Bob Payne

My Feedback: (8)

what is the best way to break in a regular speed 400 motor?
getting ready to replace a motor and want to make sure
i do it right.
I've heard of just hook them up to a couple aa batterys and let them run
the batterys down,
I've heard do the same as above but let motor hang in a glass of water?

how does everyone else do it?
also what is the expected running life of a 400?

Thanks

Dr Kiwi

Either will do it, though the water method is, perhaps, better since the excess carbon is 'washed away'. Also the water method is quicker since you only need 10 minutes or so, instead of ~ 1hr. Remember, no prop for either method (esp. the water glass one!).

The expected running life of a 400 is inversely proportional to the amount of abuse you heap upon it - so even a ball park figure is impossible to guess at! They will last a lot longer than the GWS IPS motors, if that is any consolation.

Cheers, Phil

Bob Payne

My Feedback: (8)

thanks,

one more thing, is a couple AA batt's enough
or should i hook it up to the speed controller
and use the battery pack i will be using?

and i guess after the water trick i need
to use compressed air and blow it out good.

PHIL I.

[8D] AA the way to go. Water also. Do NOT oil before breakin in water.Do not use WD 40..PERIOD.. Go by LHS and get R/C car oil or 3-in-1 or ....As long as it's thin and won't thichen up.. Yes blow dry then oil. Good idea is oil every HR. flight time.

Good lucK & have fun.......
PHIL I.

Bob Payne

My Feedback: (8)

where do you oil the 400?
also what about afterrun oil its the same as 3in1

PHIL I.

BUSHINGS ONLY! There are one on each end of the motor! If you have a gear drive, there are also 2. I oil after ea. hour use! I have not seen nor used after run oil. As long as it's thin and doesn't thicken up....Should work!

PHIL I.

3DFanatic

My Feedback: (5)

I put the motor in water hooked up to 2 C-cells and let them run down all the way. Extra runtime can't hurt and there's always a ncie pile of black in the bottom of the cup.

PHIL I.

Water break in is great! It is a + for motor performance and when done right--longetivity.
Running long enough to get material in the bottom of the water glass, you are using LOTS of run time UP.....All you WANT is to run LONG enough to get FULL contact out of the brushes. Running till you get a bunch of material at the bottom of the glass is overkill! If you can see the brushes, you will be suprised how SHORT thr water run time is to get full contact! The CHEEPER the brushes, the quicker they wear!
PHIL I.

tunnelvishon

Use distilled and preferably deionized water and not just tap water. Running at about 7-9 amps on 7 cells my 7.4v 400 motors give me about 50-75 good flights. I do run them in my glider for 4 one minute runs and they cool down so continuous runs and xtra heat will shorten life. If I notice a reduction in performance or alot of sparking at the brushes i swap them out cuz they are cheap. Also, some people break them in again in water and claim the performance improves a bit.
Be careful with the airhose deal (low pressure)...I have blown off the putty-like green stuff on the windings...the motor shook awefully bad. I guess this stuff is stuck on here and there on some motors by hand for balancing at the factory cuz I seen fingerprints in it.