[sukusia]

So here is what I learned about motors from this site. I wanted to post a quick reference so newbs (like myself) do not have to sort through the sticky page.

When looking for a forklift motor:
Get a series wound motor because they have very high torque and handle abuse (over volting) a lot better.
Know the difference between a Spex motor and a Series wound.
When dealing with series wound forklift motors go for higher voltage. (36V may require advanced timing.)
Hp does not directly represent torque (although it does have a factor in its equation).
Get a class H insulation if possible (makes your motor last longer)
Get a motor around 150lbs (Wouldn't risk a motor that's too light, it won't have the oomph you need. a few extra pounds is A-o.k. but a significant amount of extra pounds limits your range)
Get one with a male shaft
A keyed shaft is easier to work with but you can still work with a spline shaft
Try and get the coupler that goes on to your motor when you buy it/rip it out (saves you $$ and time)
When looking for a different motor:
Ac is not the way to go for your first conversion (or do i just have low expectations of myself?)
You can tell if a motor is AC if it is a 1 phase or 3 phase motor
Pancake motors are usually not good candidates for car conversions. (Yeah you saw the one on ebay. They overheat easily)
Golfcart motors are seldom powerful enough for a conversion
Motors specifically made for EV conversions are the best but its gonna cost you.
You do have to look at many factor such as volts, amps (which gets you Hp). Torque is nice to know. Continuous Hp. So many factors!!!

"HP is HP Electric motors and gas engines are rated differently w/r/t HP. And they have different torque curves. But one HP from an electric motor shaft is exactly the same as one HP from a gas engine shaft at the same RPM "- Major

If there is any more helpful hints I'll be happy to add them

 

[sukusia]

Thank you for your input major. You are the motor master after all. Doh on my part for the HP thing. I kinda have to laugh at myself for that one. I think I'll change my top post to correct and clarify things for newbs like me.

Thanks

 

[sukusia]

A query I have is finding a source for a forklift motor. Other than purchasing a wrecked forklift I have seen information about picking them up from servicing and repair places. However if a motor is being thrown out then surely it is not going to be worth salvaging for using in an electric car conversion. If it won't work in a forklift any more then to me it follows that it is only suitable as scrap. Please any advice gratefully received.

I bough Ben Nelson's Build your own electric car cheap DvD where Ben gives a brief explanation on how to repair an electric motor. The motor Ben used barley turned and was rusted on the case badly. But he made it run. Its not that expensive from what i saw ($50). Another factor to consider is the price of batteries. These old forklifts may still be running but as they grow older the value of the batteries actually cost more than the forklift itself. So what do these companies do? They scrap the forklift. Why buy new batteries for an old forklift when you can have newer batteries and a new forklift?
Finding one can be difficult in certain areas. I talked to a friend of mine and he said that all the big company's with the forklifts you want send the broken-down/old forklifts to the scrap yard. Most of the time for insurance purposes big companies cannot sell it to someone. So your best bet is either surf the web or call multiple scrap yards and ask them to call you if they ever get a forklift in.

My 2 cents

 

[sukusia]

Anywhere where the "metric-sytem" is used; there is no use of the word Horse Power, it is a forbidden-word in the Euro-Union, to the extent, if a student doing an exam uses the word ,horse-power he automatically voids his answer!!!!!!!!!!!! Some examiners were willing to fail your whole "paper" in Europe during the "changeover" to metric.

Good thing I'm not in Europe then.