Although getting into the RC boat hobby is super fun and exciting, you need to ensure that the quality of your boat is top-notch. One way to make your boat great is by getting the best motor. But what motor should you get for your RC boat?
The best motor that you should get for your boat is the 1/10 Copperhead 1415-2400Kv Sensored Brushless ESC/Motor Combo. The Copperhead 10 is a new design with incredible features such as CRYO-DRIVE™ technology, DATA LOGGING LITE, SMARTSENSE™ Technology, and INTERNAL BEC.
While acquiring the right type of motor for your RC boat is key to getting the most out of your boat, there are other essential things that you need to know about your RC boat.
Choosing the Right Motor Size for your RC Boat
Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced hobbyist in RC boats, the chances are that you may have challenges determining the right motor size for your boat. Determining the right motor size should be pretty easy.
First, you need to understand that the motor size depends on the dimensions of your boat. If you have a big boat, then it is likely that you will need a bigger motor and vice versa. Secondly, you need to consider the KV(kilovolt) rating of the motor; pick your motor as per the RPM (revolutions per minute) and battery requirement. Finally, you need to consider the rpm and motor diameter relationship.
If the above highlights are not enough to make the right choice, you need to go deeper and consider the following.
Hull and Motor Size
While there is not a perfect motor diameter for any hull size, some ranges may be helpful to you. Here are some ranges regarding motor size and hull ratio.
| Hull size | Motor Size |
| 600mm | 28-28mm |
| 800mm | 36mm |
| 1200mm | 40mm |
| 4000mm | 56-58mm |
Battery and Motor KV Rating
The speed of your RC motor is essential in ensuring that you have fun and excitement associated with the hobby. Therefore, you need to know the RPM that you will get from your motor.
Motor Diameter and RPM
It is also important to keep in mind RPM and the motor diameter. Here, you need to know that the rpm decreases with the increase of the motor diameter. One thing to remember is that if you do not want to be limited when choosing your motor size, you need to invest in high-quality batteries for your RC boat.
How do you size an RC boat motor?
Sizing an RC boat motor seems problematic when building an RC motor. In most instances, it requires a trial-and-error approach, which can sometimes prove time-consuming and costly.
The easiest way to resize your RC boat motor is by multiplying your battery voltage by your KV. As a standard guide, the larger the can size, the lower the safe rpm. The following examples should serve as a general guideline;
- 45,000 rpm – 36mm can size 40,00
- 40,000rpm – 40mm can size 35,000
- 30,000 rpm – 58mm can size 28,000
Other better ways can help with the entire sizing task.
Scale Speed
It is easier and better to ensure that the motor has the same appearance on the water as the ships do. In other words, the aim is to create the same wave pattern as that of the original boat. This is achieved by starting with the original face's power rating and recalculating it to the reduced scale.
Sizing the Power Needs of an Original Ship
It is already established that the relationship between the power of an original vessel and its scaled-down model is the scale factor cubed.
How do you set up an RC boat?
If you are good at DIY projects, purchasing RC boat kits and assembling them at your convenient time can be a good idea. Moreover, easy-to-use boat kits are readily available.
Essentially, the drive system of an RC boat is straightforward. An electric motor is connected to the shaft that runs towards the back of the boat. The shaft is contained within a stuffing tube filled with grease. Notably, the role of the grease is to provide lubrication and prevent water from entering the hull.
To better understand the RC setup process, it is essential to look at the various parts and their roles.
The Electronics
DIY kits have made it easy for anyone to get into RC boat modeling. The electronics systems play a significant role in setting up an RC model. The electronics comprise the drive system, the power system, battery, radio system, charger, and more.
Related post: RC Speed Boats: What To Know
Control System
The major part of the power system of an RC boat is the brushless or brushed electric motor. Although the brushed motor system is less expensive, it can provide enough power and run times. On the other hand, the brushless motor system is more powerful, requires less maintenance, and is generally more efficient. However, you have to spend more on brushless systems.
The Drive System
Through the drive system, the electric motor can transfer its power to the propeller through a drive shaft. The drive shaft has a stuffing tube that assists it to exit the hull and form a strong connection with the propeller mount.
Radio System
The radio system comprises a radio frequency transmitter and a receiver. The 2.4GHz radio systems are the best replacements for the old systems as they are not prone to interference and are also free from undesired frequency conflicts.
Battery
An RC electric boat would require a perfect onboard battery pack. When shopping for a battery pack, there are several considerations that you will need to make, and one of them is the battery type. Lithium-polymer batteries are lighter than Ni-MH packs, and their performance is consistent from the start to the end. On the other hand, Ni-MH packs tend to have an enormous inconsistent performance from the start to the end.
How do I choose an RC motor?
Choosing the best RC motors is not always easy. This is because there are diverse RC motors brands in the market, which makes the selection process a bit tricky. The best step to ensuring that you do not make the wrong choices is by understanding the different considerations that you should make.
To choose the best RC motor for your boat, you will need to consider the motor size, speed and RPM constant, winding size, arc magnets, power, thrust, motor shaft, weight, electronic speed controller, and price. Further, it is essential to note that the brushless motors produce less heat and generate no/less friction, providing the best performance.
Determining whether the motor is brushless or Brushed
While everyone knows that brushless motors are more efficient than brushed ones, sometimes it can be challenging to determine which is which. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, all that you need to do is measure the motor's resistance with a low voltage of about 100 mV. If the resistance is lower than 100 ohms, the motor is brushed.
Conclusion
The brushless motor is the best option when it comes to operating efficiency. After extensive research, we can boldly recommend the 1/10 Copperhead 1415-2400Kv Sensored Brushless ESC/Motor Combo as the most reliable RC motor. With the excellent power output, great voltage rating, and other limited throttle features, you are assured that it will not disappoint.
The Traxxas brushless power system can as well be a good option if the 1/10 Copperhead 1415-2400Kv Sensored Brushless ESC/Motor runs out of stock before you can acquire yours.
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Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.