Help me decide: Motor/Charge Controller for 55-MPH Go Kart (PICS)

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garolittle

10 kW
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Mar 3, 2018
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509
Location
Augusta, GA U.S.A
All,

I have been lurking and learning for the past several months and I need your help on a major purchasing decision. I am considering purchasing the following motor and charge controller for my electric go kart project.

Motor: 72V Motenergy Brushless Motor (ME0201014201).

https://www.amazon.com/Motenergy-ME-0201014201-Brushless-Permanent-Magnet/dp/B0083BDSR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533953163&sr=8-1&keywords=motenergy+me0201014201&dpID=41Qn1mD2avL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Charge Controller: Sabvoton (svmc72150)

https://www.amazon.com/QSMOTOR-SVMC72150-controller-2000W-3000W-Controller/dp/B07D7TLQVN/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533953222&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Sabvoton+svmc72150

Would this motor/charge controller set up allow me to reach my goals of quick acceleration with a max speed on level ground of 55 mph (88 kph)?

Here is the background information:

In the coming weeks, I will be building/testing the following lithium ion battery pack to power the go kart:

Using Brand new Samsung INR18650-25R cells (20Amps maximum continuous discharge), I will have two separate 20S10P packs connected in parallel to obtain 72 volts. Wiring to/from the battery pack, controller and moter will be 4 AWG copper wire.

Even more information.....
Rider weight: 150 pounds (68 Kilograms)
Kart Weight: 100 pounds (45 Kilograms)
Motor/Charge controller Weight: 30 pounds (13 Kilograms)
Battery pack weight: 40 pounds (18 Kilograms)
Chain: #35
Sproket Size: To be determined
Brake type: Disc
Desired max range: 25-30 minutes at average of 30 mph (48 kph)
Terrain: mostly flat, some short hills under 5% grade

See the following pictures of the frame showing placement of each 20S10P 18650 battery pack as well as the tires I plan to use. Thanks for any advice/suggestions/criticism you can offer:

IMG_1445.jpgIMG_1446.jpg
 
Here are a few more photos of the frame I purchased for my project. This is a pre-owned "Razor" chassis was previously used for gas powered racing. The prio owner claimed to have reached speeds in excess of 70 mph (112 kph) so it should be sturdy enough for my goal of 55 mph (88 kph).

Any feedback on my plans for a Motenergy motor and Sabvoton controller is welcome. I have also considered purchasing an Alltrax controller within the same price range of the Sabvoton. IMG_9197.JPGIMG_9209.JPGIMG_9210.JPG
 
Looks Qsmotor or Vito they have a lot of high power stuff. He has a thread in the for sale new section. I do believe they have good support . It should fly. In a cart you can use leaf style battery modules
 
999zip999 said:
Looks Qsmotor or Vito they have a lot of high power stuff. He has a thread in the for sale new section. I do believe they have good support . It should fly. In a cart you can use leaf style battery modules
Click to expand...

Thanks. I checked out the websites and they have some cool stuff. Have you heard of Electromotorsport? They have some motor kits that look interesting....

https://www.electricmotorsport.com/ev-parts/motor-drive-kits
 
I am starting to think that a 48v motor/charge controller with 150 continuous amps (300 max amps) would suffice.

A 14S 10P pack (on each side of the kart connected in Parallel) would give me 52V (nominal) and 58V (max). Such an arrangement would easily fit within the spaces below ....2E7DD546-7E24-49FE-B706-C7B496D52409.jpeg

It would also be much cheaper since I would need fewer 18650 cells. :D
 
I appreciate all the advice from this post and from private messages. I am now leaning heavily toward this motor/charge controller/wiring package from "Electric Motorsports" in CA.

https://www.electricmotorsport.com/ev-parts/motor-drive-kits/me0708-emc-r-drive-kit-with-motor-controller-throttle-contactor-wire-kit-and-fuse-block-928.html

The relative safety of 48V over 72V has been a big factor for me. If anyone has any final suggestions for before I pull out my worn-out check book :D , feel free to reply or send a PM. Thanks again for everyone's help. Long live ES!

Gary
 
I would recommend higher voltages because its easier to get more volts into a system than more amps (weight and heat constraints). The performance is normally greater, and you dont have to go as heavy duty with the wiring.

72v x 300A = 48v x 450A = 21600w

Here is a bit of discussion over it and safety of voltages https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=75636
 
Upperfoot said:
Here is a bit of discussion over it and safety of voltages https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=75636
Click to expand...

