One of the best things about brushless motors is the lack of heavy maintenance they require. However, that doesn't mean it's a "set and forget forever" kind of deal. Keeping your motor in competitive shape still requires regular inspection and cleaning.

Frequency

How often should you clean a brushless motor? It depends, largely, on how dirty it gets. If you drive mostly on concrete or skate parks, then you can get away without having to service it for a while. For offroad and dirtier tracks, though, we recommend doing a basic cleaning after you retire for the day. Some do it before the next time they use the RC car, though, which isn't as great, but should be fine all the same.

Basic Cleaning

If the motor isn't very dirty, using an air compressor to blow off dust and dirt should be enough. Just spray the compressed air on any dirt that accumulates in motor, the ESC and the chassis. If the grime is a bit tougher, you can spray some dentured alcohol before hitting it with air.

Detailed Cleaning

Once a month (or less if you're busy), you should remove and take apart the motor. Before disassembling, wipe it down with a rag to get off any dust and dirt.
Brushless motors have very few parts, so they're little problem to take apart. Avoid using a motor spray to clean directly inside the motor, though. Instead, use a small brush with very light air pressure, manually cleaning out nooks and crannies. For the bearings, however, motor spray should be fine. Before putting them back, make sure to lubricate the bearings since the motor spray is likely to have washed away any factory-applied lubrication.

Maintenance

When you take the motor apart, inspect both the motor and bearings for signs of wear. Check the magnets for rub marks, make sure the windings are holding firmly, and ensure the ball bearings can spin freely. Also, regularly check the ESC for frayed wires and damaged insulation since they can lead to serious damage later down the line.

{ 0 comments }