Buying Guide

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A brushless DC motor (BLDC) is a synchronous motor that uses a DC power source. The brushless DC motor is essentially a permanent magnet synchronous motor with position feedback that uses a DC power input and uses an inverter to convert it into a three-phase AC power supply.

There are various types of motors, and brushless DC motors are the most ideal speed-regulated motors today. It has a simple structure, no commutation sparks, smooth operation and easy maintenance. Therefore, it is very popular in the market and is widely used in automobiles, home appliances, industrial equipment and other fields.

Table of Contents

1. Why Choose a Brushless DC Motor?

• Quiet motor operation
  Friction and arcing between the brushes and commutator plate in a brushed motor can produce a lot of motor noise. In a brushless motor, commutation is performed by an electronic circuit, so operation is much quieter.
• Less heat generated by the motor
  In addition to generating sound, the friction between the brushes and commutator plates in a brushed motor generates a lot of heat. This can be a serious problem in many applications. In a brushless motor, the only friction occurs in the rotor bearings. This means that heat generation is much less of a problem in a brushless motor.
• Higher motor efficiency
  This is a particularly important advantage of brushless motors. The sound and heat generated by a brush motor essentially represent the power loss of the device, taking energy away from the rotor itself - which will be used to drive the load. In a brushless motor, the sound and heat generated are greatly reduced, resulting in a significant increase in efficiency.
• Longer motor life
  Brushes in brush motors wear out with use because they are in constant contact with the commutator - it's only a matter of time before they need to be replaced. Brushless motors do not face this problem, which greatly reduces maintenance requirements and can be implemented in a range of applications where brushes cannot be replaced, such as in satellite communications equipment in outer space.
• The better motor power-to-weight ratio
  Fewer mechanical parts mean that brushless motors have a lower mass than brushed motors. The result: brushless motors offer better power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios than brushed motors.
• Wide application range and good control effect
  The brushless motor has a controller (driver), which can realize simple to complex control and can realize various communication requirements (485, CAN, etc.) so that in addition to meeting some conventional mechanical actions, it can also perform complex control commands. And with the widespread use of magnetic encoders in recent years, it can replace some simple servo applications.

2. What are BLDC Motors Used for?

For Industrial Applications: For industrial applications, 12V~96V brushless DC motors are mainly used for servo, drive, positioning and variable speed, where precise motion control and stable operation are critical to the operation of manufacturing or industrial processes. The most common industrial uses for BLDC motors are linear motors, servo motors, actuators for industrial robots, extruder drive motors, and feed drives for CNC machine tools.

For Aerospace: The main applications of BLDC motors in the aerospace field are robotic arm control, gyroscope and rudder drive, etc. These applications generally require good high-speed and high-precision control and dynamic response, so the corresponding systems use closed-loop speed feedback control, and most of them use advanced process control algorithms.

For Robots: With advances in robotics, brushless DC motors have become the most popular drive and retention device. They are used for many reasons, such as efficiency, low thermal operation and compact construction. But the most important advantage is the precise control achieved by brushless motors, which helps produce accurate robotic systems and devices.

For Automation: Due to their simple structure, stable operation and good speed regulation performance, brushless DC motors are increasingly used in the automotive field. In addition to being the core component of car drives, motors can also be used to drive car air conditioners, wipers, electric doors, airbags, electric seats, etc. Motor drive technology for automotive air conditioners and home air conditioner compressors is similar. Air conditioner compressors driven by brushless DC motors will develop towards more energy efficient and more comfortable full DC inverters. Therefore, the brushless DC motor will become the mainstream direction of the development of speed regulation technology and will be more and more widely used in all aspects of the automotive motor drive.

For Electric Cars: Before the introduction of the latest electric cars, BLDC motors were used in windshield wipers, CD players and power windows. Today's automakers use three different types of motors in their vehicles: BLDC motors, brushed DC motors, and AC induction motors. The composition of the BLDC motor also allows the vehicle's internal machinery to remain cooler and heat resistant. In addition, because the motor is brushless, there are no dangerous brush sparks.

BLDC motors have a permanent magnet rotor surrounded by a wire-wound stator. The windings in the stator are electronically commutated rather than using brushes. This makes BLDC motors:

• Easier to maintain.
• More durable and smaller.
• 85%-90% more efficient.
• Capable of faster response at higher operating speeds.
• Easier to control in terms of speed control and reverse.
• Less prone to the failures experienced with brushed motors and the ability to self-start.