Great article. Thanks for sharing that. This is been a difficult decision for me. I cannot tell you the number of times I have been on a website like electricmotorsports.com and toggled between the 48 V and 72v motenergy Motor/Charge Controllers.
 
Ok. I think I will go with this set up.

https://www.electricmotorsport.com/ev-parts/motor-drive-kits/me0708-emc-r-drive-kit-with-motor-controller-throttle-contactor-wire-kit-and-fuse-block-929.html

48v motor/charge controller with 150 amps continuous (300 amps max). Time to start buying stuff. Really appreciate all the great advice from everyone.
 
My son and I went with this package. http://www.evdrives.com/product_p/ck-0708.htm
We used a 14S Nissan Leaf pack (7 modules in series) with no BMS. With my son's weight and the proper sprocket selection you can hit 55mph easily. Since we are not running a BMS we are instead monitoring the battery voltages to ensure balance, and we do not run the voltage too low.

Still working out the bugs, but it is a blast!
 
ElectricTraveler said:
My son and I went with this package. http://www.evdrives.com/product_p/ck-0708.htm
We used a 14S Nissan Leaf pack (7 modules in series) with no BMS. With my son's weight and the proper sprocket selection you can hit 55mph easily. Since we are not running a BMS we are instead monitoring the battery voltages to ensure balance, and we do not run the voltage too low.

Still working out the bugs, but it is a blast!
Click to expand...
Nice! Can you share some pictures? What size wheels and sprockets do you have. Any additional information is much appreciated.
 
Slight change of plans. For safety reasons, we are going with 48 volts and Nissan Leaf batteries instead of the “Tesla-style” 18650 batteries.

https://www.facebook.com/247184812650883...857410878/

Here are the specs. Go kart to be finished by March 31, 2019.

BATTERIES: 7 Nissan Leaf battery modules (7.8V each) connected in series for 54V nominal (approximately 58 amp hours). The picture of the go kart frame shows the proposed placement of the battery modules (4 on one side and 3 on the other side).

BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS): Orion Jr. BMS with pre-wired CANBUS harness, voltage tap harness, shunt resistor (500A) and basic analog display

MOTOR: Motenergy ME0708 Permanent Magnet Direct Current (DC) Motor, 48V, 8 hp cont, 15 hp pk (300 amps max/150 amps continuous)

CONTROLLER: Alltrax SR-48300 48V/300A. The charge controller would go in front of the driver (under the steering wheel).

WIRING: 4 AWG gauge wire to/from charge controller, motor, and battery pack

THROTTLE: EZ-GO Pot Box

CONTACTOR:
Gigavac GV200QA-1 48V 500 Amp

Stay tuned for more updates.

The VenomKarts Team
VenomKarts, LLC
 
Not looked up the continuous/max amps of the (early/58Ah?) Nissan Leaf cells but that seems a small pack you're planning for that much motor/amp draw?
 
SlowCo said:
Not looked up the continuous/max amps of the (early/58Ah?) Nissan Leaf cells but that seems a small pack you're planning for that much motor/amp draw?
Click to expand...

Fair point. Continuous amps would only be about 150 amps with short bursts of 300 amps. Here is more data on the Leaf Modules....

https://evbatterycenter.com/HAC4/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&cid=233&name=lithium-ion-pack-of-7-battery-modules-56ah-58-8v-nissan-leaf&Itemid=605
 
Quinc said:
What are you going to use for a charger?
Click to expand...

I Purchased this charger from EVbatterycenter.com. 18A of charging specifically designed for a 54V (nominal) pack such as mine. I highly recommend this vendor. Great customer service.

https://evbatterycenter.com/HAC4/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&cid=232&name=charger-lithium-li-ion-c1500-18a-54v-nominal-58-4v-max-voltage&Itemid=605
 
Wow this is an older topic. I actually did something very similar with a manco go kart.

I went with a Motenergy ME1004 Motor, paired with an Alltrax SR48400 controller with Chevy Volt battery modules. I was able to find a high output balancing bms from AliExpress.

I was able to purchase most of the supplies from evdrives.

This thing has tons of power and acceleration.

If interested, I have build and drive videos with more details on my YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/gcerkez
 
mcflystg said:
Wow this is an older topic. I actually did something very similar with a manco go kart.

I went with a Motenergy ME1004 Motor, paired with an Alltrax SR48400 controller with Chevy Volt battery modules. I was able to find a high output balancing bms from AliExpress.

I was able to purchase most of the supplies from evdrives.

This thing has tons of power and acceleration.

If interested, I have build and drive videos with more details on my YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/gcerkez
Click to expand...
Thanks. I will check it out. Do you use a chain tensioner by chance? Gary
 
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