Testing a Motor

[ronb]

Relative to the recent Lathe thread -
What is a good way to measure a motor to find it's relative performance? I'd like to get a dyno, but they are big time expensive. Is there something else you can use? I saw someone use his Competitive Electronics charger (35L?) to measure his motor, but that's an investment as well. Any tips is appreciated.
BTW, I have a Hudy lathe - excellent!!!!

[HowieStern]

orion and integy make fairly inexpensive "motor checkers"... basically these will give you the same info a 35 will... (current draw ect...)

i used to be a big believer in dyno's.... but anymore, i do my testing on the track...

peace out.... :)

[Leet TC3]

The current draw amperage that a Turbo 35 gives is useless info. Only "under a consistent and repeatable load" will you get any sort of useful data.

I think a dyno is pretty maginal in the usefulness dept. too. The ONLY value (imho) would be taking the EXACT SAME MOTOR and testing various spring/brush combos to get the ideal combination. Comparing different motors may be fun, but any data you get will be wortheless or marginal at best.

This applies to all dynos, whether using a flywheel or slave motor as load.

Forget about testing stock motors period. The advanced timing will make it nearly impossible to get any kind of useful data from any dyno.

There has been, is, and always will be only ONE way to test a motor: Slap it on your car and take it for a spin.

[ronb]

Thanks for your input guys. I guess I just don't have enough experience for that to be helpful though. I mean, unless I can make consistantly smooth laps, and someone is timing me, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference in my motors. Unless one of them is real bad off anyway. And what about batteries? You would have to compare motors within a few laps of a mid peaked pack to take that variable out. Maybe I'm just being to cranal! ;)

[Grizzbob]

RonB, you're on the right track, that's why a lot of competitive stock guys go after the more expensive packs, & ESC's, we're looking for those last few tenths of a second, but of course buying that stuff & being able to take advantage of it are two different things. :D As for your immediate concerns, I do happen to have a Robitronics dyno that I take to Adams Creek with me, & I'm always willing to test a motor for someone, so if you're really curious, just bring it to me & we'll have a look at it...... :cool:

[ronb]

Thanks for the offer Grizzbob. I can't make this weekend, but I'll look you up the Saturday after. I'm just curious to see how it works and find out if it's worth the investment. Well, I shouldn't put it that way; but you know what I mean. I like tinkering. :D

[Grizzbob]

Yeah, that's cool, by then I should have my laptop back up & running(I had to buy another one after my first one started refusing to power up & I found a great deal on eBay), I'll have my database of motor testing working again to give you an idea of what to look for..... :)