Brushed motor vs. brushless motor

    Von Oliver K.
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Brushed motor vs. brushless motor - in RC vehicles, different motors are used.
You have the choice between brushed electric motors (brushed motor) or brushless electric motors (brushless motor).
The basic principle is always the same here. Both motors work with electromagnetic induction.
Nevertheless, there are differences in the structure and in the application possibilities.

Find out more about "Brushed Motor vs. Brushless Motor" in the following article.

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What is a brushed motor and how does it work?

Brushed motor vs. brushless motor - which is the better choice? This question can not be answered unequivocally, because both models each have their advantages and disadvantages.

The brushed motor is composed of a motor and a controller. It generates a magnetic field (induction) and thus brings a rotor in the motor in motion by the force of attraction and the opposite pole. This motor with electromagnet is with metal brushes versehen.

The brushes rotate with the rotor movement and transfer the energy to the coil. Due to the associated friction, high temperatures arise during operation. Collector and brushes wear out - the motor can also heat up and thus lose power as well as torque. Overall, such a motor is somewhat heavier than the brushless variant, which distributes the center of gravity in the RC vehicle ideal.  

What is a brushless motor and how does it work?

A brushless motor works in contrast to the brushed motor without metal brushes. In this electric motor, the rotor is connected to different poles via fixed magnets. Here, the magnetic field is generated by the surrounding coils, which sets the rotor in a rotating motion.

The prerequisite for this operating principle is an electronic control system or microprocessor to supply all electromagnetic coils with sufficient energy to produce the magnetic field. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a brushed motor?

A brushed motor produces significantly less power during operation than the brushless version. So if your focus is on maximum power, there's a simple answer to the "brushed motor vs. brushless motor" question.

Brushed motors, however, are very reliable and inexpensive available. They are easy to operate, making an RC vehicle ideal for any environment. To protect your brushed motor, you should avoid driving in wet conditions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a brushless motor?

The maintenance effort is low with the brushless motor and the durability of the motor is long. Score can a brushless motor with high performance and also with a lower operating noise.
For it costs more in the production and has a complex control, which additionally increases the purchase price. Compared to brushed motors, the efficiency is higher and a brushless motor cannot overheat so easily.

When driving on wet surfaces, the motor should be well protected against moisture penetration. Now and then a little oil on the ball bearings and the removal of dirt are also recommended. 

Brushed motor vs. brushless motor - direct comparison

All the advantages and disadvantages of both motor types are clearly summarised in the following table:

Brushed Motor

Brushless Motor

  • No external controller required
  • Inexpensive
  • Efficiency 75 to 80%
  • Shorter durability due to more wear and tear
  • Medium speeds
  • A little louder
  • Lower torque
  • External controller necessary
  • More expensive
  • Efficiency 80 to 90%
  • Long service life
  • Fast
  • Slightly quieter in operation
  • High torque

Conclusion: Brush motor or brushless motor - this is what should be considered when making a choice

Our conclusion on the comparison of brushed motor vs. brushless motor is that brushed motors are better for beginners. These have less power, but are also much easier to set up.

A brushless motor has significantly more setup options and power. Handling is therefore more difficult for inexperienced users, as experience has shown. For experienced users, however, a brushless motor is recommended. This offers more power than a brushed motor, is quieter in operation and also more durable due to less wear.

In the CARSON range you will find brushless and brushed motors in different variants. But also lots of RTR vehicles including engine. For example the  1:8 Virus 4.1 4S Brushless or the  1:8 King of Dirt Buggy 4S Brushless.

If you are a beginner and would rather purchase a vehicle with a brushed motor, models such as the  1:10 Stunt Warrior 2.0 or the 1:10 X10 Monster Warrior XL 2.0 are good choices.

Authors
Oliver K.
Our blog is all about the latest and exciting products from Carson. I also share practical tips & tricks and useful advice with you here.
2 years ago