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Rotary Tool as rc motor

Former Member

Ok so big fan of the show and i am subscribed to your channel on you tube. i have more of a request for assistance on something i am building. i intended on using a rotary tool as an rc boat motor. i need help on how to go about controlling the motor using an rc esc or arduino. i am going to use the dremel 3000. its the tool Ben loves when he fudges up. im working on a waterproof housing for it, so the tecnical bits are what i need help with. thanks and hope i am under two hundred.

  • The main thing you're going to want to find out is what voltages the motor in the Dremel wants.  R/C speed controls operate on 7.2 volts at least, some higher power ones operate on 12 volts or even higher but rarely.  All R/C ESCs are DC voltage to my knowledge.  If the Dremel is dropping wall AC to 7-12 volts DC, then that motor would work for your R/C boat application most likely.  Waterproof the electronics well!  If it's higher/lower voltage than that at the motor but it is DC, you'd need a different kind of speed controller setup but that's becoming less practical than a common R/C ESC.  If it's an AC motor it wouldn't be practical for R/C use even if you found some sort of battery and speed controller setup to use it.

     

    For alternatives, I do know some Radio Shack/Wal-Mart/etc. cheap R/C cars use the larger "540 type can" motors like most of hobby grade R/C electrics use.  You might source those cheap second hand, but it'd have to be a large R/C car to have the big can.  All R/C motors are DC to my knowledge as it's the most simple to speed control in a small/cheap package.  All cheap R/C can motors are going to be "stock" motors, of course.  Even less RPM than a hobby grade "stock" motor, probably.  Hobby grade motors have better brush setups and usually have ball bearings instead of just bushings on the ends of the can.

     

    If you were looking to use the Dremel for the crazy RPM but it won't work for some reason, you may be forced to use an actual R/C "hot" can motor with less winds (more money) or a brushless setup (big money).  Just make sure the ESC can handle the motor you choose.  They're rated for the "hottest" motor they can safely run without overheating, usually.  I can give more details on how R/C can motors are classified and help you choose if you would like to go that route.  I actually built a hobby grade R/C buggy in the past, it was a fun thing to toy with.  I even took out the DC motor and ESC and swapped in a brushless setup.  She'd go over 40 MPH, heh.  Here's a video of it, the battery had cycled many times and wasn't even really "peaking" right anymore when this was filmed.  The car had gone a bit faster than that previously, probably nearer to 50+ MPH when the battery was new.  https://youtu.be/PnsVpIZQgk8

  • Some power tools are not really designed for long term operation. Even the Dremel website suggests that their motors will require servicing after 50-60 hours for some of their products:

    (snippet):"If your tool is a corded rotary tool, check the brushes first. After 50 to 60 hours of use the carbon motor brushes will likely need to be replaced. "

    It doesn't state continuous operation parameters either.

    (Just to be aware - it might be fine for your needs).

  • in reply to shabaz

    Oh right, I hadn't even thought about operating parameters.  Also, real hobby grade R/C motors would probably be much easier to get parts for.  They're designed to be fully rebuildable and all of the parts are available online and in some hobby shops.  Under high stress and continued use, all brushed DC motors will require new brushes eventually so a real R/C grade motor might be the best bet.