There are many different reasons as to why you might want to convert your bicycle to run on an electric motor. Some enthusiasts prefer the retro appearance of an electric motor, while others prefer the contemporary sleekness of a gasoline-powered engine. Whatever your preferences, it is important that you research the conversion process so that you can have the knowledge of what you are getting into before making any decisions. It may not be as simple as you imagine. Before getting started with your own bicycle electric motor project, it is important that you understand how an electric motor works.
Bicycle Electric Motor
The main component in an electric bicycle motor is the controller. This part connects the motor to the rest of the system. The controller also determines the speed and torque of the motor, as well as the amount of energy the motor produces. There are a number of factors that go into the design of the controller. These include the amount of energy needed to propel the bicycle forward, the RPM (rate of rotation per minute) of the motor, as well as the amount of power needed to maintain the speed of the motor.
The function of the clutch is to connect the drive train (pedal) to the electric motor, which in turn gives the motor power. Clutch systems generally limit the amount of power delivered to the motor and deliver a specified maximum RPM during maximum speed. The idea behind clutch systems is to limit the maximum speed of the electric motor to prevent damage to the drive train and the clutch itself.
Tips
When you are planning to run your electric bicycle motor, you must first determine how fast you would like the motor to run. You should also take into account the weight and drag of your vehicle. If your vehicle is light, then you will need a smaller motor. Conversely, a heavier vehicle will require a larger motor running at a higher RPM.
You must then consider the length of time that you want the motor running. The amount of time that the motor is running will determine the RPM for your motor, the size of the coil on the battery, and how many amps you will need. For example, a one-second run will give you eighty amps. If you want ten seconds of motor running, then you would need a battery having eighty amps and a one-second phase magnet motor with four poles.
Things To Consider
A bicycle electric motor will usually have terminals installed in order for you to attach it to your bike. The terminals can either be terminal-mounted or mounted to the frame. If the frame mounts, you can install the terminals outside the frame. These terminals will give you the ability to remove the battery and plug in the motor easily.
If you are looking at the building of a bicycle electric motor, you will find that you have a number of options. Most people have used homemade plans in order to build their own electric motors. However, if you do not want to waste your time, money, and materials, you can purchase ready-made plans for the motor that you want. These plans will give you an overall guide so that you can follow them step-by-step. This will ensure that you get the motor that you want without wasting any material or having to worry about anything not fitting properly.
Bottom Line
One thing that you must always remember is that when you build a bicycle electric motor, you need to be extremely careful to avoid ending up with a dangerous motor. The motors are quite small, and they are often made of copper or other metallic materials. Therefore, you should pay very close attention to the details in the plans. If you are not sure what parts you will need to complete the project, you may want to enlist the help of someone who has some experience in building a bicycle electric motor.
