Introduction
When we started flying FPV drones, we had doubts about which motors to use. Sometimes we chose motors that looked better without considering the differences between types of motors.
This article looks at the different types of motors for FPV drones. We’ll look at motors for drone racing and freestyle flights. There are differences between them. We’ll also look at the best motors for each type of flight.
Which Motor is Suitable for Beginners
If you’re a new pilot, don’t worry about the type of motor for drone racing or freestyle. Focus on developing your skills and learning to enjoy different types of flight. Understand the KV ratings for your electronics.
KV is a unit of measurement for motors. It estimates the power of a motor based on RPM and volts. As a beginner, it is ideal that you Use low KV motors with fewer cells in your drone. The more KV you have, the more power and torque you will get. When you are just starting to fly, it will be harder to control your drone.
As a tip for a beginners who are not clear yet whether they like FPV drone racing or want to do freestyle, the ideal motors would be 1750 KV motors for drones 6s and 2500 KV motors for drones 4S.
Why Choose Motors Based on Racing or Freestyle?
Now, if you are a pilot who has been flying for a while and you want to specialise, or if you want to have drones for freestyle and racing, it is important that you choose the type of motor you want to use. For racing, you need high-power motors to go faster and have a more aggressive response in the acceleration processes of the drone. For freestyle, you need motors with a good punch but a softer, less aggressive response. We want to find two types of motors that can be used for both freestyle and racing. But you should use the right one for each discipline.
Different Characteristics for Freestyle Motors and Racing Motors
Motor size:
This is how we find the 2207 and 2306 motors: the numbers we have here show us the physical characteristics of the motor, where the first two numbers show us the width or diameter of the motor and the last two the height in relation to the motor stator, which is the inner part where the copper winding goes. If you want to learn more about the knowledge of motor size, please check the blog: What Brushless Motor Sizes Do I Need for My FPV Drone?
Volume:
We could immediately assume that if we want more power we should use larger motors and therefore we could assume that the 2306 motor, which is 23mm wide and 6mm high, is larger than the 2207 motor, if we compare these two motors side by side we will actually find that the 2306 motor is larger than the 2207, however in terms of the motor what really matters is a factor called stator volume, which is a measure that tells us how much copper actually fits inside a motor stator in relation to its physical dimension and is calculated using the following formula:
(Width/2)^2 x 3.14 x height = stator volume
Stator volume, why is it important?
If we use this formula and apply it to the 2207 and 2306 motors we will find that while in terms of physical size the 2306 motor actually looks bigger the 2207 motor has a higher stator volume and thus can generate more thrust than the 2306 motor.
2306: (23/2)^2 x 3.14 x 6 = 2491.59
2207: (22/2)^2 x 3.14 x 7 = 2659.58
KV Requirements
The KV is the number of revolutions per volt supplied. If you are a beginner pilot, use motors that do not generate as much thrust so you can control the drone better. As you increase the KV, you must also increase the capacity of your electronics. This is not the same as flying with 2100 KV motors in a 6 cell drone with a 45 amp ESC as you would with a 60 amp ESC. The more KV in your drone, the more current it uses. It’s best to use 1950 KV 45 amps and 50 amps or more in 6 cells for motors of higher KV.
If you want to go faster or do more tricks, you need to increase the KV in your drone. The more KV you get, the more power you get. For racing drones, we find 2207 motors with 2100 KV. For freestyle, look for motors with a low KV reference, like 1750KV, which offer a good thrust for smooth flights.
If you race drones, use 2207 motors. They can generate more power and go faster. If you want to freestyle, use 2306 motors. They are larger but generate less thrust and are less aggressive. This makes them smoother and more fluid. If you want to know more about the knowledge of KV, check this blog: What is KV in Motor
Weight Considerations
Another thing to think about is the weight of the motors. If you’re racing, you want the lightest drone you can get to go as fast as possible. If you’re freestyle flying, the weight doesn’t matter. For racing drones, it’s best to have motors that weigh between 28 and 33 grams.
For freestyle, the weight of the motors is the most important factor. If you make your drone heavier, it will be harder to recover and you will have to make more corrections, which will make your flights less smooth.
If you’re a drone racer, you need to think about the weight of your drone. The bigger the motor stator, the heavier the motor. A 2207 motor is usually heavier than a 2306 motor. This is because the materials used to make the motors are different. Some 2207 motors are lighter than 2306 motors, but they are more fragile.
