Brushed vs Brushless motors in Off Road R/C Trucks

Choosing the right motor for your RC vehicle is no easy task. In this video John of Holmes Hobbies revisits brushed and brushless motors and how it pertains to RC Off Road Trucks today. We cover performance differences, speed selection, and specific use examples to help select the best fit. This video should bring you up to speed and give you a better understanding of how to choose the right motor for your radio control application.
PRODUCTS MENTIONED
Holmes Hobbies Brushed Motors: bit.ly/2FJNrHs
Holmes Hobbies Brushless Motors: bit.ly/2TO9qjr
See More Electronics Videos:
• RC Electronics (Review...
FOLLOW HOLMES HOBBIES:
KZbin: / holmeshobbies
Website: HolmesHobbies.com/

[@SargeScum]

I still own 3 power types Brushed/Brushless/Nitro Still got mad love for all 3

[@OneCupOfCoffee204]

The most significant differences between brushed and brushless are efficiency and longevity. Great video.

[@Mrs.Tincher]

Your name is John Holmes? Awesome.

[@williesmith985]

🤣

[@davidhilton5414]

Haha.

[@tmen252]

John. You are an absolute savior🙏 Thank you for all the info you have shared. You have helped me immensely on my build and my R/C knowledge in general. No one I would rather support than Holmes Hobbies.

[@megatfaizarif690]

I'm new to RC and you're video thought me more about what I need to hop up to brushless than 6 hours of crawling the internet. Tq Mr Holmes Hobbies!

[@douglaselliott8298]

I've been thinking about jumping into the RC car hobby. I found this video very helpful. Thank you.

[@humboldtef]

So good! I just watched this for maybe the third time, I had posted it on RCCrawler to help explain your high end motors and couldn't help but to watch again. Thanks for being so generous with the knowledge!

[@HolmesHobbies]

Many thanks for the support!

[@dustinkarrick7819]

Incredibly informative! Thank you for going into so much detail!

[@scottrevell3622]

Thanks for the info. I use and love your products. I appreciate the support and knowledge you provide your customers.

[@scottyoung6745]

Through my life, i have had many hobbies, and until now i have never had a company really care about if you were happy or discouraged after the sale.This company really cares about your views and input, I am thoroughly impressed.They are true to their words. Thank you, Holmes Hobbies.

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thanks Scott! Crawling has been a long time obsession that turned into a career somehow. A big part of the obsession has always been electronics that perform with some WOW factor. If a customer doesn't find themselves happy with our product, then something is amiss!

[@dogcrick]

Alright! New studio setup is looking great! Stoked to see you getting back to making informative videos John! Nobody knows like the boss knows 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@johnroddy931]

Love when you do a video like this I have learned lots about motors watching your videos have had a couple of you brushed motor but just can't afford the brushless I have found a old used trinity 3800kv sc motor sensored but it's no Holmes keep making the great product you do

[@simonyoung6120]

Great info, saved me some costly mistakes.. Thank you

[@666impreza666]

Just found this masterpiece. Thank you!

[@MarcoLemmetti]

Thanks John! For us noobs, your explanation really helps out

[@mayhemsghost7813]

Great video! New to the RC crawler scene and looking to upgrade my rigs. This was very educational and exactly what I was trying to understand. Thanks John!!!

[@mmflytie1]

Great info for newbies especially. Thank you

[@beeezlebub]

This was one of the most helpful videos I have come across!!! Thank you John!!!

[@HolmesHobbies]

glad it helped!

[@bigdaddyd82vapes92]

Absolutely love this kind of stuff!! Awesome video great info! Watching for the third time now!!

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thanks for the watch. Glad you like it!

[@luke_atthat]

Nice summarise of the topic. Loving slow and scale crawling, I wiil stay brush motor. As I rarely spin much, my brushes do not ware out fast. Thanks for this great video.

[@paulmatlock5969]

Awesome video for someone like me that is just getting into to customizing my setup. Thank you. This helped a lot.

[@J-Ash17]

Good rundown, thanks

[@MM-jd7gb]

So much good info. Thank You Mr. Holmes.

