1hp Eelectric motor, will it work?

[Clayton]

I have a 1hp electric motor, will it work on a mini chopper? If so, what kind of power and speed should I expect?

 

[B man]

what did it come off of?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

what battery will you be running, what controller are you gonna use, and how much do you and the chopper weigh together?

also, whats the wattage of the motor.

 

[Clayton]

the wattage is like 1750 or something, I weigh 140lbs and the chopper I am not sure of, but I can lift it easy. I don't konow what the motor came from.

 

[B man]

probly work.

 

[The Mechtician]

the wattage is like 1750 or something, I weigh 140lbs and the chopper I am not sure of, but I can lift it easy. I don't konow what the motor came from.

You have a 1 hp motor and its wattage is 1750? Last time I checked, 1 hp = 746 watts! I suspect you have an AC motor, not a DC motor. 1750 happens to be the synchronous speed (rpm's) of a single-phase AC motor. You could still theoretically use it, but you will need an inverter to run it and enough batteries to make it worthwhile. I think you would have trouble fitting all that stuff on a minibike.

 

[Clayton]

Okay, ya I just looked at it and it is AC, but what batteries should I use? and what speeds could I get?

 

[jrmints1415]

because it is AC you will need approximately 10 12 volt batteries and you will also need an inverter. speed depends on your gear ratio, wheel size, and weight.

 

[jrmints1415]

DC however you only need 3-4 batteries to make it run well!

 

[The Mechtician]

Okay, ya I just looked at it and it is AC, but what batteries should I use? and what speeds could I get?

I don't think you understand. AC is an acronym for Alternating Current, the type of electricity that comes out of the plug in your wall. DC is short for Direct Current, the type of electricity that comes out of batteries. You cannot power an AC device with DC current, they are completely different machines. As myself and jrmints have mentioned, you will need an inverter (a device that "inverts" AC power into DC power) in order to use that motor on your minibike.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

its probably 120v.

 

[B man]

well for all that trouble i would just get a small 2-stroke for it.

 

[Badot]

Just for the sake of understanding...

an inverter changes a DC input to an AC output, which would be what you would need to power an AC motor with batteries.

a rectifier changes an AC input to a DC output, which would be what you would need to charge those batteries from the wall, just as an example.


Also, before any major decisions are made, does your motor have any information on it as far as input power goes? Most larger motors will have some sort of sticker or stamped plate stating the input power, among other things, which should include the voltage and amps or wattage, along with the current type (AC or DC)

 

[Bluethunder3320]

well, with a bunch of car batteries, it would be fast depending on the size of the motor, again.

i saw a youtube vid once, forgot what it was, but this 120v electric motor pushed the kart faster than any gas engine, no matter the size, could possibly do.

 

[Clayton]

I think that I might just put that one on hold for a little, I thought that there was less to it than there is. Maybe next winter.

 

[The Mechtician]

I think that I might just put that one on hold for a little, I thought that there was less to it than there is. Maybe next winter.

If you want an electric motor for your project, look for a starter motor out of a car. They run on 12VDC, not 110/120VAC, so you won't have any problem powering it with car batteries. There are a number of threads in this forum dedicated to powering karts/bikes with car starters, do a quick search and you'll see what I mean. Good luck!

 

[Clayton]

kool thanks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

because it is AC you will need approximately 10 12 volt batteries and you will also need an inverter.

Not quite. The inverter serves two functions- 1) To turn DC into an AC-type sine wave (although it's rarely a true sine wave), and 2) To step up the voltage from 12 to 120. You do not need 10 12v batteries to make 120v using an inverter.

This is, however, a rather inefficient way to power a kart. Better to locate a 12v (or more) DC motor. It's also worth noting that not just any inverter will do. Inverters are rated according to their peak and constant AC wattage output. A common small inverter, say 300w, will not provide sufficient power. You'd need a large one, which is gonna cost you if you don't already have it.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

i suggest you join this forum and ask them. theres alot of electric guys there.

http://forum.modifiedelectricscooters.com/index.php