Calculating Motor Load Capacity for a 4kg Vehicle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the motor load capacity for a vehicle weighing 4kg, utilizing yellow DC motors compatible with Arduino. The motor specifications include an operating voltage of 3V-12VDC, a maximum torque of 800g/cm at 3V, a gear ratio of 1:48, and a load current of 70mA (with a maximum of 250mA at 3V). To determine if the motor can effectively pull the load, one must calculate the power requirement based on the forces acting on the mass and the desired velocity, using the formula Power = Force x Velocity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of DC motor specifications and performance metrics
  • Basic principles of physics related to force and power calculations
  • Familiarity with Arduino and motor control
  • Knowledge of gear ratios and their impact on torque
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to calculate power requirements for a vehicle using the formula Power = Force x Velocity
  • Explore the technical data sheets for yellow DC motors to understand their performance limits
  • Learn about the effects of gear ratios on torque and speed in DC motors
  • Investigate Arduino motor control libraries for effective motor management
USEFUL FOR

Engineering students, hobbyists working on robotics projects, and anyone involved in designing motor-driven vehicles will benefit from this discussion.

nat360
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Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
TL;DR Summary: I need help with calculating how much a motor will be able to pull.

Hi all, I am currently in my first year of engineering and we have a project which requires us to use motors to drive a 4kg max vehicle. I was planning on using the very common yellow DC motors which have arduino compatibility. However I am unsure of if it is powerful enough to pull this load. Below I have listed the specifications:
Operating Voltage
3V-12VDC

Maximum Torque
800g/cm max. @ 3V

Gear Ratio
1:48

Load Current
70mA (250mA max. @ 3V)

It would be greatly appreciated if someone could explain how to calculate the mass it will be able to hold and move.
 
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Please identify the type of DC motor, and provide a link to the motor technical data.
 
The power of the motor (less inefficiencies of the drivetrain) should be equal to the power required by your vehicle.

So you have to first identify the power requirement of your vehicle. A mass of 4 kg is not power. What are the forces acting on that 4 kg mass and at what velocity? (Power = Force X Velocity)
 

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