Boca Bearings vs. Acer bearings...ceramic sets.

[What's_nitro?]

Originally Posted by Ryu James

From what i have read it is the lubrication that determines the speed of the bearing more than anything.

True. The grease causes a lot of friction at high speeds which can overheat the bearing. Oils and/or synthetic lubricants cause less friction, and therefore less heat. On the other hand, grease is better at keeping dirt/debris out of the bearing.

[JThiessen]

From an engineering design standpoint, ceramics usually only come into play when heat and the resulting thermal expansion are an issue, or if you are on the cutting edge with weight or rolling resistance. IMHO, the bearings in RC's are not subject to high enough heat levels to succumb to heat issues. Most of our failures are due to outside elements (dirt and rust) being introduced inside the bearing. That being said, if you look at one of Ryu's first posts, he spoke of a rating on the bearings. In all likelyhood, most ceramic bearings are made to a higher standard than your standard Traxxas rubber "sealed" bearings due to manufacturing costs (ceramic being more expensive to machine). If you can find steel bearings made to the same spec level, and at significantly lower price you'll be just fine. Those "standard" kits that Bocca sells are an excellent bearing that will likely outlast the RC flavor of the month!

Originally Posted by JThiessen

From an engineering design standpoint, ceramics usually only come into play when heat and the resulting thermal expansion are an issue, or if you are on the cutting edge with weight or rolling resistance. IMHO, the bearings in RC's are not subject to high enough heat levels to succumb to heat issues. Most of our failures are due to outside elements (dirt and rust) being introduced inside the bearing. That being said, if you look at one of Ryu's first posts, he spoke of a rating on the bearings. In all likelyhood, most ceramic bearings are made to a higher standard than your standard Traxxas rubber "sealed" bearings due to manufacturing costs (ceramic being more expensive to machine). If you can find steel bearings made to the same spec level, and at significantly lower price you'll be just fine. Those "standard" kits that Bocca sells are an excellent bearing that will likely outlast the RC flavor of the month!

When ever someone is competing and they need any edge they can get, moving to a ceramic is a great way to go. reducing overall rolling resistance is an advantage in tight races. but with the reduced resistance comes new issues and may drivers comment on the fact that they have to "relearn" to drive now that their car is so much freer spinning.

But there is no doubt that many RC Cars also have an excessive heat issue in the clutch bell. As a result typical steel balls expand and break apart the bearing retainer that hold the balls in place. Ceramic hybrids work great in this situation because ceramic will not expand under high temps. Usually it is also best to use a full complement bearing that does not have a retainer as well like this one. These are not for everyone, but only for those that are fed up with constantly changing out their clutch bell bearings. we also have a standard steel bearing with no retainer that is less expensive and very effective as well depending on the clutch bell. and then of course there is always the 99 Cent version for those that don't mind swapping them out often.

And I agree most ceramic bearings are made to a better standard than any stock bearing. rc car manufacturers have to keep their price points low on stock equipment to allow for upgrades. Our standard, 99 cent kits are super durable and should certainly last longer than the stock bearings. as you said most failures are a result of outside elements and ceramic is impervious to many of them. they will not corrode or rust, ceramic balls are harder than steel balls so they take more abuse and can even break down small pieces of dirt, pebbles and debris better than steel. there is always some level of cost/benefit that needs to be done, we just strive to offer the finest bearings in everyone's price range.


_________________________________

BOCA BEARING COMPANY
755 NW 17th Ave. #107
Delray Beach, FL 33445 U.S.A.

Toll free phone: (800) 332-3256
Toll free fax: (800) 409-9191
Local phone: (561) 998-0004
Local fax: (561) 998-0119
Email Address: jason@bocabearings.com

[macr0w]

Boca Babes: unfortunately they belong to RC Boca not Boca Bearings :)

Oh well, the Acer chicks are hotter anyway.

Originally Posted by Ryu James

hey Boca, (Jason)

when will you have complete RC model sets in the Orange Seal ceramics and what kind of price tag can we anticipate? also, will the orange seal be a bearing that needs maintenance from time to time since it is a no-contact seal?

also, i am buying some of your yellow seal sets right now thru ebay (is that you i have been talking with? my ebay id is lilkingbimmers) and i am wondering if it is possible to replace the grease with oil instead just by cleaning the bearing and then oiling it? from what i have read it is the lubrication that determines the speed of the bearing more than anything.

thanks,

Ryu

We basically have all of the bearings to make full Orange Seal kits for RC Cars. As new cars come on the market we are making full sets in Orange Seal but if there is an older kit that you are looking for in Orange Seal let me know and I will put it together for you. Price is going to be higher than our Lightning series because these are high precision bearings. Originally we were only thinking about people using these in their wheels but response has been overwhelming to them so we expanded the sizes we offer.

Lubrication definitely has an affect on rolling resistance but not necessarily speed. For example the average 5x10 ceramic bearing is capable of achieving max 90,000 rpm. Which I am pretty sure you guys are never getting near 90,000 rpm on a wheel bearing. So you are not as concerned with bearing speed as you are with how much energy and how quickly you are able to get your car to its max rpm. Everything you can do to reduce rolling resistance will translate into your car being able to get up to its max speed quicker and with less energy expended.

But to answer your question, yes we are happy to clean out bearing grease and replace with oil, leave dry or add our Ultra Dry Lube process. Let me know if you have any other questions.


_________________________________

BOCA BEARING COMPANY
755 NW 17th Ave. #107
Delray Beach, FL 33445 U.S.A.

Toll free phone: (800) 332-3256
Toll free fax: (800) 409-9191
Local phone: (561) 998-0004
Local fax: (561) 998-0119
Email Address: jason@bocabearings.com

[redshift]

Your RCM lesson for the day, how bearings are made- http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Ball-Bearing.html

[Ryu James]

so i finally got my Boca Bearings today. it took a while but worth the wait. the first set was lost in the mail by UPS and Boca still sent me another set out, no questions asked. I havent got them put on my Mugen yet but hope to have it finished by next week and can put them to the test. The bearings look great with their orange seal.

[Sower]

Jason . . . any plans to have a set for the Xray XT8? Minus the clutch bearings of course

Thanks.

[Sower]

Nevermind . . . if I read your site correctly, the 8x16x5 bearings are $15.95 each

That would mean to get 18 of them would be $287!!! I know I dump some money on my RC stuff, but that's a little too much for me