Board Thread:General Nerf discussion/@comment-27306930-20190115052018/@comment-27306930-20190517032513

BTW: Tooling around the internets, I discovered a really well written, easy to understand, explanation of LiPos and how to size them correctly. Unfortunately it's geared toward RC cars, trucks, and helicopters. But the basic concepts can be easily translated to Nerfing.

Not to nitpick, but there is a reference in the article to a Velineon motor drawing 65 Amps under no-load conditions. Look, unless your motor is the size of a house, drawing 65 amps while in free spin is a HUGE red flag. Electric motors under no load only have to compensate for internal friction, some low levels of heat loss due to inefficiency, and some low levels of resistance that are intrinsic to the wiring in electrical devices.

Think of it like riding a bicycle on a straight flat road. Once you've pedaled up to speed, you can stop pedaling and coast for a long time, without having to expend much energy at all. Maybe just a pedal here and there to maintain your speed. If you crouch down and reduce your aerodynamic profile, you'll go even further between pedals.

Well, the same thing is true with motors. Once they are up to speed, the current (aka amperage) necessary to keep them at nominal speed is almost zero. If your ammeter is reading 65A, please call your fire department as soon as possible. A conflagration is sure to ensue shortly.

But you guys know I'm a nitpicker, right 😊