The type of electric car motor you choose will be determined by the style of car you want to convert. There are two types of motors, DC or AC electric motors. DC motors are powered by direct current such as a battery. A typical DC motor suitable for an electric car will need anywhere from 96v to 192v. AC motors need alternating current to operate and cannot be powered straight from the battery. Most AC motors for electric cars need three-phase 240VAC to operate, and these voltages are derived from the motor controller, which takes 300v DC and converts it into the three ac phases the motor requires. There are certain advantages and disadvantages to both. The advantage to an AC motor is that they can be used for braking, and the energy used in braking can be used to recharge the batteries. This is called regenerative braking or just simply regen, and is used in all of the new electric cars being produced today. The disadvantage to using an AC motor is generally the cost. Ac motors are usually much more expensive than DC motors, so if you are on a tight budget DC is probably the way to go. Both types of motors need a motor controller to operate, and once again due to the complexities involved, an AC motor controller is much more expensive than a comparable DC motor controller. Many times you can find very inexpensive sources of motors by shopping around. Due to regular maintenance schedules many industrial areas will have businesses that throw out working motors on a routine basis, which could be a goldmine if you can find and talk to the right person in charge. Another great source is eBay. Just go to eBay and do a search for DC or AC motor, and you will find many sources to choose from. When selecting an electric car motor you need to do your homework. Many factors come into play such as cost, type of car you are converting, and don't forget about how much space you have under the hood. Proper planning goes a long way for a successful electric car conversion.
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