Need expert advice on motor upgrade...

Furyous

Hello all! I really need some advice here.

I have a stretched and lifted '84 Melex with 22" tires and stock gears. I am running an alltrax 4865 500 amp controller and 8-6v Deka gc15 batteries. The cart is going to be used 100% street use, mostly at top speed to cruise around town and get from place to place, sometimes carrying as many as 5 adults and a cooler. I currently have an advanced ch-4001 48v motor that gets me to 14mph in a hurry without a problem, but my goal is at least 20. I tried a 36v stock motor as an experiment and was able to hit 15, but it took a while to get there so was not the way to go.

I decided to upgrade the motor and selected a d and d 170-008-0001, found a great deal on one here on the forum. It was even the fan cooled version. I had read in many places here that this should have more than enough power for my application and would be fine with my setup. I committed to buying and was about to send payment when I decided that it would probably be best if I called d and d to make sure. After I described how it was going to be used, they told me that they definitely do not recommend it for this use, and that it would surely burn something up and draw too much current. They recommended a ES5256 ventilated motor that runs $625!!! I had to back out of the deal, which I hate doing especially to another site member.

Here are my question/options:
- was D and D just protecting themselves by not recommending this motor? Dies anyone have any experience with this motor in a similar application with no problems? I hope I didn't just miss out on such a great deal if it would have worked out fine.
- any recommendations for a motor that will work well? I don't want to spend more than $400.
- am I better off changing the gears? I would prefer to not go this route as mathematically I would get to 21 with an 8:1 ratio, but the time involved in doing this right plus reduction in torque are a concern.
- I could go the plum quick route, but I want to be sure that modifying my existing motor will not be detrimental to the system in the cart should it be in the worst case situation with 5 adults and a cooler full of beer in a stopping and starting environment.


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BGW

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Furyous

Anyone? I'd like to pull the trigger on one of these options tomorrow.


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kgsc

You could always go the PQ route and just buy a core from them. If the new motor from them works out, sell your old one. If not, sell the PQ.. Just a thought.

Furyous

Good idea! I actually have a 36v core... Maybe they can build that one up. Although, this 48v motor I have is a torque beast. Maybe it would work out better if they wound it for more speed.

scottyb

My answer may not be what you want to hear, but I thought maybe I could help. Your dilemma is not totally uncommon.

You started with a cart that was solid built to start with (heavy) and you added length & extra seating (weight) and taller tires (higher gearing) and 3 extra passengers (weight) and 8/6v batteries (more weight) Long top (guess what) AND now you want it to go twice as fast as originally designed. Is that right?

I hate to see ya spend $2-400 on the wrong less expensive alternative.
I can almost guaranty the PQ rewind will not do the job. But to be fair call and read them this post, And see what they will suggest.

You might be best off with the 14mph speed you have... how are you going to stop that thing with 5 people on board at 20 mph?

scottyb

How much you think that old Melex will weigh with 5 people and a full cooler, 8 batteries and 22" tires on it? Close to 2000.

Furyous

You are right. It's a pickle, no doubt. Thanks for your input, Scotty. Always welcome.

I'm wondering if gearing is my best option, since my motor gets barely warm after several miles. It has plenty of torque, but if it doesn't work out with gearing then it is a hassle to change it back as well as wasted money.

Stopping it is another issue altogether. I have to upgrade wheels and tires so that it will accept discs. I will do the rear first and then the fronts if that's not sufficient. It stops pretty good as is, but will certainly need more whoa if I can get it to 20.




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