{"id":2935,"date":"2021-12-05T13:39:47","date_gmt":"2021-12-05T12:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodiesrc.com\/?p=2935"},"modified":"2023-12-24T10:47:41","modified_gmt":"2023-12-24T09:47:41","slug":"do-brushless-rc-motors-lose-power-over-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodiesrc.com\/do-brushless-rc-motors-lose-power-over-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Brushless RC Motors Lose Power Over Time?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brushless motors are very efficient when it comes to RC cars. But that\u2019s not why you\u2019re here. You\u2019re wondering if your brushless motor is eternal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a whole, brushless RC motors don’t lose power over time, but current load, bad insulation and corroded bearings can cause a brushless motor to lose power. High RPM’s can cause a brushless motor to overheat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you wish to know more on why they don\u2019t lose power, then please continue reading! I will explain them in detail along with the other factors that can cause issues in the long run. I will also talk about how to maintain them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RC car with the body off<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Brushless Motors Don\u2019t Lose Power<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brushed motors require brushes and commutators to keep the motor rotating.<\/strong> This in turn<\/a> increases the RPM of the motor quickly to generate electrical energy. But such designs wither away over time. The friction between the commutators and brushes is the main reason. Hence, these motors have a lifespan of about 1000\u20133000 hours.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of brushless motors, the design is significantly different. Both work on the principle of attraction and repulsion of magnetic force, which is done by the rotor. The brushed motors maintain this phenomenon through brushes and commutators. The brushless ones use electrical impulses to maintain this rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related post:<\/strong> <\/strong>What Causes A Brushless RC Motor To Fail?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to this, there is no physical gear or brushes. As a result, they spin faster and produce more electricity. Brushless motors have a lifespan of about 10,000 hours. <\/strong>So, that is more than a year. I know it\u2019s not eternal, but that\u2019s still a very long time! Also, if you maintain it properly, you can easily extend those hours!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don’t think that these motors are free from corrosion or disruption. Due to internal and external factors, everything loses power over time. These motors are also the same. So, you will need to look out for these factors. Also, knowing how you can tackle them is necessary.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors That May Cause Brushless Motors to Lose Power<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As awesome as brushless motors are, they are still machinery. This means there will be other reasons why they might break down. So, I’m going to talk about the prominent ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Load<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you know, the purpose of these motors is to generate electricity. But too much of it can be harmful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These motors have a certain load of holding energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This excess electricity produces a lot of heat. Excess heat demagnetizes the rotor, which maintains the RPM. This may lead to the disruption of the functioning of the motor and wear it down.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High RPMs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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RC truck speeding through dirt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brushless motors come with a remote control to maintain and monitor the rotation speed. If you use it at a higher RPM than recommended. The higher RPM will create more electric energy, but also a tremendous amount of heat! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See my related article: Do Brushless RC Motors Burn Out? <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This heat can burn the enamel coatings provided inside the circuitry and windings of the motor. As a result, a short circuit or a power surge might occur. Sometimes they can get destroyed completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related post:<\/strong> Overheating RC Motor? Here’s What To Do<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improper Insulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To put it simply, the motors run, create energy, and pass it around in a “three-phase” electrical way. Improper insulation may cause circuits to change their electrical direction. They need to be unidirectional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such faults between phases or with the ground have the potential to destroy the motor as well as electrocute you! So, faulty insulation can really damage your brushless motor. Insulations can happen due to situations like over-voltage, under-voltage, or fluctuating voltage levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this post: 13 Reasons Why RC Motors And ESC’s Burn Up<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corroded Bearings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Harsh environments corrode the bearings of the motor. Sometimes, the lubricant might also dry out, which creates too much friction between the bearings. This might lead to the shaft getting slanted or rumpled. Such misalignment may lead to excess friction between the stator and rotor. The stator is like the base of the motor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It contains all the coils and the rotor, along with its magnets. So, if there’s too much heat and friction, the rotor might stop spinning properly over time. The rotor is the internal fan that can run up to 10,000 RPM. The ambient heat absorber might also get overheated, and your motor might stop spinning altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another thing that could happen is the corrosion of the rotor. Also, the glued metals can lose their properties and slow down the internal rotation. So, these are some of the things that can cause brushless motors to lose power over time. But don’t worry! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If your brushless motor has really had it and you’re considering a new one. See a massive selection of brushless motors here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

(Amazon link)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things You Can Do To Maintain Your Brushless Motor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, I’ve talked about how brushless motors can lose power. But is there anything you can do about it? Well, of course! All things have a fix, and this is no exception. Proper maintenance is key. Follow these steps to maintain your brushless motors to help them run for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n