Need a good waterproof esc/motor (brushed)

[charlie438]

hey guys, so im starting my new build, this ones going to be a wraith driveline in a custom welded cage, it is going to be completely waterproof so i need a good waterproof esc/motor combo (brushed) also looking into axles,links,ect any input will be helpful! thanks.

[snapon boy]

Holmes hobbies

[JohnRobHolmes]

On the long term, brushless is more reliable in water. But brushed works too if you keep an eye on the brush length and don't stop in mud.

[charlie438]

what do you recommend?

[JohnRobHolmes]

Depends on what you are doing with it. If you are OK with 10mph or less speeds, brushed is great all around until you hit mud or hammer hill climbs for 30 minutes.


I keep brushed in my slower, more capable crawlers that generally stay on rock. I put brushless into my faster trail rigs that get hours of use each outing. Since you are talking about water, I'm assuming this isn't just a rock crawler and that you will have a better long term value with brushless. Pick any brushed or BL motor on my site, they would all be fine choices.

[charlie438]

do you have anything waterproof?

[MrFoxwind]

Charlie: If you visit Holmes's site, you'll discover that most of his stuff has options for waterproofing, usually as an add-on price (of 10$, that I've seen).

JRH: When you say that brushless perform better in water, which kind of BL motors are you referring to? Sensored or Sensorless? Inrunner or Outrunner? I'm asking because most of my friends have BL motors except for one, and they're all paranoid about running it around water. I'm not talking about running it through swampy dirty mudpuddles, I'm talking about "eek it's drizzling/sprinking/raining and the ground is a bit wet."

Thanks.

[robertjpjr]

Sensorless motors can be submerged without any waterproofing.
Sensored motors can be submerged if the sensor board is waterproofed.
You do need to watch out for bearings corroding, dirt and hard objects clogging up the stator, etc.

I waterproof mine with conformal coating. I've made a few videos on the subject, for any interested.

As far as answering the OP, Buy yourself a MMP. It will do brushed and brushless. It's the best ESC that I've used. Tried a bunch. I don't skimp out on ESC any longer.
I do however buy cheaper motors.
HobbyWing 4pole 3400kv 3656sd sensored $80
Hobbyking 4pole motors, various KV under $50
All work well. If they are 4 pole. The 2 pole ones lack in the torque obviously.
With the MMP you can buy a cheap brushed motor and get a BL one later.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Robert is right on the key points. Over everything, it must be understood that bearings and stator will rust if the motor isn't cleaned or at least dried with compressed air after it gets submerged. CorrosionX is good to keep rust at bay on bearings, but it doesn't last forever.


Brushed systems are easier to run in water, as only the ESC really needs waterproofing. Same for sensorless brushless, but for crawling/ trailing you can pretty much ignore sensorless systems as they perform poor during startup unless you use an outrunner.

Sensored brushless systems need a bit more care during waterproofing, but once done they are more reliable over the long term than brushed. We use a combination of conformal coatings and potting compounds to make the ESCs and motors ready to get dunked.




I would also recommend a nicer ESC but cheaper motor if you intend to run underwater. For just getting splashes you can get high quality and practically any type of motor without worry. But submerging is more likely to get damage. That's why we have the TrailMaster Sport and will have a cheaper 4 pole soon as well.

[charlie438]

what is difference between sensored and sensoreless?

[robertjpjr]

Short and sweet...
Sensorless has poor low end startup. Resulting in stuttering, "cogging", jolting forward- not linear performance.
Sensored motors use hall sensors to determine where the motor rotor is, in relation to the stator. (I believe that is correct)
Resulting in smooth power delivery, much like a brushed motor. Without the wear and tear of brushes.

This video gives a fairly decent description on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF6rM43Jles

[charlie438]

wow thatsbwhat im looking for i hate the coging i get with my castle sidewinder3

[robertjpjr]

If you can afford this, this is a very good setup.

TowerHobbies.com | Castle Creations 1/10 Mamba Max Pro ESC Smart Sense $127
HOBBYWING North America — Xerun Sensored Brushless Motor 3656 SD $87

From what I hear, this is an even better setup. Have yet to get one.

Holmes Hobbies LLC $140
Holmes Hobbies LLC $140
Add $10 each for waterproofing, or buy a $12 bottle of conformal coating, and do it yourself.