What are these and what do they do?

Finchowned · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:05

Hi.

Ok so I bought a bargain RWD R/C car today for a laugh and after about 2 minutes I'd taken it apart. On the electric motor there were 3 little orange things:

So, what are these things? Do they restrict the power to the engine in any way?

Cheers.

Deleted member 64478 · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:06

They are smarties, you can de-solder them and eat them. Try it.

Vita · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:07

Think they hold charge or something?

gumbald · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:08

Capacitors

If you're in an inquisitive mood:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor

SimonTW · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:08

I want to say they are capacitors, but could be another component I recognise from GCSE electronics. I can't see how they would restrict power myself, and I have a feeling it may be wise to keep them there!

Al-Ectrician · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:08

They are capacitors for smoothing out the current.

OG · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:08

Look like capacitors to me, dont know what they are doing thought! (my AS electronics should probably tell me though!)

basmic · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:10

If memory serves me correctly, those capacitors help provide a voltage boost to the motor, in order to help the motor quickly build up speed.

I believe washers have capacitors on their motors - just not dainty orange smarties.

Burnsy2023 · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:14

basmic said:
If memory serves me correctly, those capacitors help provide a voltage boost to the motor, in order to help the motor quickly build up speed.

I believe washers have capacitors on their motors - just not dainty orange smarties.

^^

A pretty good explination of what they do - they're called smoothing capacitors and they do exactly what Basic suggest

Burnsy

Finchowned · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:17

Oh right. Cheers for clearing that up

Well, I removed them anyway, seems to run ok still!

Burnsy2023 · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:18

Finchowned said:
Well, I removed them anyway, seems to run ok still!

Why on earth would you want to remove them?

Burnsy

basmic · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:18

Finchowned said:
Oh right. Cheers for clearing that up

Well, I removed them anyway, seems to run ok still!

Probably will, until you start stressing the motor - ie: going uphill, in mud, etc.

coolpunkskater · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:19

Capacitors on what looks to be a motor and why is this in GD? and not motor?

EDIT whats the car/block ?

gumbald · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:24

Do you generally remove electrical components from things? You haven't eaten them have you?

Skeeter · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:28

I know that on Scalextric cars these have the added advantage of stopping them interfering with electrical equipment like TVs

Burnsy2023 · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:29

Skeeter said:
I know that on Scalextric cars these have the added advantage of stopping them interfering with electrical equipment like TVs

^^
*Is very sceptical about this*

Burnsy

coolpunkskater · 22 Dec 2007 at 21:30

Skeeter said:
I know that on Scalextric cars these have the added advantage of stopping them interfering with electrical equipment like TVs

never did when i was a kid

Finchowned · 22 Dec 2007 at 22:55

Burnsy2023 said:
Why on earth would you want to remove them?

Burnsy

Because someone said they were Smarties.

No, I kind of snapped one by accident so removed the rest

coolpunkskater said:
Capacitors on what looks to be a motor and why is this in GD? and not motor?

EDIT whats the car/block ?

Erm, it's an R/C car dude

Cheers.

Mr. Brightside · 22 Dec 2007 at 22:56

Finchowned said:
Well, I removed them anyway, seems to run ok still!

Why?

D.P. · 22 Dec 2007 at 23:12

gumbald said:
Capacitors

If you're in an inquisitive mood:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor

Probably a low and high pass filter.
One to remove high frequencies/noise which could damage motors, one that can store a good chunk or charge if the drive suddenly increases.
But i'm just a software person.
Cheap brushed motors normally get covered in caps

What are these and what do they do?

Deleted member 64478

Deleted member 64478