4 inch diameter Astro motors coming soon..........

[LI-ghtcycle]

Bear in mind, the 3 inch motors are not a direct comparison for the 4 inch motors. This is kind of like saying since GM came out with a big block, there would be no market for small black motors. There will always be a market for both. For one thing, the 4 inch motor will be heavier than the 3 inch, and cost more. But, what is it they say "If you want to play, you gotta pay" ---- or ---- "Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"

Matt

So very true, I am so excited about the 4 inch especially since you are designing a case with real cooling fins! (not those silly ones so many electric motors still use that go the length of the can instead of the design you are using which is much more like a ICE cylinder head).

Not sure how soon I would be able to afford one, but man they sound like exactly what I would love in a mid-drive!

What will be the lower end on the Kv for the 4inch?

[Timmey]

very interested!

[drewjet]

So Matt, it is near the end of Feb and I have been saving my pennies, lots and lots of pennies, do we have any good news?

[recumpence]

Astro is working on sensors at this point as well as making some changes to maximize power.

It is getting closer!

Matt

[mdd0127]

I offered to send them a sensor solution......for free.......a looong time ago.

Anyway, ypedal has it now so maybe something good will come out of it.

[recumpence]

I offered to send them a sensor solution......for free.......a looong time ago.

Anyway, ypedal has it now so maybe something good will come out of it.

A number of people did a long time ago. First, Bob was not interested in looking into it because he was nearing retirement. The new owners have been buried learning the rest of the business. Now, the planets are all in alignment and they are moving forward.

You have to remember, there are logical reasons for everything. Companies (especially in this economy) do not turn down a new market unless there is a very good reason. I am pleased sensors are finally in the works.

Matt

[drewjet]

Thanks for the update Matt. Any pics? This motor is going to be awesome! Do you have a wild ass guess on a price yet?

[recumpence]

Thanks for the update Matt. Any pics? This motor is going to be awesome! Do you have a wild ass guess on a price yet?

I have pictures that I am not at liberty to share as of yet and I was specifically told by Astro not to make any guesses on cost or specs. I can tell you the terget of this motor is something capable of light motorcycle duty and will be priced accordingly.

Matt

[Nuts&Volts]

I am definitely interested in a couple of these when they become available and that the price is I suppose. What is the likelihood of being able to align two of these along the same shaft and running them off of one controller? I haven't been able to find anyone doing this with any 3220 or other astro motor yet. Looking forward to see more specs.

Thanks for making all this available to us Matt!
-Kyle

[Miles]

I should imagine that they'll be, at least, as expensive the Neu 44XX series.....
http://www.neumotors.com/Site/Motor_Price_List.html
http://www.neumotors.com/Site/4400_series.html

[Byte]

I should imagine that they'll be, at least, as expensive the Neu 44XX series.....
http://www.neumotors.com/Site/Motor_Price_List.html
http://www.neumotors.com/Site/4400_series.html

Awesome! I remember those motors being in the making 2 years ago, now they're finally available. Did anyone actually ran a NEU motor on his bike?

Curious how much the new 4" Astros will cost. Should be an superb motor for our bikes

[recumpence]

Well, if you email Neu about obtaining one of their 4 inch motors, you will not even get a reply. I have no clue why they even have them listed on their site.

In fact, even Nic Case (top speed world record holder who is sponsored by Neu) cannot get an answer on that motor.........

Matt

[mdd0127]

I've emailed neu 4 times and never got a response. Called twice and the phone just rang. It looks like someone updated the website recently though??? Maybe they're anti e-bike? I really wish someone with good business skills would start making nice motors!

[wojtek]

any update on those motors please?

are they going to be OK for higher V than 50?

thanks!

[lutach]

I've emailed neu 4 times and never got a response. Called twice and the phone just rang. It looks like someone updated the website recently though??? Maybe they're anti e-bike? I really wish someone with good business skills would start making nice motors!

Off topic, but have you guys thought about contacting Steve Neu through his RCGroups page? http://www.rcgroups.com/neumotors-417/

[mdd0127]

If he won't answer his business phone or emails, why on earth would anyone even do business with him at all???

