Model Airplane News

Ultimate Electrics

WHAT ABOUT POLES?
Very few manufacturers list the number
of poles because it’s not something gen-
erally needed for selecting a motor. It is
needed when setting up telemetry or
some sort of data logging equipment. For
outrunners, this is easy to determine if
it’s not listed in the motor specs. Just look
into the end of the motor and count the
number of magnets you see glued around
the inner lining of the case. Most of our
Kv of 230rpm. Searching for equivalent
motors would be as easy as looking for
others weighing about the same with a
similar Kv. Longtime electric modeler, Ken
Myers of Michigan, has used this method
with great accuracy for years and written
much about how to use it effectively.

WHAT NOW?

The biggest thing is not to get so wrapped up worrying about it that you make it

FEW MANUFACTURERS LIST THE NUMBER OF POLES BECAUSE IT’S NOT SOMETHING GENERALLY NEEDED FOR SELECTING A MOTOR.

outrunners are 12- or 14-pole motors, but count yours before setting up your software.

THE WEIGHT METHOD
One method of naming motors that is
simple and fairly accurate is to use the
weight of the motor along with the Kv as
its name. For instance, my RimFire 50cc
motor would be called a RimFire 1250-230
meaning it weighs 1250 grams and has a
more difficult than it is. Most designa-
tions refer to either the stator or motor
case dimension and you can see from my
mistake, it’s not a huge difference. Manu-
facturers have gotten much better at list-
ing enough specs on their sites that you
can make an intelligent decision without
getting a PhD in electronics. Ask ques-
tions and buy quality motors from known
manufacturers or vendors and you’ll end
up with the right choice. ;

;e Turnigy 4260- 500 name represents the case size and Kv of the motor.

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Robert “Hoot” Gibson
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Space Shuttle Commander, Naval Aviator
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