If I increased the voltage from 36 volts to 48 volts on my electric bicycle, would it burn the motor?

Question

If I increased the voltage from 36 volts to 48 volts on my electric bicycle, would it burn the motor?

Answer 1

Depends on the rating of the motor.

And yes, a voltage limiter would be a good idea when using regeneratiive braking.

Answer 2

OH the environmental consequences!!

Answer 3

Probably, because the current would increase and create more heat. It is the heat that actually damages the motor windings. Voltage=Current X Resistance. Resistance is about constant, so if Voltage goes up, then Current goes up.

Power=Voltage x Current, so you will get more power, but may burn up the motor.

Answer 4

It could ,look at the motor as to what voltage and current it is designed for.

Answer 5

I haven't had the opportunity to even see an electric bicycle yet, or read anything about them.

Unless the motor is already designed to handle higher voltages you probably would get away with it for a short

period of time.

There would be increased heat however, and shorter brush life.

If the heat built up sufficiently you will destroy either the field windings or the commutator or both!

If you are doing this to try to win some competition and are willing to accept the possible consequences, then I would say to give it a go!

Check all of the wire sizes from the supply to the motor to make sure that it is sufficient for the increased current also.

The extra 12 volts that you put in may only be 6 volts or so seen at the motor.(not to mention the possibility of the wires overheating and shorting everything out!

Also, your weakest link will be the power switch!

If I were younger and had the time to play with something like this I would be using a pulse-width-modulator device for the throttle mechanism(maybe yours does, I don't know).

Good luck!

I'd like to know how you get on.

Answer 6

YES! The motor voltage is used to select the size wire for the motor shaft magnets,if it melts,the motor is useless.

Answer 7

I can't answer that, but be careful about outrunning your brake system.

Answer 8

I don't know anything about electric bicycles per se, but if they use batteries there may also be a voltage rating issue on those.  I know its an issue on cordless power tools so I'm just extending that warning on to bicycles.

Answer 9

Yes.  Power goes up as the square of the voltage.  At full throttle, the motor power will be 178% of the design value.  There is margin in the design so the motor might not fail right away if driven at less than full throttle, but the life will be shorter no matter what.  Brushes and bearings will wear faster even if the windings can take it.

Answer 10

electric motors will tolerate higher voltage. however, keep in mind that anytime you over-load a motor you can shorten its life. there is a online forum you can go to and post your question and you will get accurate answer. I have just completed an electric conversion of a motorcycle, I also built and installed a genset for anytime and anywhere battery charging. the battery voltage is 48, while in hybrid mode, the voltage goes to 55.5 volts. this motor is a permanent magnet design, made for 48 volts, runs fine at 55.5 volts.