What brushless setup would you use for a runner?

[oldskool]

What would you recommend for a brushless esc/motor combo for a runner. I am looking for a good balance of power with run time. It will probably get moved around between my T3 and possibly a Lazer ZX-5 that I have my eye on .

What brands and models should I be looking for? LRP, Mamba, Novak?

[dangermouse]

I've been looking into this myself.

I think I will go with a Mamba 5700 setup, as I don't race that often. It gives me the option of later on running 3 cell Lipo packs that I use for my RC planes.

I think to be legal for racing over here (Australia) you need to run sensored systems. The Mamba system is non-sensored, but shouldn't be a problem for the odd club meeting. I've read that with the non-sensored Mamba systems they can sometimes cog, but with a firmware update it improves things alot.

I do run a Novak SS5800 system at the moment. It has run nicely, but I have gotten used to the power and am ready for an update.

[JK Racing]

I have 3 brushless systems, a Novak SS, a Novak GTB, and a Mamba Max. I race with all of them, but for sheer ease and IMHO "cleanest" install, go with the Mamba. You cant beat the adjustability, and with their new sport series (Sidewinder) the price is awesome. I see amainhobbies.com has them (4600 or 5700) for $145 plus shipping. I do not know about the speedo differences between the Sidewinder and the Mamba Max though.

Oh, my Mamba 4600 is just slightly slower than my GTB 6.5. I havent run my 10.5 as a comparison....yet.

[RC Chick]

Do you have to run the lippo with brushless?

[JK Racing]

I run all NiMh.







For now

[badhoopty]

i have a old novak ss5800 and a new novak 6.5 with the spread specktrum esc.

i really like them both, the ss5800 has been uber reliable and is just a nice runner motor, fast enough to have fun with but no crazy power or anything.

i dont have alot of time with the 6.5 but it sure screams...

i'm definitely getting a mambamax for my next build.

[WillyThickfoot]

How big a difference in run time can you expect from brushed to brushless?


Thanks, Dave

[dangermouse]

How big a difference in run time can you expect from brushed to brushless?

For a given power level, you could realistically expect 25% or more runtime with brushless.

The best part is virtually zero maintenance, and performance that doesn't taper off after a dozen or so runs. No worn brushes or coms to go out of true.

[Brandon G]

I run the Novak GTB with a 10.5 motor. Equivalent to a 19T. (spec rules at the track I run at)

If you go this route, don't bother with the high frequency model, you wont be able to tell any difference..... Get the newer model with the voltage cutoff, if you ever plan on running Liops.

Excellent runtimes, smooth power, Novak quality. Footprint is a little big, but I had one fit in a ZX-5 just fine.

Once you go brushless and Lipo, you'll never go back, and ask yourself why didn't I do this sooner. I did. Talk about easy and maintenance free. Charge up pack, race, bring it in, recharge. Don't even have to pull the battery out of the car if you dont want to. (do not leave unattended though) Rcae all night with the same pack. Oh, and no more turning comms.

[Erich Reichert]

Honest... you guys know i play with EVERYTHING and i have to say that right now the best system on the market is the Schumacher ones. They just came out but they're a new breed ath are sensored to get started and then the esc switches to sensorless so you get the better powerband from both types. They were developed with help from Shawn Palmer who now runs Schumacher USA... he was at Castle Creations pretty much from the begining and was a HUGE part of getting things to where they are now for them.

[Minicooper 35]

Having used LRP and Nosram in the past I would prefer an LRP speedo (Sphere or Sphere Competition) with whatever sensored motor (at around 7.5 - 10.5T) you like. For me the blue stuff is by far the most user friendly I have used. I read in several US based forums that the service of the LRP products in the US is not very good. That might why most of you prefer Mamba.

I use an around 2.5 years old Mamba system in a Kyosho Mini-Inferno and to be honest: it su$%s in terms of drivability. Not to mention the fact that setting it up is a pain in the backwards. Maybe the newer 1/10th scale Mamba systems and motors are better.

Just my 2 (euro) cents.

Seb

[Erich Reichert]

I had a software problem with my sphere comp. It woudl intermittently (sp) turn on the drag brake setting... even when i turned it off. It would still happen like every couple times i lifted

[Minicooper 35]

I have heard of several problems but I never had any so far although I used a very "old" Sphere (one of the very first batch) the other two seasons and a Sphere TC-Spec in the B44 now.

I ran a Novak GTB with Novak Velocitis and LRP Vectors which was ok but the GTB produced not "on-brake" power for my taste. But that is just a personal preference. Hard- and software-wise the Novak (beside the brake thingy) was/is one of the best IMO.

Seb

[Northy2]

I'll be running Nosram (Red LRP's) TC spec units in my 2wd with a 6.5 and in my 4wd with a 5.5 this year.

G

[Minicooper 35]

So you drive re-labeled electronics in copied cars ...











Sorry dude.