Just ordered TF2, BRUSHED OR BRUSHLESS?

[Playtime747]

This is TF2 Heaven!!! :mrgreen: Hope everyone here can help me out. I am not new to RC but, New to rock crawlers. I just ordered my TF2 and will have it in a couple days. Don't want to open a can of worms here but, want to know what to use for motor and esc. Would like to stay brushless but have read that they don't do well with these. Money is not a issue and want to use the best and most reliable. Am going to add lights and winch and need a good built in BEC or should I get external? Next question should I run 2S or 3S? Thanks!

 

[Lukescb7]

I run a fxr with a 35t on 3s. Great combo fro crawling and trailing. If money is no issue then go brushless, beef up the drivetrain, and buy spare parts.
As for the bec, go with a castle 10a external.

 

[Jus]

No way would I run brushless. You'll destroy the leaf springs and probably the diff gears.

I run the axial 27t motor and Holmes brxl on 3s. Stock gearing. 2nd gear really hauls and 1st crawls great with enough wheel speed to get out of trouble most of the time. I personally think this a perfect setup for the tf2.

 

[Playtime747]

Thanks bro!! I found the fxr with the 45t hw combo for 180.00. I wonder how well the brushless will brake on steep hills. This is a whole new world for me. I am use to electric helicopters and have been flying for about 13 years and know all the components and what works. I saw the TF2 on youtube last week and was like, I have to get one of those... Damn heli's are just getting too expensive and the TF2 I don't have to worry about destroying it if it crashes...lol

 

[waterboij23]

little off subject but what part of AL are you from?

I would probably run brushed 35t on 3s.

 

[Playtime747]

little off subject but what part of AL are you from?

I would probably run brushed 35t on 3s.

Just north of BHM in Oneonta...

 

[Lukescb7]

No way would I run brushless. You'll destroy the leaf springs and probably the diff gears.

I run the axial 27t motor and Holmes brxl on 3s. Stock gearing. 2nd gear really hauls and 1st crawls great with enough wheel speed to get out of trouble most of the time. I personally think this a perfect setup for the tf2.

They make HD gears. But as far as the leafs springs, they would be toast real fast. I say 35t on 3s is where its at.

 

[Playtime747]

They have the fxr 35t hw combo cheaper than with the 45t... I have a CC 10amp BEC and a few 3S 4000mah lipos that I use on my heli's.

 

[Playtime747]

This may sound stupid but, how long do the brushes last? I know on some of the micro heli's with brushed motors they don't last long... That was my big concern. I know you can change the brushes when they go and those brushes may be designed to last longer.

 

[Lentsnh2012]

This may sound stupid but, how long do the brushes last? I know on some of the micro heli's with brushed motors they don't last long... That was my big concern. I know you can change the brushes when they go and those brushes may be designed to last longer.

It all depends on how to treat the motor and maintain it. There isn't a set time on when to change the brushes. I would buy an extra set and have them in your toolbox.


When your motor starts to loose power or "sticks", it is probably time to change them. Also, good choice on the Tekin system! Brushless is WAYYY too powerful for TF2's. I've blown a few diff gears with a 35T and a 3S Lipo with the help of a steep hill.

 

[eric113]

Look into holmes hobbies BR-XL esc with one his brushed 35t motors. I would recommend a castle Creations 10 amp bec. 3s for sure! If your totally set of Tekin fxr and 35t motor combo Holmes carry those, cheaper.

Holmes Hobbies LLC- Your Source for Power!

As far brushes wearing, it depends how you take care of your motors, what kinds conditions you plan on running. They dont wear too quickly though. Holmes does offer rebuilding motor services.

 

[Playtime747]

It all depends on how to treat the motor and maintain it. There isn't a set time on when to change the brushes. I would buy an extra set and have them in your toolbox.


When your motor starts to loose power or "sticks", it is probably time to change them. Also, good choice on the Tekin system! Brushless is WAYYY too powerful for TF2's. I've blown a few diff gears with a 35T and a 3S Lipo with the help of a steep hill.

I am going to be on ruff terrain most of the time and would like to have more tq... So do you think the 45t would be a good choice? If not I can always get a 35t later. Changing the motor in one of these is a hell of a lot easier than changing one in a heli...lol

 

[Jus]

I own one tekin fxr and it's a good esc but since the holmes brxl came out its all I'll run for a brushed esc. Its a much better esc, and they are the same price. The brxl has a slightly better drag brake. Can handle up to 6s lipo. NO brushed motor limit. A strong internal bec. It's bigger, but there is plenty of room on the tf2 for it so that shouldn't be an issue.

I like the Axial 27t motor because they can be had for $12 and last a good long while if you don't over gear them and keep them fairly clean. I've gotten over a year of use from my scx 10s. When its worn out, throw it away and get another. They are nice and smooth on the low rpm and start up. Also they are a little weak in the torque department which I actually find to be a good thing for the tf2.

 

[Playtime747]

Look into holmes hobbies BR-XL esc with one his brushed 35t motors. I would recommend a castle Creations 10 amp bec. 3s for sure! If your totally set of Tekin fxr and 35t motor combo Holmes carry those, cheaper.

Holmes Hobbies LLC- Your Source for Power!

As far brushes wearing, it depends how you take care of your motors, what kinds conditions you plan on running. They dont wear too quickly though. Holmes does offer rebuilding motor services.

Awesome!!! You can use the castle link with the BR-XL. That is all I use on my heli's is CC and like being able to use the laptop to program.

 

[alexchen86]

Yup which is why I have 5 brxls lol. Sure the FXR is easier to hide but Castle stuff will always be cheaper for the average joe that wants a decent layout for a decent price.

 

[Joe$]

The motor you use depends on how fast you want to go. And for crawling you don't want to go to fast IMO. I'm using a waterproof BRXL and tekin 55t motor on 3s and it's plenty fast for me. I would go for a slower motor and an esc that is at least 3s capable or higher.
You mentioned lights too I would recommend the rc4wd basic light kit. It's made for the tf2. I would buy the rc4wd tuff box also and run you battery wire to it and use it for your battery so you don't have to remove the body to change the battery. It's very handy if your esc doesn't have an on off switch.
GL and have fun with your tf2

 

[Playtime747]

Thanks Joe... I am not going to be big on speed either. If I wanted to go fast I would build something else or go fly my heli...lol I want all the tq I can get and I am sure in 2nd gear will be plenty fast. If I don't like the 55t I can always get a 45t or 35t. Want to thank everyone for all there input. Can't wait for the UPS truck to get here Friday....

 

[Joe$]

Yup gots to love parts Christmas right. GL on your build.

 

[Playtime747]

Thanks for all the help everyone... This sucks being a noob and learning about all the ESC'S and Motors... Reminds me of when I started with heli's years ago. I made the trip to my closest hobby store "hour and a half away" and took my TF2 with me to make sure I picked up everything I needed and this is what I bought. They did not have the motor I wanted so bought the Novak and can upgrade later...

 

[Joe$]

Looks like nice gear. I want a dx4s