Why can't there be a company that makes awesome motors.....aaaaand has decent service???? Shouldn't be so difficult!

[lutach]

If he won't answer his business phone or emails, why on earth would anyone even do business with him at all???

Why can't there be a company that makes awesome motors.....aaaaand has decent service???? Shouldn't be so difficult!

I'm with you 100% on this one, but I just wanted to help with another way of contacting Neumotors. I know that e-mails can go to junk folder and never gets checked or deleted. Maybe Neumotors are not as big as most thinks and nobody is available to answer the phone, not sure on that one, but it might (big might) be the case.

[lutach]

Lets see what Steve's reply will be: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1618504

[wojtek]

Matt, what motor cooling are you thinking with this motor?

[RC_guy]

Steve sucks,
He make bad designs and does not stand behind them...I would not trust his stuff.
Have a look at what he cost some peoples.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1497537

[mdd0127]

Astro does the same exact thing. Both my motor and j3tch1u's motors had the same exact issue. Wires shorting to screws. Their response was also a joke.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15233&start=495#p551507

Someone with some business ethics REALLY needs to get into the high output motor game and until someone does, I'm OUT! I'll pedal!

[recumpence]

According to Ben's thread, the wires did not short to screws, but, rather the cover (rubbing on the cover). Just making sure we get facts straight.

It sure is frustrating when any problems occur. I think a big part of the issue is the hand assembly. It is tough to achieve perfection when something is built by a human being.

I have looked into making my own motors personally. It is not as easy as you might think.

I must say, I agree 100% that a motor that costs this much should be free of defects, however.

Matt

[recumpence]

FYI,

I am also working with Maxx Products. They are right here in Illinois about 15 minutes from my house! They are setting up a bunch of motors custom for me. They are outrunners in the 1-3kw range. These motors are not as efficient as Astros, but the quality is the best I have ever seen besides Plettenberg. They use high-end bearings, the windings are beautiful, and the motor, overall, is extremely precise. Also, they are easy to work on. In fact, if you smoke the windings, it is $75 for a new stator that can be easily installed!

These motors are $200 each. So, they are not as cheap as the Turnigy motors, but, they are still reasonable and phenominally high quality. Also, they will be a normally stocked motor. No more waiting! The only down side is they are lower in overall power. Of course, they are also smaller than as Astro. I am kicking around the idea of running two of them. That would put the price at about the level of a 3215 setup, while being easy to obtain, easy to service, and a decent second option. This is the motor I am specing for my crank drive system.

Anyway, I am working with Astro on a cool project I cannot tell you about. That project will use a motor that we will personally inspect with each sale. It will not be cheap, though.

Matt

[mdd0127]

My main beef isn't that the motor had QC issues but with their overall customer service. Due to supplier issues and their associated delays, not just with astro, but with almost every other part and tool I ordered, I was completely discredited with my investors and am now homeless, alone, and broke because of it. One or two things going wrong, I can deal with, but with a nightmare on almost every purchase and terrible customer service from the vendors, my project had absolutely no chance for success. Now that I don't have the support of any investors and am deeply indebted to them, I'm spending all of my time trying to survive and there's just no way I'll be able to put enough uninterrupted time into this project to make it a reality. If I could sue them all, I would....and I'd probably win. Their negligence and attitude towards their customers really set me back and it just isn't fair. They're paying for it now though because every time I see a thread regarding the vendors that let me down, I'm going to have to put in my input.

[recumpence]

My main beef isn't that the motor had QC issues but with their overall customer service. Due to supplier issues and their associated delays, not just with astro, but with almost every other part and tool I ordered, I was completely discredited with my investors and am now homeless, alone, and broke because of it. One or two things going wrong, I can deal with, but with a nightmare on almost every purchase and terrible customer service from the vendors, my project had absolutely no chance for success. Now that I don't have the support of any investors and am deeply indebted to them, I'm spending all of my time trying to survive and there's just no way I'll be able to put enough uninterrupted time into this project to make it a reality. If I could sue them all, I would....and I'd probably win. Their negligence and attitude towards their customers really set me back and it just isn't fair. They're paying for it now though because every time I see a thread regarding the vendors that let me down, I'm going to have to put in my input.

Understood.