Re: starter motors

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden@ald.net>]

On 31 May 2001, at 17:35, prasad wrote:

> A lot of times I have wondered why starter motors can not used be for
> traction in my bicycle. However, I know that these motors are not rated
> continuous. What is it that makes them differ from traction motor? 

Starters are not designed for efficiency or long life.  Their total use 
in the lifetime of a car might be a few hours at most, so they use the 
cheapest design.  In particular their bearings are of marginal quality.

If you are using parts from a car for your bicycle, you could use an 
electric radiator fan motor instead.  These aren't much more efficient, 
but at least they're designed for a few hundred hours of operation.  

In fact I believe that some of the commercial electric bicycles use 
motors similar to (perhaps identical to) automotive fan motors.


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
1991 Solectria Force 144vac
1991 Ford Escort Green/EV 128vdc
1979 General Engines ElectroPed 24vdc
1974 Honda Civic EV 96vdc
1970 GE Elec-trak E15 36vdc
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