Choosing a Speed Controller and Motor When you're in the market for a new speed controller or motor for your RC car, there are a few things you need to consider before making a purchase. Is your motor brushed or brushless? What type of batteries do you use? What type of RC car do you have?
Speed Controllers for RC Cars First, decide whether you need a speed controller for a brushed or brushless motor. Next, consider the type of battery you'll be using, such as 1-3S, 2-4S, 3-6S, etc. You'll also need to know the power rating of the motor it should handle, specified either in KV or Turns. Make sure you know if your motor is sensorless or has a sensor; most RC cars come with a sensorless setup. Motors with sensors are more precise, particularly at low RPMs. Ensure the physical size of the controller fits in your car and that it's not too small for a larger RC vehicle. Settings: Some controllers have limited settings, while others offer multiple adjustment options. Some can be configured via a button on the ESC, others through a program card or a mobile app via Bluetooth. Also, pay attention to the BEC voltage to ensure it's compatible with your servo or receiver.
Motor Choices for RC Cars Firstly, decide whether you want a brushed or brushless motor, depending on the type of speed controller you have. Check the motor's KV or Turns to ensure it's not too powerful for your speed controller. Also, check the motor's physical dimensions and mounting holes to ensure it fits in your car. Make sure you know the diameter of the motor's shaft, as most 1/10 motors have a 3.175mm shaft, while some are 5mm. For 1/8 or larger cars, a 5mm or 8mm shaft is usually used. Depending on the shaft size, you'll also have different pinion gear options, although adapters are available to convert a 3.175mm shaft to a 5mm one. The lower the Turns or higher the KV, the higher the RPMs, resulting in faster top speeds. However, high-RPM motors can shorten driving time and generate more heat.
Choosing Connectors! When purchasing a new speed controller or motor, be aware of the type of connector your batteries use. Most speed controllers and motors come with pre-installed connectors, so you don't have to solder. If you'd prefer not to solder, adapters are available for purchase here.
Brands:
HobbyWing offers a broad range of motors and speed controllers for scales 1/10, 1/8, 1/7, 1/6, and 1/5, designed for Crawlers, Speedruns, Bashing, and professional competition driving.
Castle Creation is known for quality speed controllers and motors. If you're looking to build an extreme 1/5 Monster Truck or the fastest Speedrun RC car, Castle Creation is your go-to choice.
SkyRC: If you're driving a 1/8 Offroad Competition buggy, we offer 1/8 brushless motors with sensor cables from SKYRC.
Spektrum is standard in almost all Arrma and Team Losi RC cars, offering a wide selection of speed controllers and motors.
Dynamite: If you're looking to speed up your Losi Mini-B, we have a brushless motor with a built-in speed controller from Dynamite.
Traxxas: We have a wide selection of Traxxas Speed Controllers and motors in both brushed and brushless versions. If you want to keep your Traxxas RC car original, these are the ones to choose.
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