Electric motor break-in
10-18-2007, 07:24 PM
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Electric motor break-in
Since Traxxas introduced the new E-Maxx today, the subject came up about waterproof electronics, etc. A poster on the monster truck forum mentioned that some people break in electric motors by running them submerged in water. Would anyone who knows about this please elaborate? Is it for load purposes or cooling? What are the benefits? Thanks.
10-18-2007, 09:17 PM
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RE: Electric motor break-in
I was told this practice originates from Taiwan and China and is linked to ancient chinese thought. According to the principle of "Wu Xing" the water is absorbed into the metal and thereafter, for a period of time, will generally make the motor run smoother and cooler. The same concepts are used in the ancient arts of chinese medicine and feng shui. Wu Xing teaches that there are five natural elements and each one has two basic interactions, metal is spawned from earth, and metal absorbs water.
I remember a trip to the ROC (Taiwan) a few years ago where a racer was describing the whole water thing to me and how a local shop would sell different types of water depending on the property you wanted to instill in your motor ('powerful', 'soft', etc.) He also seemed very interested in the placement of the receiver, battery, ESC, and everything else in his car to ensure it was aligned with the principles of feng shui.
While this has not been scientifically proven, and it is hard to scientifically prove (irreversible, testing will change performance, no two motors are the same -- a true double blind trial is not feasible), racers can be highly superstitious and techniques can be based more on folklore and regional beliefs rather than experimentation, sound science, or an understanding of physics and technology. That a racer uses these methods and they make him score better, it could well be the placebo effect depending on a racer's psyche.
I remember a trip to the ROC (Taiwan) a few years ago where a racer was describing the whole water thing to me and how a local shop would sell different types of water depending on the property you wanted to instill in your motor ('powerful', 'soft', etc.) He also seemed very interested in the placement of the receiver, battery, ESC, and everything else in his car to ensure it was aligned with the principles of feng shui.
While this has not been scientifically proven, and it is hard to scientifically prove (irreversible, testing will change performance, no two motors are the same -- a true double blind trial is not feasible), racers can be highly superstitious and techniques can be based more on folklore and regional beliefs rather than experimentation, sound science, or an understanding of physics and technology. That a racer uses these methods and they make him score better, it could well be the placebo effect depending on a racer's psyche.
10-18-2007, 09:22 PM
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RE: Electric motor break-in
its also used tp help break in a motor by adding some resistance to the motor and to continously wash away the brush dust when seating your motor brushes to the communicator (look it up)
10-18-2007, 10:20 PM
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RE: Electric motor break-in
ORIGINAL: Access
I was told this practice originates from Taiwan and China and is linked to ancient chinese thought. According to the principle of "Wu Xing" the water is absorbed into the metal and thereafter, for a period of time, will generally make the motor run smoother and cooler. The same concepts are used in the ancient arts of chinese medicine and feng shui. Wu Xing teaches that there are five natural elements and each one has two basic interactions, metal is spawned from earth, and metal absorbs water.
I remember a trip to the ROC (Taiwan) a few years ago where a racer was describing the whole water thing to me and how a local shop would sell different types of water depending on the property you wanted to instill in your motor ('powerful', 'soft', etc.) He also seemed very interested in the placement of the receiver, battery, ESC, and everything else in his car to ensure it was aligned with the principles of feng shui.
I was told this practice originates from Taiwan and China and is linked to ancient chinese thought. According to the principle of "Wu Xing" the water is absorbed into the metal and thereafter, for a period of time, will generally make the motor run smoother and cooler. The same concepts are used in the ancient arts of chinese medicine and feng shui. Wu Xing teaches that there are five natural elements and each one has two basic interactions, metal is spawned from earth, and metal absorbs water.
I remember a trip to the ROC (Taiwan) a few years ago where a racer was describing the whole water thing to me and how a local shop would sell different types of water depending on the property you wanted to instill in your motor ('powerful', 'soft', etc.) He also seemed very interested in the placement of the receiver, battery, ESC, and everything else in his car to ensure it was aligned with the principles of feng shui.
10-19-2007, 01:16 PM
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RE: Electric motor break-in
This procedure is only recommended for brushed motors, I have never heard of anyone dunking a brushless and don't see what the purpose would be. So no don't use this for your mamba.
10-20-2007, 02:31 AM
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RE: Electric motor break-in
The water insulates the comm, from the brushes causing microscopic sparks as the insulation is breached, this works like a spark erosion lathe cutting the brushes down where they make "contact"(or would make contact if they weren't in water).
As long as you use low voltage, dry the Mamba well and re-oil the bearings just like you have to with a brushed motor, it won't harm the Mamba at all, but it is completely pointless for BL motors
As long as you use low voltage, dry the Mamba well and re-oil the bearings just like you have to with a brushed motor, it won't harm the Mamba at all, but it is completely pointless for BL motors
10-20-2007, 07:40 AM
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RE: Electric motor break-in
Also check your local track's rules if you intend to race, if I remember correctly at one time this was (maybe still is) against ROAR's racing rules especially in the stock or the handout motor classes.
