Timing Explained for Brushless Motor and ESC's

[@jatoca]

I stumbled across this while trying to get a better understanding of timing, boost, turbo. Apparently due to your clear explanation, you’re still on top of the list years later. With that said, I want to personally thank you for the time you take explaining everything clearly and in a way most of us finally understand. I’m 52yo and have been in the R/C world over 40-years now. From cars, to boats, planes, helis and drones, I thought I understood most of it until the sensored programmable esc/motors became mainstream. I figured with so many years of experience, these features were just minor adjustments and were just added more for the sales and flashiness of it all. Turns out it was just laziness on my part not wanting to learn new tech, because after your video, followed by some tweaks and Hotwire settings (TEKIN), boy was I missing out! What a huge difference changing the manual (can) timing, switching esc to sensored AND sensorless, then manipulating the turbo & boost to get BOTH low end timing improvements through manual, as well as high timing adjustments via the sensored electronic settings. So thank you for the lesson, your 10+ minutes taught me more than the past 5-years of reading manuals and playing with settings. I intend on watching many more of your videos (if still available) and getting my learning curve straightened out a bit more. I am curious what the best way of knowing the RPM range of each motor is..? It’s not noted anywhere and I’m not sure whether the software just “knows”, or if maybe data logging might be the best way to go about ultra fine tuning hose parameters? I’ve done data logging on my full scale GTR quite a bit to get waste gates, blow off, etc. in sync with turbo. Usually send logs in for programming, but have made minor adjustments also. Hopefully I’ll find one of your videos about it shortly. Thanks again!

[@johnnycarvalho9827]

Great video!! I appreciate that you don’t “dumb” it down too much. While still giving enough info to make a good decision.

[@punkrawk89]

I'm glad I found your channel. I've been struggling with motor timing on one of my planes and now I understand it. Thank you!

[@RCexplained]

Glad the channel could help!

[@jarek.o2663]

Your videos are the best!!! You focus on sharing information, not false entertaining. With pleasure, I watch your channel! I wish you big grown!!!

[@RCexplained]

Hi Jarosław, thank you for taking the time to comment. It's comments like these that make it all worthwhile and why I continue to pump out videos. Thank You for your support!

[@braddunn5983]

I know I'm a little late on seeing this video lol but very useful video, the way you explain timing, boost, and turbo where everyone can understand is great.

[@RCexplained]

Thank you for your comment, much appreciated!

[@funwithfamfun]

One of the very very few videos 1 can watch all the way though. Awesome info thank you again!

[@RCexplained]

I appreciate that! Thanks for the comment Greg!

[@LawrenceTimme]

On brushed motor escs the turbo mode used to just switch a relay so the motor was connected directly to the battery.

[@martinbullla7654]

Hey I have a Traxxas hoss that is stock besides 50 tooth spur and a 20 tooth pinion and it has a spectrum firma 150 amp ESC and a 2050 KV motor combo what should I have my timing set to to get rid of just a tiny bit of cogging I really don't want to go back down a tooth I mean I will if I have to I just can't find the gear at this particular time at my local hobby shop and I really don't want to order one but it's set to factory settings I think it's like 22.5 degree is it set to right now

[@keldonator]

I have almost the same situation. A Traxxas slash I put a arrma 2050kv and 150amp esc. It cogged with a 21t pinion so I went down to a 19t and it still cogs a little but if I go down much more it will be a slug. It already tops out at 43mph... Did you figure it out?

[@BOBBEATS504]

Man this dude the truth....thankyou mannn I love u for this real talk

[@Spacecadet0730]

Thank you for talking about boost. I have been searching everywhere for an explanation on what boost is, everyone mentions it like its a known thing. I have a Hobbywing esc that I am using for speed runs and wanted to start fine tuning, but needed to understand what I was changing first. Great vid as usual!

[@RCexplained]

Thank you Spacecadet!

