As predicted in an article in an American magazine, there was severe energy crisis in 1973. This led to several reports forecasting phasing out of the internal combustion engine and various alternatives were seriously considered for its replacement. The electric motor was considered an alternative, but due to its heavy structure, it was rejected.

During that period, the traditional DC traction motor was only available and it was too heavy to satisfy the car owners accustomed to driving gasoline-powered cars. Although, the three-phase induction motor had a better power-to-mass ratio but that was mainly constant speed equipment and therefore, was also not considered suitable.

In the 1960s power semiconductor equipment were introduced, which facilitated the use of the solid state Variable Speed Drive (VSD). The speed of a three-phase induction motor could then be changed by altering the frequency and the voltage.

While the normal supply frequency in the US is 60Hz, in rest of the countries in the world, the frequency is 50Hz. A 60Hz two-pole motor rotates at around 3420 rpm on best possible load; whereas the corresponding speed for a four-pole motor is 1710 rpm. Similarly, for a 50 Hz motor the related speeds are 2850 rpm and 1425 rpm.

The power-to-mass ratios of such motors are comparable to those of a high speed diesel engine In order to derive best possible power-to-mass ratios, one can opt for higher frequencies. The velocity of rotation of a motor with a specified number of poles is relative to the frequency. Higher frequency motors revolve at high speeds and thus have much better power-to-mass ratios.

The electrical equipment in aircraft is designed to have ‘triple redundancy’ factor. In other words, three motors are required for the same specific job, any one of which must be capable of performing the tasks of the other two. With such strict conditions, mass and volume turn out to be very vital.

Motors and alternators utilized on aircraft normally operate therefore on a frequency of 400 Hz. Nevertheless, some aircrafts utilize 1200 Hz. Space and mass specifications are also crucial aspects for ships. The electrical systems on ships are usually run on 400Hz.

Here are the advantages of utilizing high frequency motors:

While a 60 Hz motor with two pole-pairs revolves at 2840rpm and has a power-to mass ratio of 250 W/kg, a 400 Hz motor with two pole pairs rotate at 22,720 rpm and has a power-to-mass 2000W/kg.

Likewise, for four pole motors, the corresponding details are:

1704rpm and 125W/kg for 60Hz and 11 360rpm and 1000W/kg for 400Hz. High frequency motors have small size and mass and for a specified electric power, their torque is much smaller than that of a low frequency motor. They compensate for it by rotating at proportionately high speeds.

As the torque is lesser, the motor can be smaller and lighter. An aluminum frame motor and aluminum squirrel cage motor have, therefore, different parameters in terms of size and mass and frequency. It is clear from the analysis of the specifications of different type of electric motors that electrical motors compare satisfactorily with internal combustion engines in power-to-mass ratio.

In addition, they are more compact, easier to assemble and do not need other supplementary equipment as in the case of an internal combustion engine, like radiator, exhaust system, starter motor, alternator, transmission etc.

From the foregoing analysis, rapid technological developments in designing electric motors, ever rising prices of gasoline and increased awareness among people about emission of harmful gases by the internal combustion engine have made electric cars popular and many people are trying to convert their gasoline-powered cars into electric cars.

With ever increasing prices of gasoline and the environment getting polluted due to emissions of harmful gases by the petroleum products, more and more people are trying to switch over from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric cars.

Those having a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine car need not buy a new electric car; instead they can replace the present internal combustion engine with electric motor. Electric motors are of two types: alternating current (AC) motors and direct current (DC) motors. Anyone of the two types can be fitted in an electric car.

However, electric cars with AC motor are very uncommon except those large electric cars produced by leading automobile manufacturers. AC motors generate more electric current for their size and are lighter than DC motors.

In contrast, AC motors are also complex for those interested in installing it in their vehicles as a do-it-yourself (DIY) job and in addition, they are costlier than DC motors. This is why most people prefer DC motors for all electric car conversion jobs. There are several advantages of using DC motor for electric car conversion jobs.

