The principal elements of the
electrical drive system are the DC battery motor controller, the
DC electric motors and
the rechargeable lead-acid batteries. In addition the motor
speed controller requires low power speed "demand" signals (from the
throttle
potentiometer). There is also an on/off switch, a reverse switch and optionally
a battery condition monitor to let you see the stage of charge
of the batteries. The DC battery motor controller is at the heart of
the system - it takes the fixed nominal 24V from the battery pack
and outputs a variable 0 to 24V to the motors. This
delivers the voiturette's variable speed. By reversing the polarity to the electric motors the
speed controller also provides the reverse drive. The
motor controller suggested in the plans can be substituted by
other similar current rated DC battery motor controllers - you
choose.
The 24V 150 Amp speed controller
used in our build is the 4QD-150-24/36. Detailed user
instructions for this including detailed wiring arrangements can
be found in the user manual available from 4QD
here.
The 24V 500W DC electric motors are commonly
available as electric scooter/trike spares and are easily mounted and
connected to the drive transmission by roller chain.
Standard sized 38 AmpH 12V rechargeable lead
acid batteries are used. These are manufactured by a large range
of suppliers and can provide several hundred charge cycles
during their lifetime. You'll also need a good multi-mode
battery charger to keep the batteries in good condition.
The drive time between charges
should be of the order of 2 hours but this does depend upon the
drive conditions and rider weight.
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