Stech WernerSo, whether you are a professional RC car driver, or you are new to remote control cars, you will eventually come across the question “Should I get a Sensored Motor or a Sensorless Motor?” It is a very common question that all RC drivers have had to ask themselves. The only way to answer that question is to know what a sensored brushless motor is and to look at the pros and cons. In addition, how many of you actually know what a sensored brushless motor is?
It is important that you understand the difference between having a Sensored motor or a Sensorless motor, only then will you be able to make a choice that satisfies you and your driving tendencies. So in this article, we will shade some light on the topic of sensored brushless motors and help you make an informed decision.
Contents
Understanding Sensored Brushless Motors
A lot of motors nowadays qualify as brushless motors, with the major difference being on whether they are sensored or sensoreless. In order for you to understand the difference between the two, we will explain what does ‘sensored’ means.
Sensored Brushless Motors
Sensored motors have a multi-wire loom in addition to the three main wires that usually exist in most motors. This multi-wire loom acts as a connection between the command center of the speed control to the motor. On the motor end of the loom are sensors that tell the speed control a number of things, but most importantly the exact position of the rotor within the motor through three Hall Effect sensors.
Now with sensorless motors, there are no sensors inside the motor that is why they are called sensorless. The position of the rotor is determined via feedback called back-EMF (Electromotive Force). Back-EMF is the resistance or voltage pushing back against the current flowing to the motor.
Pros and Cons of Sensored Motors
Of course, each of the motors does have its own specific purpose. How then can you determine if the motor is suitable for you or not? To make an informed decision, let us look at some of the pros and cons of using the sensored motors.
Pros
So why do you need sensors in the motors? Well, sensors perform a valuable function. When the speed control knows the rotors specific location, it can better control the throttle feel. It is more noticable in a smooth controllable throttle feel with zero-hesitation at low speeds. In addition, sensored motors have more startup torque or power off the line. The sensors can also tell the speed control if there is anything wrong with the motor. The speed control can use this information to shut down the motor and avoid damage. This is perhaps the best feature of it all!
Cons
Now, if sensors are so beneficial, why don’t all motors have them? It so happens that the sensor loom can break or come loose when driving or racing an RC car. The speed control stops powering the motor when the sensors are not detected. And this is a big downside. Another issue with sensored brushless motors is that they are quite costly.
So why should you use Sensored Brushless Motors?
With all the pros and cons, now comes the question of why you should use sensored brushless motors.
In all honesty, the sensored Brushless Motors reduce cogging. Cogging is a noticeable hesitation at low speeds, often when starting from a stop. It happens with brushless motors and using a sensored motor can effectively solve this and give you that perfect start that you need to get an advantage in a race.
Of course, the sensored brushless motor is able to prevent your RC car from getting damaged. This is due to the motor’s ability to shut down once the sensors detect an anomaly in its function!