For Medical Equipment: The surgery requires the power system of orthopedic medical equipment to be able to continuously vary the speed in a wide range to meet the requirements of various occasions such as milling, drilling and sawing. The existing drive motors for orthopedic medical devices are single-phase AC/DC series excitation motors and voltage regulators, which are very noisy.

The presence of brushes and commutators makes preoperative sterilization impossible and has an impact on surgical results. Regular brush replacement and motor maintenance are required. A Brushless DC motor does not have the above-mentioned hidden problems. As a driving system, it is undoubtedly the best choice for medical devices because of its low noise, wide range of speed regulation, small size and lightweight.

3. How to Select a 3 phase Brushless DC Motor?

According to the requirements of the equipment, determine the load power of the equipment when the user is using it, the normal current and the maximum current during operation, etc.

• Fully consider the use environment and state of the product, determine the power supply, and then determine the rated voltage and working voltage range of the motor.
• Determine the number of revolutions of the brushless DC motor according to the number of revolutions required by the equipment, the transmission device and the gearbox. The 12V BLDC motor has a rated speed of , 24V and 36V are the same. rpm is also available.
• According to the installation location and use environment of the motor and mechanical equipment, determine the structure and protection from the brushless motor, as well as the working temperature and humidity range of the brushless motor.
• Determine the rated power and maximum power of the brushless motor according to the power required by the load and the operation mode of the motor.
  The 3 phase brushless DC motor needs to be equipped with a high-efficiency drive controller to ensure that the motor can work with maximum efficiency.
• The most important point is that you must also match the most suitable motor drive controller for the brushless motor you choose.

Reasonable price 3 phase 100W to 5kW brushless DC motors are available at brushless.com. They are all inrunner brushless motors with square flange sizes from 57mm to 180mm, rated speeds from rpm to rpm, and operating voltages of 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, 72V and 96V. Matching BLDC controllers are also available here, which are powerful enough to meet your needs. In addition, 400W ~ 8kW outrunner brushless motors are also provided.

Different specifications of brushless DC motors have different characteristics, so be sure to master the selection method, so that the product can achieve the best performance. The prices of brushless DC motors are shown in the table below, check and buy what you want now. The motor parameters can be customized according to customers' requirements if you can't find the right one for your product.

4. 50W-300W High Torque BLDC Motor Price List

SKU Rated Voltage Motor Price Rated Speed Rated Torque Motor Weight Matching Controller 50W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-12V-50W 12V $156.98 rpm 0.16 Nm 2 kg $159.99 BLDC-24V-50W 24V $233.52 BLDC-36V-50W 36V $196.98 100W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-12V-100W 12V $178.58 rpm 0.32 Nm 2.5 kg $233.52 BLDC-24V-100W 24V $196.98 BLDC-36V-100W 36V BLDC-48V-100W 48V 200W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-12V-200W 12V $245.39 rpm 0.64 Nm 3 kg $233.52 BLDC-24V-200W 24V BLDC-36V-200W 36V $196.98 BLDC-48V-200W 48V 250W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-12V-250W 12V $266.19 rpm 0.8 Nm 3 kg $233.52 BLDC-24V-250W 24V BLDC-36V-250W 36V $196.98 BLDC-48V-250W 48V $233.52 300W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-12V-300W 12V $287.52 rpm 0.96 Nm 6 kg $233.52 BLDC-24V-300W 24V BLDC-36V-300W 36V BLDC-48V-300W 48V

 

5. 350W-750W High Torque BLDC Motor Price List

SKU Rated Voltage Motor Price Rated Speed Rated Torque Motor Weight Matching Controller 350W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-12V-350W 12V $298.62 rpm 1.12 Nm 6 kg $233.52 BLDC-24V-350W 24V BLDC-36V-350W 36V BLDC-48V-350W 48V 400W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-24V-400W 24V $458.24 rpm 1.3 Nm 2.4 kg $395.52 BLDC-48V-400W 48V $305.49 BLDC-72V-400W 72V $458.25 rpm 2 Nm 3.2 kg BLDC-96V-400W 96V $824.85 500W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-24V-500W 24V $564.53 rpm 2.4 Nm 3 kg $395.52 BLDC-48V-500W 48V $376.35 BLDC-72V-500W 72V $376.35 BLDC-96V-500W 96V $715.06 600W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-24V-600W 24V $758.82 rpm 1.91 Nm 6.6 kg $283.86 BLDC-36V-600W 36V $505.88 $233.52 BLDC-48V-600W 48V $376.35 BLDC-72V-600W 72V $376.35 rpm 6 Nm $395.52 BLDC-96V-600W 96V $715.06 750W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-24V-750W 24V $399.16 rpm 2.39 Nm 8 kg $283.86 BLDC-36V-750W 36V $689.74 $233.52 BLDC-48V-750W 48V $352.77 3 kg BLDC-72V-750W 72V $805.42 2.4 Nm $395.52 BLDC-96V-750W 96V $670.26

