NetGain offers the TransWarP motors for two purposes: 1) as a second motor coupled by the driveshaft to a primary motor, and 2) for use in a direct drive car as long as the car is under 2200 lbs. They also recommend that if it is used as direct drive that the motor and controller be sized at twice what would be normally needed for that vehicle.
I agree that the motor is working harder in my car than it would with a transmission, but it still falls within the recommended guidelines from NetGain. The car weighs 1928 lbs. Additionally, there is an external blower that forces more air through the motor to keep it cool at lower speeds.
I don't live in-town, so my driving is almost all 50 mph roads. Once I leave the driveway, there are only two stops/starts then it's 50 mph. At that speed the motor is easily able to self-cool from the internal fan.
So I don't mind pushing the motor a bit harder at startup. I expect that it's reducing my range a little, but the advantages of direct drive over transmission are more important to me. Plus it is somewhat a matter of curiosity to see just how it works out.
So far I am pleased with how it runs, and I attribute most of the high wh/mi to poor aerodynamics and fat tires. These are things that I can improve upon, and have already started to work towards.
For the RPMs, this motor is rated to 5,000 and confirmed a few weeks ago via phone call to the president of NetGain.
Quote:
Originally Posted by samway47
I have a Chevy s-10, lead sled(4500 lb.) running a 9in. motor. Top end on dc motors are usually around 5500 rpm. Check with Warp, but I think you'll find that you need to run around 4000 rpm and that you are hurting the motor and creating excess heat buy running at low rpms. If you can get your car on a chassis dynomometer you will see exactly where your torque drops off and when to shift.
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