Has anybody checked out the cheap radioshack
motors?

Mark

i bought the cheap 4.99 version, but am not impressed. its close in size to the 400s but not nearly as powerful.

You can get the full specs on this and other tiny motors at Dick Miller's website at www.empsinc.com

Dave Segal

I bought two recently. They were about $3.50 and there were two voltages. One was rated for 9-18volts and the other 12volts. I used the 9-18volt one in my Skimmer 400 sailplane as an experiment. It weighs 1.8oz and has the same mounting pattern and shaft size as a speed 400 so it bolted right in. On 8 cells with a 7x6 prop direct drive it would barely fly the plane. I think it was using about 2.5Amps at about 8.5volts. The trouble with these motors is that they are wound for higher voltage operation than we need for our planes. The brushes are as big as the ones in a speed 400 but you'll burn the fine wire windings out long before you ever get enough current to damage the brushes. It would be great if they had one this size but with fewer turns and larger wire for the 6V range.

The 3v scream with a cox push on prop (about 3") and 9.6. I'll get back to you on life span... maybe a nickel rocket?

And you get a fireworks show for free if you watch the brushes

Gerald,

Isn't a 7 x 6 prop used in direct drive a bit much, even for a regular Speed 400 motor?