[@TheAmericanUhate]

My mmx8s 1520-1650kv combo is running 10° of timing from the factory, if I bumped it back to maybe 6° or 8° of timing, would it make my motor run cooler, more torque, more efficiently, and less heat, but be slightly slower on top end? It's an off road build, needs torque anyway

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos.

[@RCexplained]

My Pleasure! Glad you like them!

[@NathanStorer-RC]

Very informative video. This is exactly what I needed!

[@Cooldibs]

So on a sensored brushless motor, only the mechanical timing on the motor can adjust the turning, not the esc right?

[@keldonator]

Does timing effect cogging? Will more or less timing make cogging better or worse?

[@cows1990]

You helped me so much to find the best motor combo system for my DR10 drag car. Stock Reedy is good but no I'm only keeping the reciver for DVC. Its awesome. I use Protexh shorty pach 2c 4900 size 120c.

[@RCexplained]

Hey Casey, that's very good to hear!

[@mrstanton81]

These videos are great. So much info! Thanks!

[@hardtailrider7172]

If you have a motor that has Tynice adjustable on his, do you have to be center from work?

[@arrmaracing9853]

2950 2 pole motor, do you have any suggestions on how we should gear it and how to set it up on the esc settings, it keeps doing 1.99 no prep and whatever we do we get 330 amps max and 12 hp. Seems that needs more rpm that what we currently get. The motor is 100k rpm and we only get 72...let me know what you think thanks!

[@hardtailrider7172]

If you have a motor that has adjustable timing on it, do you need a censored ESC to make it work?

[@BranTheMan_]

What is the maximum amount of timing you can apply to a motor before it becomes inefficient? I have a hobbywing XeRun XR8 pro and it supports 48 boost and 48 turbo, and when combined with a possible 40 on the motor you can have 136 degrees of timing! I’ve heard that the maximum you can have is 60 total, is that true?

[@FZERO20]

It’s late but doing my own research and R&D the motor seems to be happiest around 44-51 degrees “Combined”

[@Boogie_the_cat]

The higher the timing the more heat you will have, this inefficiency. But this depends on your ESC and motor model. Whatever brand you run, join an online official forums and you'll be able to ask expert hobbyists on there questions. For instance, I run a Felony, so I joined Arrma official forums, and I get answers to all my questions from other Arrma owners within 30 minutes, depending on who is online.

[@abulimicdog1]

Just a fun factoid. CHEAT stands for "Castle High Energy Advanced Timing"; it's a bit of a backronym. We thought CHEAT was fun because it wasn't common when we released it and was in the grey area of the rules. It kind of forced the "Blinky" rule.

[@RCexplained]

Thanks for the insight Thomas! I didn't know this.

[@jarviscrawford7194]

What does timing do I don’t see any performance when I add timing just more current an the rpm is the same

[@sd_rcfanatic157]

What 6amp draw most people aiming?

[@roadstar499]

I have a motor in a freewing moray...had to change to a hobbywing 40 amp esc...the motor looks to be 28 35 ,1500kv...i bench tested on low and med timing on esc..i can not tell the difference...i just want to know if i should set timing at low or med...i am using 1500 4s 50c battery...thanks

[@RCexplained]

Low

[@roberttoebak7277]

You just made my day. Nicely explained buddy😉👍

[@RCexplained]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for the comment!

[@Ryndel]

Just the video I was looking for thanks! Do you have a video on single vs dual motors by chance? I tried searching

[@RCexplained]

I don't think I do.

[@nejoh713]

I rewinding with thick wire bldc motor. Why i can't increase speed the BLDC motor? Because ESC have limiter?

[@robson.pampulha]

Thanks for share your knowledge!

[@RCexplained]

My pleasure!

[@Aerospatial]

Hi my 14 pole 6s brushless motor having squealing sound at high throttle. Could this be timing issue? I changed timing to 22. But still getting that noise

[@coreycash3016]

Fantastic job

[@RCexplained]

Thank you so much 😀

[@seanmolloy9422]

my fms 1450mm Mustang did the squeal on a full throttle pull to vertical. motor stopped instantly followed by torque roll and crash.

