Need help choosing: 1500w gearless or 500w geared for city

[rw3iss]

Hah!
I have a multimeter... will buy the digital voltmeter thing soon!

Thank you, woman!

 

[wesnewell]

If you already have a VM, you don't need a DVM unless it has functions your multimeter doesn't have and you need.

 

[rw3iss]

OK... not sure if my multimeter can handle the amperage. It's a Fluke but not sure of model (am moving things and it's at the old place until next week), but typically they're consumer MMs only handle up to 10A or so, so I might invest in the DVM.
Thanks.

 

[motomech]

K, will go for the 15Ah at 48V. Hopefully the geared kit exchange will be smooth. It is a cheaper kit but I think I will give it a shot:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ebikeling-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion-Kit-36V-500W-Geared-26-Front-Rear-ebike-/141488336892
I will let you guys know how it performs once I get it wired up hopefully sometime by the end of next week.

Thanks a lot for all the help!

It looks to me that that Ebay kit is a copy of a MXUS or Outrider.
The important thing is, if you are using a 26 in. wheel, that you specify the 260 RPM motor!
Ebike CA has a 260 and a fast wind Outrider motor on their Sim.
The 260 motor W/ a 48V battery and 26" whl. , the sim has that system topping out at 24 MPH, which jives very well with my MXUS, that I have been using for years.
If you try and use a faster motor in a 26" whl., it will have a problem w/ hills.
It's hard to say if that controller is truely 22 Amps(ebay descriptions suck!), but that is the right controller for that motor if it is.
Check out my Idrive link below for a MXUS frt. wheel build.

 

[arkmundi]

No, definitely stick with the 48V 1500 watt motor, even if DD. I would have choosen a geared, like the MAC 10T. I moved from one of the best of the geared motors, the Heinzmann 500 watt motor, to the MAC 10T and the higher power motor delivers excellent hill climbing torque, at least three times better. Ultimately its the power that will yield you torque and you have that.

 

[Ch00paKabrA]

No, definitely stick with the 48V 1500 watt motor, even if DD. I would have choosen a geared, like the MAC 10T. I moved from one of the best of the geared motors, the Heinzmann 500 watt motor, to the MAC 10T and the higher power motor delivers excellent hill climbing torque, at least three times better. Ultimately its the power that will yield you torque and you have that.

I am interested why the DD would be the better choice in NYC. I think you make a great case for the geared hub motor Arkmundi. It is relatively flat so the 1500w vs. 500w is most likely moot. The advantages of a geared motor like the MAC or Bafang bpm2 at 48v 500w (maybe even 750w) seems to be a viable option. Add to this that ebikes have been outlawed in NYC and the smaller size of the MACs and Bafang BPM2 weighs heavily in the stealth factor. The lighter weight means it will be more maneuverable. Add to that the ability to freewheel if the battery dies and it seems to me that the MAC or larger bafang would win hands down over a DD hub.

We are talking about bike lanes in the city not full speed ahead on the open road or up a mountain. It just seems like the DD @ 1500w is overkill. Let's face it the highest point in Manhatten is 265 feet above sea level. It ain't San Fran. :lol:

just my $0.02

 

[BikeFanatic]

+1 for geared. The lighter weight means it will be easier to carry upstairs. Also in the city its all stop and go .

You need a power analyzer or Watt meter to read the amps and watts to understand you battery. Here is a good example.





http://www.powerwerx.com/digital-meters/dc-inline-watt-meter-power-analyzer-powerpoles.html

 

[arkmundi]

Well the question posed was 1500w gearless or 500w geared?, so between those two options I'd go with former. But if its an open question, sure, the MAC 1000w, which is geared, and for all those good reasons. But why a DD motor instead of geared? Because with the right controller, you can get regen braking. In a city with a lot of start & stop, that could be a big deal. You're not going to have that option with a geared motor.

 

[Ch00paKabrA]

Well the question posed was 1500w gearless or 500w geared?, so between those two options I'd go with former. But if its an open question, sure, the MAC 1000w, which is geared, and for all those good reasons. But why a DD motor instead of geared? Because with the right controller, you can get regen braking. In a city with a lot of start & stop, that could be a big deal. You're not going to have that option with a geared motor.

I see. That is a good point that I had not considered. I don't own a DD motor so I am not familiar with regen.

 

[Raged]

Technically the MAC motor is rated at 500W... I happily run mine at 2.2kw...

Spend a bit more to upgrade the controller to a 12 FET and you will end up with a 2kw Geared MAC 10T which pretty much hauls ass up to 50km/h. Perfect for stop-start traffic/moderate hills/traffic light racing and cruising medium distances. Best of all... It still rides like a bike and the motor is small enough to not stand out.

 

[rw3iss]

Sounds good Raged! I'll see about upgrading the controller in the near future.

Thanks for all the input guys.