Insufficient Oomph

[tomaidh]

I have a WizWheels Trike w/a 600 watt US Pro (Currie) motor driven by 24 volts. I frequently cross a 200 foot hill (and back). If I don't pedal hard enough, the motor overheats & conks out. Motor and controls are stock. Can I increase voltage to 36 or 48 to get more torque without injuring motor or controls?

 

[SirJakesus]

I've heard of currie systems being easy to overvolt to 36v however you do risk burning out your motor unless you provide it extra cooling or buy one with a higher wattage rating.

 

[ZnsaneRyder]

Giving the motor more power will just make it even hotter. Try to get a larger, cooler motor. It sounds like your 24V motor is on the limit.

 

[ozzyu812]

Can it be geared lower? Can you move the motor to pedaling chain or side to utilize the gears?

I've had a E-zip for 3 weeks now. There is one hill that I'm pedaling 100% power and the motor is straining to make it. My commute now is only 6 mi one way, I will be moving up to 20 mi when we get a house. If I have 3 or 4 hills like that it would be a real problem. In order to get a leg up on this I plan on relocating the motor to get a range of gears. I haven't done any direct work on this yet. I've been busy adding accessories and dismantling my donor bike.

Is your bike a recumbant? I don't see how you pedal those things with any real force. You can't use your body weight to help pedal.