" From: farna@xxxxxxx " " In theory, yes -- hook it right to the driveshaft or axle. But in " practice, you need a hefty motor to get something heavy moving. So " there's a compromise between motor size/weight/heat generated, and " the current draw required. Seems it's better in the long run to use " a transmission -- at least a two speed job as Andrew keeps " mentioning. That's why I figure a BW OD would be a good, light, easy " to operate trans. That's only if you can electrically reverse the " motor though. And have an electric lock-oout for the OD, which won't " work in reverse. That's easy enough to accomplish with a relay to cut " power to the solenoid. Since multi speed automotive trannys are " readily available and easy to use, may as well use a smaller motor " and take advantage of all the gear reduction already there. the power to accelerate from a stop [in a given time] is a constant. the tradeoff is that while in the torque-limited part of the performance map a smaller motor may not be able to supply that power. this is why i think a wide range 2sp would be the ticket. a 'granny gear' to get rolling [just like a large truck] and a top gear for everything else. how about the planetary from a t/c? ~2.6:1... " ------------------------ " From: Ken Ames <ameskg@xxxxxxxxx> " " Aren't electric motors like steam engines? Maximum torque at 0 rpm? inherently true of series-connected dc motors. parallel motors shine at higher speeds. you can switch between connection modes - locomotives did. separately excited motors can imitate both. inverter controlled synchronous ac motors act like seperately excited dc. dunno offhand how inverter driven induction motors act. " Should be able to run the driveshaft off the motor. The electric buses here have " no tranny. just thought - those electric buses [we have them in boston too] probably won't go over 35 mph. and they run off overhead wires, so efficiency isn't a factor. ________________________________________________________________________ Andrew Hay the genius nature internet rambler is to see what all have seen adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and think what none thought _______________________________________________ Amc-list mailing list Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list