Over the last ten years, brushless has become the benchmark in motorization . It is accepted today that brushless motors offer more power and better efficiency than a coal motor. You will get longer range and higher top speeds with such a motor but, although the technology is superior, a brushless motor is not necessarily the answer to every situation. We have written this guide to help RC enthusiasts weigh the pros and cons of brushless motors and make the right choice of motor .
What is the difference between a brushless and brushed motor?
How does an electric motor work?
The internal workings of brushless motors and brushed motors are based on the same principle. An electric motor always contains a stator (the fixed part of the motor) and a rotor (the rotating part of the motor). It works by producing magnetic fields, whose force of attraction and the opposite pole induce a torque which turns the central rotor and therefore the motor. The difference between a brushed and brushless motor is mainly in the location of the magnets and coils and the flow of current to the coils.
How a brushed motor works
In a brushed motor , the stator has magnets and the rotor contains coils. These two parts generate magnetic fluxes which must be connected to produce the rotational force of the rotor which will drive the axis of the motor and therefore the wheels. This switching occurs by the constant friction of graphite conductors, the carbon brushes, against the stator magnets. This is why we also call the brushed motor, carbon motor , brushed motor or direct current motor.
The friction between the carbons and the stator is the reason why this motor is less efficient than a brushless motor. Likewise, this friction generates greater wear. Due to their affordability , brushed motors are usually supplied with most entry-level or mid-range RC cars.
How a brushless motor works
In a brushless motor , the location of the coils and permanent magnets is reversed, meaning that it is the rotor which is equipped with magnets and the stator which contains the coils. As its name indicates, the brushless motor works without carbons , the connection of these two elements is therefore ensured by a microprocessor which synchronizes the position of the magnets and the coils so that their magnetic fields are constantly opposed, which generates a force that sets the motor axis in motion.
The absence of friction on this type of engine means almost zero maintenance and excellent performance. Brushless motors have been used in high-end radio-controlled cars since 2003/2004.
How to recognize a brushless motor?
The first indicator is found in the product description where we systematically indicate what type of motor is used. We also offer category filters to be able to select only cars with brushless motors or cars with brushed motors .
Otherwise, you can recognize the type of motor by counting the wires connecting the ESC to the motor: a brushed motor will generally only have two wires while a brushless motor will use 3 or more wires.
What are the advantages of a brushless motor?
The advantages of a brushless motor
- Efficiency: autonomy is generally longer and heat production is lower.
- Higher top speed : thanks to reduced friction and efficient engine torque, higher speeds can be achieved.
- Reduced wear: Aside from replacing bearings, brushless motors require minimal maintenance because there is no carbon to wear out.
The disadvantages of a brushless motor
- Expense: Brushless motors cost more.
- Complexity: requires a more advanced drive .
- Sensation of "jumping" between the poles possible if the motor does not have enough poles.
Which motor to choose between brushless and brushed?
If you like driving a crawler (like the Traxxas Defender ) with which you have to climb rocks at low speed, a brushed motor will be perfect. This type of motor is also perfect for children who are looking for a robust and easily controllable system . Furthermore, if you want a high-speed, high-power model (like the Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer), a brushless motor will be more suitable ( click here to see our brushless motor buying guide ).
Note that beyond the motor/ESC , many manufacturers also choose components such as bearings and driveshafts that can handle the power of brushless . So it's not uncommon to get a car that looks a lot like a cheaper brushed car, but has the added benefit of being heavily upgraded.
A powerful motor = a powerful battery
Remember that to get the most out of a brushless car, you'll probably end up buying more expensive, energy-dense Lipo batteries . These require more complicated and expensive equipment to charge, balance, use and store them safely.
Improper use of these batteries can end up permanently damaging them or, if misused, cause a fire. We do not recommend that children handle batteries without adult supervision, but this is even more important when dealing with extremely powerful LiPo batteries .
