Name That Motor

[Cyclezee]

Can anyone identify the motor in the attached picture? Is it a TongXin/Nano or some other make? C.H.White use it in their electric version of the Dahon Impulse folder.
I asked what make it was, but they wouldn't divulge other than to say it is Chinese.
I'm intending to build an electric folder using my Dahon Jetstream (2nd attached photo) and think the TongXin motor and controller would be the most suitable. As for battery, I like the very neat 24v NiMH arrangement, again usede by C.H.White (3rd attached photo).
I'm looking for a balance, or compromise some may say, between light weight and range of 20+ miles over moderately hilly terrain. The basic bike weighs 10.4 Kg and there is not much to strip off it to make it lighter.

Any advice on this project would be welcome.

John

 

[frank9755]

John,

I understand from a recent posting on here that CH White uses kits from the Austrian seller, Specialbikes.at. I am fairly certain he uses Tongxin motors, and he does use that battery / carrier arrangement, which I agree looks pretty good. A similar arrangement was used on the Schwinn. The only drawback with that type of carrier is that, as far as I am aware, it has only been used with 24v batteries.

The kit in your picture looks quite like a Tongxin, although mine has a polished finish, not brushed like that one.

Frank

 

[Cyclezee]

Thanks Frank, I thought you would know, but like you,I did wonder about the matt brushed finish rather than the polished one you have.
However in the Specialbikes kit the motor has polished finish. (see pic).
The price of the kit doesn't look too bad, but I guess it has to be cheaper from TongXin.
John

 

[coops]

I think if you choose the motor to be quite efficient, low-ish (legal) geared suitable for your moderate hills & quite easily freewheeling while still providing good torque at 'hillclimb' speeds, and additionally you provide a good level of rider input (with suitable gears), then you could just about make 20+ miles on one 24V 9Ah NiMH battery (bear in mind that flecc made 30+ miles with the Q-bike on a 36/37V battery which has about 50% more energy, but in very hilly terrain ). That would keep the weight down, but might limit your speed a bit and if your rider contribution is insufficient then you'd have to carry a spare battery or charge en route .

Hope thats helpful .

Stuart.

 

[Cyclezee]

Thanks Stuart, that is helpful. More things to think about.

John

 

[Jeremy]

I'm near 100% sure that motor isn't a Tongxin, although it looks similar. Apart from the different finish, the wires come out of the axle on the right, rather than on the left like the Tongxin. It must be about the same size though, judging from the spoke length.

The Tongxin would seem to be a good choice for a folder, as it's most probably the lightest motor available, I think. The controller is tiny as well, which makes it easier to find a home for it. I'm sure that slippage from the drive shouldn't be a problem with smaller wheels either.

Jeremy

 

[frank9755]

Good point, Jeremy. However if you go to the Tongxin site one of the arty pictures shows a motor with a brushed finish. Also I corresponded with the Austrian chap who I believe CH White get their motors from and he does stock Tongxin motors and controllers.

 

[flecc]

I don't think it's a Tongxin design either, and it isn't a Suzhou Bafang like the Quando motor. Given the huge numbers of Chinese e-bikes and the size of their domestic market, I'm sure there's a few Chinese made motors not previously exported that we are completely unaware of.
.

 

[Jeremy]

Interesting. Does that mean it's possible to buy Tongxin motors wired the other way around, I wonder? If so, then that would be useful in a tadpole trike. I've been interested in building one of these for ages and the idea of having three wheel drive, two electric motors up front and a pedal driven rear wheel, quite appeals.

Jeremy

 

[keithhazel]

Can anyone identify the motor in the attached picture? Is it a TongXin/Nano or some other make? C.H.White use it in their electric version of the Dahon Impulse folder.
I asked what make it was, but they wouldn't divulge other than to say it is Chinese.
I'm intending to build an electric folder using my Dahon Jetstream (2nd attached photo) and think the TongXin motor and controller would be the most suitable. As for battery, I like the very neat 24v NiMH arrangement, again usede by C.H.White (3rd attached photo).
I'm looking for a balance, or compromise some may say, between light weight and range of 20+ miles over moderately hilly terrain. The basic bike weighs 10.4 Kg and there is not much to strip off it to make it lighter.

Any advice on this project would be welcome.

John

your jetstream bike, apart from looking very cool, instantly reminds me of the schwinn electric folder which i had the catalogue for..2007..from hilderthorpe cycles in bridlington, however even though the catalogue was nearly a year old he had not managed to get hold of one yet, but yours does look good...

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Keith,
do you know wher I can see the Schwinn folder online? I would like to have a look at it as it may give me some ideas for the Dahon.

John

 

[keithhazel]

you cant see it on line, however look back to my postings as i showed it there, i did have the catalogue but not sure if i still have, see if you can find my posting or get back to me and i will look when i have time later...let me know either way please.
keith

 

[homemoz]

Hi John,
I have the MU P8 conversion by Ch White. I posted quite a bit of information about this bike on a previous thread - "More Electric Folders" from 21 January, I think. Flecc thinks the motor is a TongXin, although it isn't totally silent like the Nano version. Am just about about to go to work on the bike now, so this is going to be a brief post. The conversion is neat & the motor suits this type of bike well, as long as you're willing to pedal.