Calling out to Novak 21.5T & 18.5T owners

[it8ezbngrn]

I just installed a Novak Crusher 21.5T BL system last night to see what it would be like. Ran it for a few minutes and immediately noticed that it had less "start up" power and less top speed than my Tekin 35T Pro HW. I'm going to try gearing up ASAP to see what happens. Currently top speed on a stock geared 14/87? SCX10 is 4mph. I was getting at least 6 out of my brushed. This is on 3S.

Should I try a 18.5 stator and maybe depending how that goes try a 12.5mm rotor or a 14mm rotor?

I expected the 21.5 to be slow but I expected it to have low end grunt for days and that I could make the tires move as slow as the second of a clock.

[KBrog]

Yes, 18.5 for sure. Maybe even try a 17.5

[it8ezbngrn]

I geared up and the torque (low end control) seemed to stay the same but I was able to get up to 6.4mph out of it at 18/64 48p gearing.

I like to crawl, I mean crawl slow so will that be too high? The 18.5? or is it more subtle than I think. Should I change the rotor to gain some bottom end if its lacking or will that be like going back to the 21.5T since it must pull some top end away.

One more question. I have a wraith with the RC4wd 2speed. Currently running a 27T HH HW brushed. I tried a older Tekin redline 13.5 and it was almost there. Lacked a lil torq and drag brake but it was an older setup. I have another Novak Ballistic 21.5T but I can but a 17.5 stator for under $35. Should I put a 17.5 Novak in that?

[it8ezbngrn]

Went to the 18.5. I had purchased a stator in anticipation. There was a huge difference. Slow speed was good enough to slowly crawl over the curb but top speed was 7.8 mph. Gearing was the stock 14/87. I think I would like a more smoother low end. Should I go back to the 21.5 and gear up or get a larger rotor? I have the 12.3mm currently. They offer a 12.5 and a 14mm rotor. Will the 14mm rotor just kill the top end or take away from it a little?

From my question above about the Wraith, Novak says the limit is a 13.5 but in ( ) they say 18.5 crawler motor. I'm guessing cause of the drag break?

[KBrog]

Gear down to a 13t pinion with the 18.5. try it and see if you like it.

[it8ezbngrn]

Turns out that I have the "crawler" motor so the 14mm rotor is installed. So I may gear down a tooth or go back to the 21.1 and gear up. Decisions, decisions. I only paid $113 for the system new so the performance is good for what I paid. Bought two cause of the price.
I reinstalled the previous system, a Tekin FXR and Pro 35T HW back in to compare and I found that the torq was similar but the Novak was faster.

What system are you running ?

Thanks for your advice BTW. Mention Novak around here and its crickets.

[Matthewboerner]

I run a MMP with a 13.5 Novak ballistic crawler on 2s in my scx10. It came out of my old wraith. I have the gearing at 16/87. I like it, it has good versatility IMO

[KBrog]

I ran both the 21.5 and 18.5 in a Losi. First ran the 21.5 and kept gearing up try to get more wheel speed until the motor melted down. Noob mistake on my part. The 18.5 geared down had more torque and wheel speed than the 21.5 geared up.

[cg78]

I cannot speak on the 21 turn but I have two 18.5 turn Novak motors and had no issues with speed heat or low speed crawling. In my scx10 I have a full goat 3s and in my wraith I have a MMP and a 18.5. I switched to 32 pitch each but I can give you what I am running. Both my scx and wraith are silly quick.

[it8ezbngrn]

I'm going to drop down a tooth to 13/87 and run the 18.5. I already soldered on the 21.1 so I figure i own that one. Sell it cheap at best. I'm pulling the 21.1 out of the second motor first thing. I have another 18.5 and I am ordering a 17.5 and a 13.5 for my 2 speed Wraith. I once had a older Tekin redline 13.5 that I tried in it. It had weak drag break and not enough torque and I figure that the Novak crawler with the 14mm rotor with a 13.5 or a 17.5 will be perfect. I will probably run my MMP with it. In the SCX I will run the Novak crusher ESC because it fits well and is water resistant. The wraith has the "Da Box" in front and rear with the cover so the MMP fits inside. I made an hole in the front of the fake fuel cell for the ESC to suck in air. Its like hood scoop.

[it8ezbngrn]

Tried the 18.5 in my 2 speed Wraith and it is just as good as my 27T HH HW brushed so I am pleased to see that. I used a Traxxas ET-3s ESC which is a low buck MMP limited to 3S. It works with the Novak Crawler motor. So I am still going to order the 17.5 and the 13.5 stators. Right mow I am in the process of gearing up the 18.5 to see what happens to its low speed crawling.

So what timing if any should I do to this motor? I'd like to have zero and the bump it up a small amount at full speed for some top end.

[cg78]

I left the timing alone in both setups and yea the tq is great on the novak motors. I know they do not like to get hot, so I gear them to run on the cool side. I am about to start putting the electronics on my scx10 which is getting 6x6 converted. I need to see about motor temps for that one next. Ill post up my gearing in the wraith soon it might help with your baseline.

[dentonmac]

Originally Posted by it8ezbngrn

Tried the 18.5 in my 2 speed Wraith and it is just as good as my 27T HH HW brushed so I am pleased to see that. I used a Traxxas ET-3s ESC which is a low buck MMP limited to 3S. It works with the Novak Crawler motor. So I am still going to order the 17.5 and the 13.5 stators. Right mow I am in the process of gearing up the 18.5 to see what happens to its low speed crawling.

So what timing if any should I do to this motor? I'd like to have zero and the bump it up a small amount at full speed for some top end.

That is basically the system that I run in my SCX. MMP and Novak 18.5 crawler. I have the timing on the motor at 20 deg and the MMP is set to gain timing along with RPM (there is a name for it, but drawing a blank ATM). I am running a 16t pinion on 3s. I also mostly crawl, not much trailing or speed. Could not be happier with that setup, I have had so many people comment how smooth and quiet my SCX is. The lower register is sooo smooth and have all the grunt that I need. Now, it isn't a speed demon, but I can gear up (or down, what ever running a larger pinion means) if needed.

I have run that system on 2s to 4s (I know the ET-3 is limited to 3s, but the crusher is 4s) and was surprised how much smoother the low end was on 4s (of course the top end was there, but feared breakage and stayed off of it). So I went to 3s and stayed.

I have read that these motors do not work well at 0 deg timing. I have both of mine set at 20 deg run great and stay cool. I have read about people going to 30 and getting heat issues and going to 15 and below and getting cogging issues. I set it and 20 and forgot it, nary a hiccup.

Hope this helps.

[it8ezbngrn]

How did you gauge 20 degrees on the motor or did you do it at the MMP? I know that the sensor cable pointing at the B tab is 0 but I didnt see a timing sticker in this motor. I have the crawling version and I don't think they put a sticker on it with the degree marks.