Running a sensored brushless motor unsensored with water

[CoolRunning]

Odd I know but I've read that a brushless motor is ok with water and it's the sensored ones that need the be coated and waterproofed where the non sensored do not.

What happens if you have a sensored motor but run it unsensored...is it then more tolerant of water like non sensored brushless?

I don't want to 'try' to pull my motor apart and 'attempt ' to waterproof it when there is a decent chance it won't work or I'll kill the motor (or ESC etc).

I've noticed the sensor wire has fallen out of the brushless SCX10 and it has made no difference to the low speed performance. It still crawls like a champ which got me thinking about running it unsensored as winter is approaching.

[cinnabun]

The part about running sensored isn't what makes it not waterproof.. it's the pcb board inside the sensored motor that makes it not waterproof.. doesn't matter if running sensored or not.

[CoolRunning]

Though if you're not using the hall sensor, doesn't the ESC just default to reading the approx position? If the sensor then gets wet does it actually matter (can it even short the motor when it's not powered)?

[cinnabun]

Originally Posted by CoolRunning

Though if you're not using the hall sensor, doesn't the ESC just default to reading the approx position? If the sensor then gets wet does it actually matter (can it even short the motor when it's not powered)?

Don't forget about corrosion.

[EddieO]

Originally Posted by CoolRunning

Though if you're not using the hall sensor, doesn't the ESC just default to reading the approx position? If the sensor then gets wet does it actually matter (can it even short the motor when it's not powered)?

The sensor boards are typically a separate part of the motor, if running in sensorless mode, the board does nothing....even if its failed. It won't short the motor if it fails and is not plugged into the ESC (they can do weird stuff to some ESCs if plugged in and failing)...the rest of the electronic part of the motor is fairly water capable as is, but there are issues with rust on the laminations. Brushless windings are rarely epoxy dipped....so water can make its way into them, become trapped near the laminations, which are rust magnets...laminations cutting through insulation of the wire from movement is a common way for stators to fail, add sharp pieces of rust, just makes it more likely.

Sensorless doesn't guess the appx position though, its actually fairly accurate of knowing where the rotor is, it just uses a different method to first detect where stuff is, which is by basically jump starting the motor to figure out where it is, hence why they have such piss poor startup...

Later EddieO

[Ditchrat]

Originally Posted by EddieO

Brushless windings are rarely epoxy dipped....so water can make its way into them, become trapped near the laminations, which are rust magnets...laminations cutting through insulation of the wire from movement is a common way for stators to fail, add sharp pieces of rust, just makes it more likely.

I have been fairly stubborn when it comes to brushless motors, for various reasons. However It is always in the back of my mind. Just so I don't use that statement to support my internal case against. Can the average person open a blushless to coat the lams or are brushless motors best left alone?

[EddieO]

You in theory could, but it would be fairly easy to screw up....especially if you used the wrong epoxy. I would not suggest it really...

Later EddieO

[magic_yeti]

Just buy an version of motor, that it's waterproofed by manufacture.
There are enough options.

[ColdFox]

On some motors you can even remove the sensor (did it on my Tenshock) and then cover/waterproof the hole were the sensor plug was

[xCoolHandLukex]

I've just sprayed silicone waterproofing inside and then siliconed all the seams and holes on my sensored motors. Had good luck so far. I don't really "swamp" my rigs but I've had most of them completely submerged before and I live in a rainforest area so it really wet and humid in the summer. My experience there's no such thing as waterproof just different levels of water resistance. Everything gets water in it if you use and abuse it long enough.


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