Best motor for N tunnel SAW?

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Randell Doane

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
123
Hello,

I'm looking to hopefully break the SAW record in N tunnel. I'm wondering, what do you reckon is the best motor for this attempt? I know Castle makes great motors but don't know which of theirs would fit this application best.

Thanks in advance!

-Rand
 
What hull? What lower unit? What Speedy?

If it were me, I would be aiming for maybe something like a 3640 TP motor at the biggest and a KV of say 4500-5000
 
Randell,

You will have to us more about the set-up. N2 can be very high amps, i.e. 400-500A.

Do you plan on running 1P or 2P.

Do you have a good controller?

Do you have existing props that the hull likes?

Kris is probably your best resource.

I would say the TP 36mm or 40mm motors with a KV between 4000-5500.

Or an LMT 19 series with slightly lower KV.

You have to select a controller before the motor since N2 is very tricky.

Controller suggestions are: MGM28026, Castle ICE 200 converted to marine or a T-180.

My N2 SAW mono ran a 1930/3-6900kv with a special castle controller on 2S2P. Amperage was north of 500A. But it ran 76mph.

Tyler
 
Sorry for the vagueness, it's an outboard. The hull is a 27 BBY carbon fiber tunnel. The leg is a cut down BBY outboard leg, which has no water pickup. I was thinking a good quality Castle ESC, hopefully something that can handle air cooling on a tunnel. I get the impression both LMT and Neu make top of the line motors, but still unsure exactly what the nuances are between different their different motors (for example the LMT 1930 vs 1940 vs 1950 etc), and what exactly what I want for N class (which I'm guessing is called N-2 in the NAMBA)
 
Randell,

I would highly recommend checking out the Castle Creations Garage sale page. http://www.castlecreations.com/en/phoenix-ice-200-esc-garage-sale-010-0072-00 They have an air cooled ESC for $120. That being said, air cooling is not really sufficient even for SAW passes. You will need to add a fan at minimum or convert this to water cooling. The ESC is also not waterproof or water resistant so you cannot have air from outside passing over the controller.

Look at a TP3640-2D (6600KV) or a 3640-3D (4700KV) The TP's are nice as they come with a little extra magnet wire length, making it easier to fold over the wires and connect under he cowl.

I am no outboard specialist, but I do know they do not like spinning the high RPM's like a similar inboard will. So err on the lower KV side and spin a slightly larger prop.

The LMT motors are twice as expensive at the TP motors. I would suggest starting out with the TP motors and switch to an LMT once you have a set-up running solid.

Tyler
 
I'm not really concerned with the prices, but I've notice every record set is either with an LMT or a NEU motor, so I'd rather jump on one of those from the start. I'm assuming the NEU motors would be ok being air cooled since they are supposedly airplane motors, but will the LMT motors be ok without a cooling jacket?
 
Randell,

I would opt for a TP motor today over a Neu motor. Believe it or not TP surpassed the performance and quality of the most recent Neu motors. Brian Buaas' 140mph P hydro used a TP motor.

The Lehners are excellent motors and in my opinion the highest quality motors for SAW racing. Let's assume you buy appropriate ESC, then I would recommend a LMT 1940/3 or 1930/3 for very high RPM. Make sure to get the Hi Amp LK(fan cooled) version. If you plan on making more than 2-3 passes I would recommend a cooling jacket. You can always take it off later if you decide the temps are reasonable.

If you want to look at a TP 3640-2D 6600kv.

I have a Neu 1509-1D/6900KV for sale if you want to try a Neu first.

Tyler
 
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What is the shaft size on your Neu motor? Looks like it turns high rpm. I called Castle today for ESC recommendations and they told me their Mamba Monster X would work well, and also recommended I use a Neu 1515 0.5Y motor. I noticed it's heavier than your motor and turns less rpm per volt; does it have more torque or something? As you mentioned I might want lower rpm and to turn a larger prop
 
5mm shaft on the 1509. The 1515 0.5Y is a heat racing motor at 4400KV. Not to say it couldn't be a good SAW motor, but you probably want more RPM.

The Monster is not going to work. You need a legitimately higher rated controller. Car controllers will not work in most SAW applications.
 
5mm shaft on the 1509. The 1515 0.5Y is a heat racing motor at 4400KV. Not to say it couldn't be a good SAW motor, but you probably want more RPM.

The Monster is not going to work. You need a legitimately higher rated controller. Car controllers will not work in most SAW applications.
In that case, you might have a buyer for your motor. How come the Monster X won't work? It's rated for 6S LIPO. And I think I'm seeing what you mean about TP surpassing Neu, unless I'm mistaken (which happens frequently) it looks like Neu motors are now made in China. Hopefully the LMT motors are still made in Germany

BTW, thanks for being so helpful and pointing me in the right direction
 
The only car based ESC from Castle that might work is the XLX, which used to be the same as the ICE 200. http://www.castlecreations.com/en/mamba-xlx

The other ESC's are all meant for quick on/off throttle use like you woudl expect in a car or truck. Boats place much higher demands on the controller.

The Castle Neu motors are made in China as are the TP motors but there is a big difference in quality. I am unsure about the Neu motors. They are likely wound in China, but final assembly happens in the US. Just a guess.

LMT's are still make in Germany.

Tyler
 
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