Firstly, it is easier to purchase if one is familiar with specifications and other details of DC motors. One can get reconditioned DC motors at very affordable prices in local markets; sometimes even at throwaway prices. The reconditioned motors are durable and if it was reconditioned lately, one can expect to last even longer than the car itself.

Electric DC motors are known by their diameter and the larger diameter motors have the capacity to generate higher horsepower. However, one should keep in mind that this size of motor consumes more electric power and needs more number of batteries.

It is also necessary to charge the batteries quite often. It is, therefore, important to strike a balance between electric power and reasonableness. A DC motor with a diameter between nine and thirteen inches will meet all the requirements and these are the sizes normally used in electric car conversions.

A motor in this range of diameter offers enough output as well as horsepower to achieve a speed of 55 miles per hour and can easily cover a distance of 150 to 200 miles between charges. A DC motor in the 9 to 13 inch diameter motor range will also function properly with deep cycle batteries, which are widely preferred for electric car conversions as DIY tasks It is a fairly simple job to install a motor in the present internal combustion engine vehicle for converting it into an electric car provided the guidelines are strictly implemented.

One obviously needs a helper for this as the motor weighs approximately 150 pounds. A new electric car motor will cost anywhere between $1000 and $5000 depending on its diameter. However, it is not advisable to go in for a new motor as a reconditioned motor costs very little and lasts much longer than the car itself.

One can get a lot of these inexpensive and durable motors in the local markets, if only he can devote some time. This saves as much as $1000 or even more. In this effort, the services of a knowledgeable guide are very useful. The time required for installing a new electric car motor or a reconditioned one is the same. It is also important to look for a used electric car motor in the right places so that one can get the best deal and save some money.

Electric car conversion involves a careful planning and step by step approach carefully following the guidelines on car conversion. Before taking up car conversion, one should make sure that the controller, motor, batteries and are other parts required fit properly into the car one proposes to convert into an electric vehicle .With proper planning, suitable guidance, it is possible to complete the total car conversion much below $500.

Your decision to convert your gas powered car into an electric car is a smart one. You will not only be doing the nature a favor but will also be reducing the cost of driving your car.

Before you embark on your electric car conversion project, it is necessary to decide what motor you are going to install on your electric car. An electric car can have either an AC motor or a DC motor.

AC motor works on alternating current while a DC motor uses electricity stored in batteries. There are both advantages and disadvantages in using Ac Motor and DC motor for your electric car. The power input for an AC motor is more.

An AC motor needs volts in between 48 and 96 whereas a DC motor needs only 6 or 9 volts. Since an AC motor uses more volts, additional safety features must be incorporated into an electric car’s design.

AC motors are preferred over DC motors on two counts; they are lighter in weight and a mechanism that produces power while you apply the brake can be installed. The power thus produced is used to recharge the batteries of the car. Because of these advantages, most commercially produced electric cars use AC motors.

The main disadvantages of an AC motor are its high cost and the difficulty in installation. Only skilled technicians can install an AC motor on an electric car. If an AC motor is used in the car, there has to be a converter to convert AC into DC.

While AC is converted into DC, there will be some current loss too. DC motors are cheaper than AC motors and it is easy to install them. There is no need of invertors and there is no loss of power. A DC motor lasts longer than an AC motor.

To reduce the cost of converting your car into an electric car, you can use a second hand DC motor which you can get from the local scrap dealer at a very low price. If proper care is taken, a second hand DC motor will last throughout the life of your electric car. An ideal DC motor for your electric car should measure between 9 and 13 inches in diameter.

A DC motor of this size will not be too heavy and it will be powerful enough to propel the car. Taking all the advantages of a DC motor into consideration, car conversion using a DC motor is the best option. The only things where you need to pay special attention are the size of the motor and its voltage input.

