Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Brushless, lipo, spectrum, etc...

Moderators: scr8p, klavy69

User avatar
Synergy
Approved Member
Posts: 1787
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:57 am
Location: North East England
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by Synergy »

Can you mix and match brushless ESC and motor manufacturers or do they have to be the same? I ask as I am pretty close to buying an LRP Sphere ESC and wondered if I can successfully run a sensored motor from another manufacturer with it?

Thanks.
Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

Here's my TC Showroom
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom.asp?id=18028

User avatar
RER40
Approved Member
Posts: 221
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:51 pm

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by RER40 »

Synergy wrote:Can you mix and match brushless ESC and motor manufacturers or do they have to be the same? I ask as I am pretty close to buying an LRP Sphere ESC and wondered if I can successfully run a sensored motor from another manufacturer with it?

Thanks.
Only RULES I am aware of
Sensored BL motor ESCs can run any sensored BL motors (regardless of manufacturer).
Non-sensored BL motor ESC can run any non-sensored BL motors (regardless of manufacturer).
Non-sensored BL motor ESC can NOT run sensored BL motors.

So as long as the Sphere is a sensored unit you should be good.
I've mixed and matched Novaks and Tekins and LRPs and Mambas, following the above simple rules, with no problems. Some companies only make motors, so you have to use somebody's ESC. (inferior cheaper brands I would guess would follow the same rules, though I guess there could be exceptions)

User avatar
Synergy
Approved Member
Posts: 1787
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:57 am
Location: North East England
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by Synergy »

Thanks that makes sense, I have purchased the LRP Sphere (sensored) combo with X11 7.5 motor for my 2WDs, I'm probably going to also purchase a 5.5t from another manufacturer for my 4WDs.
Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

Here's my TC Showroom
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom.asp?id=18028

User avatar
Bugle
Approved Member
Posts: 465
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:40 pm
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by Bugle »

RER40 wrote: Non-sensored BL motor ESC can NOT run sensored BL motors.
Wrong, sensorless ESCs can run anything. So far with the Mamba Max i've run sensored motors from 3 different manufacturers with no problems.

User avatar
THEYTOOKMYTHUMB
Super Member
Posts: 7097
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:15 pm
Location: Evansville, IN
Has thanked: 3555 times
Been thanked: 1931 times

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by THEYTOOKMYTHUMB »

Bugle wrote:
RER40 wrote: Non-sensored BL motor ESC can NOT run sensored BL motors.
Wrong, sensorless ESCs can run anything. So far with the Mamba Max i've run sensored motors from 3 different manufacturers with no problems.
Thanks for adding that. I wasn't aware. Opens up the options. :D
"The world looks so much better through beer goggles: Enjoy today, you never know what tomorrow may bring."
Ken

User avatar
RER40
Approved Member
Posts: 221
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:51 pm

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by RER40 »

Bugle wrote:
RER40 wrote: Non-sensored BL motor ESC can NOT run sensored BL motors.
Wrong, sensorless ESCs can run anything. So far with the Mamba Max i've run sensored motors from 3 different manufacturers with no problems.
I wasn't aware of that, but instead going by what a tech I know at Novak told me. I do understand that Mamba esc's are a little more versitile, maybe that has something to do with it, but personally I don't know how happy I'd be about having a sensor wire dangling off a motor or in paying for a sensored motor and not using its sensored capabilities.

But the premise of my answer was primarily based on the original poster's question asking if one manufacturer's sensored BL esc could run another manufacuturer's sensored BL motor - and the answer is yes. :)

User avatar
Bugle
Approved Member
Posts: 465
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:40 pm
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by Bugle »

Yeah Novak are a bit anti-sensorless. Funny the Novak velociti 5.5t runs as well on a Mamba Max as it does sensored. I run the same sensored motors on a cheap Hobbywing Ezrun and they work just as well too. You only get problems with cogging taking off from a stand still running high turn motors like 17.5 turns.

User avatar
RER40
Approved Member
Posts: 221
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:51 pm

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by RER40 »

Bugle wrote:Yeah Novak are a bit anti-sensorless. Funny the Novak velociti 5.5t runs as well on a Mamba Max as it does sensored. I run the same sensored motors on a cheap Hobbywing Ezrun and they work just as well too. You only get problems with cogging taking off from a stand still running high turn motors like 17.5 turns.
Most, but not all, cogging issues can be addressed with proper batteries.
But sensored is just soooooooo smooooooooth throughout th rev-range. :)

User avatar
Bugle
Approved Member
Posts: 465
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:40 pm
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Mixing and matching ESC / Motors

Post by Bugle »

Yeah if it's cogging on low turn motors it's the batteries, nothing can stop cogging with a 17.5 unless they figure out a way to avoid it with the software.

Sensored/sensorless makes no difference once the motor is spinning, even some sensored ESC's just use the sensor to get the motor turning then go sensorless.

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Modern Electronics”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests