A new face on the electrics scene with interesting product features
One of the exhibitors at the WRAM Show was Innov8tive Designs, the exclusive US distributor for Scorpion Motors and ESCs. After talking to Lucien Miller (the "Chief Visionary Officer") at the show, I purchased the Scorpion 2215-22 and the Scorpion Commander 35 Amp ESC to try out.
Max Continuous Power: 200 Watts; Max Continuous Current: 18 Amps
Weight: 61.3 Grams / 2.16 oz
Outside Diameter 27.88 mm / 1.097"
Shaft Diameter 2.97 mm / 0.117"
Body Length 27.60 mm / 1.087"
Gold anodized aluminum parts
Overall Shaft Length 50.34 mm / 1.982"
MSRP $45, 2 Year warranty
Includes 3 female Bullet connectors, backplate mount with 4 screws, and a 5mm threaded shaft prop adapter
One of the features that Lucien explained to me is the heat ratings – the wires are rated at 180ºC / 356ordm;F, and the magnets are rated at 200ºC / 392ºF – the claim is that the "motor is virtually impossible to burn up in normal use". While I can't confirm these specs, the ratings are impressive.
The front with the prop adapter…
ana the back with the mounting plate…
One thing that you notice right away is that the motor's shaft extends out from both ends:
I asked Lucien about this and he pointed out that this allows the user to mount the motor either in FRONT or BEHIND the firewall without changing the shaft – an interesting option and something that escaped me and opens up some interesting mounting options per the pic below:
NOT a mirror image – two mounting options
On the Scorpion website is a Prop Data Chart which gives users an idea of what to expect with various props and battery combinations – the tables gives a range from 3.6 ounces of thrust (7 volts, 7 x 5 prop) to 42.9 ounces with an 11 x 7 prop at 14 volts – quite a range!
A closer look at the wires coming out of the motor shows that they appear thin:
Lucien's response is worth quoting in full:
"The leads that come out of the Scorpion motors are the ends of the actual wires that the stator is wound with. Some motor manufacturers will add lead wires to their motors, with the solder joints inside the back of the motor housing. This creates a hard failure point where all the stress of the moving wire gets concentrated. If the leads get pulled back and forth a few times, the solder can fatigue, and the solder joint can break inside the motor housing, making it very difficult to repair. I am sure that you have seen many people have problems like this before.
By bringing the stator wires directly out of the motor, and covering them with heatshrink tubing, the failure point is eliminated, and the leads are actually much stronger, since the stress of the wire is not concentrated to one point. Because the heatshrink tubing is thinner that the silicone insulation used on the wire leads of other manufacturers, the wires appear to be smaller, but the copper area inside is about the same size."
Also note that the wires are not color-coded as some others are; this is not an issue because swapping any two wires will reverse direction.
I used the Scorpion on an experimental model which weighed 25 ounces with an 11 x 8 prop and it took off like a shot, so at least I can attest that the prop data is not misleading.
Finally I asked about spare parts and Lucien's response is again worht reading:
"Spare parts will be available soon, since Scorpion is going to offer kits for all of the motors that they produce. This will allow the modelers that enjoy winding their own motors the opportunity to have a matched set of parts available, And for those that still like to machine their own parts, just the stators, shafts or magnets will be available as well. We will stock spare shafts and other parts, and will be able to perform repairs on motors for customers."
If Scorpion follows through, the service level is impressive.
One thing you see immediately is a gold colored plate which shows the key ratings for the controller. I did not know it at the time, but I found by reading more about this controllers on the website that this is an aluminum heatsink which is attached to the power transistors with thermal tape – not my favorite attachment mode, but better than nothing.
Included with the controller is a programming card which allows the user to program:
Battery Type
Cell Count
Low Voltage Cut-off Level
Power Cut-off Type
Current Overload Protection
Braking Level
Acceleration Time Delay
PWM Frequency Selection
Motor Rotation
Timing Advance
For a closer look at the Programming Guide, go HERE. Programming is done by flipping two banks of dip switches on the programming card:
Each bank of dip switches has a button on the top left side (circled in red) – after setting all the switches per the instructions, you hold down each button for 2 seconds, wait for a tone and then repeat for the next bank. Then you're done – very easy. The controller can be used out of the box with the default settings, so programming is only necessary if you want to change the defaults.
The controller is encased in clear plastic except for the dip switches (DUH!):
CONCLUSIONS
The Scorpion line looks to be a serious competitor on the electrics scene, with very good product features and competitive pricing. I used each with no hitch and users might want to check them out. Both the controller and motor comes in a neat tin box – handy to keep all those little parts that need a home.
