Does a RC Brushless Motor Require Lubrication or Oiling?
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- Here we look at Lubricating a brushless motor. There are only a few mechanical rotating components inside the brushless motor. One being the rotor of the motor. And the others being the bearings that help support the motor.
The only motor I have that needs new bearings: found in this video:
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Remember that WD40 is NOT a lubricant. If you're applying WD40 to a bearing thinking you are lubricating it, all you're doing is diluting and rinsing the factory lubricant from the bearing.
Absolutely!
Agree!
Hey Ryan! great video, here are some of my tips:
1. Clean your entire motor case using a vacuum cleaner with a dusting brush attachment, don't vacuum delicate electronics.
2. Run your motor un-propped make sure it sounds smooth.
3. In any case of grinding or other unusual noises, I would usually replace the bearings and make sure rotor doesn't come in contact with the windings, (it does happen).
4. If you're about to replace your motor bearings, be very careful when taking it apart, screws are often fragile or tightened with thread-locking adhesive.
5. DON'T HAMMER! Use a a press/vice when dealing with tight bearings on a shaft, if needed, carefully use a rubber mallet.
6. Use Corrosion X (mostly for RC Boats)
All the best, Eden.
Thanks for the comment and tips Eden!
To get bearings out roll bread into tiny balls, put the bearing stuck on the motor on the floor, then put a ball of bread into the hole. Take your shock shaft and put it into the hole where the bread is and tap the shaft with a piece of wood. Do this over and over till the bearing pops out.
@@slop604 um. Excuse me sir? 🤔
I have to agree with the basic message in this video that when it comes to motor bearing lubrication, it sure is a case of "less is more".
Thanks for the comment Remko!
If I may, I'd like to add my 2 cents: In RC boats, I like to make sure that zero thrust from the propshaft is directed through to the motor bearings.
Hey Remko, I started doing this when I raced RC boats competitively many years ago. However, I couldn't keep the thrust bearings in one piece. I blew up a handful of them within just a few runs. (not sure why) Since then I've reverted back to allowing the bearings to take the thrust.
@@RCexplained Wow, that's unexpected! Well, if it works, then I suppose it works! Thanks!
Inside my motor and armature are packed in dirt. Arrma let’s a lot in. So no contact cleaner in motor can or armature? How can I clean them. I tried a rag and it won’t come off. I read people said spray contact cleaner but many say not to, also what do you think about blocking unused motor holes etc to keep dirt out. Are these also vents for heat. I don’t want to fry my motor trying to keep dirt out, thank you in advance. This is for typhon 3s
thanks for the advice my wltoys motor is brushless and it cost with shipping included $16 dlls and the lifespan of my motors usually last about 2 to 3 years so yes instead of replacing bearings for me is easier to buy a new motor after 2 years the cost for me is about 0.02c per day
This is important. Not just lubrication but maintenance of brushless motors itself.
What would you say to do about a small squeaking noise that is decently loud when rolling or just spinning the motor shaft? Lubricate it? Or clean it with contact cleaner?
Depends. Where do you plan to use it, bashing or competition? Is the motor relatively new or relatively used?
If its new, I'd lube it and "break it in" and just use it.
If its used, might get a contact cleaner.
In either case, i would not enter a race with that motor with an issue. I will solve it first.
What grease does the companies use? Weight, viscosity, chemical make up? Thanks.
I think one thing that was not mentioned in this video is the working temperature of the motor because in my opinion if it is too high it will dissolve the grease in the bearings and it will go out just letting the bearings dry and so reducing their life due to excessive wear.
That's a great point. Hopefully we aren't running our motors at a temperature above the rated maximum thermal threshold.
Would graphite be a good alternative to help the bearings. I use it on the bearings in my 3d printer and it did wonders for them.
In motors that run 4-7,000kv, I’d say no because the graphite could act as rough sand running against the copper wires causing an electrical problem.
I would NEVER go through all that but if I did I would use Graphite as a lubricant . Super slick and it is dry !
Hey Ryan no one in the comments asked this but what is the lifespan of a motor bearing?
