Conversion of Piaggio Ape 50 moped car, need advice

[frasuss]

Hi! I'm thinking about converting a Piaggio Ape moped car to an electric. Stock it has a ~1kw 2-stroke engine, and is about 200kg without driver (about 25km/h top speed).

I was thinking about a 3kw hub motor that would replace the front wheel, and this kit looked to be of good value
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/3000W-10inch-Hub-Motor-Controller-and-Throttle-Kits-for-electric-scooter/109978_32224077915.html

Alternatively the previous motor and a Kelly Controller:
http://kellycontroller.com/kbl48221x24v-48v220abldc-controllerwith-regen-p-256.html

It would be driven by 4 12v 100AH lead batteries in series, conviniently placed in the back,

Do you guys think this will work? I'm not looking for any mind blowing acceleration. I will probably have to limit myself to max 1/3 throttle when accelerating from a dead stop so that the controller wont burn out, but other than that, does it look ok? I'm happy with a cruising speed of 30 km/h.

Thanks in advance

 

[Nobuo]

The motor is not bad for such speeds, but the controller on the kit won't feed the enough power.

The Kelly controller is closer as what you need for that motor, I would take the motor alone with that kelly.

I would also start directly with 60V.

Do you think to make the wheel lacing with spokes?

did you thought about buying a scooter similar motor with an alloy 16" rim included?

 

[frasuss]

The motor is not bad for such speeds, but the controller on the kit won't feed the enough power.

The Kelly controller is closer as what you need for that motor, I would take the motor alone with that kelly.

I would also start directly with 60V.

Do you think to make the wheel lacing with spokes?

did you thought about buying a scooter similar motor with an alloy 16" rim included?

Alright, maybe the Kelly is the better option. Do you think it will handle the starts without being overloaded if I dont max out the throttle?

I think I will go with 48v, cause of the saved weight and cost of only having 4 batteries. I could then maybe try 60v if the project turns out to work . The motor should be able to handle it.

I have looked at the 16" rims but I think it would be a little weird to go from 10 to 16" wheel. A 10" motor with built in rim would look closer to stock

 

[dnmun]

just too heavy imo. most of the delivery trikes i see here are all lightweight and they use a curtis controller and use a chain drive to the rear axle. not a hub motor since the chain drive gives the gear reduction needed to handle the load.

 

[frasuss]

just too heavy imo. most of the delivery trikes i see here are all lightweight and they use a curtis controller and use a chain drive to the rear axle. not a hub motor since the chain drive gives the gear reduction needed to handle the load.

That was my fear aswell, but the motor has 157nm of torque @ 10rpm. Shouldnt this be enough?

 

[Nobuo]

I think a motor like that would work, the torque is more than enough but it will ride too much time in low efficience rpm.

with a small rim as 16" and 60V you could reach moderated speeds at good rpm rates as you wish. it would not overheat if you know how to drive it.

as small the rim it will the better. i think 16" is the minimum in a motor like that, with spokes, or built in alloy rim

 

[grindz145]

I love Piaggio APEs! Obsessed with them as urban utility vehicles. I'm in for the show my friend!

 

[frasuss]

Thanks for the support Grindz .

Nubou, how come a 16" wheel has better efficiency than a 10", wouldnt that also have low efficiency at low rpms? (I'm pretty much a noob in this area)

 

[Nobuo]

Thanks for the support Grindz .

Nubou, how come a 16" wheel has better efficiency than a 10", wouldnt that also have low efficiency at low rpms? (I'm pretty much a noob in this area)

10" would better. but how do you fit that motor on a 10" rim?

 

[frasuss]

Thanks for the support Grindz .

Nubou, how come a 16" wheel has better efficiency than a 10", wouldnt that also have low efficiency at low rpms? (I'm pretty much a noob in this area)

10" would better. but how do you fit that motor on a 10" rim?

It has a built in rim

 

[Nobuo]

oh really?

That motor is perfect for the moped!

but I think you should jump directly to 72V to achieve reliable road speeds.

using and a 3000W on a 10" is almost like a half reduction gear!

I think you could also spend all you battery money on 20 of those 50Ah LiFePo4 cells. It would give you a very close same range and too much more load voltage than if you would use the same on 100Ah SLA.

http://www.balqon.com/store-2/#!/Yttrium-LiFePO4-40-Ahr-Battery/p/11900673/category=2736691

*By the way I think this is essentially the same motor sold alone
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...-2000w-Export-Type-V2/1389549_2021568106.html

 

[John in CR]

For more efficient running at low speeds and less heat with load keep the low voltage.

Also, as long as it doesn't adversely affect the Ape's handling you'll want to run the smallest 10" scooter tire that will fit.

I hope it's flat where you are.

 

[Hillhater]

http://youtu.be/9f92IwKUW9k[youtube]9f92IwKUW9k[/youtube]

 

[Nobuo]

http://youtu.be/9f92IwKUW9k[youtube]9f92IwKUW9k[/youtube]

Wow this thing is interesting, any specs anywhere?

is that sound far normal?

 

[John in CR]

Based on the sound it has multiple gears. Is the motor in the front wheel or are you running the motor output through the original Ape transmission? Several years ago we saw a pic of a hubmotor with a built in gearbox, but never anything more.

 

[Hillhater]

Wow this thing is interesting, any specs anywhere?
is that sound far normal?

I think it's a project from these guys ...SMRE.
http://youtu.be/rOZIK_Kgfhg