The Electric Motor

Link to KingChe

To power your motorcycle, you&#;re going to need a motor. But what type, what size, and where do you get it from!? This project used a Briggs & Stratton Etek. It&#;s a DC (Direct Current), brushed, pancake motor, rated at up to 48V and 150 amps continuous. I got it used, through Craigslist, from a college student who built those robots that battled each other. He was using this motor to swing a hammer, but it was too powerful, and he kept breaking hammer handles! So why this motor?

DC &#; Direct Current Direct current motors are very straight forward. They are easy to control the speed of. Also, batteries use direct current. By using a DC motor, there&#;s no intermediate step of converting DC battery power to AC power to run the motor.

Face Mount The Briggs motor has eight holes on the end (the &#;face&#;) of the motor to make it easy to mount to a piece of flat steel or aluminum. Some motors have a &#;foot&#; on the bottom of them for mounting, which wouldn&#;t have been as easy to use in this situation.

Permanent Magnet Permanent Magnet motors tend to be very compact. They create rotational energy (torque) by pushing two magnetic fields against each other. The one magnetic field is produced by current from the batteries (an electro-magnet). The other magnetic field is from mineral permanent magnets. These magnets are much more compact than a second electro-magnet would be, allowing for an overall powerful, yet small motor. The limiting factor in the design is the strength of the permanent magnetic field. Many permanent magnet motors spin equally well in either direction. Just swap the positive and negative battery cables for it to spin the other way. The permanent magnets are ALWAYS magnetic! So don&#;t drop a washer near one of the vent slots, or it will get sucked in and you have to take the whole thing apart to get it out! Since then, I made sure ALL washers are stainless steel (not only are they corrosion-resistant, but they are non-magnetic as well.) I chose this motor knowing that many other people had used the same one in their electric motorcycle designs. http://www.evalbum.com/mtrbr/BRIG Permanent magnet motors are generally designed to spin equally well in either direction. If the motor spins the opposite direction of what you intended, all you have to do is swap the two cables. On a large motorcycle, you could take advantage of this with a reversing contactor to have a reverse gear.

It&#;s not all about horsepower&#;.
Electric motors are rated differently than gas engines are in terms of their power. A gas engine is rated in horsepower with the engine running at nearly maximum speed and fuel consumption (full-out!) An electric motor is rated at how much power is can put out continuously &#; for hours at a time. So, a horsepower rating between an engine and an electric motor is not apples to apples. More and more engines are also now being rated in Watts. A watt is a unit of power used. Most people understand watts, as in that a 100-watt light bulb uses more power than a 75-watt lightbulb. It puts out more power (as light and heat) but also costs more on your electric bill. In electric vehicle design, keep in mind that volts x amps = watts. Also, 1 Horsepower is roughly 746 watts. So, it&#;s pretty easy to do some simple math to figure out the power of our motor. By being connected to four 12V batteries in series, the system nominal voltage is 48V. The motor is rated at 150 amps continuous. 48 x 150 = 7,200 watts. Divide that by 746 (watts to horsepower) and you get about 9.6 horsepower. That doesn&#;t sound like a lot.

However, you can pull much higher amperage briefly through the motor &#; typically three or four times as much. My system amperage is limited by the fact that the motor controller maxes out at 300 amps. That still means we can get DOUBLE the power out of the motor compared to what you might think it can produce, just based on the numbers stamped on it. Combine that with increased efficiency (by completely losing the transmission) and the fact that you have FULL TORQUE right off the line (a gas engine has to rev up to several thousand RPM to get into it&#;s best power band) and even a compact electric motor has far better acceleration than you think it might. I later had my cycle tested on a dynometer at a large Harley-Davidson gathering. The cycle &#;officially&#; clocked-in as 12hp. But when the guy first went to ride the cycle up to the dyno, he almost threw himself off with how quick it accelerated!

Other Options
What other motors might you use in your electric motorcycle? Besides permanent magnet DC motors there are also Series-Wound and Brushless DC motors as well as some new AC motors. Series-wound motors are similar to permanent magnet DC motors. They are bulkier, but produce fantastic torque! You could use a series-wound drive motor out of a junked electric forklift. Do not use a pump motor. Those typically do not have a male driveshaft. Same goes for electric golf cart motors. They may otherwise sound like a good motor for a cycle, but unless you have a way to easily connect a standard sprocket to the motor, they will be a lot of tinkering to make work for your project. ( A friend of mine is currently working on designing a kit with a specialty part allowing anyone to build their own electric motorcycle using an off-the-shelf golf cart motor. Look for that in the future.) Brushless DC and AC motors are very similar. They require dedicated controllers designed specifically for them. If you go that route, buy your motor and controller as a matched set through a reputable dealer. in general, all these motors are air-cooled, so you don&#;t need a motorcycle with a radiator on it. For planning purposes, you want to know that your motor will FIT in the motorcycle before you buy it! Made sure to measure the space you have and the physical size of the motor before you buy. If the motor is not in front of you in person, don&#;t worry, most mainstream manufactured motors have diagrams that you can download, that include the physical dimensions. Besides the diagram showing physical dimensions, it also lists important information on torque, voltage, RPM, etc. That helps you plan out your cycle design as well. LINK TO ETEK DIAGRAM

Next Step &#;&#;&#;>

As a motorcycle enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by how electric motorcycles work. One of the key components of an electric motorcycle is the hub motor. In this blog post, I will provide you with 5 important things you need to know about the electric motorcycle hub motor.

