[Hi Torque Electric]

Hey all

I thought I'd chime in and discuss the basics on choosing a forklift motor. In general, I advise people to look for a motor that weighs between 100 to 150 lbs. The heavier the car, the heavier the motor needs to be to push it around. The way I see it is, you don't want Peewee hermin trying to pull you around but you probably don't want to feed Hulk Hogan either, lol.

When searching for cores, look for insulation that is wine colored with yellow banding, brush leads that are still copper color and not scortched, and a commutator that isn't grooved or pitted. Don't be afraid to remove the cover band and have a look inside the motor (and while you're there take a pic to send me). I get a lot of "I wish I had wrote you before I bought this emails" and it's a bummer to read them honestly. I'd bet that almost half the motors I've built are still not up and running yet, so you might not need that motor as fast as you think you might. Sometimes looking to eager to buy not only drives the price up but might also cause you to buy something ill suited for your needs to boot.

Look for armatures that have a commutator with a large bar count as the larger the bar count the higher the voltage it'll take. Also, look for solid field leads (if you're looking for a series motor) or you might end up with a sep-ex or compound wound motor that may not suit your needs. Shafts can be one of the biggest issues in using a lift motor so make sure the shaft is something you think you can attach to or modify. There are motors I reshaft, but there are others that aren't as easy to do, or have no "standard" useable replacement shaft avaiable and then you're looking at needing a custon shaft made which makes them cost prohibitive.

Choosing the right motor isn't rocket science (unless you're a racer, hehe) but does need a little thought thrown at it so the end results are rewarding and meet your needs.

Happy hunting

Jim Husted
Hi-Torque Electric
http://www.hitorqueelectric.com

[Coley]

Aren't fork lift motors usually a slower RPM motor that doesn't lend itself to car use?
I have one but the 3500 rpm range isn't the best.
I would think an Advance type motor would be better suited, right out of the box.

[Hi Torque Electric]

Actually just the opposite, being they are wound a little courser (heavier wire and less turns) and in general will have a higher RPM at "X" current when compared to the basic "EV" produced motors. As for the stated 3500 RPM's that's determined by voltage and load on the motor and also in general is a decent sweet spot RPM (3K to 4.5K) for a lot of motors.

I've seen and built a number of converted lift motors and they do nicely. It's not EVeryone's cup of tea but for those you are under a budget and are handy with tooling it can be a great way to get a drive motor. Shafts and adapting the motor are the biggest issues when compared to motors that have adaptor plates already designed and available. You usually have to advance the brush timing on these motors (where as the ADC's and Warp's are already advanced) for a higher voltage.

As I posted in another thread any data tag that maybe on the motor is just one point of refference and is usually a 1 hour or continuous duty cycle rating. By adding a blower and forced air cooling, the duty cycle can be increased quite a bit.

If we looked at Killacycles L91 motor for example (motors very close to it in a lift) would only be rated at maybe 48 volts and somewhere around 10 HP, where as Bill's stating around 325HP for the two of his L91's. There are actually a number of lift motors that are very close to, or verbatum to the popular EV motors being used, and with that said are diamonds in the rough just screaming for a new life as an EV drive motor.

Hope this helps
Jim Husted
Hi-Torque Electric
http://www.hitorqueelectric.com

[Coley]

Thanks for the information.

Baldor is not much help so far, on questions about this motor.

Advance the brushes etc.

[Dan Frederiksen]

just a quick comment for now. I've located a chinese source of forklift/traction motors called Zibo super motors.

they look to be similar in power ranges but considerably cheaper. 320-460$ but around a 40% retail punishment. still cheap. shipping for a big one for me was quoted at 90$ (haven't bought one yet)
they claim that the Zap zebra truck EVs use their motors.

I asked for the wire thickness to know if they were weaker current wise but they were 25 and 35mm2 for various models which should be enough for quarter mile bursts of 1000A. I have tried to find similar data for other motors but so far no luck. Jim Husted who might well know such data has unwisely decided to be obtuse about it. A decision he will come to regret.

I have some more detailed info on the chinese DC motors, I'll see if I can compile it and post it here later

[Hi Torque Electric]

Hey Coley

Baldor wouldn't be helpful toward what it'll take to over-volt it as it's not something they do. I'm not sure which Baldor you have so if you'd like to throw me a few pics I'll have a look at it and shoot you some thoughts. In general the larger Baldor's have through bolts that hold the end plates to the housing, and you'll probably need to drill new holes in the comm plate to be able to advance the brushes as the through bolts usually go through channels that are machined in the housing. This is probably going to move the holders far enough over that the field leads won't reach, as they are probably locked into the housing and will need to be extended, so this may not be an easy mod for you to do.

I've never bee a big fan of Baldor motors (way to many reasons to list with the time I have now. I'm not saying you don't have a good EV motor, they just aren't as user friendly or as beefy as most the other motor choices that are out there. Seeing this motor would allow me to have further input.
Cya
Jim Husted
Hi-Torque Electric

[Testit and u shall know]

11kw rated 9.5" $485 US

[Pb Cruiser]

I found out through an electric motor shop that the lift truck industry is gradually getting away from DC drives in favor of AC. This may be a boon for the DIYer in the near future. The owner didn't speak specifically of any one manufacturer, though.

[xrotaryguy]

Might I be able to use this Motor to propel a Geo Metro or a Triumph Spitfire?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/for/632060007.html

Thanks,
Brian

[sharp21]

Here is one that came up
http://calgary.kijiji.ca./c-ViewAd?AdId=44999066
Ive sent a message asking about the motor so Ill see what he comes back with.
S.