Does running in an FK slot car motor (Hawk 7 or JK Retro) backwards improve performance?

After a previous video where I ran in a JK Hawk Retro motor under water, I had a number of people ask me if it made a difference breaking in the motor forwards or backwards. I thought I would try it and compare the results...
** Please note that the CleaveTech v1 motor analyser shown in this video is not currently available. Version 2 is under development and will be released in 2022. **
See the previous video here:
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[@kevinmcmanis7335]

Excellent video, as usual. Very useful. I'm going to do this from now on. Thanks!

[@CleaveTech]

Thanks. Let us know if it makes you go faster 🏎

[@torquemutant9612]

Very interesting, CT. I believe this calls for me to do the same test and see if my results are similar. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Keep up the excellent work.

[@CleaveTech]

Thanks for watching. Let us all know your findings please 🙏

[@akarandom1]

I love this sort of technical experimentation! Im very interested in seeing the forwards and reverse test.

[@CleaveTech]

Thank you. I will try half time forward and half time backwards. 👍🏻

[@randywilson6536]

We need you to get all your buddies together and start a hobby shop in Michigan ✌️

[@christoph1918]

Now its time to prove if its a difference between running in in water or turning some laps on the track.

[@thatslotcarguy]

It's amazing how slot car racing and RC racing is very similar. A great technique used across both hobbies

[@CleaveTech]

Many companies also used to sell slot car parts and radio control parts as they were very similar. I don’t think many RC racers run their motors in anymore as they are mostly brushless 😁😉

[@thatslotcarguy]

Yeah you're spot on mate brushless is most definitely the normal now...I wonder when we will make the switch

[@CleaveTech]

@@thatslotcarguy , brushless slot cars are happening right now. They are nearly as fast as the fastest cars we run. Here in the UK we have limited their use due to concerns over escalating costs, availability of electronic parts and a change of skills needed to program them. The best fit for brushless motors would be to replace all the limited rpm motors that are so variable in performance. You could then have lots of brushless motors and speed controllers that all had the same limited rpm and didn’t require lots of maintenance or the need to buy loads of them to find a good one 👍🏻

[@donwest5387]

the motor will run faster in one direction due to the commutator timing. Breaking it in will seat the brushes and reduce power requirement

[@user-wp4sg3cq1b]

Just a few basic questions, What is the average life of a Hawk 7 motor? how does the break in process play into the life span of the motor?

[@ChristopherBattaglia-on5bf]

were can i get a analyzer like this

[@Damitsall]

Is this the motor they use in wing cars for group F?

[@ust2bfast]

Just when I thought I had a super secret way to the podium. Actually found out about running backwards a few years back when I accidently connected a C can s16 Mura motor backwards for the water break in, panic at first. So, I get that it works but what is the reasoning behind the practice? Brushes seat differently? Com gaps change? Magnetic charge within the steel armature frame change?

[@CleaveTech]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I am surprised that you found a difference with a C-Can motor between running it in backwards and forwards. With the design of these cheap sealed motors, the brushes and springs tend to flex as the armature rotates. Running in the motor in different directions affects the way the brush seats itself against the com and has an effect on the timing. I have plans for another video which will draw some conclusions about running in those types of motors so I won’t give away too much here 😉

[@niconmn]

Hi! CT, I have a doubt, I searched for the respose but I couldn´t find them. What is exactly the E-Brake? I understand what is the normal brake, "the amounth of time from full speed to zero". Do you know where I can find the explanation. Thank you very much!, cheers from Argentina!!!

[@CleaveTech]

Hi Nicolas. Thanks for watching. The E-Brake is a number that is generated by calculating the “electronic” braking effect of the motor. The electronic braking effect of the motor depends on the amount of back EMF and current the motor generates when braking.

[@sidneyjeppe5865]

Hi there. Is the motor analyzer available to purchase. Thanks

[@CleaveTech]

Thanks for asking. I am still working on a new version and don’t have any stock of this version. I will let everyone know when the new version is available 👍🏻

[@kennetharmstead9762]

I am sure you have answered this but where can I get that analyzer from

[@CleaveTech]

Hi Kenneth. The analysers are made by me but I am in the process of developing a version 2 which should be ready sometime in 2022. Send me an email or private message if you want to be added to the waiting list. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@markschaffer167]

Where can I buy one of those motor analyzers?? I’m in the United States Thank you

[@CleaveTech]

Hi Mark. Thanks for asking. I am in the process of developing a version 2 motor analyser for release sometime in 2022 so the version 1 is not currently available. Send me an email or Message via my Facebook page with you details and I will add you to the waiting list.

[@RackwitzG]

When installing a motor into a car you have to hook it up backwards for it to turn in the right direction, considering that + is on the right side in driving direction. So why not run it in backwards?

[@davidbeavers833]

Where can I get one of those testers?

[@CleaveTech]

Hi David. I am developing a new version. Send me an email [e-mail] and I can add you to the list 👍🏻

[@Fabio-ns4ql]

Running in the motor typically advances the timing so you will end up with more rpm at the expense of torque. You typically wear the negative brush more quickly than the positive brush as the electrons are emitted from the negative brush. So if you want to get "even" brush wear run it in backwards and forwards.

[@CleaveTech]

Excellent information and advice Fabio. Thank you. Maybe I should do a video where I run a motor in both directions 👍🏻😂.

[@donwest5387]

the "timing" is built-in and doesn't change

[@Fabio-ns4ql]

When the brushes are new they are not worn to the comm but make a point contact. As they wear and conform to the diameter of the com that proceed effectively advances the timing.

[@englishrobex]

Brakes it not breaks it. Hehe.