1995 Medalist speed/torque upgrade

[papabeer]

Bear with me guys, I swear I'm not really this dumb. Normally.

So if I understand correctly, going to a 500 amp controller should give me 45% more torque. If I install a motor that claims a loss of 20% torque I would still have a net gain of 25%?

That would make me very happy indeed.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by papabeer

Bear with me guys, I swear I'm not really this dumb. Normally.

So if I understand correctly, going to a 500 amp controller should give me 45% more torque. If I install a motor that claims a loss of 20% torque I would still have a net gain of 25%?

That would make me very happy indeed.

Going from a stock controller (275A) to a 500A controller will more than offset the low end torque loss that is characteristic of a motor that is wound for high speed, but the cart will still slow on hills. (All series drive systems slow on hills, just the nature of the beast.)

[papabeer]

Thank you guys.
I'm cool with it slowing down on hills some, I just don't want it to slow to a crawl.
I've got a pretty good idea now of what I want to do. Well, what I will do. I want more out of it, but with the boy driving it around I don't think I'll go too wild with it just yet, but I will leave the possibility open for the future. I can picture him doing the same dumb stuff I should have on something that was never meant to do it in the first place.

[Dela]

hey man - I've got the same cart and did most of what you seem to want to do - take a look through my journal in signature

My next step is a 6:1 gear swap - but I'm very happy with current speed and tourque after these changes

[papabeer]

Thanks Dela. I'll do that as soon as I can figure out how.

[papabeer]

Well duh. I just saw the link to your journal.

[papabeer]

That is a sweet ride you've got there.

Which motor did you put in it? I had thought about the D&D 170-006-0001, but was concerned about torque. If that's what you have and it does well enough with the bigger wheels that you are planning on getting taller gears then I think I would probably be fine.

[Dela]

yup! That's the exact motor I went with - love it, very reliable sounds great, tourqe is AOK. I am looking to change the gearing to get a bit more speed, but at full charge I'll push 27 for a bit.

[papabeer]

Oh good Lord!
At 27 miles per I'll be watching for the brakes upgrade in your journal.

Hearing your personal experience with that motor just sold me on it. After these upgrades it'll take me a while, but I'd like to do some of the mods that you have. I'll probably go with a bigger radio though. Other than that I've got a serious case of cart envy.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the gear swap goes for you and what kind of results you get from it.

By the way, what kind of range do you get, and also are you running 36v, or are you at 48?

[papabeer]

Went back to look at your journal some more and saw the caption plainly telling me it's 48v. Nice bulldog by the way. We have 2, and they are big fans of riding in the cart.