 

6. 1kW-5kW Brushless DC Motor Price List

SKU Rated Voltage Motor Price Rated Speed Rated Torque Motor Weight Matching Controller W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-24V-W 24V $415.85  rpm 3.18 Nm 4.2 kg $283.86  BLDC-36V-W 36V BLDC-48V-W 48V BLDC-72V-W 72V $784.83  rpm 10 Nm 12 kg $653.05  BLDC-96V-W 96V W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-36V-W 36V $432.36 rpm 4.78 Nm 5.5 kg $438.06 BLDC-48V-W 48V W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-48V-W 48V $816.24 rpm 10 Nm 12 kg $653.05 BLDC-72V-W 72V $1,371.28 BLDC-96V-W 96V W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-48V-W 48V $1,323.69 rpm 12 Nm 18.05 kg $653.05 BLDC-72V-W 72V BLDC-96V-W 96V $2,117.91 W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-48V-W 48V $879.12 rpm 10 Nm 12 kg $898.21 BLDC-72V-W 72V $1,450.55 BLDC-96V-W 96V W Brushless DC Motor BLDC-48V-W 48V $1,746.93 rpm 16 Nm 18.6 kg $1,119.07 BLDC-72V-W 72V $3,936.32 BLDC-96V-W 96V $2,619.89

The motor controller is an integrated circuit that controls the motor to work in the set direction, speed, angle and response time by active operation. In electric vehicles, the role of the motor controller is to convert the electrical energy stored in the power battery into the electrical energy required to drive the motor according to the command of gear, throttle and brake, so as to control the starting operation, forward and backward. The speed and climbing force of the electric vehicle, or help the electric vehicle brake and store part of the braking energy in the power battery. It is one of the key components of electric vehicles.

7. How to Choose the Right BLDC Motor Controller?

• Choose a controller that matches the type of motor. For example, DC brushed, DC brushless, square wave or sine wave, Hall sensor or no Hall sensor.
• Before choosing the BLDC controller, observe whether the marked motor power is rated power or maximum power. If it is rated power, you can choose the matching motor controller by 2-3 times the rated power. For example, if the motor is marked with a rated power of 650W and a voltage of 48V, you should choose the rated voltage of 48V and the maximum output power of 1.3KW~2KW motor controller. If the maximum power is marked, you can choose a motor with less power.
• Match the motor parameters. Take a high-torque DC brushless motor as an example, with or without Hall, a square wave controller does not need to match special parameters. If the Hall sine controller has speed output, it needs to match the parameters such as the number of motor pole pairs and speed. When matching a Hall-less sine wave, parameters such as phase inductance, phase resistance, number of pole pairs and maximum motor speed need to be known.  If you purchased a 48V BLDC motor, a matching 48V brushless motor controller is recommended.

8. BLDC Motor Controller Price List

SKU Power Supply Typical Power Speed Control Range Price BLDC-C120A 12V~30V DC 24V DC rpm $159.99 BLDC-BLD-300B 12V~56V DC 48V DC rpm $196.98 BLDC-C750 18V~52V DC 48V DC rpm $233.52 BLDC-C50 12V~60V DC 36V/48V DC 50 rpm (Hall Sensor Motor), 1 rpm (Encoder Sensor) $283.86 BLDC-C100 12V~60V DC 36V/48V DC $438.06 BLDC-TH-G PWR, 18V~120V DC 24V/48V/72V/96V \ $395.52

 Note:

• 48V motors are highly recommended, because all models of 48V are in stock, cheaper and with shorter delivery time, only about 7 days.
  
• 24V/ 72V/ 96V motors are generally not in stock and need to be produced by the factory, with higher open line cost and longer delivery time, about 25 days.
  
• The prices in the table are for reference only. If you want to get the latest quotation, please feel free to contact us.

New brushless trolling motor technology offers anglers advantages in power and efficiency. Pictured: Garmin Force Kraken. (Photo courtesy of Garmin)

By Frank Sargeant

Trolling motors have come a long way in the 90 years since O.G. Schmidt used the starter from a Model A Ford to build the first in his garage, located near the border between Minnesota and North Dakota. That company became Minn Kota, of course, and spawned a number of other names now widely known among anglers: Garmin, Lowrance, MotorGuide, Power-Pole and Rhodan.

