08-06-2010, 08:34 PM
[quote atvaholic]Tube Dude-
I Like your Idea of having a cooler! Will keep the battery dry too. And thanks for the detailed explanation...so all this being said, is a smaller electric motor "generally" more efficient then a larger motor? Just curious[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Not sure that "efficient" is the word I would use. Simple physics tells us that you can only get as much energy from a stored supply as you put into it (battery)...and there are a lot of factors that influence output so that there is no guarantee that you will get back everything you put in. Kinda like marriage. But your question was about motors. The two are obviously related. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A smaller motor will consume less energy per hour than a larger motor, but that does not mean it is more efficient. A good example would be that a smaller motor might not have the power to get you back to your vehicle if the wind is blowing at a certain speed. The output of the motor is completely negated by the force of the wind. A larger motor would consume more power but would have enough output to get you back faster. Which is most efficient?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Of course that is not the type of example you wanted. But there are also a lot of things electronic that can affect energy consumption and long term performance too. The basic age and condition of both the motor and the battery can have an impact on the life of the battery and the power output of the motor. And, as we have just pointed out, temperature conditions can affect performance too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some modern motors have enhancements that can help maximize the use of applied power...and reduce the amount of battery juice wasted in heat production instead of turning the prop. It is all energy...propulsion or heat. And, from that standpoint, a larger motor JUST MIGHT convert more of the energy into propulsion than heat. I have heard it stated that way but do not have written corroboration that it is true.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In a roundabout way, I am saying that smaller is not better than bigger or vice versa...strictly from an efficiency standpoint. Your choice of battery and motor should be made based upon space and weight considerations, monetary budget and how you intend to use the system. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A small battery and small motor will serve you adequately if you merely want a power boost now and then...and if speed and distance are not critical. However, if you plan to really use your motor a lot...for long runs or for extended low speed trolling or bottom bouncing...you should invest in a good motor and a big battery.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Have I been suitably vague?[/#0000ff]
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I Like your Idea of having a cooler! Will keep the battery dry too. And thanks for the detailed explanation...so all this being said, is a smaller electric motor "generally" more efficient then a larger motor? Just curious[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Not sure that "efficient" is the word I would use. Simple physics tells us that you can only get as much energy from a stored supply as you put into it (battery)...and there are a lot of factors that influence output so that there is no guarantee that you will get back everything you put in. Kinda like marriage. But your question was about motors. The two are obviously related. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]A smaller motor will consume less energy per hour than a larger motor, but that does not mean it is more efficient. A good example would be that a smaller motor might not have the power to get you back to your vehicle if the wind is blowing at a certain speed. The output of the motor is completely negated by the force of the wind. A larger motor would consume more power but would have enough output to get you back faster. Which is most efficient?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Of course that is not the type of example you wanted. But there are also a lot of things electronic that can affect energy consumption and long term performance too. The basic age and condition of both the motor and the battery can have an impact on the life of the battery and the power output of the motor. And, as we have just pointed out, temperature conditions can affect performance too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Some modern motors have enhancements that can help maximize the use of applied power...and reduce the amount of battery juice wasted in heat production instead of turning the prop. It is all energy...propulsion or heat. And, from that standpoint, a larger motor JUST MIGHT convert more of the energy into propulsion than heat. I have heard it stated that way but do not have written corroboration that it is true.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In a roundabout way, I am saying that smaller is not better than bigger or vice versa...strictly from an efficiency standpoint. Your choice of battery and motor should be made based upon space and weight considerations, monetary budget and how you intend to use the system. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]A small battery and small motor will serve you adequately if you merely want a power boost now and then...and if speed and distance are not critical. However, if you plan to really use your motor a lot...for long runs or for extended low speed trolling or bottom bouncing...you should invest in a good motor and a big battery.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Have I been suitably vague?[/#0000ff]
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