A DC motor just needs connection to the batteries through the control unit which is again connected to the accelerator of the car. The accelerator cable of an electric car is similar in function to the carburetor which controls the amount of fuel that goes into the engine of a gas powered car.

Depending on the size and voltage input of the DC motor, the battery size has to be changed. As a general rule, a bigger sized and more powerful motor will need more voltage and therefore the battery has to be a bigger one.

A gas-guzzler normally refers to a vehicle that consumes fuel inefficiently. Those who have decided to convert their fuel inefficient cars to pollution-free efficient electric vehicles will find the job of conversion quite interesting. In addition, EV conversion saves them a lot of money over the years.

However, one of the first issues to be resolved before taking up conversion is the selection of a suitable electric motor for the vehicle. The questions that normally arise are what is the best motor for an electric vehicle and where do we get it.

Firstly, there are two alternatives for this; either opt for Alternating Current (AC) motor or Direct Current (DC) motor. While electricity distributed to homes is Alternating Current, the type of electric power used in torches and most radio controlled cars run on Direct Current.

The requirement of voltage for electric vehicle motors is 48, 60, 96 volt and above. However, toys and remote controlled cars use only 6 or 9 volts. In this respect, certain safety aspects should also be taken into account.

Most of the electric vehicles produced these days use AC motors because of several advantages. The main advantage is that they are lighter for the level of power they generate. The “regenerative braking system” built in electric cars helps in recharging the batteries whenever brakes are applied.

On the other hand, the major disadvantage with AC motor is that it is costlier than a DC motor. In addition, certain proficiency is needed to install an AC motor in a vehicle. The complex installation process is because of an inverter, which is required for conversion of DC electric power to AC, whereas there is no need to convert a DC motor.

DC motors are ideal for homemade electric car conversions as they are much simpler to install than AC motors. What is required is to hook them up to the batteries through the control unit, which is controlled by the accelerator cable, just as a carburetor controls the flow of fuel into the gasoline engine.

A common DC electric motor lasts a couple of conversions depending upon how it is maintained. A reconditioned DC motor is sometimes a good option, particularly for initial conversion. It will be comparatively much cheaper and it will last long if it is maintained properly. A local scrap-yard is the best place to locate a used DC motor.

DC motors are classified based on their diameter and for conversion of a vehicle to an electric car, a motor with a diameter ranging from 9 to 13 inches would be adequate. These types of motors are not that heavy and their Power Factor is quite high.

The best option for those who have an aptitude for do-it-yourself (DIY) conversion of a gasoline-powered car to an electric vehicle is go in for DC motor.

Size Of The Electric Motor

The next step is to decide on the size and voltage of the motor. The size of the motor depends upon the power of the motor, which, in turn, should correspond with voltage of the battery packs.

In general, if the size of the motor is larger, the bigger battery pack, adding up to higher voltage, would be required in the system. Electrical vehicle admirers and manufacturers are doing their best to assist those who are trying to make the atmosphere pollution-free and save the earth from the effects of global warming.

A person has many assessments to make when deciding whether to use an AC or DC motor when doing an electric vehicle conversion. Both have features and issues to consider when choosing. Which will fit the bill better for you? Here are some points to assist in the decision.

What are the meanings of AC and DC?

The meaning of AC is alternating current and the meaning of DC is direct current. The majority of commercially manufactured hybrid or electric vehicles make use of an AC motor, which has the advantage of being lighter than a DC motor.

Additionally, an AC motor has the capability of providing a charge to the battery, as the vehicle slows down, if it is fitted with the proper equipment. It does this by generating a current, as it spins, and passes that current back to the battery pack.

When an AC motor takes advantage of this function it is called regenerative braking, the very motor that powers the car can be utilized to reduce its speed. AC motors are very expensive to purchase, which is the reason most builders choose DC motors.

Some additional cost reducing, considerations are:

- Because electric motors only have a single moving part, opposed to a gas or diesel engine that has 100’s, they can remain in good working order for a very long time.

