Table of Contents
Introduction
Choosing the right electronic speed control (ESC) and brushless motor combo is critical to getting maximum speed and handling from your 1/10 scale 4WD buggy. The power system supplies torque for acceleration, braking, and maneuverability to conquer jumps and challenging off-road terrain.
For competitive racers, the ultimate ESC and motor setup balances top speed, responsiveness, efficiency, and reliability. Recreational bashers also want strong performance with enough durability to withstand crashes and wear. This guide will examine key considerations for selecting the best ESC and motor for your needs.
Key Takeaways:
- 1800-4000KV brushless motors offer good balance of speed and torque
- 150+ Amp ESCs safely handle high power motors and 2-3S LiPo batteries
- Sensorless brushless motors offer cost savings and simplicity
- Programmable ESCs allow customizing throttle curves and parameters
- High voltage systems increase speed at the cost of more heat and drawbacks
- Gearing plays a big role, smaller pinions can tame powerful motors
- For competition, prioritize consistent smooth power delivery
- Bashing setups should maximize outright power with capacitors to soak up spikes
Motor KV Ratings and Turn Counts
One of the first factors to consider is the KV rating, which specifies the number of RPM per volt provided by a brushless motor. Higher KV yields higher maximum RPM, while lower KV provides more torque and lower end power.
Common 1/10 Buggy KV Ratings
- 3600-4000KV – High speed, mild torque
- 3000-3200KV – Balance of speed and torque
- 2000-2400KV – Low end torque bias, slower top speed
For racing, 3000-3600KV provides strong acceleration and sufficient top speed for most tracks. Lower KV gives better control and grip but less top end.
Bashers can use higher 4000+ KV motors for maximum speed and wheelies, trading off low end grunt. Or conversely, try 2000KV for backflips and extreme torque to powered through rough terrain at lower RPMs.
Turn counts go hand-in-hand with KV ratings. Lower turn motors have higher KV, such as 4-6T 3000+ KV racers. Higher turn designs like 10-13T are lower KV (2000KV range) with focus on torque.
Motor Sizing and Stator Dimensions
Common stator sizes for 1/10 scale range from 35mm to 45mm diameter. Bigger motors can handle more current and torque but add weight. Popular sizes include:
- 3540 – Light and efficient but can overheat on 3S
- 3650 – Good compromise of power, weight, and cost
- 3660 – Increased torque and surface area for heat dissipation
- 3850 – Very powerful but heavier; ideal for 2WD with big tires
- 4150 – Extreme bashers, not ideal for racing
Stator height also impacts power, with 20-24mm being common. Taller motors generate more torque but may not fit under some buggy bodies.
Sensored vs Sensorless Brushless Motors
Brushless motors come in sensored and sensorless versions. Sensored motors use Hall effect sensors for precise rotor position detection and timing. This provides smooth operation especially from a dead stop.
Sensorless motors rely solely on detecting back EMF from windings to infer position. No sensors reduces costs but may cause cogging at very low RPM.
For racing, smooth low-end power and predictable control is critical. So sensored motors are preferred. Bashers can often save money going sensorless since low-end sensors are less crucial. Just beware cogging causing erratic slow speed handling.
ESC Amp Ratings and Features
The ESC’s amp rating must comfortably exceed maximum current draw from the motor to avoid overheating or shutdowns. 150+ amps provides headroom for high KV brushless motors on 2S/3S batteries.
Programmable ESCs allow customizing parameters like throttle curves, braking power, low voltage cutoff, etc. Advanced features like capacitors and heatsinking help prevent failure from spikes.
Look for ESC telemetry data like volts, amps, motor RPM, temperature, etc. This helps monitor system health and tune gearing. Be sure your transmitter, receiver, and battery can keep up with high current draw ESCs and motors.
Voltage Considerations
Most 1/10 racing is done using 2S 7.4V LiPo batteries, or sometimes 3S 11.1V for modified classes. This keeps speeds in check while minimizing system demands.
Bashing setups may use extreme 3-4S voltages for crazy 55+ MPH speeds. But this stresses all components, produces intense heat, and reduces run times per charge. It also requires very large scale areas.
Make sure your ESC can safely handle your desired battery voltage. For racing, stay with 2S maximum for best balance of speed, runtime, and reliability.
Gearing Effects and Selection
Smaller pinion gears reduce the effective KV to tame powerful motors. Larger pinions increase speed but also amp draw, wear, and temperatures.
With a 3600KV motor on 2S and 20T pinion, expect 30+ MPH easy. Drop to a 15T pinion for extended durability and 25 MPH speeds.
