Hi all, our team purchased and assembled the MK4 L1 Swerve modules with the Neo pinion adapter kit. We are running the latest version of Neo motors. We assembled it correctly and used the existing code library. All was good for a week or two after assembly, then our motors started blowing up left and right. We have lost three motors now (two drive and one rotating/turn motor). The magnets just keep dislodging from inside the motor shell. Please provide any feedback/ideas as this is a major concern as we head into the upcoming season.
2 Likes
Would you happen to have any videos of it occuring?
1 Like
I do not have any videos of the moment it happened, however for each motor that blew up they start making a terrible grinding sound right before they seize. It’s not like they grind all the time like that, it’s just the sound of the dislodged magnet moving around before the motor seizes. Quite upsetting and disturbing as these modules were designed to work with both falcon and neos.
Thoughts:
- Are you running current limiting? If so, what’s the setting?
- How long are you running the motors at a time?
- Are these new motors or used ones pulled from something else?
- If new, do all the motors have the same date code (below the part number)?
super specific ik, but we had an issue on MAXSwerve with NEOs where we “over-screwed” into the motor housing and caused grinding noises and overheating. If each module was built identically and over-screwed into the NEO, it could cause some serious damage all around. Solution was to just add spacers to not let the screw be over-screwed into the housing. Check the REV website to see how far in is safe.
3 Likes
Just to add on to what @billfred has stated. if you can pull from the log files the Voltage and Current that was going into those motors, that would also be very helpful as well.
I believe the magnets dislodging is a previously recorded issue. I couldn’t quickly find if there was a solution to the issue or if a cause was found, but REV support is awesome. It seems that if you flick them an email they will ask some questions and replace the dead motors for you.
Here are 2 threads I found that mention the issue, they also have talk about the REV support process:
1 Like
- Yes, it is set to the default of 80amps.
- Usually only a few minutes at a time/until the battery dies, then we give it a rest.
- All of the motors are brand new.
- I’ll have to check tomorrow during our meeting.
Yeah, seems like a motor problem not related to the MK4s. I don’t know what is used to attach the magnets to the armature, but most adhesives won’t survive a lot of heat, so if you were getting the motors very hot, that could cause problems. Most likely is a manufacturing defect or damage from shock in shipping. Contact REV support.
1 Like
We have had that exact issue. We contacted REV support and they replaced them. My guess is that they were damaged during shipping.
1 Like
Ok, thanks.
- How long did you use the motors before they were faulty?
- How many bad motors did you guys have?
- How often did you drive your robot before they broke?
- How long have you had the replacements they sent?
- How often and hard having you been driving your robot since the replacements were sent?
We had a similar issue. Two weeks after starting to use mk4i’s and a set of new neo’s, 3 of our 4 swerve drive motors suddenly seized. We have looked through this and a couple other threads and were wondering about causes for three motors to seize at the same time.
Sorry for the late update. I did end up figuring it out. Upon disassembly, the magnets were dislodged and not glued in. We checked to see if any other of the magnets were not glued in and we proceeded to glue them back in with Loctite 480 (for metal-metal bonds, magnets, etc.) and we haven’t had any problems since (knock on wood). I will keep you posted if there are any further issues. Thank you all for your help and good luck during this 2024 season!
This topic was automatically closed 365 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.