- Another feature that contributes to their long life is that they generate almost no heat, so they do not need any cooling, and since no parts rub or scrape together, it does not require any lubrication.

These are some of the reasons DC motors allow builders to save considerable amounts of money, if they are purchased used. A very compelling variable when choosing these motors is, that since there is so little that can go wrong, there is a much higher probability of getting many years of worry free use.

In regards to motor size, take weight into consideration, the lighter the better. A completed vehicle has a higher degree of practicality and usability if it is lighter.

Overcapacity is one thing that contributes heavily to the potential weight of the motor, exercise care when considering if this is something that would add enough value to make it worth the extra weight. In addition, the size of the motor has a direct correlation to the amount of batteries required in the storage bank.

Batteries add weight as well. The equilibrium between range and performance, versus weight of the motor, is a decision that deserves a considerable amount of thought. To make the proper calculations read the conversion plans for the required information. The right decision will save a lot of anguish down the road.

Deficiencies in speed and range are very difficult to rectify after completing the build, so spend the time to focus on an ideally balanced motor selection. Do it yourself (DIY) electric vehicle conversion projects offer a great degree of fulfillment.

Especially when a person uses the best motor for the job. All in all, it helps the environment, pays much less than they would if they bought off the showroom floor, and motoring costs, in the long term, are much lower.

In spite of having so many electric car motors available in the market, only a few have made their presence felt as far as their usage in the electric cars is concerned. There are several criteria involved in the process of selecting an electric motor to be fitted into a homemade electric car. What are they? These factors are cost effectiveness, availability and “do it yourself factor”.

The confidence of completing the complex task of installing costly components dominates the customer to a great extent. Let us discuss about different types of motors.

1) DC Series Wound Electric Motors

The main attraction of this category is the fact that all the torque is available from a standstill. People usually make the mistake of identifying this as a special feature of electric cars. This is a wrong notion.

It is an exclusive quality of the motor. But this type of motor is not without any flaw. This is not good at climbing the hill. The Electrical Engineering Training Series reaffirms it.

According to them, the motor fails where a relatively constant speed is required under conditions of varying load. You can just imagine what it would be like when you are using your electric vehicle (EV) traveling on a hilly area. The DC series motor might not climb hills too briskly.

Running without load this motor will fail you. It will turn with enough force to damage itself without load. Traveling can become a nightmare to the concerned person in such a situation. However The Advanced DC Series Wound Motor stays at the top in popularity in the category of electric car motors followed by GE and Netgain.

2) Permanent Magnet DC Electric Motors

In spite of having a lot of drawbacks this one still ranks second in the category of electric car motors in popularity. All brushed DC motors generates electrical radio interference. The process of filtering electrical noise by windings does not take place in this motor.

The permanent magnet motors have no natural filtering effect in their design. That is why they are noisy. That is the biggest disadvantage as far as this category is concerned. Because of this a lot of people shy away from purchasing this magnet based motor. Let us discuss the third one.

3) Three Phase AC Induction Motors

Three phase AC Induction Motors is a costly affair because of the sophisticated inverters attached to it. If you take out the pricing aspect from this category they will emerge as the clear winner among all categories. It is not the normal AC power concept at the house. There is no extension cord plugged into the wall. It uses batteries like the DC motor and the inverter takes the place of the controller of a normal DC drive system.

Though the cost is on the higher side it is really a worth buy. Suppose all types of motors belong to the same price category then there will be no competition for three phase AC induction motor. That speaks volume about the quality of this product.

DIY Electric Car Conversion Guide

Are you planning to convert an old gas guzzler into a pure electric car? If you are, it is best you read up on the science of EV conversion.

Before you begin your conversion project, check out the Convert2EV ebook by Les and Jane Oke. The Okes live a green lifestyle in Canada and one way of keeping their carbon footprint small is by using pure electric car. The Convert2EV manual was written based on their experience of retrofitting conventional automobile into electric vehicle.