For bashing, start with manufacturer gearing guidelines. Monitor motor temps and pare down the pinion size if over 200 degrees F. Leave some overhead for extreme loads on huge jumps.
Always break-in new motors gently on conservative gearing. Data log RPMs and amps when benchmarking combinations.
Weight and Power-to-Weight Ratio
While absolute power is important, excessive motor and battery weight hampers handling and acceleration. Look for light weight motors (~200g) and the minimum capacity battery to meet your runtime needs.
As a rule of thumb, target at least 100W per 1KG power-to-weight ratio. So a 2KG buggy would need around a 200W system for strong performance. Of course, gearing can alter the effective ratio.
Stripping unnecessary weight from every part of the buggy is just as important as maximizing power system output. Reducing unsprung and rotational mass helps acceleration and suspension response.
Example ESC and Motor Combinations
Competition Race Combo
- ESC: HobbyWing XR10 Justock G2 167A
- Motor: Tekin RSX3600S Redshift 370 4-6T
- Battery: 2S 7.4V 5000mAh LiPo
Focused on smooth, consistent acceleration and power across the RPM range along with light weight and durability.
Bashing Power Combo
- ESC: Castle Creations Mamba X 8S 200A
- Motor: TLR Tuned T8 4.0 4268KV
- Batteries: 3S-4S 5000-6000mAh LiPo
Maximizes extreme power output using higher KV and voltage along with capacitors and cooling to withstand high amps and spikes.
Hobbywing XERUN G2 Motor and ESC Combos
Motor KV: 3600, 4000, 4500
ESC: 60-120 amp, 2-3S compatible
Features: Waterproof, powerful performance, popular in racing
Hobbywing’s XERUN G2 ESC and motor combos deliver highly efficient power. Great for racing and high voltage upgrade builds.
Tekin RS Pro ESC and Sensored Motor Combos
Motor KV: 4600 sensored
ESC: 200 amp, 2-4S capable
Features: High power systems popular in competitive racing.
For extreme power, Tekin’s RS Pro ESC and motor combos withstand the demands of high voltage buggy racing rigs with heavy amperage handling.
Hobbywing QuicRun 1080 ESC and 3650 Motor Combo
Motor KV: 3650 sensored
ESC: 60 amp, 2-3S capable
Features: Waterproof, durable, easy to program. Powerful system.
The QuicRun 1080 combo gives you quality sensored power on a budget at under $100. Great affordable ESC and motor package.
GoolRC 60A ESC with 3600KV Sensored Motor
Motor KV: 3600 sensored
ESC: 60 amp, 2-3S compatible
Features: Very affordable price under $75. Capable budget combo.
This value priced combo provides good speed and efficiency. Ideal for getting started on a budget or RTR upgrades.
Things to Consider
Motor KV Rating – Higher KV yields more RPM for speed. 3600-4000 range balances speed with low end torque.
Matching Voltage Range – Ensure your ESC and motor are rated for the voltage battery packs you intend to run – 2S or 3S typically.
Waterproofing – Waterproof ESCs hold up to water, mud, and moisture from running off-road.
Machined Pinions – Machined steel pinion gears optimize mesh and efficiency over cheap plastic gears.
Recommended 1/10 Buggy Gearing
- For 2S batteries, gear 36-40 tooth (mod 1) pinions to get close to the motor’s peak efficiency range.
- For 3S batteries, jump up to 44-48 tooth pinions to take full advantage of higher voltage.
- Larger pinions = higher top speed. Smaller pinions = quicker acceleration.
- Monitor ESC and motor temperatures and reduce pinions if overheating.
Proper gearing optimizes the torque band while avoiding excessive heat.
FAQ
How are brushless motors rated for 1/10 buggies?
Key specs are KV rating determining RPM per volt, stator size in mm like 3540, and optional turn count like 4T. Higher KV and lower turns provide more speed.
What is a good gear ratio for racing buggies?
Look for final drive ratio in the 7.5:1 to 9.0:1 range. Roller gears typically use spur gears around 92-100T with pinions from 17T-22T. Two speed transmissions can help optimize low and high end.
How do I calculate power output for an ESC and motor?
Multiply battery voltage by maximum ESC amp rating to determine Watts. For example: 2S 7.4V battery with 150A ESC = 7.4 x 150 = 1110 Watts peak power.
Should I use sensored or sensorless motors?
For racing, sensored motors provide smoother low RPM control. Sensorless saves money and works well for bashing if cogging at low speeds is not an issue.
What motor temps are safe?
Try to keep motor windings under 200°F (93°C) for longevity. Temporary spikes to 230°F (110°C ) are OK but avoid sustained high temps. Add gearing, heatsinks, or fan if overheating.