[@ZUKIDRAGRACE]

Can you use boost mode or turbo timing on a four pole motor

[@RCexplained]

You can but I would not recommend using fixed timing.

[@ZUKIDRAGRACE]

Ok thanks so much I using the motor for 132ft drag racing so you would use it thanks for the great info

[@nu-nu9702]

What should I set my timing on spektrum firma 8s 160 ESC thanks

[@rickywilliams84]

What did you find out? I have the same setup.. did u leave it on zero?

[@sheldonrose461]

Good info you gained a subscriber, is it possible to eliminate acceleration hesitation by adjusting the timing?

[@RCexplained]

Thanks for the sub Sheldon! It's not possible to eliminate startup hesitation through timing in the testing I have done.

[@sheldonrose461]

@@RCexplained Yeah I didn’t think so gotta go with the sensor

[@RCPhysics]

Great video as always!

[@RCexplained]

Thank You!

[@FRY_FPV]

good video! timing I use on my ESC are between 23 and 30, but I guess it's the same logic

[@RCexplained]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, it does depend on the ESC manufacture and how they decide to label timing.

[@stormhawk31]

OK, so, question: can you lower a motor's timing for better torque and acceleration, and then set your gearing for top speed, taking advantage of both?

[@RCexplained]

Yes, absolutely.

[@stormhawk31]

@@RCexplained Could you do a video on that?

[@RcCrawlerGuy]

A video on Battery Connectors for drag racing would be awesome. :)

[@RCexplained]

Noted!

[@minez4088]

Really dumb question can anyone explain what boost and turbo are ?

[@RCexplained]

Hi minez 408, on the radiocontrolinfo website there is more details. Follow this link: www.radiocontrolinfo.com/timing-explained-for-brushless-motor-and-escs/

[@G__Mason]

Nice, appreciate you making this for us lol. I’ve got a new Losi DB Pro and it has a slight hesitation when accelerating from a dead stop. Also makes a slight noise so hopefully this will help fix it, pretty sure it’s normal but it bugs me so 🤷🏻‍♂️. Appreciate it.

[@RCexplained]

Are you using a sensored motor? A sensored motor would remove any hesitation from a dead stop. Adjusting timing usually won't help this.

[@G__Mason]

@@RCexplained I had no clue until I just looked it up and it’s the “Spektrum Firma® 4-Pole 3150” which is sensorless. Hopefully I can work it out, if not, no big deal.

[@racingrivals8934]

I drag race with sensored motor but certain timing tunes i use the car gives a rev limiter effect just before the finish line is that normal

[@racingrivals8934]

Also what if i put the cheat mode to 20° @ 5,000 rpm - 25,000 rpm and my motorendbell is set to 20° when the motor is at 5,000 would the timing 40° and would it go back to 20° after exceeding 25,000 rpm

[@RCexplained]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by a rev limiter at the top end of your strip. Certain timing on your brushless ESC can definitely lower your ability to hit maximum RPM's. I would definitely want to make certain that any type of fixed timing is removed at high RPM's. As far as 20 degree timing by rotating an end bell and then setting 20 degrees in your ESC as fixed timing, I would expect this to be adding. It would depend on whether your ESC is using the sensor data when the ESC adds timing. If the sensor position @ 20 degrees is used at the time the ESC is at 20 degrees of its own timing, these will be added. If the ESC is operating in sensorless mode, sensor position is ignored meaning that 20 degrees on the endbell is not used.

[@racingrivals8934]

@@RCexplained thanks i was running 20°on my fixed end bell along with cheatmode probably that gives me the fluctuation in rpm (rev limiter effect) i set the endbell to 0 and the motor runs alot smoother

[@racingrivals8934]

I tried a new cheatmode setting 21,000rpm/76,000 rpm and the motor seems faster and smoother thanks for the tip

[@RCexplained]

@@racingrivals8934 Right on, that's great.