The crop is especially significant because many motors have made a quantum engineering leap to produce more power on less current. They&#;re &#;brushless&#; motors, greatly reducing friction and thus adding efficiency. They&#;re quieter and last much longer than traditional designs. Bass, muskie and walleye anglers will find they can fish multiple days without recharging, especially if they team the new motors with high-output, lightweight lithium-based batteries.

Many of the new motors are also designed to function on far larger boats. Some bow-mount designs have shaft lengths up to 108 inches long&#;that&#;s right, a full 9 feet. This allows them to be used on 45-foot offshore boats designed to chase snapper, grouper and even marlin and wahoo.

Most of the new-generation motors are pricey compared to their predecessors, costing from $3,500 to more than $6,400. Good whiskey costs money, as they say. But they do so much more and promise to remain so much more dependable that many anglers will find them a good investment that can be amortized over many years of service. When choosing a new trolling motor this spring, it&#;s smart to look beyond price because all the well-known brands will last through many years of hard service. Here&#;s a look at some of the top options.

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LOWRANCE

Brushless technology prevents the Lowrance Ghost from interfering with on-screen sonar performance.

The Lowrance Ghost series trolling motors, designed for bass and walleye anglers, are available in 47-, 52- and 60-inch shaft lengths to fit a variety of boats. The company says the brushless motor generates 25 percent greater thrust than equivalent competing models and delivers 45 percent longer run times on the same charge, which represents nearly one additional day of operation. Max output with 36 volts is 120 pounds of thrust.

The brushless design cuts noise and ensures greater reliability and longer life. Lowrance says the Ghost emits no electromagnetic interference, giving anglers the clearest sonar views possible with zero on-screen interference.

The company is the world’s best brushless motor testing supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Lowrance Ghost series trolling motors

Users can steer, adjust speed, set up route navigation or anchor at a current location with touchscreen control from a Lowrance display. The Ghost pairs with Lowrance sonar and GPS units via NMEA connection. The foot control has fly-by-wire steering, which the company says has the feel and speed of a cable-steer motor, lasts longer and can be customized to suit the preference of the user. A FOB-type remote is also included to allow control from anywhere in the boat. lowrance.com

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GARMIN

The Garmin Force Kraken comes with shaft lengths up to 90 inches and offers 100 pounds of thrust in the 36-volt version.

The Force Kraken series offers 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft lengths, and is rated at 80 pounds of thrust in the 24-volt version and 100 pounds of thrust in the 36-volt version. It&#;s a brushless motor, which Garmin says makes it quieter and also far more energy efficient, as well as longer-lasting.

The motors wirelessly integrate with Garmin chartplotters, allowing an angler to plot a course on screen for the motor to follow without any added input. This is a huge advantage for walleye and musky anglers trolling the edge of a weedbed or reef, as well as for bass anglers working ledge contours. The Kraken&#;s &#;anchor lock&#; feature can keep the boat in one spot using saved GPS coordinates, a big plus for anglers wishing to hold position against wind or current.

Garmin Force Kraken

It can also be great for offshore snapper and grouper anglers, since they no longer need to handle hundreds of feet of anchor line to maintain position over a wreck or reef.

While the Force Kraken motors can be controlled by a remote handheld unit (that floats), they can also link to Garmin smartwatches for control. The foot control has adjustable tension steering settings. The motor also has an improved top-end cable management system, with the cable wound closely around the head of the motor. garmin.com

MINN KOTA

The power stow, deploy and trim features of the Minn Kota Ulterra (pictured) and Riptide Instinct Quest make motor management as easy as pressing a button.

The top-of-the-line Riptide Instinct Quest saltwater motor delivers 90 pounds of thrust on 24 volts and 115 pounds on 36 volts. It has all the bells and whistles including auto stow and deploy, and power trim to adjust prop height at a touch&#;a big advantage in choppy seas. It&#;s perhaps the most expensive troller on the market at about $6,100 for 100-inch shaft models.

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For freshwater use, the Ulterra brushless series is similarly capable and includes power stow and deploy as well as power trim. It comes in 45-, 60- and 72-inch models, priced from about $4,200 to $4,500.

Both series have multiple auto-navigation modes including one that takes the boat in a circle, allowing forward-scanning anglers to deliver lures from every angle as they ease around targeted fish. Other modes follow depth contours, bottom composition or weed lines automatically.

