Regardless of the model of your RC car, best believe that it either uses a brushless or brush motor. Without the motor, the RC car will be unable to accelerate or even go backward.
However, brushless motors are considered more efficient in a series of applications, and they are even the most popular.
This brings us to the main question; “How much longer do brushless motors last?”A brushless motor can last at least 416 days, meaning it can operate for about 10,000 hours or even more. However, with brushed motors, you get an average of 2500 hours.
For this reason, the majority of RC cars use brushless motors, because they last much longer. The lifespan of a brushless motor is dependent on different factors, from the quality of the motor to the operating conditions.
Why Do Brushless Motors Last Longer?
The first reason why brushless motors have a longer lifespan than their brushed variant is that they don’t have any brushes, and this equates to fewer moving parts.
Brushless motors feature a magnetically charged outer casing that spins, and coils that are fixed in place. The coils are powered using an external controller, and this controller helps generate the magnetic field that causes the casing to rotate.
How Fast Do Brushless Motors Wear Out?
The good news, brushless motors don’t wear out!The absence of brushes and commutators makes brushless motors a more durable option than their counterparts – brushed motors.Brushless motors usually have an internal rotor that spins as fast as 100000 rpm, plus it has a fixed stator that connects the coils and rotor at the point where the permanent magnets are.
Brushless motors have high efficiency and performance, plus they are less prone to mechanical wear. The good thing about brushless motors is that you can comfortably use them for a very long period without fear of them wearing out.
While it’s true that brushed and brushless motors both operate using repulsion and magnetic attraction, brushless motors make use of electronic commutation to control and spin the magnetic field.
What Can Shorten The Lifespan Of A Brushless Motor
It’s undisputed that brushless motors can operate for thousands of hours, but that doesn’t mean it lasts forever; as a matter of fact, brushless motors can fail as well. The most common reason brushless motors stop working after a short period is water and dust contamination.
Water and dust cause erosion, and this directly impacts the bearing and leads to bearing failure. Plus, you should note that ignoring the manufacturer’s recommendations will ultimately lead to early failure, because who knows a brushless motor better than those that produced it?Other reasons why a brushless motor can fail quickly.
Increased Current
One of the major reasons why a brushless motor can stop functioning is the current. Remember that the current of a brushless motor is directly dependent on the load. That means any increase in the load will lead to an increase in the current. Similarly, an increase in current leads to an increase in heat distribution.
When the current is too high, a brushless motor generates a large amount of waste heat, and this is the leading factor in the failure of a brushless motor. Too much heat production affects the motor’s winding, causing the magnet to become demagnetized.
Brushless motors operate using magnetic attraction, so when the rotor magnet is affected and becomes demagnetized, it automatically reduces the efficiency of the brushless motor. Typically, when a brushless motor’s kV increases as a result of demagnetization, the motor will try to push higher RPMs, and this is when a higher current draw occurs.
When this happens, the windings are exposed to intense heat, causing the enamel coating protecting it to melt away. Once, the coating is gone, the brushless motor becomes damaged.
Frequency of Use
Agreed that brushless motors can last up to 10,000 running hours, but the frequency of use will affect its lifespan as well. When a brushless motor is used all the time, it leads to higher production of heat, and this excessive heat can affect its performance. Subsequently, it’ll start experiencing internal wear, and when that happens, it’s well on its way to getting damaged.
Wrong Installation
When installing a new brushless motor, it’s always advised to get a professional to do it, if you don’t know how to.Brushless motors are expensive, so why not invest a few extra bucks and get it properly installed?
If a brushless motor is mounted wrongly, it’ll experience more stress and vibration than usual, and this will cause it to fail faster. Plus, if you don’t connect the wires correctly, it’ll affect the durability.
The sad part is that you might not even detect what’s wrong until it’s too late. If you are certain, you can install it yourself, then be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Operating Conditions
All electronics need to be subjected to the best operating conditions to keep functioning properly, and the same goes for brushless motors.Operating a brushless motor at constantly high speed will cause it to experience more wear, as opposed to when it’s operated at low speed.
If a motor is used outside of its recommended operating conditions, it leads to early failure. Brushless motors are famous for their high torque ability, but using more than what’s recommended by the manufacturer is a recipe for premature failure.
There’s a common misconception that stop-and-start cycles help prolong the lifespan of a brushless motor, but that’s far from the truth.Sharp start-and-start cycles put more pressure on the motor and will eventually cause it to pack up.
External Factors
External factors like debris and dust accumulation can cause corrosion and early damage to a brushless motor. Even, vibration can negatively impact the lifespan of a brushless motor as well.
How to Make a Brushless Motor Last Longer – Maintenance
The most effective way to sustain the lifespan of any type of motor is maintenance. Every electronic requires maintenance for full performance, although brushless motors require less maintenance than brushed motors.
Some tips to help you keep your brushless motors at their best capacity.
- During operation, always follow the recommended rated speed, current, and power; never exceed the appropriate max torque
- Inspect the speed control frequently to be sure it’s tight and fixed in place
- If your speed control is showing signs of frayed or worn-out wires, then you’ll need to get it fixed with a liquid electrical tape – or have a professional repair it
- Always clean your brushless motor to prevent the accumulation of dust
- Apply lubricants to the bearings of your brushless motor
- Frequently clean the chassis using an air compressor to prevent accumulation of dust and dirt
In essence, contrary to public opinion, cleaning your brushless motor frequently helps prolong its lifespan and boost efficiency.
What to Consider When Buying a Brushless Motor
If your usage purpose doesn’t align with the model of brushless motor you are purchasing, it might cause it to pack up sooner than expected.If you don’t know How Do I Choose a Brushless Motor?, please click here to learn more.
Regardless of what you are purchasing a brushless motor for, consider the following.
- Power Requirements. Brushless motors can deliver more power with a lower amount of heat. So, if you want a motor for heavy-duty construction work, opt for brushless motors
- Battery Life. Brushless motors come with rechargeable batteries, and many users love this convenience. So, if you need something for a longer run time, purchase one with a bigger battery capacity.
Bonus – Why Brushless Motors Are The Best
The design of a brushless motor gives it several advantages; let’s take a look at a few.
Quiet Operation
When using a brushed motor, the electrical arcing between the commutator and brushes causes a loud noise that’s impossible to ignore. But, with brushless motors, the commutation process is handled by an electronic circuit, meaning there’s very little noise produced.
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Brushless motors have fewer mechanical components, and as such they offer a better power-to-weight ratio than brushed motors.
Better Motor Efficiency
With brushed motors, you may notice excessive sound and heat production. What this does is that it reduces the power from the device, thereby reducing its efficiency over time. But, in brushless motors, the amounts of heat and sound are significantly lower, thereby resulting in higher motor efficiency.
Also, compared to brushed motors, brushless motors have a better speed range, making them more suitable for applications that need a wider speed range.
Safer Operation
Because brushless motors don’t have commutators and brushes, they are more reliable, and even a safer option for usage in hazardous environments.
Conclusion
Brushless motors are incredibly efficient, and with the right approach and maintenance, they can last for years without developing issues. If you need high performance and durability on a project, brushless motors are your big guns.
And, in the long term, it’s even a worthy investment, as it requires minimal maintenance to operate at its best. If you want to know more, you can follow DONGHUI Motor.
Click to learn：All About Brushless Electric Motors.
