EV TRACTION MOTOR CONTROLLER COMPARISON
All information is a snapshot taken in September 2009 and is subject to change without being updated here. Issues highlighted in yellow or red. Sorted from left to right by popularity on EV Discussion List Photo Album per www.evalbum.com/cntrl.
| Parameter | Comment | Series DC Motor Controllers: | Induction AC Motor Controllers: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make | Curtis | Kelly | Logisystems | Zapi | Navitas (formerly SRE) | Azure Dynamics | Brusa | MES-DEA | Curtis
| Number of users on EVDL
|
| 738
| 105
| 43
| 24
| 8
| 59
| 18
| 6
| 0
| Estimated Forward Efficiency of Drive System
|
| 75%
| 75%
| 75%
| 75%
| 75%
| 85%
| 85%
| 85%
| 85%
| Efficient Regenerative Braking Setup
|
| no
| no
| no
| no
| no
| yes
| yes
| yes
| yes
| Cooling Method
|
| sealed with case convection only
|
|
|
| sealed with case convection only
| sealed with fan on heat sink
| water
| water
| sealed with case convection only
| Operating temperature range, degrees C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Monitor port
|
| none, but current cuts back and switching frequency changes to audible 1.5 KHz when temperature limit crossed
|
|
|
|
|
| Models
|
| 1221C-7401 for 400 amp peak | 1231C-7701/8601 for 500 amp peak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nominal DC Operating Voltage
|
| 72 to 120V for 1221C and 1231C-7701 | 96 to 144V for 1231C-8601
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Continuous Current Output, amps
|
| 150 for 1221C | 225 for 1231C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dimensions, inches
|
| 12x7.1x3.2 for 1221C | 13.3x8.6x3.7 for 1231C
|
|
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|
|
|
|
| Weight, pounds
|
| 13 lb for 1221C | 19 lb for 1231C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distributors and their prices: | Canadian EVs Errington, BC
| 1221C and 1231C offered, but prices not posted
|
|
|
|
| Azure Dynamics offered, but prices not posted
|
|
|
| Cloud Electric
| Clarkesville, GA
| $1,399 for 1221C | $1,585 for 1231C yes
| yes
|
| yes
|
|
|
|
| Electro Automotive
| Felton, CA
| $1,325 for 1221C | $1,725 for 1231C
|
|
|
| yes
|
|
|
| EV Parts
| Sequim, WA
| $1,399 for 1221C | $1,595 for 1231C-7701 $1,475 for 1231C-8601
| yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
| EVs of America
| Wolfeboro, NH
| 1221C and 1231C offered, but prices not posted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| EV Source
| Logan, UT
| $1,588 for 1231C-8601
|
| yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
| KTA Services
| Ramona, CA
| $1,050 for 1221C | $1,495 for 1231C
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $4,500 | includes motor Metric Mind
| Happy Valley, OR
|
|
|
|
|
|
| yes
| yes
|
| Thunderstruck Motors
| Sebastopol, CA
| $1,050 for 1221C | $1,450 for 1231C
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $4,500 | includes motor Column last updated
|
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| 9/30/09
| |
Note: As of September 30 2009, total motor controllers listed on EVDL is 1920. 4 of the top 10 as well as others offered by EV component suppliers listed above are shown, totalling 1001 or 52%. Auburn Scientific, Cafe Electric, DC Power Systems, General Electric and Sevcon are also popular motor controllers making up 319 or 17%, but they are either no longer made or not readily available in the US, so they are not included above. Alltrax, Yi Yun,Crystalyte and Sevcon are also popular motor controllers making up 332 or 17%, but they are smaller, best for mini cars, motorcycles or bicycles only and are not covered here.
Manufacturers known to have chargers but do not serve individuals and hence were not included above include AC Electric Vehicles, AC Propulsion, Enova, UQM, Reliance and TM4.
If you have any corrections, questions, updates or additions to the information on this page, please contact the NBEAA per information posted on www.nbeaa.org.