12v Johnson 550 brushed overheating my AE-2

[StomperCrawler]

So I'm running a brand new 12v Johnson 550 brushed motor that during break-in (running my Honcho on 2s lipo in constant super-slow while free-wheeling on a stand) made my stock AE-2 ESC temperature spike!

I'm wondering if it has to do with:

1. the fact that I had to reverse the motor wires to get it to drive forward properly; but specs say no problem with this
2. lack of noise-killing capacitors; haven't soldered them on yet
3. under-volted motor; could I run a 12v AC/DC adapter through the ESC?
4. over-motored ESC; but I thought it could handle 11.1v & an 19T motor?
5. bum motor; could get another one for $3.50

Here are the specs on the motor:

• Ideal for robotics, RC, and any other project requiring high powered motors
• Can be operated in either direction, simply reverse power supply polarity
• Dimensions (not including shaft): 64mm long x 36mm diameter
• Johnson Electric 12V Motor - 30,360 RPM - High Torque
• Shaft is 2.1mm long and has a 3.3mm diameter
• No load speed of 30,360 RPM
• .85 A current draw @ 1.5 V
• 1.15 A current draw @ 12V
• Operates on 1.5 - 12 VDC
• Weight: .33 LBS
• Type 372701

Thoughts?

[k7zpj]

What Spur and Pinion are you using?
When you say the ESC temp spiked, how hot is it?

[lonleycreeper]

Thing is, the hardest thing on a ESC is running at partial throttle.
Something about the switching. Might explain the heat. Really to break in a motor, you should connect the motor directly to a battery, I used to run down a D cell, motor in a cup of distilled water.

[realsickclown]

I would say the motor is drawing to much from the ESC.

[TacoCrawler]

The 2s may not be producing enough voltage.
and could be causing motor starvation.

I would try running a 3s... utilizing a BEC
at least that might be closer to the motor's voltage requirements.

The motor may be capable of running with less voltage...
But the volt specs might be determined with little - no load.

volt up... gear down.

be sure there is no bind in the drive line,
spur/pinion gears.

I'm no e motor guru...
so maybe Holmes will chime in.
Or you could PM Holmes Hobbies and inquire.

[StomperCrawler]

Thanks for all the great input!

I'm running the stock 20/87 gearing and don't have any other gears yet. :(

The ESC got so hot I couldn't keep my finger on it for 3 seconds.

Unfortunately, I don't yet have a 3s or BEC to connect to it. :(

No binding issues and the gear mesh is a tiny bit loose (paper width).

I slapped a fan on it and will try the motor again running normal & high speed for 2-3 minutes, see how it goes and let y'all know.

[k7zpj]

It is probably geared too high with the 87/20 (4.35:1) ratio.

I would lower the gearing to somewhere in the 87/14 to 87/16 range and check the ESC temps again.

[StomperCrawler]

It seems to work fine now with the 3 capacitors & faster speed. As I mentioned, I don't have any other gears to try. ;)