This doesn’t matter much for freestyle drones, which are usually heavier. What you want in freestyle is control, fluidity and smoothness between tricks, which the 2306 motors can offer.
Durability and Build Quality
Your motors will last longer if you don’t fly them too fast or do risky tricks. They’re just a spare part of a drone, so you’ll have to change them eventually.
However, you should know that different flying styles will affect the motor in different ways. This will help you understand when a motor is good for racing. Here we will explore some of them.
Durability Requirements for Racing Drone Motors
Copper Quality: Copper is one of the main parts of racing goblins’ motors. If the copper is not good, the motor will change colour. The motor will burn reddish or darker until it simply burns out. This is one of the main reasons why drone racing pilots have more burned motors than broken ones. Therefore, it is important to choose a drone racing motor that can withstand high temperatures, so it does not damage the drone during a flight.
Bell Hardness: The quality of the bell is important because if we are flying with very light motors, the bell may be too thin or made of materials that are not very resistant. If a motor receives an impact from the side of the bell, it may bend and hit against the stator, which stops the motor from rotating. The upper part of the bell may have breaking points. If a motor is hit very hard, it can break and the bell will also be damaged.
Durability Requirements for Freestyle Motor
FPV freestyle motors are used in different environments, while racing motors are usually used on green areas in soccer fields. This makes them more versatile.
Freestyle motors are usually more durable than racing motors because they are made of better materials. The quality of the bell and the central axis are very important because we can return to closed environments continuously, which increases the possibility of hitting walls. Walls, columns and other elements can damage the motor. Bearings are also important because they can break a freestyle drone.
Heat Dissipation
Reaching high speeds also means reaching high temperatures. Racing drone motors have to have a better cooling system because they have to maintain a constant speed. This is built into two main parts of the motor.
Bell design: The motor hood is the first component that helps to dissipate heat inside the motor. When we pick up a motor and look at the top, we will notice a design or pattern. This design allows air to enter the motor better when the motor is running at high speeds. This helps to cool the copper of the motor and avoid burnout.
Motor height: The height of the stator in relation to the motor base affects how well the motor dissipates heat. Motors with a taller stator prevent heat build-up in the lower part of the motor and allow more air to circulate, cooling the entire component. This affects the external dimensions of the motor. Some motors perform better than others.
Compatibility with ESCs and Propellers
When choosing a motor for your drone, you need to think about other things that can affect its performance. This is why you should think about how compatible your motor is with the ESCs and propellers. The right mix of these three components will give you better performance.
ESC Requirements for High-Speed Racing Drone Motor
If you want to go fast, use high-KV motors. The more KV you need, the more current they use. You’ll need more amperage, so get ESCs that support constant current peaks. In racing, peak current consumption is constant, so current delivery capacity is important. Choose a current delivery capacity of at least +45 Amps. For how to choose an ESC for a racing drone, check this article: Choosing the Best ESC for Racing Quadcopter: A Comprehensive Guide
ESC Requirements for FPV Freestyle Motor
Freestyle flights are smoother and more fluid, so current consumption is lower. Some peaks are lower, but when you make a power loop or punch, those moments are temporary. The rest of the flight is smoother. The motors won’t need high ESCs, but they may have high current peaks. 35 or 40 Amp should be fine.
Propellers Compatibility
You also need to think about how compatible your propellers are with your motors. There are two main types of propeller, one of which is a conventional one. This has a propeller that goes through the centre of the motor and fits with a nut at the top. The second is a system called Popo, which has small spheres that are introduced with the propeller to avoid loosening. It is simple and practical, but for safety, use the conventional system. I think it is more convenient to use the conventional system.
The type of propellers you use affects the current consumption, so the transmitters are important in ESC selection. If you use propellers with a lot of pitch, they may burn the ESCs. If the propellers have a lot of pitch, they may use more current from the ESCs, which could burn them. The transmitters are important in choosing ESCs because they affect the current consumption.
If you use propellers with a high pitch, they can overheat more easily because they grip the air more. This makes the motor work harder. A propeller with a low pitch generates less airflow, so less resistance to the motor, which uses less current to the speed ESCs.
Conclusion
If you’re a racing drone pilot or a freestyle pilot, it’s important to choose a motor that works well with other parts of the drone, like propellers and ESC motors. These parts make the drone powerful and reliable, and help it fly smoothly. Aesthetics also matter. You want your drone to look good.
You also want a powerful drone that allows smooth and fluid flights. You need to choose the right motors for your drone to improve your flight skills.