Minn Kota Instinct Quest trolling motor

The controlled-drift mode adjusts for wind and current to maintain a selected drift angle and speed. The motors also have a &#;go-to&#; mode&#;just tap the screen of your Humminbird GPS, and it takes the boat to that spot.

The top-of-the-line models have a Humminbird transducer already built into the lower unit. That means no wires, no clamps and a transducer producing clear 3D sonar returns with the appropriate Humminbird sonar and GPS. Composite shafts have a lifetime replacement guarantee. minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com

MOTORGUIDE

Motorguide&#;s Zero-G lift-assist system on the Tour series motors cuts the effort required to stow the unit in half.

The Motorguide Tour series runs on 36 volts and produces up to 109 pounds of thrust. The motors link with most GPS systems for navigation, anchoring and drift, and the Zero-G nitrogen lift-assist system requires only half the effort versus competitors&#; assist mounts. The Tour is more affordable than some competitors, too, at about $3,000 for a 45-inch-shaft version.

Motorguide Tour trolling motor

The Xi5 Wireless is available in shaft lengths to 72 inches and power to 105 pounds of thrust. Both saltwater and freshwater models are available. They are GPS capable and offer an optional built-in sonar puck.

MotorGuide also introduces a 36-inch-shaft motor, the Xi3, specifically for kayaks. The lightweight design and SecureStep system make it simple to stow and deploy the motor, even in a seated position. It&#;s a 12-volt model with 55 pounds of thrust and includes available Pinpoint GPS functions like anchor, heading lock, route record and more. motorguide.com

POWER-POLE

Power-Pole builds its Move motor with a titanium shaft for increased durability.

Power-Pole, the company that originated the automatic shallow-water anchor now seen on thousands of bass and flats boats, introduced the Move positioning motor at ICAST last summer. It&#;s a brushless motor with an electronic circuit spinning the armature that drives the propeller. It&#;s the only motor with a titanium shaft, assuring lifetime durability.

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The system is whisper-quiet, and the company notes it has more thrust with less current use. Power-Pole says the Move gets 30 percent more thrust on a given amount of energy or 30 percent greater efficiency. The motor has Anchor Mode to lock on a spot and can also maintain a heading despite changes in wind and current, with no input from the user, which might be of use when working a weed line, for example.

Power-Pole Move trolling motor

The Move system can be linked to compatible Lowrance and Simrad multifunction displays for remote touchscreen control. The underside of the Move motor&#;s housing on the ZR series also has an option for a built-in plug-and-play sonar transducer to display on a Lowrance multifunction display. The motor can also be controlled by smart devices via the ProNav app. Move motors produce up to 100 pounds of thrust and are available in 45-, 52-, 60- and 72-inch lengths. Prices start at about $5,000. power-pole.com

RHODAN

The 36-volt Rhodan HD GPS Anchor+ generates a whopping 120 pounds of thrust for controlling larger boats in offshore conditions.

This Florida company is a regional favorite among coastal anglers, particularly for its ultra-long-shaft options, maxing out at 108 inches. Its HD GPS Anchor+ motors might also be a good fit for Great Lakes salmon anglers as well as for those who fish off the Pacific Coast.

Rhodan HD GPS Anchor+ trolling motor

The 36-volt model produces 120 pounds of thrust, allowing it to power boats that previously were considered too large for trolling motors and to hold position in offshore wind, waves and currents.

The motors integrate with a variety of GPS systems to allow positioning and drift control, and have a lift-assist mount to provide easy deployment. Price is around $5,000 for the largest models. rhodanmarine.com

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Mulling Over Motors

Four things to consider before buying a new model

• Thrust: The maximum power available will rarely be used, but it&#;s a mark of the likely performance at lower settings. There&#;s no point in putting a giant 100-pound-thrust model on a 16-foot aluminum crappie rig, but you&#;ll need that power for walleye fishing on the Great Lakes.
• Shaft Length: A longer shaft allows keeping the prop deep enough to avoid cavitation in rough water. Boats with high bows require more shaft length to do this correctly. Consult your boat dealer for what will work on the waters you fish most often.
• Navigation: All high-end motors now offer GPS control, allowing you to lock onto a particular location without any added input&#;a huge advantage, but also one that adds cost.
• Service Reputation: Everything mechanical will eventually have issues. Check the company&#;s reputation for solving problems quickly before you part with your hard-earned cash.

• This article was featured in the February issue of Game & Fish Magazine. Click to subscribe.

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