L0stS0ul,

Regarding the tail motors, my first one ran really hot and died within a dozen flights or so. When I took it apart the brushes were dust. Before I used my second one I did a water break-in (like the park flyer guys do) and that motor has been going strong for many, many flights (3 months). I have since upgraded to LiPo and the tail motor still runns very, very cool (just slightly warm to the touch after flying for 10 minutes or so). I believe brush seating is key on these little motors (break-in). There is so little brush there to begin with, if it is not seated just right it will burn away in no time. I am still using a stock tail setup. I think the water break in method is perfect for these little motors. I would be interested in any other data points (has anyone else tried this?). It could be that my second motor was just one of the "good" ones and the break-in had nothing to do with it.

FYI, I break my motors in (park flyer and my tail motor) by using a small drinking glass full of distilled water. I connect a single "D" cell battery to the motor making sure to have it rotating in the correct direction and then I just dunk the motor in the water until it is submerged. I let it run for 10 minutes or so, pull it out, blow the water out as best I can with a compressor and then oil the shaft lightly. Then I run the motor in on the model (in flight if possible) to help dry it out completely. From what I understand the water both cools the brushes while they seat and also removes the dust that builds up while they grind down.

Steve