It's time for another terminology rant: Motor vs. Engine

[Coelacanth]

Here's another one for y'all to debate upon...fortunately, I almost never see the misuse of the word "engine" here on RC10Talk, but I see it in a lot of other places. What's with people calling electric motors "engines"??! My take on this is that an engine makes power through combustion of some sort; i.e. the internal combustion engine or a diesel engine...or hell, even a fire engine, for that matter!

A motor is a broader term, IMHO...a motor can also refer to an engine, but a device producing power through electricity can ONLY be a motor, not an engine...as there is no combustion happening.

What do y'all think?

What does Halgar think?

[Charlie don't surf]

Sounds right to me.

So what do hybrids have, motengines or engitors? And....what about when they
Turbo or Supercharge them?

[slapshot1979]

Always been a pet peeve of mine. engine requires combustion - motor requires electricity.

but we as people are lazy and motor is easier to say,
notice anyone with 3 or more sylables in their name gets a short form ie Kimberly= Kim.

[Lowgear]

This is an easy one. Likes already been said...

Motor - requires electricity

Engine - requires combustion

[civilguy]

Powerplant

[Halgar]

My thoughts? boy, THAT is a dangerous request! Pretty much what has already been said, motors are relatively simple electrical devices whereas engines are complicated mechanical contrivances that convert thermal energy into force and motion. While an engine can be known as a motor, in the strictest sense, this usage would be incorrect.

So what do hybrids have, motengines or engitors? And....what about when they
Turbo or Supercharge them?

Those would be turbotors and supotors, not to be confused with athletic supotors which are nut cups.

[Incredible_Serious]

Those would be turbotors and supotors, not to be confused with athletic supotors which are nut cups.

Another Coela rant (although more 'normal' ideas than usual), and within a few posts we're back to goolies....

Well, to stop people getting confused, I have an idea..... just use DONK. Simple, really.....


Alex

[Lonestar]

i dont care what word we use as long as it fits in our rides!

[Coelacanth]

Those would be turbotors and supotors, not to be confused with athletic supotors which are nut cups.

Another Coela rant (although more 'normal' ideas than usual)

I had no idea my ideas were usually 'abnormal'.

[Incredible_Serious]

I had no idea my ideas were usually 'abnormal'.

Only your time-of-the-month rants, mate....



Alex

[LTO_Dave]

So then a gas motorcycle should technically be called an enginecycle since it requires combustion? And would an electric enginecycle be called a motorcycyle since it requires electricity?

What a bout a search engine?

[EvolutionRevolution]

What a bout a search engine?

It requires electricity but runs on search terms.

But what about an engineer?

[Mr. ED]

motor / engine = no problem for me, but moter /motor, I doubt every time
In dutch the one is a motor, the other a motorbike

[Diggley]

I'm in with the motor vs. engine thing..of course no one ever seems to call a vintage VW motor, motorcycle, or a lawn mower power plant an engine....hmmm...though both are internal combustion......But, I've never heard of an electric engine.

.....

A nameless publication recently labeled my buggy build as a "ride" vs. an RC car...the first thing I thought of was the last "rides" thread rant ...

Have we covered "wheels vs. rims" yet?..

[Incredible_Serious]

Have we covered "wheels vs. rims" yet?..

Yes, and I still have the nightmares.... can we please not go there again.....

Alex