Red 390 motors that are fakes!!!!

[UltraVargen]

Thanks for the heads up. I got them from Toucan Hobby. The ones that also have their own website and eBay shop. Sent them a message on Facebook Messenger making them aware and asking if they can help out. Let's see how it goes.

[Rubicon99]

Just got two sets of the "fake" red motors in. Plastic blades, darker red color Bought from Toucan on Aliexpress. I thought they were reputable? Could it be that these are in fact official but that Heng Long changed production?

Are you sure it was Toucan? I have never seen them selling on Aliexpress.

The fakes do work but I suspected their voltage ratings are not the normal 12volts, more like 7 volts. This causes them to over heat fast and melt the fan blades when used with batteries like 2 cell 7.4 Lipos or Li-ion as these put out higher peak voltage then stated on the battery. A three cell 11.2 Lipo is a assured death.

The fakes do work well IF you use the older style of r/c 7.2 volt sub “C” NiCad or NiMh batteries. They still get hot though not as fast and tend not to melt.

Try running them as I am sure it will be more expensive to send them back. Plus it will not hurt your tank if they fail.

I know when Motion gets their 390s in I will be buying a bunch of them as will many others. I suspect they will sell out fast.

[UltraVargen]

I don't know if I'm allowed to post this here, will remove if not allowed. This is the Aliexpress shop: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/418...26d84c4dOCmFeY
It looks like the same Toucan Hobby, they also point to the same @toucanhobby on Facebook.

I only have the 2 cell 7.4 li-ions (Admiral), don't want to risk anything. Tank's expensive enough as it is. I'm gonna keep my eye on MRC Europe store and just hope they don't sell out too fast. No idea how quick this stuff goes over here in Europe. Same goes for that beautiful T-34 Pro that I need, haha.

[Rubicon99]

I don't know if I'm allowed to post this here, will remove if not allowed. This is the Aliexpress shop: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/418...26d84c4dOCmFeY
It looks like the same Toucan Hobby, they also point to the same @toucanhobby on Facebook.

I only have the 2 cell 7.4 li-ions (Admiral), don't want to risk anything. Tank's expensive enough as it is. I'm gonna keep my eye on MRC Europe store and just hope they don't sell out too fast. No idea how quick this stuff goes over here in Europe. Same goes for that beautiful T-34 Pro that I need, haha.

If the fan blades are a dark color not white you should be ok. All the flake ones I have seen have “white-ish” colored blades. Running them will not hurt the tank. At worst the motors will just lock up and stop running. If they do just pull them out and replace with others. It only a 10-20 minute procedure to replace motors.

Can you post some pictures of the motors?

[UltraVargen]

As long as the internal plastic components of my tank don't get damaged I'm willing to try.

The blades are a translucent white, and the red paint is a muted vermilion, as opposed to the same bright red as the attached cables.

Here you go (apologies for the blurriness):

[Rubicon99]

As long as the internal plastic components of my tank don't get damaged I'm willing to try.

The blades are a translucent white, and the red paint is a muted vermilion, as opposed to the same bright red as the attached cables.

Here you go (apologies for the blurriness):

Oh yes those DO LOOK like fakes!!!!

You could simply plug them into the tanks wiring harness and run them not installed in the gearboxes to test and see how hot they become. It’s not quite the same as being under load but it will give you some idea of what could be expected.

[UltraVargen]

I'll try that, thanks. I'm not getting anywhere with Toucan. They don't seem to understand the situation and keep refering to use batteries around 7.2v. Language barrier makes it difficult to explain the actual issue.
They also assured me it is made by Heng Long, so yeah... I don't think they reallly know.

Ordering from China is great, until an issue arrises.

[Cascabel]

Toucan has a tech manager in China with a good command of English . If you can get them to put you in touch with him, he will work with you by Facebook Messenger.

[UltraVargen]

Thanks Cascabel thst's assuring. I'll just give the motors a try. If they burn out I'll contact Toucan again with "evidence" pictures.

[UltraVargen]

I noticed MRC now have Admiral 390 motors in stock (no blue motors unfortunately). So, are these the "real deal" with the metal cooling fan et all?

[Rubicon99]

I noticed MRC now have Admiral 390 motors in stock (no blue motors unfortunately). So, are these the "real deal" with the metal cooling fan et all?

Can’t say I have not held one of the ones Motionrc is selling. My bet is that they are real HL motors, but that remains to be seen. With Alpha nowhere to be heard from in a LONG TIME to answer the question about these motors the only way to be sure now is to buy a set and inspect them first hand. I might order a set just to see. 🤞🤞

Note: The real HL red motors never had metal cooling fans. They fans were a high heat resistant gray colored “plastic”.

[UltraVargen]

Huh, I assumed they were metal as the plastic on your fake motors melted. But re-reading your initial post I see you don't mention the material.

Please keep us posted if you choose to buy them. Hope these are the real deal.

And yeah, where is Alpha?

[Rubicon99]

Huh, I assumed they were metal as the plastic on your fake motors melted. But re-reading your initial post I see you don't mention the material.

Please keep us posted if you choose to buy them. Hope these are the real deal.

And yeah, where is Alpha?

Another really good option are the Taigen black 390 “3:1 pinion” motors. These have slightly less torque but slightly higher RPMs. I use the in my medium size tanks.
I also use them in my tanks that I want the highest possible scale top end speeds. Since it is has been or miss with red HL motors I have been using the Taigen one more and more.

[UltraVargen]

Another really good option are the Taigen black 390 “3:1 pinion” motors. These have slightly less torque but slightly higher RPMs. I use the in my medium size tanks.
I also use them in my tanks that I want the highest possible scale top end speeds. Since it is has been or miss with red HL motors I have been using the Taigen one more and more.

That sounds like a good option then. I saw them online and wondered about them. I also saw a Taigen gearbox with 380 motors in a 3:1 ratio. Would those be a good engine/ratio combination for smaller WW2 tanks like the Panzer III and Sherman?

[Rubicon99]

That sounds like a good option then. I saw them online and wondered about them. I also saw a Taigen gearbox with 380 motors in a 3:1 ratio. Would those be a good engine/ratio combination for smaller WW2 tanks like the Panzer III and Sherman?

They are just a little lower geared then the stock HL gearboxes so their low speed handling is slightly smoother. Otherwise they are no better or worst in either of those tanks.

If you want more true to scale max speeds for a WWII tank and super precise low speed handling especially in combination with the 6.0+ HL systems then look at one of the 4:1 Taigen gearboxes with 380 motors. Though I am not 100% sure they will fit the HL Sherman with the Taigen 380 motor. You may have to reuse the HL Sherman motors to make everything fit.