[@racingrivals8934]

I lovr the castle mamba x cheat mode makes timing tunning fun

[@RCexplained]

Right On, that's great!

[@InstrumentvanVrede]

Thank you.

[@RCexplained]

Your welcome!

[@michaelsha2781]

great video, thanks for sharing,

[@RCexplained]

Thanks!

[@reallythough4591]

You can google it. Most castle products are 50k including all Val and box, some of there top dollar motors are 70k. Tp is 70k for most, but scam motors are 120k. Nothing touches them. They are heat plants, so buy the right size for your scale. A bit pricier, but torque monsters with speed for days. Reedy ae 50k, but seem best suited for buggy/trophy running. Great torque, lo top ends. That’s what I got. I run a drk, and a 4.5t hole shot, but don’t have the info on theses.

[@RCexplained]

I googled it, still shows 60,000RPM for 15 series Castle motors. It also shows 90,000RPM for the 1721 2400

[@reallythough4591]

@@RCexplained cool, now check scm tp motor series. Don’t get me wrong, castle and neu motors are great, but don’t sleep on tp. Had another shop owner today telling me he and his buddy were running twin 2800kv limitless’s in drag. One tp one castle, 1.8s. The difference is you can just keep adding power to the tp and they are monsters of torque thru the entire range. I ant to find out? If you can find one, get the 2350kv scm, and gear however ludicrous you want. It will get hot, but it will push more power than anything youre used to. If you use the max5 g2, it may amp out, but if he motor will hold every bit of that 12s, and good luck to anyone trying to keep up.

[@J100-r1v]

this video is really helpful

[@octane2099]

I'm currently build a F16 90mm with a 1500kv 10 blade with a castle 160 esc would i need to set a low timing it is going to be 8s.

[@RCexplained]

I usually start with low timing on hot wound motors

[@dronefootage2778]

my esc struggles to get the car going and i bought the programming card. i put the start mode at level 10, i'm not sure it helped. i don't care what the speed is on this thing. once you started talking about sensored motors i knew i'm on the wrong video because mine has no sensor.

[@RCexplained]

This video is not specific for sensored or sensorless motors.

[@arrmaracing9853]

With mmx8s and capacitor

[@wernermoser3406]

😳🥶🤯

[@tonyromano6220]

Castle seems to be a very good brand. Are other big names in Hobby in same class? I assume answer is yes.

[@RCexplained]

Is this for a specific application? Boat vs airplane for example.

[@tonyromano6220]

1/10th and 1/8th cars and buggy. A Slash 2wd, 1/8 4wd buggy for dirt.

[@RCexplained]

@@tonyromano6220 have you looked in to Tekin?

[@tonyromano6220]

PropWash Yes that is one of the brands I am thinking about for my top end rigs. VS display or light play RCs!

[@trudybergen3510]

Onyx is good.

[@filsdedieu100]

I like your vidéos :-)

[@RCexplained]

Glad you like them!

[@filsdedieu100]

@@RCexplained ; I would also have liked your videos in the French language haha ​​;-) (I'm french)

[@stefanmuller1855]

Guess your videos are pretty good. But my english isn't that good. And it's too much theory for my special use of the motors. Keep going dude

[@RCexplained]

Hey stefan, thanks for the comment. You will see more and more practical examples on the channel. This is what I am working towards to include more of these examples as an experiment.

[@Ohmz_i]

ok so basically leave it default 15. got it lol.

[@Boogie_the_cat]

Wow, you are so brilliant that you can answer this question for every application and vehicle ESC. Except you aren't. For instance: default timing on my Arrma Felony is 22.5 So if I were to take your dumb advice, I'd lower my timing, simply because you don't understand that different ESC s have different default timing settings out of the box. You're amazingly smart and deserve an award. LOL LOL Isn't everything you say funnier if you write LOL? Lolololol Wow. Can I have your "otter graph" ? That's a piece of paper you sign your name on, and it's graph paper with an otter watermark. I'm as smart as you genius.