==> Click here to visit Convert2EV now!

One of the best DC motor to EV conversion is none other than the Warp 9 electric motor by NetGain. I have seen many DIY electric car enthusiasts, including Gavin Shoebridge of New Zealand using the Warp 9 DC electric motor for his homemade electric car.

What’s so special about the Warp 9 model? I wanted to know the answer and decided to do some research on it.

Firstly, there are actually 3 models of the Warp 9 motor. There are the Warp 9 Impulse Double Shaft, the Impulse Single Shaft and the Dbl 1.125” CE Shaft.

Now, if you want to have a strong kick from your DIY electric car, the Warp 9 Dbl 1.225” CE Shaft is the model to go with. This particular model is ideal if you are thinking of getting a small truck or a large vehicle as your EV project donor car.

One clear distinction of this model is its relatively large com bar and large GE style brushes. The com bars are more securely fixed to the arbor therefore making it less likely to lift.

Size wise, the motor is 8.25” in diameter and 16.7” in length. Power wise, it has plenty. The Dbl 1.225” CE Shaft has a one hour HP rating at 28 HP at 89 volts. More than enough torque to get your EV to burn some rubber.

However, the power offered by this Warp 9 model comes with a price. A closer look in Cloud Electric LLC inventory, an electric car parts supplier from Clarkesville Georgia, the motor is selling at $1,795.00.

Some people may think it is a bit pricy, but once you felt its power, you’ll be happy you made the investment. With so many DIY electric car enthusiasts using this model, it is no wonder it’s the best DC motor for EV conversion.

If you are thinking of getting one of this bad boys from Cloud Electric, click here.

DIY Electric Car Conversion Guide

Want to know how to get started on your own DIY electric car conversion project? If you do, check out the Convert2EV e-book by Les Oke.

Les has been driving a pure electric cars for more than 15 years and he knows the ins and outs of a homemade EV conversion project. The Convert2EV e-book is a compilation of his years of experience working with electric car. Click on the link below to get more information.

==> Click here to visit Convert2EV now!

If you are looking for a cheap electric motor for your DIY electric car conversion project, why not consider using an old electric motor from a forklift.

Where can you find this type of electric motor? Well, at forklift service workshops of course. But not all forklift electric motor can be used on a homemade electric vehicle (EV).

When you are going through old forklift electric motors, look for something weighing in between 100 to 150 lbs. If you have a heavy donor car with lots of deep cycle batteries, you’ll need a big motor to push it around. Obviously, a bigger electric motor weighs more.

Here’s a tip. Look at the core of the motor. You want to see insulation that is wine colored with yellow banding. The brush leads should still have its copper color and should not be scotched. The commutator should not have any grooves or pitted because that is a sign the motor has been over used.

Here’s another tip. Look for armatures that have a commutator with a big bar count. A large bar count means the motor can handle higher voltage. Higher voltage means more power for your electric car but it will drain your battery bank faster.

If you are looking at a series motor, have a look at its solid field leads. Make sure you are not getting a sep-ex or compound would motor that may not suit your needs.

Finally, inspect the shaft of the electric motor. This is one of the biggest issues when using a forklift motor on a homemade electric vehicle. Make sure the shaft is something which you can modify and attached to the transmission. Replacing the entire shaft is a tough procedure and it takes a lot of time.

When shopping for an electric motor, if you need to, take off the cover of the motor to have a better look at the inside. Go through all the internal parts making sure they are in good conditions.

Some time we get so excited and eager to buy the forklift electric motor for our EV project but end up getting something not suitable.

Homemade Electric Car Conversion Guide

Want to know how to convert a gas driven car to run purely on electricity? If you do, check out Gavin Shoebridge’s Electric Conversion Made Easy e-book.

