SpudFiles

this is a dumb question but what is the difference between a 24 volt 500 watt motor and a 36 volt 500 watt besides the 12volt difference?

No difference from the point of total power draw. However, the 24 v motor will draw more current (amps) to make up the power and will have less resistance coils and probably built of somewhat thicker gage wires.

Is that what you were looking for? How did you come upon this question?

well i am going to use it for a bike and they are about the same price so i was wondering which one will be more effecient.

jon_89 wrote:well i am going to use it for a bike and they are about the same price so i was wondering which one will be more effecient.

Higher voltage will be your better choice for efficiency...smaller cabling, less amps for same power output, fewer losses.

any idea how long 3 12ah would last? i know slight subject change.

At full 500 watt load, in the 40 - 50 minute zone....from a full charge of course. If you don't run at full load, you can stretch that out a lot longer.

i am looking for about 12 miles any sugestions? i got one big hill and really small hills.

If you average 12 mph speed it will take you an hour to get to your destination...a speed that should be possible with your bike and motor. Your only full power pull will be on the upside of the hills.

Not knowing anymore about your situation, I think the 12 miles may be just doable, but the battery will be aching for a charging by time you get there.

u could rig some regenerative breaking to get a little more distance out of it

well i only have 4 miles but i just want that extra juice just in case.how would i do the regen brake?

all regenerative breaking does is flip the polarity on the motor turning it into a generator(electronics ppl correct me if im wrong), but more electronics are needed to actually charge the battery with that power