[puddleglum]

Is a 50kw motor big enough, 67,000HP to drive an electric car?

That should be 67 HP not 67,000. I think you will need to supply more info to answer your question properly. Depending on many other factors, it might or might not be. 50kw is enough to move a small car, but a power number alone is not enough. Example, I have a forklift motor that is only rated for 10kw, but that is continuous at only 44 volts. It weighs over 100kg's and, if I up the voltage, it will move a car. Others have used the same motor successfully. On the other hand, there are RC motors that are rated for 20kw that you could hold in your hand. They might power an e-bike if you were lucky. See what I'm saying?

 

[puddleglum]

Hello All,

Delighted to find this portal and all the great info. So I'm planning on doing a EV, and have located a motor, and was looking for some advice before I purchase it on Ebay. It is in the $1,500 cost range. Is that a fair price for new unknown motor make/model?

If you are going to spend that much, why not just buy a Warp or Kostov for just a little more. They are already optimized for EV use, well proven and have a warranty. Just my opinion.

 

[puddleglum]

Thanks, i was off on the price with shipping its 1100, and is new, so what does a warp or kostov cost? Are they ~25 HP cont? I guess i better do some more research before I pay for this unit.

$1100 shipped is a lot less than the $1500+ shipping you had posted before. Major is the motor expert, I'm NOT, but there are a few EV motors that claim 25 Hp cont. in the $1400-1800 range. I know for a fact that a new forklift motor is much more money than an EV motor of similar power and you still have to modify it. Used ones can be pretty cheap though.

 

[puddleglum]

I haven't posted on here in a long time, but you caught my attention so I think I'll chime in. I agree with what matt said, but in addition to it, I'll throw out a couple of thoughts to consider. I repair forklifts for a living, have for almost 18 years. We've never once sold a used motor. I have however acquired 4 complete forklifts over the years for cheap or free, and could have had more if I'd wanted to. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. You would probably have more success finding a complete dead forklift, stripping out what you want and selling the rest for scrap. You won't get answers at the front counter. Your best to find a field tech, or even a sales guy. What you ask is if they know of someone who has a junk forklift that that's too expensive to fix. BUT,1) it probably still won't be free and it may require more work than you want to put in. You'll likely have additional costs attached for transport as well, plus there are not really that many good candidates for suitable motors left around IMO.
2) the other thing you need to consider is that cheap DC controllers have become even more rare than motors and you may not have a way to use one, even if you can find one. I've got 2 good motors sitting in my garage that I wanted to use for a conversion for a long time, but now the options for controllers are gone, unless you are an electronics tech and can build you own. We're a little late to the party I'm afraid. The majority have moved on to AC, which is better tech for sure. and with lots of EV's in wrecking yards now, might not be any more expensive.
I still have a soft spot for DC, but mostly because I hate to throw anything away that I already have.