Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electric Bikes
Reload this Page >

Power and efficiency

Search
Notices
Electric Bikes Here's a place to discuss ebikes, from home grown to high-tech.

Power and efficiency

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-08-10 | 07:18 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Power and efficiency

Dear Collective of information.
Can anyone tell me if an electric motor say of 250 watts was geared to run almost always at speeds between its max power and max efficiency what would the effect be on its distance/longevity of use between charges. i.e. How much further would it run compared to a 'fixed' setup on one charge in % of distance terms?
Many thanks Jim
Triumphjim is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-10 | 12:52 PM
  #2  
nwmtnbkr's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by Triumphjim
Dear Collective of information.
Can anyone tell me if an electric motor say of 250 watts was geared to run almost always at speeds between its max power and max efficiency what would the effect be on its distance/longevity of use between charges. i.e. How much further would it run compared to a 'fixed' setup on one charge in % of distance terms?
Many thanks Jim
Are you in the EU? The reason I ask is because of the motor/power restrictions for street legal e-bikes in the EU and parts of Asia. Most e-bike enthusiasts in North America use conversion kits that have more powerful motors, although you'll find that many of the big manufacturers are putting 250W hub motors on all their e-bikes, including those destined for the North American market. You may get a more accurate answer to your question in an EU-based forum.

Like all vehicles, a number of variables will come into play with respect to how far someone will be able to travel on an e-bike. Clearly the less weight on the bike (smaller rider) the farther the bike will travel, but terrain and wind play a factor too. The larger the battery, the better. If the rider is willing to pedal, that augmentation of the battery will help significantly. If you don't pedal and you ride with the throttle at it's max, don't expect to go very far. Your speeds will also be limited by the motor's capacity, but that's what the EU wants--low-speed e-bikes.

My e-bike has a 450W Currie non-hub motor. I've got the OEM sealed lead acid battery (24V 10AH) and a new LIFEPO4 pack (24V 20AH) that I built fitted in the sides of the Currie rear mounted battery rack. I pedal and mainly use power assist for the steep hills (I'm in Montana, west of Glacier National Park so it's very mountainous). I've not gone on a really long trip with the new battery yet, but I still have had lots of power in the battery after 20 mile trips. I'm hoping to travel to a town that's 20 miles away and think I won't run out of battery power having both batteries to use. If our weather improves, I'm hoping to make that outing in a week or so. Good luck. Hopefully, someone with a 250W motor may chime in with more information for you.
nwmtnbkr is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
M2faux
Electric Bikes
18
04-12-21 12:54 PM
glenhendry
Electric Bikes
12
08-02-18 11:31 AM
trekker pete
Electric Bikes
7
07-05-16 01:24 PM
Tohot
Electric Bikes
46
02-28-14 09:33 AM
patricke
Electric Bikes
11
07-11-13 08:52 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.