ESC/Battery/Motor help!

**Giles** · 4th August 2015, 12:07

Just ordered a pair of these 1200 RPM motors from ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-DC-120...item3f48c18cf9

I'm trying to figure out what ESC/Battery would go well with these motors. I'm pretty new to this stuff, I understand how the ESC needs to allow for more amps than the motor will draw, But I'm not sure how to calculate how much amperage these motors will draw to begin with! I've looked up some values, but to no avail.

What ESC and battery setup is typical with these kind of motors? Or better yet, how do I effectively figure out which components match which? From what I've read, there are some ESC's that are also "forward only" which should be avoided too?

One ESC I did find that I thought might fit the bill is this:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...d_Car_ESC.html
But 45A seems a bit overkill to me? Correct me if im wrong there. Im also looking to keep the costs of my components down to a minimum, as this is my first bot and I think I will make a lot of mistakes/learn alot during this process.

Sorry if this has been asked a thousand times. I couldn't find the right info I was looking for via searching!

**tweedermeister** · 4th August 2015, 12:14

Those motors look exactly the same as the cheapy 1000rpm china gearmotors that are commonly used, botbitz 10a escs will run those just fine, I run 2 motors on each one in one of my beetles and they barely get warm. You can get the botbitz from ranglebox.com, they are a very good price for such a nice little controller.

**Ellis** · 4th August 2015, 12:16

Hi Giles, the 10a Botbitz ESCs on my site are the norm for driving 25mm gearmotors like the ones you have ordered. They're behind the majority of UK beetles.

For battery, depending on the type of robot, you'll likely want somewhere between 500mah-1300mah and 3s (12v), assuming LiPo. My spinner runs 1300mah, but a 2WD robot with a servo powered lifter weapon (for example) could get away with much less.

edit: am I forever-more destined to get post-ninjad on your threads? :P

**daveimi** · 4th August 2015, 12:20

Hi! I'm a bit of a scrounger so can give you my highly low budget suggestions.

Buy two of these

http://ranglebox.com/product/botbitz-10a-brushed-esc/

and one of these batteries

http://www.componentshop.co.uk/12v-2...tery-pack.html

and one of these chargers

http://www.componentshop.co.uk/intel...ace-packs.html

Job done for fifty quid

This is all basic old tech stuff but I use it because it's so cheap and easy to get hold of. You can get posh ESC's, lipo batteries, lipo chargers and all of that carry on but you will hit a hundred quid very very quickly. I have a build thread with all my naff cheap robots on made from biscuit tins, plywood and chopping board that you might find helpful lol. Can also give you some links for bolt on wheel packages cheap if you need it. I'm mostly into beetle and ant weights so can help a bit.

**Giles** · 4th August 2015, 12:29

Wow those replies came in thick and fast! Thanks a bunch everyone.
It seems like the botbitz esc's are definitely a favourite, I'll grab a pair of those now.

As for the battery, I'm hoping to run a vertical spinner from a 28mm brushless outrunner via belt drive. So I'm assuming something like this will make me lean more towards a higher MaH battery like Ellis is using on his spinner?

On the topic of motors and esc's, this is the motor I plan to use on my spinner weapon (as i already own a few of them)
https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...dProduct=45152
I also have the brushless 20A ESC's to operate these with too. Is this a terrible motor for a weapon? Im not sure if its considered small for a spinner weapon!

**Ellis** · 4th August 2015, 12:36

As long as the weapon isn't too big that motor will spin it just fine. It is on the slightly small side, so perhaps try and leave room for a 2830 NTM or similar and perhaps a 30a ESC down the line. Will certainly get you spinning, though.

If you're familiar with LiPo (seems likely as you're into RC) I'd suggest a 1000mah or so 3s pack. Something like this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html. It's currently all of a fiver, on sale.

**Giles** · 4th August 2015, 12:42

Thats great advice, thanks. I imagine thats exactly what I will do, get it all working for now and then let the hardware naturally progress as I find things I dont like/can be better. I'll probably put together a build thread once I get going so everybody can watch me make horrendous errors.

I do love me a good sale! 5 quid battery seems great