29th-May-21, 10:17 AM
I've read sometime back now about running in motors in a mix of water and IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol).
Since I gave this a try some months back I was surprised to see how much garbage came out of the motor, including tyre rubber.
So today I spent quite a few hours cleaning and preparing the track cars ready for the Enduro race in six days. I was even more surprised after the preparation of running the motors in the IPA water bath.
Directions that I've followed are:
Queue up some music tunes, get the coffee happening and settle in for some relaxing work. You can also do this in complete silence.
a. 50% IPAS and 50% water, e.g. a 200ml bottle will be 100ml IPA and 100ml water 50%/50%
b. turn voltage down to 5volts, attach cable, I use alligator clipped cable, simple and quick either clip to the braids or directly to the motor wires,
c. completely immerse motor in the 50/50 mix IPA/water and turn on the PS and let run for 5minutes at 5volts, randomly, I will give it a spurt of power from 5v-15v which does work,
d. after 5 minutes remove from the 50/50 IPA/water bath,
e. place motor still attached above into a 100% IPA bath for 20-60seconds,
f. remove from the 100% bath, while still connected to PS, I blow the motor out with compressed air (low PSI) turning motor to different sides to allow any excess 100% IPA to drain out, using the air compressor helps as the IPA will evaporate entirely, and Yes, I do have a small portable air compressor in the kitchen cupboard
g. I place a small drop of Inox MX3 oil to the end bell and pinion end (less is more so use oil sparingly),
h. during the five minute bath, I get to work on cleaning the chassis and body,
i. install motor back into chassis, apply oil to bearings (I also use 100% IPA to clean the bearings, axles, bushings etc) grease to the gearing, don't forget some oil on the front axle as well,
j. put on test bench for five seconds to run oil and grease around bearings, bushings, axles etc,
k. clean the rear tyres, apply clear nail polish to the front wheels set aside to dry, get to work on next motor and car,
l. screw body to chassis and onto the next car I go.
A nice relaxing way to spend five hours performing maintenance on the track cars. Remember to check your braids and eyelets, if need be install new braids and make sure the eyelets are pushed firmly in the guide.
The attached image shows the glass jars used for the IPA/water bath and 100% IPA bath. The left is what the 50/50 bath looked like at the end, around the top near the lid you can the scum mark (oil, rubber, dirt etc) and at the top of the jar near the bulge you can see more garbage that came out of the motors, the jar on the right is what the 50/50 bath looks like fresh ready to go for next time.
Left 50%/50% IPA / water at end of cleaning motors while Right is fresh 50%/50% IPA/water ready for next clean
Since I gave this a try some months back I was surprised to see how much garbage came out of the motor, including tyre rubber.
So today I spent quite a few hours cleaning and preparing the track cars ready for the Enduro race in six days. I was even more surprised after the preparation of running the motors in the IPA water bath.
Directions that I've followed are:
Queue up some music tunes, get the coffee happening and settle in for some relaxing work. You can also do this in complete silence.
a. 50% IPAS and 50% water, e.g. a 200ml bottle will be 100ml IPA and 100ml water 50%/50%
b. turn voltage down to 5volts, attach cable, I use alligator clipped cable, simple and quick either clip to the braids or directly to the motor wires,
c. completely immerse motor in the 50/50 mix IPA/water and turn on the PS and let run for 5minutes at 5volts, randomly, I will give it a spurt of power from 5v-15v which does work,
d. after 5 minutes remove from the 50/50 IPA/water bath,
e. place motor still attached above into a 100% IPA bath for 20-60seconds,
f. remove from the 100% bath, while still connected to PS, I blow the motor out with compressed air (low PSI) turning motor to different sides to allow any excess 100% IPA to drain out, using the air compressor helps as the IPA will evaporate entirely, and Yes, I do have a small portable air compressor in the kitchen cupboard
g. I place a small drop of Inox MX3 oil to the end bell and pinion end (less is more so use oil sparingly),
h. during the five minute bath, I get to work on cleaning the chassis and body,
i. install motor back into chassis, apply oil to bearings (I also use 100% IPA to clean the bearings, axles, bushings etc) grease to the gearing, don't forget some oil on the front axle as well,
j. put on test bench for five seconds to run oil and grease around bearings, bushings, axles etc,
k. clean the rear tyres, apply clear nail polish to the front wheels set aside to dry, get to work on next motor and car,
l. screw body to chassis and onto the next car I go.
A nice relaxing way to spend five hours performing maintenance on the track cars. Remember to check your braids and eyelets, if need be install new braids and make sure the eyelets are pushed firmly in the guide.
The attached image shows the glass jars used for the IPA/water bath and 100% IPA bath. The left is what the 50/50 bath looked like at the end, around the top near the lid you can the scum mark (oil, rubber, dirt etc) and at the top of the jar near the bulge you can see more garbage that came out of the motors, the jar on the right is what the 50/50 bath looks like fresh ready to go for next time.
Left 50%/50% IPA / water at end of cleaning motors while Right is fresh 50%/50% IPA/water ready for next clean
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