Uses for old speed 400 motor?

[RDJeff]

Hi gang, I'm new to the whole electric scene, and have a question for you. I have a NOS electric ARF, a CG Tiger 400 that came with a generic speed 400 motor and gearbox. After doing my research, I upgraded the whole power system to an outrunner setup. My question is what to do with the original motor and gearbox. I can't find anything to model it with in MotoCalc, so haven't been able to find a setup that works. I have several planes that might be able to use it, both R/C and C/L, so I am pretty flexible. Who knows, it might be dumpster fodder! Thanks for any help!

Jeff

[JetPlaneFlyer]

Use for old generic brushed motor:..... Paper weight?

[slipstick]

Speed 400s are in the Motocalc database and are still usable. It's good for about 80W so should be o.k. for planes under 16oz but brushless setups are more efficient and so cheap these days that I'm not sure I'd bother. In fact I know I wouldn't bother which is why I've got a couple of bags full of old 400s and 600s that I just haven't got round to throwing away .

Steve

[Dr Kiwi]

A 10x6 GWS HD on a 6v Speed 400 at 4.09:1, using 3s Lipo, is a good combo for a small parkflyer:

10.8v, 7.3A, 82W, 5700rpm, 410g thrust

[hayofstacks]

I had a collection of 400 brushed motors for a while. I was going to try to do a twin engine slow stick. After seeing the power of a brushless 400-450 watt setup, I no longer see a point.

Brushless are also much more efficient and last longer. Now a days, probably cheaper too.

[flydiver]

The real problem as I see it is the ESC. You have to add the cost of a BRUSHED ESC kind of effectively negating the value of recycling the motor. IN addition most of them have LVC designed for NiXX so are not lipo friendly if you are not careful about flying by time.

If you already have the whole package, don't care about the lower grade of power, and are careful of the LVC you can use it.

[Bill G]

If you can take advantage of the weight, the motor can actually be practical. I have a geared 400 brushed setup in a HOB electric Texan, and the Texan is not as balance friendly as a P51, with the shorter nose moment. The plane was originally designed for NiCd cells, centered just forward of the CG, if I remember correctly, which made them poor contributors in terms of adding nose ballast. With a lighter lipo, the battery has to be mounted further forward with an added access hatch, and still would not be sufficient nose ballast with a lighter bl motor. In this case, the geared motor is actually practical.
Keep your eyes open for Speed 400 gearboxes, as some businesses occasionally come to the reality that they are seldom used anymore, and actually drop the prices to a reasonable clearance level. It seems that many are hanging on to them however and trying to get top dollar, realizing that some will still pay it when they build from an older plan or kit that calls for the geared-brushed setup.

[drummaker]

Originally Posted by Bill G

If you can take advantage of the weight, the motor can actually be practical. I have a geared 400 brushed setup in a HOB electric Texan, and the Texan is not as balance friendly as a P51, with the shorter nose moment. The plane was originally designed for NiCd cells, centered just forward of the CG, if I remember correctly, which made them poor contributors in terms of adding nose ballast. With a lighter lipo, the battery has to be mounted further forward with an added access hatch, and still would not be sufficient nose ballast with a lighter bl motor. In this case, the geared motor is actually practical.
Keep your eyes open for Speed 400 gearboxes, as some businesses occasionally come to the reality that they are seldom used anymore, and actually drop the prices to a reasonable clearance level. It seems that many are hanging on to them however and trying to get top dollar, realizing that some will still pay it when they build from an older plan or kit that calls for the geared-brushed setup.

I sure wish I had read this 2 days ago... I am starting a texan. I guess I will have to do something to balance it.. I guess dead weight if need be.. after all that is what the speed 400 motor is compared to brushless with lype... Still ouch I am beginning to wonder if I wanna build this.

[crash_out]

Though they probably aren't available any more, there was a whole generation of flying wings that flew very well on speed 400s. I had a Wattage Hyperwing, Speedwing 400, and Wedgie that flew great on them. Alas, none of them are available anymore, I don't think.

If you're into it, a little work with some Fan Fold Foam could result in a light wing that would be great for it.

[solentlife]

Boat.

Seriously - I'd put it in a boat .. that way you can carry a decent amount of battery to run it for ages ... and enjoy the simplicity of it ...

Nigel