RC planes are more fun to play with when they perform well. And a motor with a great turn rating is a basic requirement for that.
Motors can have various turns and all are useful in some ways. So selecting the motor might be a bit more troublesome than many think it is..
Which turn rating to pick from the RC Motor Turn Rating Comparison?
The 12T has the highest RPM when compared with 15T, 20T, 21T & 30T. But it falls behind in torque generation. Also, battery life is also less in 12T motors. The 30T motor generates the most torque. However, the price of 30T, 21T, 20T & 15T is higher than the 12T.
This is only the gist of my detailed discussion. To know it all you must go through the next few sections. So get ready for an exciting journey!
Short Comparison
Various factors distinguish RC motors. The size of the RC motor, turn rating, pole number, etc. are some of them. Among all these, the turn rating of the motor is a very significant factor.
Source: minipro.com
So it’s very essential to understand the meaning of various turn ratings. In the following table, I have shown the differences that exist due to different ratings. Observe the brushed motor turn chart.
| Factors | 12T | 15T | 20T | 21T | 35T |
| RPM | Fastest | Lower Than 12T | Lower Than 15T | Lower Than 20T | Least |
| Torque | Least | More Than 12T | More Than 15T | More Than 20T | Highest |
| Internal Resistance | Least | More Than 12T | More Than 15T | More Than 20T | Highest |
| Battery Life | Least | More Than 12T | More Than 15T | More Than 20T | Highest |
| Control | Toughest | Easier Than 12T | Easier Than 15T | Easier Than 20T | Easiest |
| Price | Budget-Friendly | Costlier Than 12T | Costlier Than 15T | Costlier Than 20T | Highest Price |
You can understand the role of turn ratings from the above RC motor turn chart. The table also enables you to make a quick choice between the ratings. However, if you want to know more, keep reading. I will discuss the topic in detail below.
Extended Comparison
To clear all the doubts about the turn rating of the motor you must know all the details. I have made arrangements to provide you with the details. Please keep scrolling!
RPM
The full form of RPM is Rotations Per Minute. This term represents the speed of the motor. The only objective of the RC motor is to generate mechanical energy. This generation is done by converting electrical energy.
And for doing so, the shaft of the motor rotates. The speed of this rotation is the RPM of the motor. With more RPM, the RC plane will run faster. So RPM for motor can be the deciding factor for many RC enthusiasts.
The RPM is inversely proportional to the turn rating. That means with more turns the RPM of the brushless motor decreases. So the 12T motor has the most RPM. And then 15T, 20T, 21T, and 35T come in the serial.
Torque
The rotational force of the motor is its torque. The working ability or output of the motor can be found in the torque. The more the torque, the more is the output of the motor. The torque is highly dependent on the turn rating.
The torque generation is proportional to the turn rating of the brushless motor. So with more ratings, the torque will increase. And as a result, the work output of the motor will enhance. Thus in the 12T vs 15T motor comparison, torque in 12T is less.
In the same way, torque is more in 20T in a 12T vs 20T motor battle. In 21T and 35T, the torques will be higher. So for more output, a motor with higher ratings is always better.
The torque also depends on Kv. In brushless motor Kv vs torque, the torque is inversely proportional to the Kv.
Internal Resistance
Turn rating is one of the most essential characteristics of the RC motor. It represents the number of wires wrapped inside the motor. 12T means there are 12 turns of wires in the armature of the motor. All these wires have an internal resistance.
This resistance can not be removed from the wire. Moreover, they negatively affect the current flow. To avoid more resistance, motors with fewer turns are used on many occasions. Because with fewer turns the resistance decreases to a great extent.
As the number of wrapped wires is only 12 in 12T motors, they have the least resistance. In the 35T motor, this turn number is 35. So the resistance increases exponentially.
From this, it’s understandable that in 12T vs 35T motor, 12T is better in terms of resistance.
Similarly, in the 12T vs 21T motor, 21T has a much higher resistance. Let’s make an ascending serial of the turn rating based on resistance. The serial will be 12T, 15T, 20T, 21T, and 35T.
