Measuring Motor Temps

[JackWood]

Hi,

What do you use to measure motor temps?

I have a Cat SX with Losi Xcelorin ESC and Motor. Is it normal for the motor to get to the temperature that it would bubble the paint on the inside of tray adjacent to the motor?

Thanks in advance.

Jack

[sosidge]

A lot of people now seem to be using the IR temp guns that have been used in nitro for a while, it's a bit more precise than your finger (which is what I still use)!

I've never seen a motor flake paint before but that may be a reflection of the paint you are using rather than the temperature itself.

[samd]

maplin - £15 for a IR pocket temp gun

[Dagger Thrasher]

If you're having paint bubble, then the motor is probably pretty hot to say the least. General rule of thumb is that if you can put your finger on it for 5 seconds or more without scalding yourself, then temps are probably safe...but it's a *very* good idea to grab yourself a temp gun to be sure. For £15, you could save your motor from cooking alive. Losi recommend not exceeding 190F with their motors, as doing so will run the risk of demagnetising the rotor; which is a very bad thing. Ideally though, you don't want the motor to be hitting over 160-170F, tops. :)

[Cassp0nk]

Are you still running that crazy pinion? Might be making it run hot...

[JackWood]

Running a 19T now.

But this is not racing, and very very few bursts of full throttle.

I'll try and get an IR temp gauge.

Thanks for all the info. Very helpful.

Cheers

Jack

[samd]

Brushless likes full throttle, helps keep esc temps down

[Lowie]

also, about the finger-temp-feeling-procedure ...
this is a VERY subjective reading because a lot depends on the room-temp.

Some weeks ago, when temps were very low over here in Belgium (around -7 during the day), I went training on an indoor-track.
When checking the motor-temp after a long run, it felt really hot, so I thought I had a problem.
Checked with my temp-gun ..? rechecked .. and it still gave me a reading of only 45°C
We then checked with someone else's temp-gun and again the same readings.
I guess we were so used to the coldish room-temperature, it was rather cold inside the hall, that we felt this 45°C as very hot whereas in the summer, I could "feel" a temp on my motor up to 70°C.

[Cassp0nk]

Is 19T gonna put more load on than 21/22T that I was recommended for the same motor ESC?

[Cassp0nk]

Also what have you got the timing set at in the ESC? This makes the car quicker but generates more heat/load if set to very high/high.

[JackWood]

Is 19T gonna put more load on than 21/22T that I was recommended for the same motor ESC?

It should put less load on the motor. But it will spool up quicker.

I need to get a temp gun. If it is bubbling the paint, through the CF chassis, then it must be getting hotter than my finger can bare........

[Cassp0nk]

It should put less load on the motor. But it will spool up quicker.

I need to get a temp gun. If it is bubbling the paint, through the CF chassis, then it must be getting hotter than my finger can bare........

Definitely, although a temp gun isn't going to solve the problem ;) I've got an IR gun myself, but can't apply it to my CAT yet as its still not finished.

Bit alarmed about that temp though as I'm getting a lovely custom paint job and wouldn't be happy if it got melted off! Possibly a good idea to buy some adhesive heat film for the undertray.

p.s. you didn't say what timing you had in the ESC? I'd drop it to low to start off with as thats meant to lower temps + load.

[JackWood]

You must have posted the question as I was replying to the other, sorry.

Whatever standard is for 128 firmware. I think it is set to high.

But Southwell says he has been running the standard profiles, so his should be the same. Can it make that much difference?

[Cassp0nk]

You must have posted the question as I was replying to the other, sorry.

Whatever standard is for 128 firmware. I think it is set to high.

But Southwell says he has been running the standard profiles, so his should be the same. Can it make that much difference?

One of the profiles is set to 'very high' that's meant to only be used with caution and testing with a temp gun...

[JackWood]

Thanks very much to every one for the info.

I went ahead and ordered one of the £15 Mini IR Temp measuring device today.

Lets see what the readings are when it turns up in a couple of days.

Jack