Advice on brushed motor capacitors...

[pete2222]

Can someone advise me whether it's really necessary to solder capacitors to the rear of brushed motors. I'm not racing, just driving my B4 in the park etc.
My 1/10th scale electric experience so far has all been brushless, but I've now got hold of a couple of old brushed motors (without capacitors on) that I'd like to try out just to see how they compare.
Thanks

[MatJohnson]

Give it a go, All mine have got them on but I dunno if they are essential any more

[sosidge]

Definitely worth it.

Without the capacitors the motor will cause interference which will spoil your day, on the track or in the park.

But bear in mind that a lot of the more modern motors have small surface-mount capacitors built in. You can normally see a small circuit board on the endbell screws. The V2 motors have the board hidden inside the endbell.

I don't 100% trust the SM capacitors though, so if you are having interference problems, solder some on externally as well. Generally three should sort you, positive to negative, positive to can, and negative to can.

[bodgit]

are you thinking of capacitors or skotty diodes

[pete2222]

are you thinking of capacitors or skotty diodes

I think I'm on about capacitors, but if there is anything else that's essential for me to solder on before I start, let me know:cry:

[Titch]

Depends on your ESC, if it has reverse on it don't install a schottky diode else it will go pop..

When you hit the brakes on a brushed system the motor gives off electrical current, this ends up going back to the ESC and causing the brake FETs to overheat. running the diode on the motor, or inline to the motor soaks up this current and stops the overheating..

Most entry level ESC's which require them already have them installed internally, some top end models require you to add one yourself.. This way manufacturers can make the units smaller thus saving you space and choice of where to put the SD.

:)

ps - that's as I understand it anyway.

[Col]

That's bang on there titch about reverse.
Brushed motors are no less competative than brushless. The main difference is less runtime per equilivent motor.

[Titch]

Nice to know my memory hasn't let me down completely!! :lol:

[MatJohnson]

So would you always use a shottky diode on a forward/brake esc and brushed motor combo?

[sosidge]

So would you always use a shottky diode on a forward/brake esc and brushed motor combo?

Read the ESC manual first.

Some speedos don't need them, some speedos need a specific one.

[MatJohnson]

Yeah I did that, it says its optional, thats about it :) (Its a Novak Cyclone, one of the orignal ones)

[Titch]

install both the diodes.. I had the cyclone and I installed them both on mine.

Put the smaller one on the motor endbell and the large black one onto the ESC. do you have the instruction manual? if not - it's Here (http://www.teamnovak.com/download/instructions/pdfs/cyc_cyctc.pdf).

[MatJohnson]

Int the large black one on the ESC a capacitor?

[Titch]

Int the large black one on the ESC a capacitor?

:blush:

Sorry, that's what I meant! Just blame it on my age :lol:

[pete2222]

Thanks for all your advice. I set it up without soldering any capacitors or diodes on and it all seemed fine for 1 pack in the garden anyway.

[MatJohnson]

Yeah, its when you get near the other cars it will start doing odd things.

[bodgit]

If you use a schotty diode remember to solder the side with a white/silver line on to the positive side only
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1321720089157&id=3c00ee50b386dcac6ee85e648fbfe839&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.solarbotics.com%2fassets%2fim ages%2fd3%2fd3_pl.jpg