Many thanks to Lucien Miller for taking the time to respond so thoroughly to my questions.
Scorpion Model Products
A new face on the electrics scene with interesting product features
One of the exhibitors at the WRAM Show was Innov8tive Designs, the exclusive US distributor for Scorpion Motors and ESCs. After talking to Lucien Miller (the "Chief Visionary Officer") at the show, I purchased the Scorpion 2215-22 and the Scorpion Commander 35 Amp ESC to try out.
Scorpion 2215-22 Key Specs
One of the features that Lucien explained to me is the heat ratings – the wires are rated at 180ºC / 356ordm;F, and the magnets are rated at 200ºC / 392ºF – the claim is that the "motor is virtually impossible to burn up in normal use". While I can't confirm these specs, the ratings are impressive.
The front with the prop adapter…
ana the back with the mounting plate…
One thing that you notice right away is that the motor's shaft extends out from both ends:
I asked Lucien about this and he pointed out that this allows the user to mount the motor either in FRONT or BEHIND the firewall without changing the shaft – an interesting option and something that escaped me and opens up some interesting mounting options per the pic below:
On the Scorpion website is a Prop Data Chart which gives users an idea of what to expect with various props and battery combinations – the tables gives a range from 3.6 ounces of thrust (7 volts, 7 x 5 prop) to 42.9 ounces with an 11 x 7 prop at 14 volts – quite a range!
A closer look at the wires coming out of the motor shows that they appear thin:
Lucien's response is worth quoting in full:
"The leads that come out of the Scorpion motors are the ends of the actual wires that the stator is wound with. Some motor manufacturers will add lead wires to their motors, with the solder joints inside the back of the motor housing. This creates a hard failure point where all the stress of the moving wire gets concentrated. If the leads get pulled back and forth a few times, the solder can fatigue, and the solder joint can break inside the motor housing, making it very difficult to repair. I am sure that you have seen many people have problems like this before.
By bringing the stator wires directly out of the motor, and covering them with heatshrink tubing, the failure point is eliminated, and the leads are actually much stronger, since the stress of the wire is not concentrated to one point. Because the heatshrink tubing is thinner that the silicone insulation used on the wire leads of other manufacturers, the wires appear to be smaller, but the copper area inside is about the same size."
Also note that the wires are not color-coded as some others are; this is not an issue because swapping any two wires will reverse direction.
I used the Scorpion on an experimental model which weighed 25 ounces with an 11 x 8 prop and it took off like a shot, so at least I can attest that the prop data is not misleading.
Finally I asked about spare parts and Lucien's response is again worht reading:
"Spare parts will be available soon, since Scorpion is going to offer kits for all of the motors that they produce. This will allow the modelers that enjoy winding their own motors the opportunity to have a matched set of parts available, And for those that still like to machine their own parts, just the stators, shafts or magnets will be available as well. We will stock spare shafts and other parts, and will be able to perform repairs on motors for customers."
If Scorpion follows through, the service level is impressive.
ALong with the Scorpion 2215-22 brushless motor, I purchased the Scorpion Commander 35 Amp ESC – there are a whole series of brushless ESCs ranging from 11 to 110 Amps (Scorpion Commander Series Brushless Speed Controllers).
Scorpion Commander 35 Amp ESC Key Specs
One thing you see immediately is a gold colored plate which shows the key ratings for the controller. I did not know it at the time, but I found by reading more about this controllers on the website that this is an aluminum heatsink which is attached to the power transistors with thermal tape – not my favorite attachment mode, but better than nothing.
Included with the controller is a programming card which allows the user to program:
For a closer look at the Programming Guide, go HERE. Programming is done by flipping two banks of dip switches on the programming card:
Each bank of dip switches has a button on the top left side (circled in red) – after setting all the switches per the instructions, you hold down each button for 2 seconds, wait for a tone and then repeat for the next bank. Then you're done – very easy. The controller can be used out of the box with the default settings, so programming is only necessary if you want to change the defaults.
The controller is encased in clear plastic except for the dip switches (DUH!):
The Scorpion line looks to be a serious competitor on the electrics scene, with very good product features and competitive pricing. I used each with no hitch and users might want to check them out. Both the controller and motor comes in a neat tin box – handy to keep all those little parts that need a home.
Many thanks to Lucien Miller for taking the time to respond so thoroughly to my questions.