Electric Snowboard - Power Traverse

[powertraverse]

Hi All,

I've been on a journey for the last year to build a business around electric snowboards.

https://www.instagram.com/powertraverse/

I could use some help on power esc suggestions.

The project started with Segway scooter motors and flip sky 4.20 VESC

We needed more speed / rpm to deal with traction issues.

Ported the design to new motors that range from 1600-3600w

Now the system doesn't have enough torque to move. I pushed the 4.20 to 70A and got it to move but it didn't have enough torque to get into the rpms.

I ordered a VESC 6.6 but thinking I am going to have the same issues with that controller.

Any suggestions would be great. We are trying to keep the controller cost down to pass the saving to our customers.

Thanks for any feedback, Aaron

 

[fechter]

You may need a bigger motor. Another possible approach would be to use two motors, but that would require two ESCs. Another thing to consider would be some kind of gear reduction as the motor is trying to spin at a speed that is not realistic for the power available.

 

[marty]

[youtube]O5MoMmvCl4U[/youtube]

[youtube]Oz-Amll0Uho[/youtube]

 

[LeftieBiker]

Maybe an actual track drive instead of the 'paddle wheel'? It might also make better use of the motor's designed speed.

 

[whereswally606]

That second video with the tracked pusher in Marty's clips looks much better suited. Its also important to try to think about what problem you are trying to solve. are you wanting a device to let boarders get to better parts of the mountain for off pisting, something which is removed but carried when going down the mountain or is it something a resort would own and have shuttling people on traverses that they haven't put in a lift or button/T-bar for? The nice thing about that device in Marty's clip with the tracks is that you could unclip it and send it back autonomously across the traverse to the start for the next customer. or perhaps you would have folk coming both ways so have a depot each side hooking and unhooking the pushers.

Its a great idea but I wouldn't want to carry one around with me while boarding. things on the back can cause serious injuries when you fall badly.
One idea which is slightly different and possibly unworkable is maybe a fan vented through a hole near the front of the board to get a hovercraft effect so on flats it might really decrease the initially coefficient of friction to get you going faster without a pusher. Personally i wouldn't want to drill through my snowboards but I wonder if any one has tried it? (goes off for a google) Damn it, some board maker, Jones, has called their board a hovercraft the searches are awash with that.

Anyway i wish you luck with that.

 

[LeftieBiker]

I hadn't watched the second vid. That track pusher is exactly what I had in mind.

 

[Cowardlyduck]

Dang it! I've had a very similar idea to this for years and was even planning on patenting it myself. You beat me to it!

Best of luck with this. My idea is slightly different with the tracks on the sides of the ski boots, but close enough. I might still make my idea but will obviously not be able to make a business out of it now.

Keep us updated with how this goes...very interested!

Cheers

 

[powertraverse]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I did lots of research and smoked lots of bud to inspire all this.

As a avid snowboarder, I knew we needed the most minimal contraption for users to want to use it. No snowboarder wants to use a trailer with a motor.

I've tested the traverse with 250w scooter motors and it ripped, BUT the scooter motor sucked at graded hills (8mph)

I really wanted the 48v/50A system to work as our base unit but when I drove it on the beach the other night the traction was awesome, BUT the power sucked ass.

I ordered 75V 200A 60/72V setups (5-7 days shipping)

I should have it re-tested with the proper power advised by our motor vendor.

She said we could get 150kmh out of the motors!

The patent is the direct drive paddle wheel, I need to make it work

 

[fechter]

For bikes we pretty much know how much power it takes to go a given speed but for a snowboard we are lacking data. I'm sure board power requirements are going to be quite a bit higher.

I have seen some bikes with track drives and a ski in the front. It takes a LOT of power to make that move through any kind of soft snow.

It's fairly important to try to match the motor characteristics to the load. A motor that spins at 150 kph but can only make enough torque to go 25kph is likely to burn up or be very inefficient. Expect to need a very large battery or have short run times.

 

[powertraverse]

@fechter thanks for the reply. I kinda got to your conclusion after watching it on the beach.

Just ordered the ideal power setups for the motor.

I was focused on building a base model to get intro unit cost down. Now working toward ideal minimal power to get battery longevity. 60v 200A 1600W is the attempt. We will add more watts as needed. The 1600w hub was rated to 120kmh... the testing we are doing has been in sand, the snow should allow the rpms to spin more freely.

PS Bike hubs didn't have enough RPM due to reduction.

Stay tuned...

 

[fechter]

You may have some options on the kV of the motor. Picking the best one is the trick.

Sand seems pretty extreme in terms of friction. I guess if it can go on sand it should be way better on snow.

 

[Cowardlyduck]

Hmmm, this is very interesting and it seems to me like your going in a different direction than my idea so I might still have a chance with mine.

I won't say too much cause I would still like to patent it, buy my idea is for much lower power system that could be carried easily with you on a ski lift and clipped on at the top, then get you just a bit further up the hill and disengaged or unclipped for skiing back down.
The other use case for my idea is with cross-country skiing. A low power assist that can last for hours would be great!

I hope I don't step on your toes if I go ahead with my idea! PM me if you would like to work together on it.

Cheers

 

[fechter]

Years ago I saw a system that used sort of a screw drive with a pair of counter rotating screws on either side that dig into the snow. The screw pitch can be varied to match the motor kV.