Love your videos and your allot smarter that me. However, for standard RC use I can see your point. For high competition Racing you want the most of your bearing. A lighter oil helps with rotation and cuts down on drag. Its nothing for us to replace bearing if they get worn out and go to a ceramic bearing. Again, we do allot more maintenance than standard use.
Thanks for the comment My Pit Space. The guys racing competitively will always be looking for ways to push the limits. Use what you are comfortable and win some races!
Very good information.
Thank you for all the videos, love the info and presentation!
A question about bearings. I have a rc plane motor I need to change bearings on and can only get normal bearings that are used for rc car wheels.
Would this work or do I need some special kind of besrings?
Wondered what your thoughts were on cleaning a brushed or brushless motor with motor spray? Seems like it was more common 20-30 years ago and not as common today, but there can be bearings in both kinds of motors. 🤷🏻♂️
Hi jjtsht, I haven't really used any form of spray on a brushless motor. I have only really just used a cloth to clean the motors.
Hello I have a question how can I calculate or see the minimum current that a Brushless-Motor need
Hi Gabriele 17, for RC airplanes there are online calculators that help out with this.
@@RCexplained thanks for responding, but i need for quadcopters
@@XG4bro17TM same thing. Airplanes and quads both use propellers.
spraying lube will just cause dirt to stick to it and fail faster. If its dry dirt won't stick so much.
So basically if I can turn my motor over without feeling and slop or hearing any grit I’m good? Had a few bearings near my wheels and rocker arms on my e revo 2.0 go after a particularly wet run
Take a look at this video. ruclips.net/video/pCkVIUO7JLw/видео.html
I've always put a drop of 2 in 1 in the bearing on rear of motor...
So if a bearing seems to be squeaking in a brand new BL motor would i need to lubricate it or what would you say? Or would you say just clean it with some electric contact cleaner?
Hi Slop, that is a very unique condition. I have never come across a squeaking bearing when brand new. This would be very concerning. Here is what should be done if you do and for some reason can not get this resolved from the place that sold it to you or the manufacture of the motor.
A squeaking bearing suggests that there is no lubrication within the bearing. Since our bearings contain their own lubrication right from the factory, we know that the lubricant has been able to escape. If the lubricant has been able to escape, placing more lubricant in to the bearing will surely just escape as well. The best thing to do is to replace the bearing entirely.
Good stuff buddy
Thanks Slow RC Mike!
Hi what gear oil would you use on a 350w rear geared hub motor for a e bike? Many thanks
Hi RicSil69, I have no experience with hub motors.
And what do you do if you already have done it with WD-40?
I would just wipe any excess away so that dirt doesn't stick to it.
great video ryan!
Thanks Colin
My motor took a little salty water and the bearings sound dry, why you recomend?? Is a new motor only five runs
If your bearings are shot, replace them with new ones.
@@RCexplained it sounds like dry , the motor it has before stars like that , then at few months stars smokes and freeze
@@RCexplained this one is the original before this happened stars sounds dry
ruclips.net/video/cDGIhZUgG2k/видео.html
Interesting way of saying PROCESS. I like how you say it the British way
Anyways. Do you think I can clean my Traxxas VXL motor with electronics cleaner?
Just use magnatec engine oil , yes dip it all in and shake it all about , then wipe it clean
What if my quad took a dip?
I use fishing reel oil on my bering I've got hundreds of hours on my motor 😐👍
Use zx Schumacher bearing oil
Thanks mate. For me it is clear; Don't lubricate your engine... if they wear put new bearings in it.... :-)
Yep, and you may never have to put new bearings in as they tend to last for a very long time!
You need a camera for close up shots.
could of madethis video just 30 seconds long....Do not bother lubricating as they are cheap to replace and will last longer..... end of.... all that waffle for a simple no.
Hey Phill, thanks for the comment. This is how I started off the channel as it was more my style. With very little detail, however , many complained about this. I added detail but some said I was missing this and that and as a result did not get the answer they were looking for. After re-branding several years ago, there's one video with little detail with an 80% rating, vs a video with detail like this one with a 97.5% rating. However, I still haven't figured out how to keep everyone happy, any suggestions?
Bearing seizes up ?? Buy a new motor !!
You need a camera for close up shots.