[markejones62]

I've read that two of the advantages of using induction motors in EV conversions is that they are ubiquitous and not expensive. However, I find very few sellers of induction motors suitable for EV conversion (compared to DC equivalents), and the motors that I do find are much more expensive than their DC counterparts. Does anyone have suggestions for acquiring a suitable induction motor? I would like one that is compatible with a Sevcon Gen4 controller. It would be installed on a pontoon boat with a 48 to 72 volt bank.

 

[onegreenev]

HPEVS. Call them. I am quite sure they could sell you a small induction motor that would work fine with your sevcon controller. Or look for disassembled AC forklifts and by one of those. They are low voltage AC induction motors. Should be right up your alley. Motors are not cheap. DC or AC. Overall a DC Setup is cheaper because the controllers are cheaper. But what is your meaning of Cheap?

I am quite sure you could get an AC-20 with controller for a pretty decent price. An AC-35 and controller would be in the range of $3800 or so. A guy on ebay is selling off AC-31 motors as an AC-45 with controller. Set you back $2k for both motor and controller. The AC-31 is a fine motor. But you can't buy it new. $2k is a decent price.

But since you already have I presume, a controller, you just need a motor. The AC-45 may still do the trick for you. 85 lbs and can handle the volt range with no troubles. Might work just fine with your controller.

Do you have a way to program the Sevcon Controller?

 

[markejones62]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I do need a calibrator, emulator, or DVT.

 

[frodus]

It all depends on the Sevcon you got..... If you want to use it with an ACXX motor, the Sevcon needs to accept an AB encoder. If its got Hall Effect inputs, you'll need to replace the encoder... or use a BLDC motor.

And yes you'd need DVT and an IXXAT cable.