The best RC motor cooling fans
RC motor overheating…again?
If your RC motor keeps overheating, it’s a signal that you should invest in a new motor cooling fan. If your RC is using an electric motor, then it’s recommended that it doesn’t go over 150°F, and 300°F for nitro RC motors. If it exceeds this threshold, there’s a good chance that the motor will get wrecked.
Thankfully, there are dozens of RC motor cooling fans on the market. These handy devices prevent the motor from overheating; hence, allowing them to run smoothly.
Question is, what kind of fan should you go for? We here at OwlRatings have done the legwork of research for your. We’ve scoured the web and identified six top-rated cooling fans for RC motors. Let’s dig in.
Best overall
ARRAROWN Rocker RC Motor Cooling Fan
ARRAROWN Rocker RC Motor Cooling Fan
This Motor Cooling Fan from Arrarown is the best overall. It has several amazing features. It is also durable, thanks to its high-quality materials and elegant workmanship.
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If you have been looking for the best RC Motor cooling fan, you can rest easy, because your search is now over. The Arrarown Motor Cooling Fan wins in this category, and for good reasons.
This cooling fan has a speed of up to 28000 rpm. This means that it moves air very fast. It does an excellent job of dissipating heat to protect the motor from overheating.
The cooling fan is designed for use in RC cars with a 1/8, 1/10, and 1/12 scale. The scale represents the size of the model car compared to its real-life equivalent.
It can be used for both 540 and 550 brushless motors. It can also be used on an ESC (Electric Speed Controller).
Another great plus is that the cooling fan is easy to install. The plug does not have positive or negative ends, so you don’t have to worry about getting the connection wrong.
Also, it’s compatible with all brackets that have 24mm mounting holes. However, mounting screws are not included in the packing, so you will have to budget for them separately.
Best powerful
ARRAROWN 2 Pack RC Motor Cooling Fan
ARRAROWN 2 Pack RC Motor Cooling Fan
The best thing about the REhobby is its affordability. The low price point makes it the ideal option for those on a low budget.
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Has your mind been juggling between different RC motor cooling fans, especially regarding affordability? This REhobby RC Car Motor Heatsink is the most affordable cooling fan you will find out there.
It is budget-friendly, but it doesn’t compromise efficiency. To begin with, this heatsink comes with high-speed dual cooling fans. This allows for maximum heat dissipation from motors.
Speaking of motors, this REhobby heatsink is suitable for both 540 and 550 motors with a diameter of 38mm.
It takes up lesser space than other heatsinks. This is because the circuit is optimized for one input. It is also only compatible with 1/8 and 1/10 scale model RC cars.
This heatsink is made of high-quality aluminum alloy and hard plastic. This material makes it lightweight and durable. It does pretty well for light-duty applications, such as racing. However, it is not suitable for heavy-duty applications like off-road.
Best affordable
REhobby RC Motor Cooling Fan
REhobby RC Motor Cooling Fan
This Twin Cyclone’s defining characteristic is that it is specifically designed for a 1/8 RC motor. It is the right size, has the right speed, and has other outstanding features necessary for a larger-sized RC car.
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Do you own a 1/8 scale model RC car? Are you looking for the best cooling fan for its motor? If your answer to these two questions is yes, you are in luck. This NHX 1/8 Twin Cyclone Alum HV Cooling Fan is the best.
This device comes with two high-speed fans and a clip-on heatsink. It is ideal for motors with a diameter of between 40.5 and 42.8mm.
The fans rotate at a maximum speed of 28000 rpm and have an input voltage of 6.0-8.4V. They also feature HV compatibility. This means they can be fused to ESC battery terminals to maximize cooling and rpm.
Both the heatsink and the fan housing are made of durable aluminum. For safety, there is a twin carbon-fiber fan guard. The wires are made of silicone, which adds extra protection against heat.
The wires have a 240mm JST-Y Splitter. It allows for easy installation by plugging it directly into your receiver after snapping the heatsink onto the motor.
