Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

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jbird
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Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

Can anyone give an educated guess of how long the motor will likely last in the Z-20? I am currently on the waiting list. I would love to get 45mph speed, but worry about the brushed motor. I don't want to drop two and half grand and only get a few to several thousand miles before being stuck permanently or forced to buy a new motor at probably several hundred dollars. The company has been unresponsive when I have asked questions to this effect. I have specifically inquired about the availability and possible cost of services to the motor for things like brush replacements and cleanings. I guess a brushless motor probably was not used to save cost especially on the controller to get a lower introductory price on the Evtamerica Z20.

PJD
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

Considering it is not on the market yet, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Surely, brushes can be cleaned and/or replaced when the time comes.

Gman
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

Hi jbird,
I over looked the fact that the motor had brushes, that's not very good from what I've been reading. I'll try and contact them to see if that will change in the future to brushless.

Gman
jbird, your encouraged as a community stakeholder to share your preferred future vision of our growing V is for Voltage Community.

Peace Out, <img src="http://tinyurl.com/ysafbn">
Gman

reikiman
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

Surely, brushes can be cleaned and/or replaced when the time comes.

Depends ... on the EVT 4000 it's not terribly hard to open the motor and clean it out. You have to get past the fact the motor is marked with "DO NOT SERVICE" on the outside ... Getting replacement brushes for the EVT 4000 is a different story as EVT doesn't sell replacement brushes. I do understand that electricmotorsport.com has replacement brushes available.

The Z-20 is imported by EVT America and despite the EVT in their name, the Z-20 seems to not be made by the EVT company in Taiwan. EVT America got its start in importing from EVT Taiwan and I think they still sell vehicles from them, but the Z-20, based on what I've gathered from reading their press releases etc over the last 2+ years, is made by some other company than EVT Taiwan.

There are plenty of chinese companies making scooter frames and other scooter parts and EVT America could easily have gotten frames from any of those suppliers.

- David Heron, http://davidherron.com/

mf70
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

I don't have experience with EVT motors, but I have opened a brushed hubmotor. The YongKang Crown hubmotor was clearly not intended to be "openable," but since it was making awful clacking noises (when I got it at ~150 Km), something had to be done. I scribed "truth marks" on the case to ensure the parts returned to their original placement. After prying it apart, I added 4 tapped holes for jackscrews for the "next time." There was a challenge on re-assembly, as the magnets have an IMMENSE force on the stator while you're slipping it in place. I used a car jack to lower it in place the first time.

After 1000Km, I re-opened the motor. The moderate brush dust inside (and the discoloration pattern on the comm) was diagnosed by a motor expert as a sign of overloading - something that's easy to believe given my weight and (hilly) neighborhood. If the brushes do wear out before I'm tired of it, I'll just cut some down from another brand's brushes- there's nothing "proprietary" in brush design aside from the dimensions.

Some pix at:
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/822

marinwestend
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

I looks just like the kasea ZE 2000 Which has a brushless motor. I would not trust a brush motor. I install central vacum systems and brushes are a pain.

Look at the Kasea ZE 2000 it is now in the US and has a track record. It also uses silicon batteries, not lead acid.

It costs more but I would not trust evamerica, who are they anyway. A company owned by the US Oil or auto companies to make a flawed EV.

Gman
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

:?

`kasea does not stand behind the products they sell?

http://visforvoltage.org/blog-entry/797-kasea

Peace Out,
Gman

Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement

Peace Out, <img src="http://tinyurl.com/ysafbn">
Gman

PJD
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

Unfortunately, as efficient, practical, convenient, earth-saving and fun as we find electric scooters to be, the US importers regard them almost as toys and treat them as such. Would you expect to get parts or service for a toddler-size battery-electric toy Hummer H2?

Kasea, in particular makes all their money off cheap Chinese ATV quads which sell like crazy. The ZE1500 and 2000's barely earn their keep on the ship from China.

And, dealers likewise concentrate their business on bicycle kits and segways, and few make much effort to get better support.

tortuga0303
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Re: Longevity of motor on EVTamerica Z-20

Its funny how economics dictate the world around us. Almost every facet of your life has in some way shape or form to do with money and its acquisition. Take a look at my latest post on zero point energy. Interesting stuff

http://tinyurl.com/3xchvt

Wont catch me ridin dirty

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