Electric motor that can carry 250lbs fast?

[topgearfan]

Here it is I am building my first go-kart and like everything I do I go all out and only do it once. I need to know how many watts or rpm is needed on an electric motor in order for it to carry a 160 lb rider and a cart weighing 100 lbs or more. I have no problem using a motor per wheel on the rear. I believe it would be too complicated to set up a four wheel drive. I have looked at a few 36 and 48 volt motors from scooters and such but I dont know if two will compensate for weight and wind resistance.

 

[karl]

You need to find an old golf cart and take the all the electronics out or find a old forklift motor and hook it up to 4 deep cell batteries but you can't use a switch because the contacts can weld together and then your in for one hell of a ride.

 

[Badot]

Probably better off confirming this with someone else since electric motors aren't really my thing, but from my understanding:

There's about 750 watts in 1 HP... doesn't translate too great because electric motors are measured by power input, and gas engines by power output, but I believe the rule of thumb is about 75% efficiency on electric motors, so a 1000 watt motor will roughly be 1 HP output. Electric motors tend to have very good low end torque.

RPM is negligible, to an extent - so long as the HP is there, you can regear it to a suitable speed, but the more you have to regear it, the more the sprockets and stuff cost.

The motor power you need is dependent on how fast you want to go or what kind of terrain you want to go over.

Golf carts and electric forklifts are good places to start if you're looking to get a lot of the parts in one package.

 

[jrmints1415]

just remember that you can use a smaller hp electric motor than a gas because a gas is not as efficient. So somewhere between 3-4 hp would be ok, however i would suggest a golf kart motor and controller.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

getting enough power to push a kart that weighs about 300+ the rider would require alot of HP. 3-4 is not enough. you would be underpowered.

for the prices of all the electric stuff, the harbor freight 13HP is super cheap and all in one.

also the 6.5 is only $100

but a electric kart with 10HP at least would be pretty sweet.

 

[jrmints1415]

i disagree, a 10 hp electric motor would be fun but not needed 5 hp would be plenty fast. i would suggest what blue said though and get the HF motor of your choice. You could get the 13HP one for less than a motor, controller, and 6 batteries.

 

[cboy]

Topgear fan - how fast do you want to go?

I'm using 1 24v 350W scooter motor, on my sons go kart with 3 12v batteries for 36V

it does 17mph with me on it (170lbs) and 20mph with him on it (90lbs)

the have 1000w motors for scooters as well. check out modifiedelectricscooters.com forums for more info. those guys are really helpful and know their stuff.