Advice for simple 1000 w motor

[triplemaya]

Hi. Newbie build. Have 48v battery to play with. Last bike was a basic xipi circa 2012 vintage which was just the right amount of speed for me ie about 30mph with pedalling.

I am aiming for quiet and reliability rather than out and out speed. Probably ready built into a 700C rear wheel. Going for cheap until I get more experience and know what I am doing. Not sure whether to get a direct drive motor - best quiet and reliability - or something like the BMC motor:

https://www.electricbike.com/bmc-hub-motor-review/

Would be happy to get a bit of advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Drunkskunk]

You have an almost endless array of choices.

Since you want quiet and reliable, forget about the BMC. While it's fairly quiet and pretty reliable, a direct drive motor is going to be far more quiet, more reliable, and much much cheaper.

Not all 48 volt batteries are created equal. For most 1000w motor kits, you need a battery capable of putting out at least 20 amps continuous, and 30 amp burst. If yours can't handle that, it's not going to be of any use for a >500w motor

There is always risk with buying from unknown vendors on Ebay, but you can get a direct drive kit for >$200 shipped if you want to take the risk.

The BMC is a very nice geared motor, but the latest generation of the MAC is better. While the MAC started life as a clone of the BMC with 100% part interchangeability, the MAC has since been improved with better clutches, stronger gears, and a better winding allowing more power from the motor. EM3ev.com is the best vendor for the MAC.

 

[Signguy-Everett]

I have a 48V 1000W hub motor and a 15 Amp battery from Calibike and I bought this set up for commuting. 10 miles mostly uphill to work and then 10 miles home. I'm at 600 miles so far and (knock on wood) no issues. When I get over 22 mph I hear a high whine but other than that it is quiet and reliable which is what I was looking for.

Good luck with your bike.

 

[wesnewell]

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=70169&p=1058597#p1058597

 

[triplemaya]

Many thanks everyone. All useful info.

I have a decent battery. 20 amp. I will go with the standard kind of hub motor.

This seems like good advice too from the thread in the link: "... buying from a volume seller within the country you live to be the cheapest option because they buy in bulk and usually offer free shipping with your country."

I thought there must be a thread like that somewhere. Great to have it pointed out.

Cheers.

 

[dogman dan]

If you realllllllly want quiet, the no longer made crystalyte 400 series motors were the quietest ever. But a regular, common kit type, direct drive hub motor will be pretty quiet. Sometimes they will grunt some taking off, but no really annoying noises at cruise speed.

It does vary from motor to motor even within one brand though, how quiet the motor really is. Some loose copper in the windings will result in a direct drive motor that grunts a lot.

Geared motors will definitely have a gear whine, some can be very loud, others just a low volume zinging sound. But you always hear a geared motor imo.

 

[eBikeWannaBe]

The golden motor MP4 is near silent. It has great torque and speed for my needs. So far my reliability has good but it was only released last year.

 

[dogman dan]

Good to know. Though the cheaper 9 continent style motors do grunt a bit, they aren't really that noisy compared to a geared. most direct drive motors make noticeable noise only at less than 5 mph. At cruise, hard to hear it whine above the wind in your ears.

That's at 1000w or less, 72v makes them do a more audible zingy sound. ZZZZTTT!

 

[triplemaya]

Golden motor MP4 kit is a sine wave which is generally held to be better and quieter.

Incidentally, I rode a Giant Express, only a little motor, but geared, and it was totally silent under power.