motor cleaner

[Dallas]

ok, i have gone thro 2 motors in 6 months, the stock tc3 motor and a really old one. i just got a new reedy 19t spec and some motor cleaner and i want this one to last. now this might sound dumb but how do i use this stuff. on the reedy package it says spray the motor while it is running on a old battery, but the motor spray it says flamable and i think the arching on the brushes might set it off.. so uh, what do i do? also what other thing should i do beside checking/replacing brushes normaly and clean the com every so often.

[rocknbil]

For next time, go to your auto parts store and get some electric motor cleaner, it's only about three bucks a can and is non-flammable.

1. Remove springs and slide brushes out of hood.

2. Take a Parma comm brush (or other brand) and slide it in to one of the hoods. With a pinion on the motor, hold the brush against the comm with a slight pressure and give it three or four brisk twists until the comm is bright and shiny.

3. Take the motor and cleaner OUTSIDE over a trash can. Using the thin tube that came with the cleaner, put the tube in the cooling vents and mounting bolt holes and spray LIBERALLY, enough to literally wash it out. A bunch of black carbon stuff will come out in the fluid. Keep rinsing until the fluid goes clear.

4. Spin the motor by the pinion to fling the excess cleaner out; if you have an air compressor, blow it dry, otherwise let all the fluid evaporate.

5. Re-oil the bushings/bearings (I use Marvel Mystery Oil) and put the brushes and springs back in, done.

It's important to wash liberally, which is why the electric motor cleaner is better to use, it's not as expensive as the hobby store variety.

[RCHavok797]

Rubbing alcohol also works well for cleaning the comm and the brushes. I use a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol on it to clean the parts. I also use motor spray to get most of the dirt out but the rubbing alcohol is cheap and gets the black off of the comm and the brushes.

[Dallas]

isn't there a special type of rubbing alcohol to use, like a non<something>.
and next time i will get non flamable.. gotta use this flamable stuff up soon :)

[rayray2030]

Great post. I've been looking for information like this.

Ray

[rcguy2477]

u can spray the motor cleaner while the motor is running. Thats the best way to clean it

[Dallas]

u can spray the motor cleaner while the motor is running. Thats the best way to clean it
but the stuff is flamable and i don't trust anything thats flamable around electricity

[Grizzbob]

I wouldn't worry too much about that, the arcing generally isn't bad enough to set off any fires, & to be honest, you really don't need to have the motor running while you spray it out. Just spray it out some(without any power applied, just leave the battery out of the car), then spin the spur a bit to rotate the armature in the motor, & spary it a bit more & that should be fine. And, when it's time to rebuild the motor(that is, cut the armature's commutator on a lathe & replace the brushes), it's even easier to do it because you can wait till you've disassembled the motor & spary each part seperately.... :cool:

[Dallas]

ok thanks for all the help, i think i got this down for the most part. i think im going to pick up some com drops next time go to my LHS

[MOVINFAST]

The Vapors Are Flamable......when You Are Squirting It In It Is Basically To Rich To Ignite

Now If You Do It In Your Room And Wait Till You Get A Buzz Then Light A Match You May Go Boom

[Grizzbob]

In other words, just use some common sense with it & you'll be fine..;)

[Dallas]

common sense? were can i buy that? :P.. i still don't feel safe with it and the motor running, but i might try it, might be a nice sight to see

[Gutter Ball]

I wouldn't spray it with the motor running. We had a racer's TC3 shoot flames for a second one day because he didn't wait until the motor was fully dried before running it. Here's what I do: blow it out till the spray runs clear out of your can, spin the motor a few times by hand and then spray again until it runs clear.

[cheerwhiner]

denatured alchohol is the name of the stuff- you want this for every cleaning situation in r/c!!

[Fool Injected]

Contact cleaner works well. It is basically alcohol in a spray can.
I use a product called "No Flash" by LPS. It works for everything, not just motors.

[rcguy2477]

Trust me, its safe to spray it on the motors while they are running. It helps clean the comm and the surface of the brushes faster. I have always done it, along with everyone else at my track.

[Wizardman_1]

I just use simple green to clean my motor, or sometimes just plain water if i dont have anything else handy. I also put some drops of water on the brush and comm when im breaking in the motor.

[Dallas]

wow i just used it for hte first time and that stuff is like gasoline almost. it evaporates in like 2 seconds and you can see the vapor. but my motor is clean :D