Battery Life
The battery life of the RC plane is very crucial for long runtime. The longevity depends on the capacity of the battery. Besides that RC motor turn rating plays a special role in the lifetime. Let’s see how it affects the battery runtime.
We’ve observed earlier that the RPM increases and internal resistance drops with lower ratings. Because of these factors, the motor pulls out more current from the battery. So in low turn ratings, the battery will run out faster.
When the turn rating increases, the scenario changes. More turns extend the battery life. If we compare 12T with 15T, 20T, 21T, and 35T, 12T will have the shortest runtime. On the contrary, a 35T motor will deliver the longest battery life.
The battery life also varies with the Kv of the motor. You can find out this relation from turns to the kV chart. The brushless motor Kv rating chart is also useful in this aspect.
A high-performance battery can always carry a heavy power discharge. And I have recommended some of the best Lipo batteries to pull that off. Try them out!
| Image | Product Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | Zeee 7.4V Lipo Battery 50C 5200mAh | Check Latest Price |
  | Ovonic Lipo Battery 50C 5200mAh 7.4V | Check Latest Price |
  | HOOVO 7.4V 5200mAh 80C LiPo Battery | Check Latest Price |
These are the best batteries available on the market. They provide long-lasting performance.
Control
The RC cars and planes are controlled by a remote controller. The controlling system mustn’t be too difficult. Or else the user will not be able to fly the plane at ease. This will also affect the enjoyment of the game.
The difficulty level in controlling varies with the turn ratings. This happens because of the RPM of the motor. With more RPM, the plane becomes harder to control. I have said earlier that the RPM is most in 12T motors. So this motor is the toughest to control.
The 15T motor is easier to control. Then comes the 20T and 21T. And among all of them, the 35T has the least RPM. So it is the easiest one to play with.
Price
We have almost arrived at the end of the discussion. Just hold some more patience. Now I will show you how the price of RC motors varies with the turn ratings.
With more turn ratings the price of the motor increases simultaneously. The reason behind this is the use of more wire. This condition makes the 12T motor most budget-friendly. The price increases in the case of the 15T motor.
In 20T the price becomes higher than the 12T. The same observation is found in 21T and 35T. The 35T is very costlier than the 12T motor. However, the price of the motor does not depend on the rating only. Other factors also play great roles in the price.
This is all on the comparison factors of motors with different ratings. This discussion has got the RC motors explained. The motors have lots of variations just like the RC wheel nut variations. Anyway if you still have confusion, check out the next section for my verdict.
Verdict
There are different positive and negative aspects of the turn ratings of the motor. To make the best choice you will have to be careful. Take enough time to make your decision.
The 12T rating is better than all other ratings in terms of the RPM. It will give your RC plane lots of speed. The price is also very low. But the battery life will end pretty fast. You might face difficulties while flying the plane.
On the other hand with more turn ratings the RPM will decrease. Anyway, the torque generation will enhance at a high rate. So with a 35T motor, you will get huge work output. The battery life will increase too.
Source: rcgeeks.co.uk
However, you will have to pay a high price for that. You can opt for a motor with a medium rating to get it all. The 20T motor will have a medium RPM, torque, and affordable price.
FAQs
Is a Higher kV Motor Faster?
Yes, a higher kV motor is faster. The term kV refers to the Constant Speed of the motor. It has a direct relation with the RPM of the motor. The more the kV of the motor, the more is its RPM. And more RPM means more speed of the motor. So a motor with higher kV is always faster.
How Can I Make My RC Car Drift Faster?
First of all the car must have a motor with low turns. Also, the kV should be high. You have to make the car lightweight. Add a powerful LiPo battery to the car. Apply grease on the parts regularly. Then it will drift faster.
Are LiPo batteries Better for RC Cars?
Yes, LiPo batteries are better for RC cars. Lithium Polymer or LiPo batteries are more powerful than normal batteries. They have a large operating voltage. The high voltage is crucial for producing more speed. These batteries also have a long-lasting lifetime. Overall they are great for RC cars.
Conclusion
This is all I have on RC Motor Turn Rating Comparison. Now you can compare the motors and then choose for yourself.
To select the best motor you have to check several other factors alongside the turn ratings. All the factors together determine the superiority of the motor.
That’s all. Good luck!