Gavin is from New Zealand and is known as the ”EV Guy”. His guide will show you what are the parts and components needed for a DIY electric car conversion project. For more information, click on the link below.

==> Click here to visit Gavin’s web site now!

One of the trickiest processes of a DIY electric car conversion is coupling the electric motor to the transmission unit of the car. To make the connection work easier, it is recommended for you to take out the transmission and put in on a workbench. It involves a lot of work, but it will save you a lot of time and unnecessary headache.

When the electric motor and the transmission is on a workbench, you can now handle the alignment, get the holes drilled and get everything working.

To start of the connection process, there are 2 things you need to consider.

1) The physical piece of the electric motor.

You have to find a way to somehow bolt the motor to the transmission. The motor will be using an “L” shaped motor mount.

A lot of electric cars use a motor that mounts off the face and you’ll actually end up with a piece of metal plate between the electric motor and the transmission.

2) Connecting the power from the electric motor to the transmission.

When doing this, you will notice two different size and very different shaft. You will need to come up with a way to connect both together. The most common way electric car converters are adopting is to use a brand of connector calls Lovejoy connectors.

The connector comes with 2 pieces of steel with finger. There will be a piece of rubber insert that sits between them. The Lovejoy couplers are not very expensive and you can get them from Amazon.com.

You can order the steel pieces independently with different size hole to match the different shaft.

The Lovejoy couplers are designed for industrial work and are made to go right on the shaft of the electric motor. Look closely at the electric motor shaft. It is smooth except for a groove in it. That is where the “key” goes in.

The key is what keeps the coupler from spinning once it is on the motor shaft. That is how you connect the electric motor to the transmission unit of the donor car.

DIY Electric Car Conversion Guide

Do you want to find out more on how to convert your gas guzzler to a pure electric vehicle? If you do, check out Les Oke’s Convert2EV manual.

Les and his family live a green lifestyle and use an electric car for their daily commute. Les has converted numerous conventional automobile to EV. The Convert2EV e-book is all his EV conversion experience penned down.

==> Click here to visit Convert2EV now!

There are many places where you can get an electric motor for your EV. If you have the budget, it is best to buy a brand new one. If you do not have the budget, then it is time to be creative in order to find inexpensive motor.

In my last couple of blog posts, I mentioned the electric car conversion guide by Les Oke, Convert 2 EV. From his e-book, Les showed how to find cheap electric motor at eBay. I decided to do a quick search at eBay to see if I can locate some cheap motors.

It took me only a couple of minutes and I managed to find 5 great deals on electric motor. You can see the screen shots on top. How did I do it? It’s easy.

First, go to eBay main site at www.ebay.com. If possible, choose a local eBay site closest to you. By doing that, you will saving on shipping and transport charges.

When you are at the web site, you should see a search bar on the top left. Type in the phrase “electric car motor” and then press the “Search” button on the far right.

When you do that, eBay’s search engine will display all the listings with the key phrase “electric motor” in them. The last time I did the search (July 24th 2009), there was a total of 64 results.

Now we have to find the right electric motor for your electric car. From the book Convert 2 EV, Les suggested to look for a motor with voltage between 50 to 80 volts. That was the criteria I used to locate the 5 offers above. Most of the motors were rated 48 volts and I think that’s close enough.

When you have located the best deal, you can now start bidding for it. Remember, to be a legit bidder, you have to sign up as a user with eBay. User registration is very easy.

Here’s a tip you can use. When purchasing the electric motor from eBay, it is a good idea to ask for a 60 days guarantee from the seller. Because you are not physically inspecting the motor, you do not know its true condition. If the seller is sincere, he will comply with your request. If he declines, just walk away and look for another offer.

If you want to know other tips and tricks on how to find cheap parts for an EV conversion project at home, be sure to check out Les Oke’s Convert 2 EV. His ideas will save you thousands of dollar.

==> Click here to visit Convert 2 EV now!