[s_alaniz]

...Can only answer the side note about the motors burning up.

IF longwind =0 goto :NoBS

When a motor spins from voltage applied, the motion induces a counter EMF.. in other words, it's also acting as a generator and producing a voltage of opposite polarity to the applied voltage. This makes the voltage drop across the motor effectively less, the resistance of the motor APPEARS higher than the reading that an ohm meter would give across the terminals of a motor ( out of circuit), this in turn limits the ammount of current flowing through the coils. As the motor is loaded, as in dragging a weight, the rotation slows down, the counter emf decreases so, there is a rise in current to maintain speed. The more load, the slower the motor is trying to go the less EMF so the higher the current. This might continue until the motor reaches the worst case condition of Stall.

:NoBS

At Stall, the motor is carrying more current than it was designed for and generates a LOT of heat that will burn off the wire insulation on the coil causing a short which may not disable the motor but damage the effective torque the motor can generate. the excessive current will eventually burn the winding as if it were a fuse and destroy the motor.
Bottom line, once a motor is damaged, replace it.

Good luck on the gear questions.


Best Wishes


Steve Alaniz