[@satchmotionrc8202]

Excellent video. I use a variety of brushed, brushless and sensored brushless in my various rigs. I found the information very useful and have put it to good use. Thanks!!

[@billderas3420]

Very professional presentation by John Holmes. Very easy to follow.

[@addamwright1733]

I fell into he thought that the lower turn motors would be better for torque and all that so thanks for the clarification. I am just getting back into the hobby and all we had back in the day when i built my first crawlers was the old 55 turn lathe motors! They have come a long way since then and this really helps me understand my possible upgrades to both my old rigs and my new Gen8. Thanks so much, it is really appreciated!!

[@wheejee_rc6612]

My go-to for real knowledge!! Thank you, sir!!

[@mb01269]

Came across you guys in a random search..great vids very informative and have driven me to buying from you..keep up good work

[@mcgo0268]

confirmed a bunch on info I was thinking for my first project. Informative video. Amazed at your single take abilities; I don't think you tripped once. Very talented.

[@samdharma350]

One of the most useful RC motor videos I’ve come across. Thank you Sir 🙏

[@HolmesHobbies]

Awesome, glad you liked it!

[@paulclancy2404]

I agree, 3rd time i watched , im new crawling like the low speed control , and scale so think going stay with brushed as thats what the truck is for i bought gen8 looking at trx or capra too .🤯👍👍👍👍

[@paulclancy2404]

@@HolmesHobbies how come we can gear up without heat issues with lower kvs , in heavier rcs ,i thought we were able bc motor has more torque . Is what you were saying only true with the smaller size cans and not with ones capable of 6s .sorry i forgot standard sizes of brushless cans .

[@matthewchin6454]

And delivered in a rich baritone, redolent of golden molasses, nonetheless. Well done, sir.

[@TejasToolMan]

this is what I needed, finally going brushless from a 1980's era Kyosho LE MANS 360PT 19T 8.4v n a Tamiya blazing blazer

[@BuyitBreakitFixit]

Great video. Full of knowledge. Thank you for what you do.

[@blackedoutbandit5959]

Buy it Break it Fix it I thinnk u should get a Holmes hobby set up and put it your TRX4. I think u would be amazed at the difference. Do a full install video and test. Give your honest appion on it.

[@rcfundyer5739]

Another great video very informative thanks for posting

[@wolfbanger2124]

Great info as always. My personal choice has been the 2200kv Stubby with the Trailmaster Pro BLE ESC. When it comes to low end speed control, with brushless/sensored, i think it really comes down to throttle control. I can get that "creep" speed but i have to be really careful because one lil bump and you can over throttle. Which just adds to the fun of running brushless, you have to be able to control all that power.

[@moematos1785]

Very good video, I have been in the RC hobby for almost 15 years now.This is the 1st time that I have ever seen anyone take the time to do what U just did. Thank You very much. I figured some of that stuff out on my own listening to different people talk at the tracks. But, bcz, of U I understand way better now. Thank U, that was extremely helpful. Especially, for people like me that do too well, asking questions to complete strangers. But, if you don't ask U will never learn. Again , thank U very much.I needed that...

[@TheAweeone]

awesome thanks for the info (i'm learning alot from these motor videos)

[@stevemdelacruz5602]

Great video. Thanks for the lesson

[@AMAZINGRC]

Watched every second of this extremely informative video..!!! Weather you are new to aftermarket motors, or an experienced crawler... brushed or brushless, there is something in here for you..! Very well done in every aspect..! Learned a bunch..! Liked and Subscribed..!! Volt up, gear down..!

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thank you sir!

[@rubytuesday5684]

@@HolmesHobbies Sir Im interested if possible to purchase from you some blank Armatures with commentators only . If possible its a big help. Or if not perhaps you know of a place I can. Im an American in Los Angeles.. Thanx. Please advise. Regards DH.

[@brentrobinson3274]

Love the videos this has help to better explain to others in our group the how and why of motor selection and give me more info on your current motor line for project builds doing a great job John

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thank you sir! We are working on some more direct product vids next.

[@TheRCNetwork]

Great video, John!