How Does an Electric Motorcycle Hub Motor Work?

The electric motorcycle hub motor is a motor that is built into the wheel hub. It is a type of brushless DC motor that uses electromagnets to rotate the wheel. The hub motor can be located either in the front or rear wheel, but it is most commonly found in the rear wheel. The electric motorcycle hub motor works by using the power of the battery to create an electromagnetic field that rotates the wheel.

When the rider accelerates, the controller sends a signal to the motor to turn on. The motor then draws power from the battery and creates an electromagnetic field that rotates the wheel. The faster the motor spins, the more torque it produces, which translates into a faster acceleration.

One of the benefits of an electric motorcycle hub motor is that it eliminates the need for a chain or belt drive system. This not only reduces the maintenance requirements of the motorcycle, but it also increases the efficiency of the power transfer from the battery to the wheel. Additionally, the hub motor is located in the wheel hub, making it less susceptible to damage from debris or road hazards.

Power Ratings of Electric Motorcycle Hub Motor

The power rating of the electric motorcycle hub motor plays a crucial role in determining the speed and torque of the motorcycle. The power rating is a measure of the amount of power that the motor can generate. It is measured in watts or kilowatts.

For example, the w electric motorcycle, w electric motorcycle and w electric motorcycle

The power rating of the electric motorcycle hub motor can vary depending on the manufacturer, model, and design of the motor. Generally, higher power ratings mean higher speeds and greater torque. This makes the electric motorcycle hub motor an essential component to consider while designing a high-performance electric motorcycle. The power rating can also impact the range of the electric motorcycle as higher power ratings can lead to faster battery drain.

The actual amount of power produced by an electric motorcycle depends on the load added to it and the maximum current allowed by the controller. Power ratings only indicate the power output for a certain period and are further complicated by the absence of a standard duration for determining peak or rate power. For instance, a motor may peak at  watts for only a few seconds before dropping to a continuous power of  watts. To get a better idea of the power generated, it is advisable to use watt-hours generated by the battery rather than the e-motorcycle motor power rating. To determine the ideal power, multiply the e-motorcycle battery voltage with the amperes for a motor controller, and research the percent efficiency, which may vary depending on the electric motorcycle manufacturers.

In case you possess an e-motorcycle battery of 72 volts and a controller of 50 amperes, the recommended power rating should be  watts. However, due to different factors, there could be a loss of efficiency of around 25%, resulting in an output of  watts. This power output is quite similar to the advertised watts of several e-motorcycle. It is essential to conduct thorough research to determine the true value of your electric motorcycle and its components.

Are you interested in learning more about electric motor motorcycle? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Its Interaction with Controller and Battery

It is important to note that the power rating of the electric motorcycle hub motor should be balanced with other components of the motorcycle, such as the battery and controller, to ensure optimal performance.

A high-powered motor with a low-capacity battery may not provide the desired performance, while a low-powered motor with a high-capacity battery may have a longer range but lower speed and torque. Therefore, it is crucial to select a motor with an appropriate power rating that complements the other components of the electric motorcycle.

In conclusion, the power rating of the electric motorcycle hub motor is a key factor in determining the performance of an electric motorcycle, and it should be carefully considered while designing or upgrading an electric motorcycle.

Electric Motorcycle Hub Motor vs Mid Drive Motors

The debate over whether to choose an electric motorcycle hub motor or mid drive motor is a common one among electric bike enthusiasts. Both types of motors have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately depends on the rider's specific needs and preferences.

A hub motor is mounted directly on the wheel hub and provides power directly to the wheel, making it a simpler and more efficient option. It also requires less maintenance and is generally quieter than a mid drive motor. However, hub motors can be heavier and can affect the balance of the bike, which can be a concern for some riders. On the other hand, mid drive motors are mounted on the frame and work in conjunction with the bike's gears to provide a smoother and more natural ride.

They are also more efficient on hills and can provide more torque, making them a better option for off-road riding. However, mid drive motors can be more complex and require more maintenance, and can also be louder than hub motors. Ultimately, the choice between a hub motor and mid drive motor comes down to the rider's individual preferences and priorities.

Maintenance of Electric Motorcycle Hub Motors

Maintaining the hub motor of an electric motorcycle is important to ensure that it continues to operate efficiently and safely.

One of the main maintenance tasks is to keep the bearings of the motor lubricated. This helps to reduce friction and prevent wear and tear on the motor.

It is also important to regularly check the wiring and connections of the motor to ensure that they are secure and free from damage.

Finally, it is important to keep the motor clean and free from dirt and debris. This helps to prevent damage to the motor and ensures that it continues to operate efficiently.

Final Word

The electric motorcycle hub motor is a fascinating piece of technology that plays a key role in the operation of an electric motorcycle. Understanding how it works and how to maintain it is important for any motorcycle enthusiast.

If you're considering an electric motorcycle, the hub motor is an important consideration. It provides a direct drive system that is smooth and quiet, but it can also be heavier than other types of motors.

Overall, the hub motor is a reliable and efficient choice for powering an electric motorcycle. With proper maintenance, it can provide years of trouble-free operation.

Thank you for reading.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website motorcycle from china.