We need an executive summary, these questions and confusions keep coming around:
- If it is stamped 250 W it is a 250 W motor
- the controller max Amps times the battery max voltage (A x V = W) gives the peak Watts your 250 W motor is capable of (ex. my GSM external controller motor - 15.19 A x 41.5 V = 630.38 W)
- the power at the wheel will be less because of losses
Next we need a section on torque - fast spinning motors (at the drive shaft) provide less torque than slow spinning ones. Other factors influencing torque are motor internal gear ratio and bike wheel diameter. Forum experts are here to provide information on which motor is best suited for hill climbing vs top speed.
Which brings us to top speed capability of various motors - most common 250 W hub motors using standard controllers and a 36 V battery have a top speed with no pedaling on flat ground of around 32-33 km/h (20 mph), verified by personal experience. Mid-drive motor speed will depend on the gear you are in in the same conditions, I have seen 40+ km/h on the flat with my GSM in 6th gear, 7th gear (46:11) giving no increase in top speed I assume that 40-42 km/h is tops for that motor/controller combination. With a little bit of pedalling in 7th gear however 45 km/h is easy to attain. Both tests were done with the motor unrestricted of the 25 km/h limit setting of the controller/LCD.
If you need more power - speed - torque from a legal on road use vehicle than the above then get an electric moped, there are some very nice models on the market.
Hi trying to clarify all of the above. The electric motors in bikes are just a subset of general electric motors and the following is of general application
Torque relates to motion in a circle
Torque is measured in Newton . metre
When a torque is applied and the shaft rotates one revolution the work done or absorbed is. 2 xphi torque And is measured in joules . Work is measured as a force x distance and the distance in this case is the circumference of a circle of radius 1 M.
If the shaft rotates done revolution in one second the power is now 2*phi*torque watts. . If the shaft rotates faster then the power transferred is greater.
Torque can be changed up and down by using gears or pulleys or chain drives.
For any given electric motor, the torque is proportional to the current applied... Not the voltage.
However in order for this current to flow a voltage is required so indirectly torque depends on voltage.
when a voltage is applied to an electric motor, current flows in the windings and in reacting against a magnetic field, either produced by another current or even the same current acting in another coil or by a permanent magnet creates a torque.
Whether this creates rotational motion will depend on whether the torque produced exceeds the frictional losses and the inertia of the load. If the load is excessive, then the motor does not turn , no mechanical work is done and all the electrical power is consumed within the motor as heat. If the torque is sufficient, then the motor rotates and accelerates until the work done on the load equals the mechanical work done by the motor.
In all cases some electrical power is consumed by the motor in resistance heating of the windings, frictional ... Both in the bearings and in the air windage, and in iron losses in magnetic fields.
In a lightly loaded motor, the motor accelerates until the back EMF, equals the applied voltage. Back EMF is proportional to rotational speed, so the bigger the voltage the faster the speed.
Motor s will have been designed to operate at specific voltage , current and power ratings. They consist of windings embedded usually in epoxy resin and a laminated iron core.
If the motor is stalled or forced to run at a low speed, the current in the windings will heat up and melt.
If the motor is made to run too fast, the friction in the bearings will cause heating
If the magnetic field is to high for the amount of iron used, then the core overheats.
If the motor includes a gearbox, it will likewise have rotational speed and power levels specified. torque in excess of its design limits will strip the teeth from the cogs or cause premature wear.
Motor manufacturer s are aware of all these and will issue a power rating for their motor and designate them for continuous operation or intermittent use they will put these readings on the faceplate or in the specifications documentation.
The EU regulation is not concerned with any of this . Their statement is that the power assistance on a continuous basis must not exceed 250w.