abbydawn

New to electric motor flying. I was wondering if it is normal for the 400 and similar style motors to develop a bit of end play after a few runs. Would this be wear on the C clip? Seems to me if the C clip lets go, away flys the prop and the bell housing of the motor! And how does one remove those C clips, is there a specialty tool for this.
Thx, Gary

BeanerECMO

My Feedback: (1)

There really shouldn't be end play. There should be a set screw on the rotor that is tightened against a flat spot on the shaft. There should also be a split slip ring just in front of the c-clip that acts a 'buffer' between the c-clip and the stator bearing. There may be a special tool, but I use small hemostats to grab either side of the c-clip and gently (but forcefully) spread it just a bit (it isn't spring steel as a lot of c-clips in cars), so I can work it out of the groove. After putting it back into the groove, I use one of the hemostats to squeeze the c-clip so it is as it was originally. If there isn't a flat spot on the shaft for the set screw, one can be ground with a Dremel-like tool - it doesn't have to be a deep flat spot. In fact, the replacement shafts that I have, have no flat spot, and I just tighten the set screw against the shaft as much as possible - I've had no failures.

whitecrest

I have had good luck using a jeweler's screw driver to remove the retaining clip. The tiny blade just fits into a gap between the clip and the shaft. Simply rotating the screw driver as if driving a screw leverages the clip off the shaft. The motor needs to be removed from the motor mount to provide adequate clearance.

I have had to disassemble my motors a few times for cleaning. It takes a considerable force to remove the bell housing holding all the magnets from the stator assembly due to the accumulated attraction. I don't think there is much pressure on the clip during operation especially given that energized coils would increase overall attraction during operation.

abbydawn

Thx much guys, I was able to remove the clip and disasemble the motor using your methods. I inserted a second washer under the clip and all the end play is now gone. Then bench run no problem. I used a different method of re-installing the clip. I inserted it over the end of the shaft and forceably pushed it down until it snapped into place and then as suggested crimped it tighter with hemostats. I doubt that a bit of end play would have any affect on the performance however I consider this exercise good for me as all previous experience has been flying with nitro motors. I'm a convert to electric whose time has come. Back into flying after a 5 year absence. Currently flying a Cox Christen Eagle my debut, in a scool park. The park is in the shadow of a microwave tower bristling with every kind of antenna you can imagine. I wouldn't have tried flying there with my 72Mhz so bought a Futaba 2.4 6ex and so far not a glitch. Testimony I guess! Two kits in stock to build, Goldberg Pitts Monster and Yak 54.