Thursday, 4 February 2010

Colgate Motion toothbrush motor test


Colgate has entered the slot car world through its toothbrush business. The Colgate Motion toothbrush, its motor shown above front and center, can be bought at stores all over the USA and Canada.

Now, in the land of slot cars, we are used to seeing long can motors, referred to generically as type FK-180, priced from $12.00 to $32.99. Colgate provides an economical alternative, with two AAA batteries (and the rest of the toothbrush) included. Price for the toothbrush with motor and batteries is only $5.00.

Once relieved of its toothbrush, a sample motor tests at 20,240 RPM/12v, with fairly high torque at 317 gcm/12v. Maximum power output is 16 Watts at 12 volts. Comparable-performance slot car motors are the Avant Slot Hunter, BRM T-RS, Ninco NC6, Ninco NC12, NSR King 21, Slot.It Boxer 2, and Spirit SxXx. Some are slightly more powerful, some are slightly less, but this is a well-established power niche that now has a low priced alternative. More motors like this may be found on the Slot Car News Motor List.

The Colgate Motion motor has a fully enclosed case, so magnetic downforce is nil. Holes in the can end are threaded for 2mm screws, the shaft length and diameter is the same as the dedicated slot car motors, and there is a tiny oil hole in the bearing cover on the brush-tab end. Any standard pinions will fit.

Club racers have found this motor to be fast, reliable, and long lasting under race conditions.