In this blog post, I am going to write on one of the most important components of a DIY electric car. It is the “heart” of the matter. I’m talking about the [tag-tec]electric motor[/tag-tec] or the power unit of the electric vehicle (EV).
Many EV enthusiast are not very sure about an electric vehicle conversion motor selection process. Should you go with an AC motor or DC motor? How about power rating? What should the RPM be? I will try at address some of the questions.
Now, in regards to whether choosing AC or DC motor, both have their advantages and disadvantages. One thing is for sure, DC motor are less expensive to purchase and quite good in any [tag-tec]electric car conversion[/tag-tec] project. If given the choice, I will choose a DC motor.
When you are choosing a DC motor, look for these criteria.
- Rated for high DC voltage.
- Low revolution per minute (RPM).
- High current ratings.
What you want is a DC motor that will put over 12 Volts at a fairly low RPM while maintaining a useful current level. As a rule of thumb, look for a DC motor with RPM rating of under 400.
In terms of size, look for a motor with a shaft size of over 5/8 inch because that will insure that the motor has adequate bearings or bushing to accommodate the constant spinning and harsh outdoor treatment it will receive.
In terms of voltage, get a motor with between 50 to 80 Volts.
As I am researching for material for this post, I went back to Les Oke’s Convert 2 EV manual. For electric vehicle conversion motor selection, Les recommends the WarP Motors series of electric motor. One of the coolest electric truck conversion that I have came across also uses a WarP electric motor.
I’ve decided to do further research on them. Here’s a few points about the WarP Motors. It comes in a broad range of sizes with different torque, voltage, rotation and shaft configuration.
The motors are designed for high efficiency. WarP Motors use only low-loss lamination and welded or fused commutator connections for peak motor performance. This methodology lowers the heat build-up when the motor is working.
All WarP Motors are build to withstand wear and tear. Both the armature and the field assembly are resin varnish treated to lock in its mechanical integrity and to provide permanent protection from harsh environment. WarP Motors are distributed by NetGain Motors Inc in the United States.
If you are looking for the right choice of electric motor for you DIY electric car conversion, give the guys at NetGain a buzz. For more information on how to get started in an EV Conversion at home, check out Les Oke’s Convert 2 EV.
Related web sites:
1) Convert 2 EV and Electricity 4 Gas Guides Review – Top Electric Car Conversion Kit Manuals
2) Nanotube Structures Could Improve Electric Motors
3) Old Electric Motor – Hacked Gadgets – DIY Tech Blog
4) MNCs Compete to Enter China’s Booming Electric Motor Market