8 replies to this topic

[chasbeeman]

In another post a racer had made mention that the Phoenix motor could go poof easily. I'm looking at one now that appears to be intact but won't spin up.

The comm. tabs appear crimped but not welded? I am curious what others have experienced in testing and or usage.

[Jesse Gonzales]

Hi Chas! personally I would not touch a Phoenix motor. If it was sold by Tim Homola under the JK label I'd probably give it a look but know that JK has the #11, so why bother?

Phoenix is hot and nasty in the summer, do you want a hot nasty motor? If I ever get to a track running a class with Phoenix motors I'll take my chances with a Retro or not race.
 
Jess Gonzales

[NSwanberg]

Check the commutator of the Phoenix motor. I think the comm has to be ridiculously small in order for a machine winder to get the winds on the armature with the tight web opening. That tight spacing between the web openings does help to keep the winds in place but that small comm is a big compromise. It has rings around it to help stabilize the comm leaves but it is still the weak link. With Downriver's power on the King track they are fast for a few laps. I am not sure I would ever expect or trust one to go 8 three-minute heats. 
 
One I took apart would run but not spin up. A commutator leaf had basically become detached from the comm base but was still making contact with the wires. Thus it would run but not spin up.

[gatormark]

Same here, quick for a bit and then smoke.

[chasbeeman]

Thanks for chiming in guys, my club voted the Phoenix as a spec motor class before there was much testing. I have two duds and am unlikely to buy any more.

I will try to salvage the can/mags and turn it into a drag mill with a quality armature (Havlicek style).

Anxiously awaiting the Hawk 11 to undergo testing and be available as a better alternative.

[Tim Wood]

13 x 37 64p recommended gear ratio. Motors run fine, with Mossetti Defender Ultralight chassis or JK 43 Aelos chassis. Running other gear ratios is where you can take your chances of the Phoenix going down.

These are running on a King track. Wing cars run great, LMP Audi or Acura bodies or the Argentina Toyota body. Try it, nothing is more fun. Maybe run your power down 12-13 volts. Fastest running throwaway motors out there. I think these motors are more consistant and even, racer to racer.

Just my experiance with these motors. Good luck with what ever you choose to run.
 
Tim   

[Ramcatlarry]

Stick with the 13t pinion with .700-.790" tires. The 37t is also good. Two-minute heats will be short enough to let the motor cool down if you go down to a 35t spur - but three minute heats let the smoke out unless you maintain the 37 or 38t spur.
 
Drags - no problems either.

[chasbeeman]

Roger stood by his promise and exchanged the bad ones for new motors. The Phoenix has been a recent choice for a yearly class we are running and seems to be lasting well in roundy-round racing. The Hawk 11 seems too short of brush life for roundy-round racing.

[Ramcatlarry]

We are monthly running a revived GT12 class (S7 Asps) with grp12 or Phoenix & GTP bodies. Only smokers have been the ones that overgeared them. Toss up as to winner.