[@fredhenschel2517]

Excellent video 👍🏻 so glad I found it

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

Nice info John. Always great knowledge to have. Crawlmaster Pro for brushed and Puller Pro for brushless all the way.

[@emorywright7607]

Excellent video, answer a lot of questions I need to know. Thank you

[@patrikmoller3643]

This was very informative, I saw a lot of these videos when I got back into the rc hobby six-seven years ago but since they've sort of disappeared, more showing what companies send than actually giving valuable information, thank you Mr Holmes I'm one of those that got caught in the whole "lower t number more torque" so I run my Wraith with a CC "can't remember the name" esc and an 80t motor and my Vaterra Ascender got a Hobbywing 1080 and a RC4WD 55t motor. Both of them have more than 10 hours behind them but they seem to be working fine, didn't know that the runtime where only estimated to 10hrs, but then I'm not racing, I'm one of those slow flexing suspension making things look realistic type of drivers. I have been looking at upgrading the electronics in my cars, mainly the Ascender since that's the one I use most but I've looked at going for a brushless setup but maybe I should just go for a new brushed motor for starters then, I do like the 1080 esc, or at least I liked the performance upgrade it was going from the 1060 to the 1080, haven't got that much experience from any other ecs so I can make a statement of how good any other are 😊 Thank you for some really good informative videos 👍

[@HolmesHobbies]

The 1080 is a good budget choice. I wish we could have the BRXL at that price, but 100% USA made vs 100% china made, there is no competing.

[@patrikmoller3643]

@@HolmesHobbies I totally understand, me on the other hand would love to run only Holmes Hobbies or Castle Creations but a setup like that here in Sweden means I have to decide between that or something I the price range of the Sandero rtr, taxes on toys here are insane. I had a similar discussion with one of the hobby shop owners when he gave me a hard time for running Hobbyking batteries over what he sells but I said that if I weren't running these batteries I wouldn't be there buying the spare parts I needed for that car because I wouldn't be able to afford to be in the hobby. I've had so many good talks with Hemistorm about Castle electronics that I'm ashamed for not buying because the taxes and I feel bad for taking up his time, I'd love to support guys like them and you who actually are in this because you have a passion for the hobby, not because you see a way to earn more money. That's what I love adout Element RC, they seem to have built their cars out of love for the hobby and to produce what they think is best, by the way, your examination of the shocks of the Sendero 😄😄👍 Anyhow, I love to see people being passionate about what they do, I know it's a struggle when the market is flooded with cheap stuff, I where a detailer for many years trying my hardest to get people to understand the difference between cheap and proper car care. To be honest I've seen you as a bit of a snob after reading some things you've written but seeing these videos have changed my views and I now see someone who's very passionate about what he's doing and that's something I appreciate very much, I hope I'll be able to support you by buying your stuff in the future but until then I'll be watching your videos, hitting like and commenting as best I can.

[@Italliving]

Second vid i've seen to the fullest, very intresting and complete , now i need to go back and hit you with a question on the first vid :-)

[@alexoleszek]

I liked how he went into detail, helped out a lot thanks.

[@andrewhnorris1]

Superb video. Thanks for making.

[@kennethmurphy2951]

I enjoyed every minute of your video. Very informative.

[@Gone_Existed]

Great video. So much info.

[@slhaury]

Thank you this was a great it help me understand what is happening to my fresh build ....plz keep these type of videos coming

[@mrakus83]

Rod Buster loooooool

[@nighthawkj30A4]

Good to see these information on Brushed motors. I specially like open end bell rebuildable motors. I use Tamiya BZ and GT tuned motors and Warlock Racing 27T motor

[@boba4588]

Great video thank you for the info.

[@nathanstewart2018]

I strive to be at your knowledge level. Great video.

[@tomkirbygreen]

Thank you for the clarity sir!

[@scottwalsh6999]

Great video! Lots of good info :)

[@thomasgross8289]

Ive been running your trailmaster sport 27t in my redcat gen7 for 2 years of hard abuse lol still going strong

[@karlvorndran2996]

Fantastic video! Been a brushed crawler fan since my first crawler, an XR10, in 2012. Just bought a Crawlmaster Pro 550 10 turn for my upcoming SCX10 iii build. When the Puller Pro Standard is back in stock, I will be trying brushless crawler system for my TRX4.

