[brian_]

If you swap two of the phase cables the motor will run at full speed in 'reverse'. However, the issue is the splash lubrication which only works in one direction, 'forward'.

... in the transaxle, not the motor, right?

 

[brian_]

Therefore I believe that the Leaf motor in standard wiring configuration is capable of running full speed in "reverse", and that the 50kph limit is a setting in the vehicle management system that can be bypassed if you know how.

Since the direction of rotation doesn't matter to the motor electrically, magnetically, or mechanically, and doesn't matter to the inverter's power stage (just to the controller and drivers) this isn't a surprise.

The speed in reverse is limited to prevent the car from being driven in reverse at excessive speed, and probably to keep the rest of the drive unit (transaxle and cooling system) from being rotated in reverse for too long. My understanding is that dadazan isn't using any of those other components - just the motor. I don't know how the motor is lubricated.

I have no personal experience, this is just from seeing the videos, but I would be researching that possibility before tackling the reversal of wiring etc.

See post #5.

 

[rowen01960]

So .... to reverse the typical Leaf Motor/Reducer installation, ie Motor is now AFT of the Drive Shafts, one needs only to resolve the Reducer gear lubrication splash? ... perhaps a custom Reducer Housing with appropriate galleys? All else is doable?

 

[drother]

I don't know how the motor is lubricated.

The motor uses sealed bearings. Grease only. They won’t care about direction.

 

[rowen01960]

Ahh ... so an “equivalent” Gear Reduction Housing with rearranged Oil Galley(s) should allow the motor (after electrical mods) to run full time in reverse?

 

[brian_]

The motor uses sealed bearings. Grease only. They won’t care about direction.

Good to know

So motor bearings are not lubricated by oil which is also circulated for cooling, or oil which is also used for the reduction gears (both of which are common practices).

 

[drother]

Good to know

So motor bearings are not lubricated by oil which is also circulated for cooling, or oil which is also used for the reduction gears (both of which are common practices).

Motor is dry, only the reduction box has oil (ATF) lubrication