I have a basic motor suitability question, having found an old forklift motor (which is harder than one might think here in the UK) I need a bit of advice as to whether it is fit for purposes.
THE MOTOR:
It's a drive motor out of an old Lancing forklift and it's a bit of a monster but doesn't have the continuous output of some others of equivalent size (picture of info plate attached).
Weight: 110kg
Width: 12"
Length: 15"
kW: 7.5
RPM: 1400
Volts: 67
(144v 100aH battery pack and Paul & Sabrina equivalent open source controller)
THE DONOR CAR:
I am looking at a circa 2005 BMW 1 Series for a couple of reasons a) availability, you can pick them up pretty cheap, ~£500, on eBay b) rear wheel drive, due to the size of the motor I am hoping to omit the transmission hooking the motor directly to the drive shaft c) weight, although not as light as something 20 years it's junior it has a decent curb weight for a RWD hot hatch, ~1,300kg.
USAGE:
Local driving no more that 20 mile round trips; groceries, school runs and general taxi service for 3 dependants. Max speed limit in the area is 40 mph so that +5/10 mph for overtaking is all I need. Point if note is that I live in the Surrey Hills area and although it's not mountainous it's not flat.
QUESTIONS:
- Having read somewhere (I can't find the original post) that when it comes to [large] motors it's more about the physical size than the kW output; based on the above is this motor a viable option?
- Is "direct drive" my best option or should I reconsider keeping the transmission? (I still have the original slip yoke from the forklift so hooking up to a drive shaft will be easier than the transmission but nothing is out of the question)
- Can you "direct drive" a front wheel drive car (this would give me more donor car options)?
Many thanks in advance.
George