[@MaxxPainII]

Wow, tons of great info.

[@RTmadnesstoo]

Great video! Lots of good info! Thanks

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thanks for watching

[@kev4354]

Great Info Thank you

[@paulnorton7444]

Very helpful new to crawling.👍

[@yellchai]

Great info. Feeling like i can now make an informed decision as to what each type of motor is best used for.

[@HolmesHobbies]

Perfect, just what I was hoping!

[@wbarretw]

Very good video! I would like to add that brushed is also nostalgic :) i would never put a brushless in my old tamiya kits. Thanks for sharing!

[@rcobsession]

Excellent video Sir!

[@kherchia73]

Man! This dude is The Motor Man!!! Big Thank You!! :-)

[@HolmesHobbies]

Glad you liked it :D I have a few videos on motors, but this one is most up to date.

[@lindafuqua5662]

Great Video!

[@rkd350z]

just getting in to crawling, this is great info.

[@ruben25900]

Always great videos just like crawler innovations

[@RenoLaringo]

This video was just perfect! Clear, straight to the point and very informative. I'm about to build a first good perf. cage crawler and the performance of your products definitely caught my attention! I thank you for this well explained episode! It filled the gaps perfectly. Electric motors are a thing by themselves. Very intersting. Greeting from Belgium guys. Be safe and happy!

[@HolmesHobbies]

glad it was helpful, good luck with your build, it'll turn out great!

[@devildog3125]

Thanks for the information as I’m diving back in after being away from the hobby years ago so I’m choosing the TRX4 the kit version by choosing my electronics and I wanted the best of both worlds of low speed control and the speed since the trans is a 2 speed so if I’m right then a motor that’s closer to the 3500 kv you mentioned to get there with the right esc , probably the Mamba X.

[@RTmadnesstoo]

This is the only KZbin video that I read ALL the comments. Great video and plenty of info even in the peanut gallery

[@HolmesHobbies]

Glad we can help!

[@chettycherry7277]

This should be called RC for dummies. I am very much a newbie and this is a wonderful explanation. Thank you

[@chil5150]

Very useful and informative presentation.

[@tomcod6438]

Chris Hille

[@the80s365]

Really well present and clearly knowledgeable information. You've got a subscriber out of this video. Well done.

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thanks!

[@TheTNTmaster808]

Great video!

[@davidjones7544]

Fantastic video!

[@HolmesHobbies]

Thanks David

[@clakz347]

Cheers mate great vid.👍

[@johnlopez4089]

great video!!!

[@paulmccarter908]

Hi, very informative; wish I's seen this yesterday lol.. Just bought a built scx10ii and planned on 70% trail 30% crawl, but I went with your 27 turn sport and a HW1080wp, but now I'm thinking of the brush wear.. Subbed

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

*OMG!!! THANK YOU JOHN!!!!!* 😱😉 I've been TRYING to tell people for years that a 55 Turn Motor does NOT have more Torque than a 35 or 27 Turn Motor. My Dad was an Electrical Engineer - I worked on Avionics in the Air Force. Plus, with an electric Dyno, I've PROVED it. But nobody listened... They limit SPEED. If your needs are for a 10,000rpm Motor, you want a 65 Turn. However it WILL have significantly less Torque than a 35 Turn Motor. They didn't even get that back in the Day, when we used to run 15, 12, even 8 Turn Motors - WHY they would tear up Gears, twist Dogbones and such... And why 1/14th Scale Semi Trucks, with 55 Turn Motors for "Torque", would STALL on grades! THAT'S Torque! I'm so glad that someone knowledgeable and respected has finally put that out there. With that, a question that I'm pretty sure you're qualified to answer... I have a 30 Turn TorqueMaster. Can I replace the entire Stator with a 5-Slot one? Does the Endbell have to go too? I like your TorqueMaster. I just have experience with Model Railroading, that tells me that a 5-Slot Motor has noticeably smoother off-brake performance than a 3-Slot. Is that even economically feasible? I'm pretty Poor, and although I'd LOVE to buy a 5-Slot Motor from you, it can't happen anytime soon. 😭😭 Hopefully, ideally, I really want the new Sidewinder 4 ESC and one of your 1800-2200kv Brushless Motors. That really won't happen for awhile... Any help would be appreciated! Thanks. Carmine 💥 ⛽

[@rcnoypi8758]

You enlighten me...as a newbie this really the right information I need:) thanks Holmes...Subscribed!!

