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Snorg · 01-24-2009, 04:42 AM

Greetings from Snorg.

I would like to build hybrid trike.
Propelled by 1/2 HP 120VAC electric motor, or two if one is not enough power.
Said 120VAC motor will be fed by a 120VDC battery pack of nine 12V batteries in series.
A "1500 Watt" 120VAC portable generator will be on board to extend the trike's range. The generator's nominal capacity is actually 1200W (120VACx10AMPS), diodes will be used to change the 120VAC to 120VDC.

The first question I have is what to do for speed control. I think I will have nine power taps, one after each successive battery this will give me nine speeds that I select manually. Do you think that would work fine??

Next I need to know what to do for brakes. If I'm going downhill at top speed and simply select a lower speed will that provide effective braking and if so will it be enough?

I don't know allot about electric motors, I know that a 120VAC motor that has brushes will run fine on DC, but do motors that are commonly used for bench grinders and compressors run on DC?

01-24-2009, 04:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Snorg Dracola Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snorgsylvania Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help me build hybrid trike. Greetings from Snorg. I would like to build hybrid trike. Propelled by 1/2 HP 120VAC electric motor, or two if one is not enough power. Said 120VAC motor will be fed by a 120VDC battery pack of nine 12V batteries in series. A "1500 Watt" 120VAC portable generator will be on board to extend the trike's range. The generator's nominal capacity is actually 1200W (120VACx10AMPS), diodes will be used to change the 120VAC to 120VDC. The first question I have is what to do for speed control. I think I will have nine power taps, one after each successive battery this will give me nine speeds that I select manually. Do you think that would work fine?? Next I need to know what to do for brakes. If I'm going downhill at top speed and simply select a lower speed will that provide effective braking and if so will it be enough? I don't know allot about electric motors, I know that a 120VAC motor that has brushes will run fine on DC, but do motors that are commonly used for bench grinders and compressors run on DC?