[Dr_C2]

Hi all,

… a quick high-level overview of what I have been learning about brushless (BL) motors for DIGITAL slot-cars since I started exploring this opportunity a few years back. It’s a collective effort so thanks to others too!

1/ A few years back I played with UNSENSORED brushless motors and got as far as driving an SSD controlled slot-car around a track using a very basic TI driver IC to control a 6800Kv brushless motor fitted to a Slot.it motor pod. As an initial trial it was a success - but there were two obvious weaknesses - first: there were no brakes and second: there was a severe ‘cogging’ effect at low throttles.

For me the latter pointed to the need to use SENSORED brushless motors if low speed control is to be desired. This of course is my personal opinion based on my fairly limited experience - so I may well be proven wrong in due course ;)

2/ the above sets the scene for this thread… it’s all about SENSORED brushless motors and their control.

3/ I’m now using a range of SENSORED brushless motors which fit nicely into NSR motor pods without any adapters. They range from 3500Kv to 6800Kv … so lots of options.

4/ I’ve been using a Texas Instruments development board to drive SENSORED motors at their rated rpm. These motors start-up very smoothly and are smoothly controllable to their rated rpm. Importantly there is no observable ‘cogging’ and dynamic braking appears to function correctly.

5/ But… the Texas Instruments development board I am using is far too large to fit into a digital slotcar. That explains the new PCBs I am having manufactured. These boards use the same circuits as per the development boards but in a format which fits inside DIGITAL slotcats. The fact the boards can piggy-back onto the motors is a nice-to-have, but what is most important is that the new PCBs provide a route to track level trials.

If you are interested in DIGITAL BRUSHLESS slot-cars please keep watching this space. It all appears to be going to plan!

c