[@HolmesHobbies]

I'll be continuing a basic tech series over the next few months

[@rcnoypi8758]

@@HolmesHobbies I got this wltoy a979b rc a 540kv brushed 7.4V motor I think I burn the motor..I tried to open it if the carbon brushed still ok seems still thick. But still not working...if I change to brushless motor I have to change esc,transmitter and servo. Do my 7.4V 2s 2200mah Lipo still usable?

[@leejoyner4440]

nice information. thanks

[@vibe808]

The best explanation on you tube.

[@HolmesHobbies]

Glad it was helpful!

[@artistman75]

Sounds like you have a bit of knowledge! Nicely put together.

[@Legoman585]

Great Video

[@hi_trucksrc6739]

Thanks for the vid

[@TrexT24]

Awesome video's wish I saw theses from day one. Didn't realize you where into e bikes too, I have built a couple with the bbshd love it. Anyways keep up the good work!

[@HolmesHobbies]

Any electrics, I'm into it!

[@gottfriedwegemuller3223]

Very good 👍

[@jeremiemummert989]

Well said. You nailed it. Mid size motor, and gear down, for bottom end and torque, and efficiency. Or at least, that's what I gathered

[@HolmesHobbies]

yep!

[@IPSENWARD]

thnxs good viedo !

[@DFDuck55]

Good info, thanks. I've always been happy with brushed motors because I pretty much exclusively crawl so smooth low rpm is important to me. My friends always ask me "how fast will it go?" I reply "the important thing is how slow will it go." I just ordered a Redcat Gen8 and when it's time to replace the motor I'm considering going brushless. Mostly because of the longer lifespan of the motor, and brushless have come a long way and now can have great low speed control. I'm not overly concerned with more torque. I don't really enjoy or can afford to keep replacing broken stuff.

[@HolmesHobbies]

Keep the motor small. Either a two pole or short 4 pole. TrailMaster Pro, or Puller Pro Stubby. The stock motor is around 4000kv equivalent. You would be fine with something between 2000 and 3000kv.

[@drakorc]

nice video helpful 👍

[@ricgruber9185]

Back in my day of racing in mid 80s we used brushed motors and experiment with brushes, different hardness or material like silver or mix of material in brushes or slot them or drill holes in them to help with rpm , torque, cooling, some good some bad but thats what made the hobby fun .

[@HolmesHobbies]

Those tricks are still there, but basically useless in crawlers. There is no need to gain a smidge of rpm or torque or cooling with those methods when we can simply change the overall motor design and get better gains with less work.

[@juanmarichal263]

Volts up and gear down, Mr. Holmes 👍

[@OG_Zlog]

Dude I love your videos! Seriously, I love them. I have a small observation. Does your mustache have a small mustache of its own? Totally epic.

[@HolmesHobbies]

lol! Never looked close enough. It just might...

[@WSquared60]

So what motor should I get? Just kidding...great information, very well presented!! Answered a lot of questions I hadn't asked yet.

[@HolmesHobbies]

Had me fooled for a sec... Thanks for the feedback!

[@osmoahma7561]

Good expalination 👍🏻

[@HolmesHobbies]

Glad you liked it!

[@osmoahma7561]

@@HolmesHobbies I sure did mister🍻

[@SebastianLong]

I do like the low speed control of the brushed motors but I put durability above the control difference. I bought for my TRX4 a brushless sensored system. Does great, but can definitely tell a difference in control. Like I said though, I've always been more interested in longevity over control. Definitely was a good explanation though.

[@roslancasemahenthran8568]

Thanks Mister

[@chuckgrc3011]

Thanks! 👍