Traxxas 12T 550 Motor
 

Anybody have any experience using the Traxxas 12T 550 can motor in the Twin Hammers?

Re: Traxxas 12T 550 Motor
 

I've never used the 12T in a rock racer, but I have used the Traxxas 21T paired with the XL-5 ESC in a rock racer, and it was pretty sweet. It had good wheel speed (for 2.8 sized wheels) and plenty of torque. That vehicle had both diffs locked and it crawled well, but bashed just ok. A good "do-it-all" trail truck.

When my brushless system in my Twin Hammer dies, I'll likely go back to that XL-5 + 21T motor combo in it.

Re: Traxxas 12T 550 Motor
 

Thanks for the info. The 12T is not very expensive so I may pick one up and give it a try.

Re: Traxxas 12T 550 Motor
 

If you have the RTR and are looking for a performance boost without breaking the bank, I would recommend a Losi 12T brushed motor (LOSB9999). I recently installed one along with a 24-tooth pinion (78-tooth spur) and was pleased with the speed increase. I have a 2nd TW with a 10.5T sensored brushless motor (same gearing). The Losi 12T brushed is not as fast as the brushless, but it is close. Both are running 2S. It remains to be seen what the life of the motor will be.

Re: Traxxas 12T 550 Motor
 

After thinking about this more, and hoping for more fine throttle control, I decided to install a brushed ESC & motor combo. The one I chose is one that I bought from the "For Sale" section of this forum, and I installed:

1. Dynamite LiPO Tazer, 12t ESC- set-up to run LiPO and in FWD/REV with Smart Brake.
2. Axial 20t brushed motor.

I'm using the same gearing which I had been using on the 3000kv motor hooked to an 80a ESC.

The two systems are surprisingly similar in wheel speed, the 3000kv motor producing slightly faster wheel speed than the 20t. The motor temps are almost identical, both being around 100f, giving me room to gear up on the 20t in case I wanted some of the wheel speed back, but I doubt I'll want it. The low speed throttle control of the 20t is better than the 3000kv motor was, giving me the chance to very gradually increase or decrease the torque as I try to get each wheel on top of stuff. The 20t also feels more "torquey" than the 3000kv.

An unexpected benefit is that both, the brushed ESC and the brushed motor are lighter than their brushless counterpart, resulting in less weight up high in my Twin Hammers. I also added some RC4WD steel wheels at the same time, so I've got extra weight down low.

I'm glad I switched to brushed, and now I see that I was wrong in thinking that the fine motor control with brushed is not "that much better" over a brushless in low gear. It is better, and better enough to be worth the change for my "crawl-only" Twin Hammers.

A good summary is:

Brushless, sensorless is good for rock bouncing.
Brushed is good for crawling.