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1248 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  poprock
start making an electric car but want to know if using an AC or DC motor which is the best method

thanks
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Hello, and welcome.

What car are you converting and what do you expect out of it for perormance and range. Also what sort of budget are you working to?

DC is the usual route for most as the parts are available at an affordable rate depending on expectations.
AC is usually more expensive, unless you really strike lucky.
i have a old suzuki swift and my budget is low i no need to run fast only get home from work.
start making an electric car but want to know if using an AC or DC motor which is the best method

thanks
Hello jet,

Welcome to the forum, for the beginner you should go for DC also it depend on your budget. Small budget= small range and power ;).

Please tell us more of your info so we can help you, what type of donor, range, speed.......:)
Small budget, small performance, small distance?

Simplest option would be the old forklift motor on DC possibly with, maybe, an Open Revolt controller kit. You may even get away with lead acid batteries if the distance isn't too great.
You would need a motor around the 9" diameter range preferably around 48v or more. You may get away with running at 96V if speed isn't an issue.

How good are you at mechanical and electrical work? What have you done before?

There will be a fair bit of work but most should be manageable and the rest can be done by a local engineering company if necessary.

Have a look in the garage, tap on the top right of the page, and search for a similar car to see how others have done it. Then have a read of the build threads here to see if there are any pressing questions or concerns.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy the process. :)
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Thanks to all help

Where i can get the Motor and how i can made the controller.
I now electronic and some mechanic i need like schematic for the controller.
Thanks to all help

Where i can get the Motor and how i can made the controller.
I now electronic and some mechanic i need like schematic for the controller.
Here is a long thread on Ecomodder showing the development of the Open Revolt controller.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/paul-sabrinas-cheap-diy-144v-motor-controller-6404.html
You can also just buy the kit and build it from parts.
Paul and Sabrina's shop.

The motor will be a common series wound DC motor from a forklift truck.
Find a forklift or industrial plant breaker/repairer and see if they have anything. Otherwise look for a 'dead' electric forklift on Ebay, Craigslist, or similar. Usually they are dead because the batteries have expired or the hydraulics are leaking, rarely because the motor has failed.

When you have found one take lots of photos of the motor, the shaft if you can see it, the comm, the brushes, the data plate is really useful and get the measurements of it. Length, diameter, length of the comm bars size of the brushes, you can just include a ruler next to them for the photos.
Post the whole lot up in the motors forum and someone, most likely major, will give his opinion before you spend your money.
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Why not look up Ben Nelson's Suzuki Forkenswift conversion on you tube?:D All the work and research is done for you.;)
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