.7 x 4.7
Due the pattent no alternative available... then just modifying the crank case:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/onroad-n...gs-virtus.html
Due the pattent no alternative available... then just modifying the crank case:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/onroad-n...gs-virtus.html
04-21-2017, 07:42 AM
#15
Tech Fanatic
You guys have a point. But; in this hobby you're gonna spend money anyway to get the T.Q. Spot.
- any way to lower the chassis weight counts + some practice will get you fast laps. (everyone knows that)
Take Care
- any way to lower the chassis weight counts + some practice will get you fast laps. (everyone knows that)
Take Care