The only disadvantage with this cooling fan heatsink is that it can be rather loud when powered up.
Best 1/5 RC motor cooling fan
Surpass Hobby Brushless Motor Cooling Fan
Surpass Hobby Brushless Motor Cooling Fan
This is the best 1/5 RC motor cooling fan. It has all the features necessary to handle an RC car of the same scale.
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If you want to push your 1/5 scale RC car to the limit without damaging its motor, consider investing in the Surpass Hobby Aluminum Double Cooling Fans.
1/5 scale RC cars are heavier, and therefore their motors are likely to produce more heat. For this reason, a strong, high-performing, and durable cooling fan is required.
Equipped with two cooling fans, this system operates at a speed of 16000 rpm. This means it can reduce the temperature of the motor rapidly.
With a T6 aluminum heatsink frame, this cooling fan’s is durability is assured. T6 aluminum is stronger and more durable than normal aluminum. Additionally, it has a graphite fan cover for extra protection.
It is fit for 55mm, 56mm, and 58mm 1/5 RC car brushless motors. And the best thing is, you also get a 263mm extension cable.
Best long-lasting performance
Innovateking RC Motor Heatsink Cooling Fan
Innovateking RC Motor Heatsink Cooling Fan
This Innovateking RC Motor Heatsink has the best long-lasting performance. So if you are looking for something to serve you for a long time, this is your best bet.
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Tired of switching out your RC motor cooling fan every few weeks or months after they fail?
It’s about time you upgraded to one with a long-lasting performance. And nothing fits this description better than the Innovateking RC Motor Heatsink.
The heatsink is made of high-quality aluminum material. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, which allows the device to dissipate heat from the motor faster.
It also comes with two cooling fans. They provide better protection for the motors, hence increasing their lifespan.
The motor fan is suitable for 540 and 550 size motors. It also fits 3650/3660/3674 brushless motors on 1/8, 1/10 scale RC cars.
The connectors on these cooling fans are short and designed for a speed controller. So if you want to connect them to a receiver box, you would have to buy a Y-connector.
What to look for in a good RC motor cooling fan
As you’ll come to realize, these motor cooling fans are similar in a lot of ways. But there are a couple of features that distinguish them. Some of the aspects you’ll want to pay attention to are:
Speed
One rule of thumb is that the higher the fan’s speed, the faster it is at cooling your RC motor.
So if you’re planning to push your RC to extreme limits, you’ll want to invest in a cooling fan that will cool its motor faster. But if speed is not important, then you can prioritize other factors.
Compatibility
Another crucial factor to keep in mind is the cooling fan’s compatibility. Remote controlled cars are designed in different sizes and with various types of motors.
Most use brushless motors, some use brushed and yet others use nitro motors. The cooling fan you buy should be able to work with the type of motor in your RC. Similarly, it should be designed for the RC model that you have.
FAQ
How hot is too hot for an RC motor?
Overally, you’ll want to ensure that your RC motor doesn’t go above 150°F. In fact, temperatures above 160° to 170°F can cause permanent damage on the RC motor; forcing you to buy a brand new one for replacement.
Why do RC motors overheat?
There are several issues that can trigger overheating of an RC motor. The number one culprit though is the weather. If you operate your RC in sky-high temperatures, there’s no doubt that it will overheat.
Another popular cause is the kind of terrain you’re racing on. If the terrain is too rough, then it can subject the motor to a lot of strain; hence, causing it to overheat.
What can you do to cool an RC motor?
Adding a cooling fan such as the ones reviewed above is your safest bet. Other solutions include drilling holes in the body of the RC car, adjusting the gearing and being careful not to exceed the rated voltage.
Final verdict
If you like racing your RC car, then the last thing you’ll want to encounter is an overheated motor. But this issue crops up every now and then. The good news is, there are a few things you can do to combat this situation.
You can tweak the RC’s gearing, and operate the RC at or below the recommended voltage. Another solution that works wonders is installing an RC motor cooling fan. This component prevents the motor from overheating, allowing you to push your RC to the limits without any worries!
