Pioneer Typhoon Motor Test

Pioneer's powerplant for their '68 Mustang GT, Bullitt version, is an 18k, FC-130 type motor in a car which performs competitively with Scalextric Can Am Mustangs and Camaros. While the Scalextric cars also have nominal 18k motors, tests show they rev to 20-21k RPM, no-load on 12 volts. Scalextric motor torque typically measures 100 gcm, and power output is around 5.3 Watts.

The Pioneer "18k" motor revs to an honest 18,967 RPM at 12 volts on test, with torque tested at 131 gcm/12v. Power output is 6.2 Watts on 12 volts. The Pioneer Typhoon is slightly more powerful than the Scalextric motor, although RPM is lower and torque is higher. Typhoon test performance is nearly identical to the H&R Racing Hawk motor, a home-track racing favorite in the USA.

The Pioneer Typhoon has its own visual appeal, with a six-pack of holes in the top for cooling, black plastic end bell, and nicely printed company lettering. The motor is not currently available separately as a retail item, but who knows what the future holds, as Pioneer is a start up manufacturer. The Mustangs are their first release.

More info on Pioneer slot cars may be found at: http://www.pioneerslotcars.com/

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.

Radio Shack Motors for 1/43 and small 1/32

These three Radio Shack motors are the same size as the SCX 1/43 motor (a Scalextric standard FC-130 motor is shown for size comparison). The small Radio Shack motors will fit in 1/43 cars, and may be used in very small 1/32 cars, including narrow F1 racers from the mid 1960's with full drivers. The FF-030 size is the same in cross section as the familiar F-050 "slim can" motors made for BWA, Scalextric, etc. Shaft is 1.5mm diameter. An oilite bearing is fitted on the metal can end, while the other end of the shaft appears to run in a plastic bearing molded in the end bell.

The three "Rat Shack" motors are in packages labeled 6 volt, 7.5 volt, and 9 volt. Performance specs on the packaging indicate the following:
6v motor 17,000 RPM +/- 15%, 8 gcm minimum stall torque
7.5v motor 20,000 RPM +/-12%, 21 gcm min. stall torque
9v motor 24,000 RPM +/- 12%, 26 gcm min. stall torque

RPM tests with a tachometer showed all motors revving within their stated variability band, at their given voltage:
6v motor: 16,283 RPM at 6v
7.5v motor: 20,458 RPM at 7.5v
9v motor: 23,558 RPM at 9v

Torque was assessed at a uniform 4.07 volts, showing they all have about the same torque:
6v motor: 15.7 gcm at stall at 4.07v
7.5v motor: 14.3 gcm at stall at 4.07v
9v motor: 16.4 gcm at stall at 4.07v

When converted to their rated voltage, we find that all exceed their rated torque:
6v motor: 23 gcm at 6v (8 gram minimum stated on the package)
7.5v motor: 26 gcm at 7.5v (21 gcm minimum)
9v motor: 36 gcm at 9v (26 gcm minimum)

And finally, the moment of truth. What will they do on 12 volts, a more or less standard voltage for slot cars? Torque was extrapolated upward from the 4.07 test voltage, and RPM was directly read when the motors were given a full 12v:
6v motor: 29,326 RPM/12v, 46 gcm stall torque/12v
7.5v motor: 31,674 RPM/12v, 42 gcm stall torque/12v
9v motor: 29,849 RPM/12v, 48 gcm stall torque/12v

It appears that all three motors are the same, given the natural performance variation of very small DC motors of this type. Even though they are labeled at three different performance levels, and three different voltages, I could not detect any meaningful, significant differences between the motors.

The SCX Compact 1/43 motor is rated 22,000 RPM/12v, 33 gcm torque/12v. No tests of the SCX Compact have been conducted, but it looks like the Radio Shack motors may make your little slot cars go faster.