Why the WATT (W) rating on your motor is a LIE

Why the WATT (W) rating on your motor is a LIE

It’s a common spec to consider when comparing electric scooters or electric bikes. But it’s does not always tell truth about the power of the scooter. Why? Let us explain.

Motor is passive and only receives power output by battery and controller. So by using a higher watt motor, with the same battery and controller, there will not be any difference in power.

The watt rating on the motor only tells you the amount of power it can receive continuously for a long time without getting damaged or burnt.

For example, take the Zero 10X. It comes in 2 versions. The 18Ah version has dual 1000W motors. And the 23Ah version has dual 1200W motors. But there is absolutely no difference in power. Why? Because it is using the same voltage battery and same Amp output controller.

Firstly, we need to know how to calculate Watt:

Watt = Volt(of battery) x Amp(of controller)

With Zero 10X, the voltage is 52V and Amp of controller is 25A. So the power output is 1300W (52V x 25A).

If the battery is full at 58.8V, the power output will be 1470W (58.8V x 25A).

You may then ask, will my motor be damaged because my motor is only rated 1000W? No, it wouldn’t. Motors can usually receive up to 2x of the rated power. So a 1000W motor can take more than 2000W comfortably.

Therefore, customers shouldn’t only look at the Watt rating of the motor. It is more important to check the Amp output of the controller. T
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Comments

Ray - October 28, 2021
Two of us would like to rent personal electric transport while on holliday in Bangkok.

Our preference is Electric Unicycles.

If you can help or advise please let me know.

Yours
Ray.

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