Belt drives vs Gearbox - which is better?

[captain nemo12]

Hi guys,

If one was to install a belt drive to link the motor shaft to the prop shaft, would it be better to do so? I know that the SubTech Albacore has this system, I was wondering about the advantages/disadvantages of this system.... you have to make sure that the belt has the right stretch right? If it's too tight, the friction can cause the motor to run slowly, and if it's too loose, it wouldn't work very well would it? Should you grease the wheels or make them rough?

Thanks for any help!

[bigdave]

In general the belt drives

In general the belt drives are usually quieter than gears. Plus most belts are cog belts so they do not slip. But you will find most people will use the gear drives because they are more readily available. Dave.

[eckloss]

Here's a decent selection of

Here's a decent selection of both]http://www.hobby-lobby.com/drives.htm[/url]

I think the GR17171 in-line gearbox is next on my list. Combined with the 500E 12v, it's exactly what I've been looking for. $77 is a bit steep, though.

[Guest]

Belt drive is theoretically more

Belt drive is theoretically more efficient, about 5% if my memory serves me well.

However this isn't really an issue with our tiny models.

Belt drives are very quiet, they are also a lot more expensive than gears in my experience.

I like to use direct drive whenever possible, saves a lot of hassel, and if you mount your motor on rubber, the boat is virtually silent.

Andy

[turbobearcat]

I like to use direct

I like to use direct drive whenever possible, saves a lot of hassel, and if you mount your motor on rubber, the boat is virtually silent.

Andy

That is the only way to go, no gears or belts to worry about
and I've been running them for years on my battleships.
I am however running a gearbox on my first Uboat VII, the second will be running twin motor direct drive.

Mark

[tommydeen]

Sorry guys have to disagree

Sorry guys have to disagree here not having a gear box/ belt drive is like pulling away from a traffic light in third gear...Ted schulte put a 3 to 1 belt drive(of his own design) in his type VII and i have have a 3to 1
in my alpha and we have had zero problems with them!!! I see the guys in our ship group that use direct drive and they
always bring a wagon load of batterys with them and have to swap them out every hour?! in my alpha one 4500 miliamper nickle metal battery pack will last me all day long!! yha i have seen some past posts on this subject saying gear boxes/belt drives being "to complex" or "to expensive" what?! we are in a hobby that is complex and is expensive!!


Tom

[Guest]

Well that depends on the

Well that depends on the kind of motor you're using doesn't it.

If you use a slow revving, large armature motor, then it will be more efficient than a small geared one, belt driven or not.

As a general rule of thumb, the armature diameter should be equal to, or greater than the prop diameter. Then the motor does it's work easy.

[wayne frey]

The direct drive,belt drive,gear drive

[color=#000000]The direct drive,belt drive,gear drive subject is an interesting topic.
We know from others experiances what works with the usual kits. Run time is important. Thus, effeciency.
I know that a set of 500 or 600 motors with 3-1 ratio will work in my 1/96 Typhoon (yet to be built).But, what would work in the way of a direct drive? 900 motors would sure do it.But would you get the same run time? Interesting question!
The props are much smaller on the Typhoon than my other challange, the 1/72 Akula.
That boat is about 6 plus feet long. Matt suggested a 900 for this one. At first, I was not too sure.Merriman suggested a 700 geared down to 6-1. It willl swing a pretty sizeable prop.
Again, run time is a concern, and certainly I do not want to be underpowered. Keeping in mind scale speed, and resisting the urge to run like a Mark 48 torpedo, this poses some interesting challanges.
I like the idea of belt drive. I have been underwater with the subron 5 guys when they run their boats. R/C subs sound like the torpedos in the Hunt for Red October when you are down there with them. I do think most of what I was hearing was the gears. Gotta think of Stealth!!! Comarade Paul's Permit has good array's, and I will need all avalible technoligies to slip past him on my missions]

[tommydeen]

hey Wayne.... Ted and i

hey Wayne.... Ted and i have been buying our belt drive components from W.M.Berg they are pricy but the stuff is good. if you call for a cataloge it has a chart in the back on what part to use for what belt reduction applys to your needs

Tom

[wayne frey]

How do I find these

How do I find these Berg people? I would like to see what they have.
Any more thoughts on direct vs gear/belt for my applications?
Matt may be right on the Akula.The 900 would hardly be running to get me what I am looking for.

[Guest]

Have a look at what

Have a look at what Bob Martin is using in his big Typhoon-

http://www.rc-sub.com

Also, I'd recommend a visit to your local car breakers, Find a couple of small to medium sized cars of the same make and model, and rip the heater blower motors out of them.

They'll do the job direct drive, I guarantee it.

Only cost a few dollars too!

Andy

[d manley]

Here is my two cents!
I

Here is my two cents!
I would not use gears or belts unless I was building a paddle wheeler!
For years, modelers have been struggling to find the right motor for there boat, but all they usually come up with is fast (15,000 rpm) motors for cars or planes or fast boats i.e. speed 400 or 600!
If you want to use these in a scale boat, you must gear them down about 3-1, this works fine if you want good torque, ok run time have the extra space for the gears and or belts and pulleys and of course do not mind the noise of the gears!
If I had to go with a reduction, I would defiantly use the belts but better yet, I would do what has worked for me for over 20 years now and find the right direct drive motor for the job
My battleship is direct drive and swings four, 2 1/8” props and runs about 4 hours on 12 v 7amp batteries and I would not dream of using anything else.
I get similar performance in my other ships, boats and subs too.

Here are some choices for direct drive that I know will work for you,
Dumas 12 v pitman motors approx 5,000 rpm for props over 2” dia
Dumas 6v pitman (running on 7.2v)

And now my main reason for chiming in!

I have direct drive motors for smaller boats like the Lindbergh tug, the revell type 7 and 1/96 gato 4.5 – 6 v 5,000 rpm 300 size, these can be wired in place of a standard servo motor to make servo powered models much more powerful!
Next is my 400 size motor used in my blueback, kilo and oyashio kits, this works excellent in 1/96 scale ww2 destroyers and 4 shaft cruisers too. 6-12 v.
Finally there is my 550 size motor used in my Lafayette, trenchant, and 1/96 USS San Diego, these would drive a 1/32 type 7 easy on 12 v and work well in my 1/32 type 2 on 7.2 v

Keep it quiet, enjoy the silence, direct drive rules!

Dave Manley
Small World Models
http://www.geocities.com/smallworldmodels/

[tmsmalley]

I am in need of

I am in need of a couple of those type VII motors Dave. How much should I send you for two?
Tim