How many CIMs in your drivetrain?

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by Jared Russell

Maximum power and maximum efficiency occur at two separate points on the motor curve for brushed DC motors.

Maximum power occurs when P(out)=radial velocity * torque is maximized, which is at half free speed and half stall torque.

Maximum efficiency occurs when P(out) / P(in), or (radial velocity * torque) / (current * voltage) is maximized. This always occurs somewhere between the maximum power point and free speed (it varies from motor to motor depending on free current).

Originally Posted by Ether

The max power (rated power) of the DC brushed motors used in FRC occurs at roughly half the free speed.

The max efficiency occurs at a higher speed.

EDIT: Jared beat me to it.

Well, obviously I wasn't taught correctly. Then again, the class was using AC motors (both single and 3 phase), and with those, we found such to be true. Maybe inductive (AC) motors behave differently?

(Sorry for the misinformation, I feel kinda dumb here).