I bought a Traxxas Stampede for my son for Christmas. I'm brand new to the hobby, but have done enough research to know that the brushed motor must be "broken-in". Through my research, I've seen a couple of different methods for doing this. Traxxas will only endorse one method: actually taking the truck out and driving it on a smooth, level surface at 1/2-3/4 throttle without stopping until the battery is drained. The other method of course is dry-running the motor while its outside of the truck. Is there a definite advantage of either of these methods over the other as far as effectiveness? As always, thanks in advance for the help!

I don't know which is best but of the two the Traxxas approved break in sounds to be easy and fun. You get to drive the car.

It definitely sounds more fun, but I'd rather not actually put it to the pavement before giving it to him. That's really the dilemma. Otherwise, you're right...it'd be a no-brainer!

Well here are some wise words my father gave me when I was a kid.

"Now son, just hold on a wait wile Daddy test this thing out for you. You'll get to play with it all you want later".

lol! I hear ya! Anyone have any ideas about whether one of these methods is more effective than the other?

How about leaving the motor in the car and putting on a stand or pile of books and holding the throttle at 1/2 till the battery goes dead. Easy enuff to leave in the truck and you don't have to get it dirty.

Good idea. I could do that. I guess I mainly wonder if a method like your idea would be more effective or less effective that actually driiving it (as Traxxas suggests)</p>

the only medthod ive ever used on brushed motors is the water method. submerge the motor in water and run on 3volts for 10 to 15 min then pull it out clean and dry it off then relube and gtg.

The idea is to get the brushes to create an even wear pattern. I don't know if putting it under a load would matter or not but id say you will be ok under no load.

Good to know. Thanks for the info!

The water method will clean out the motor and wear in the brush's like Shabbernigdo said, it'll also speed up your motor and make it last a bit longer. (It really does work)[8D]

In the real world we use brushed motors all the time in industry. There is no such thing as "breaking in" a motor. When a motor fails we replace it with a new (rebuilt) one and put it into service immediately.

I also bought a Traxxas Stampede for my grandson last year at Christmas. This year for his birthday he wanted a Traxxas Max D.
Both cars are 2WD.
Here is the thing: the Max D goes like a bat out of hell while the Stampede is like a snail by comparison. The motors are the same. Is the gearing different? They both use the same battery.
How do I hop up the Stampede and where to get the parts?

those are essentially the same truck with different lids so it is probably a pinion (small gear attached to motor) difference. see how many teeth are on the Max D and compare to the Stampede. Chances are the Max has more. you can pick them up at any local hobby store or from an online store like tower hobbies http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...nion&search=Go

While you're right, every mechanical device that has physical contact points has a breakin period, whether you actually separate that from use or not. Engines, electric motors, shock absorbers, springs, etc. Everything has a breakin period.

Those of us who have been in the hobby long enough to remember paying $50+ for a good brushed motor will tell you that without a breakin, they don't last as long.

Thanks, I'll check it out

another newbie here with a newb question.....

how can you set it to run on 3 volts?

what do you relube it with?

I also heard of running it in oil, is that BS? Considering the source, I am thnking it could be

Use 2 AA / C / D cell batteries.
relube it with a good bearing oil. They do make some specificaly for eletric motor bearings . Ive used teflon oil for quite a while with good results.
Dont run it in oil. Just use normal water.