Has anyone tried running with the new electric motor? If so is there a big difference than the e-tec motor that everyone is using?

Oh, ok. Thanks.

Hey Nathan.  Yes, the ETEK-R motors still run on brushes.  I don't know where you would get brushes for the ETEK-R motor when they wear out though.

Speaking of brushes maybe someone can answer my question. Why are we running brushed motors? I am big into the rc scene and I am currently converting a truck to brushless electric. Brushless motors can be smaller and lighter for the same amount of power, they are more efficient, and require almost no maintainance. There is no reason, in my eyes, that we should be running brushed. In the RC world brushless cost more but that is because of their small size and tight tolerances that allow them to run up to 60,000 rpms. A brushless motor at these sizes should be the same price as a brushed motor. Just my thought. correct me if I am wrong.

As I see it, most teams are funded on a limited budget and use what was "left over" by a previous driver or such. To switch to something else would bring up more expenses then I think a high school backed team wants to.

Looking on the internet, the Brushless ETEK motors go for $425 on teamdelta.com.  But you can't hook it up to your Curtis, Alltrax, or other controller that runs on brushed motors.  You would need a brushless controller for the job (a Sevcon controller goes for $475,) but this gets into a money issue. The price of paying for a brushless motor and brushless controller is the equivalent price of two motors.  I would stick to the brushed motors personally, they're easier to understand and work on.  Then you don't need the extra controller for the job.

Also, just to add as I too used to be involved in R/C racing, when I stopped, brushless was just starting to "take over" and it was never really something the racers were getting into. I talked to a guy I know (Who races R/C Professionally) and he told me the main benifit is lower maintenence. Not sure about you, i'd rather take my motor apart and spend an hour or two rebuilding it, then to not be able to do anything at all to it.

I really do not think brushes are much of a issue because the Lynch and Etek are both rated for 3000 hours before a brush change is needed.  It is a good learning experience for student to disassemble PM electric motors so I have used old typewriter motors for the educational part.  Also, the no load current draw on the Etek-R is larger than that on the Etek or Lynch.

ok that makes sense. I forgot about having to get a brushless speedcontroller too. I do understand the attraction to taking the motor apart to rebuild it. Working on my RC's is most of the fun. Us kids just don't have much time with school and whatnot in the way so rebuilding could be time that could have been used on some other repair. Just my thoughts.

A few years ago the rules forbid brushless motors. That was dropped, but so far I have not seen anyone show up at a race with a brushless one. Time will tell on this one.