DartBox V2 Gecko Drive Gear Motor

No More Burnt Motors!

Lower Current at Higher Voltage, Same Durable Gearbox!

4mm Shaft CAD is available here, and the 6mm Shaft CAD is here. 

The 6mm DartBox gearbox is now better than ever!
As of November 2023, all 6mm shaft DartBox V2 gearboxes now have much stronger machined steel gears on the output stage and stronger output shaft carrier plates to survive even bigger hits without damage! High-strength gears are also for sale here.

If you want some quick and reliable connections for your motors, we recommend pairing these with our breakout PCBs and JST Connectors. 

The new Gecko motors are designed for reliability and flexibility above all. Many builders in 2023 are moving to higher voltage systems, so Gecko motors offer lower speed and power at 12 Volts so they can still survive 4S all day (and even 6S in some applications)! Gecko motors have a peak current draw of a third that of our Viper motors, so they run much cooler and you won't have to worry about burning up a motor even when pushing these hard, or with four of them in your robot.

Another major benefit of the Gecko motor is the expanded ESC options! Powerful ESCs such as the Tarakan Dual ESC (2 drive sides), or our new budget 15A Dual ESC (2 drive sides), will work great with these, but you can drive 2-3 motors per side rather than a single Viper or Dragon motor. There are many lower-power ESC options that can drive one Gecko motor per side as well, anything rated for at least 5 amps peak at 4S or 4 Amp peak at 3S should work!

Built for 3lb “Beetleweight” combat robots, and plenty of other applications. The price shown is for one motor + gearbox, assembled.
Need replacement 4mm shafts? Look here!

Pair with our 6mm shaft upgrade, motor PCBs, custom aluminum mount plates, and 12mm hex hubs.

Usage Info

Gecko motors are ideal for Beetleweight combat robots or extra pushy antweight bots. Viper and Dragon motors are super fast with an ungeared RPM of 35000 on 3S, while Gecko motors are about 31% slower to allow for more reasonable speed at a higher voltage. Gecko motors should run cooler at about 1/3rd the stall current of a Viper motor, and much harder to burn up so your drive never dies!

If you mount a wheel directly to the shaft of these motors, make sure to cut the shaft so it doesn’t stick out! Direct hits to a shaft are the easiest way to break a gearbox!

At higher voltage or loading you may want to consider cooling. If you are driving these above 4S, adding vents and a path for fresh air to get to the motors is a good idea even if it isn't strictly necessary.

WARNING: Stalling any brushed motor can cause permanent damage, you should intend to operate at under 50% of the stall torque. Momentary stalls are OK, and extended stalls are more survivable at a lower voltage. At 6S even a 3-second stall can cause damage.

Specs

Gecko Drive Motor Specs:

• Dimensions (Drive): CAD Assembly Here
• DartBox Diameter: 22mm
• Gear Ratio: 22.5:1
• Length: 46.5mm from the face. Gearbox 19.4mm + Motor 27.1mm
• Shaft: 24mm long, steel D shaft
• 4X M2 Screw face mount, 18mm bolt circle
• Weight:
• 53.7 grams (1.89 oz) with Gecko 4mm Shaft
• 56.0 grams (1.97 oz) with a 6mm Shaft
• 32 grams (1.41 oz) for bare DartBox Drive gearbox
• Speed:
• 1100 +/- 55 RPM Max @ 12V / 3S
• ~1520 RPM Max @ 16V / 4S
• ~1900 RPM Max @ 20V / 5S
• ~2350 RPM Max @ 24V / 6S
• Stall Torque: (Measured on one motor, results may vary)
• 11.1V / 3S: 58 ozf-in (4.2 kgf-cm)
• 14.6V / 4S: 63.2 ozf-in (4.6 kgf-cm)
• 24V / 6S: To Be Tested
• Stall Current:
  
• 3.5A at 11.1V (3S nominal)
  
• 4.5A at 14.6V (4S nominal)
• 8A at 24V

Motors & ESCs

The core of the DartBox V2 is a custom, all-metal 22mm diameter planetary gearbox with a square ring gear. With a solid steel 24mm long D shaft, and 100% steel gear train, you won’t have to worry about mulching a plastic geared stage, and you get the added durability of a planetary gear reduction, unlike with some cheaper gearbox options. 

Unlike sensorless brushless motors often used for drive applications, brushed motors give you 100% torque from 0 RPM every single time. These motors will pull a lot of current when stalled, producing high stall torque. You can only use these motors with Brushed ESCs (For now my primary recommendation is the Budget 15A Dual ESC, or Tarakan Dual ESC, both of which can drive several motors per drive side. Other ESCs rated for >4 amp peak current should work with at least one Gecko motor. Scorpion Mini dual ESCs should work with 2 Gecko motors per side (not recommended for Viper or Dragon motors.) If you want to know if a given ESC is suitable, use the Contact Us form and ask.