Thanks Justin that is just what I am looking for in the trike but I am curious if anyone is building it into a Hub Motor configuration like the ones I use in the bikes I build?

I used the discontinued Tidal Force frames that actually do have frame mounting points for motors like this but I greatly prefer the balance and symmetry of the hub motor configuration for cycling. The bikes I build also have extra brakes to compensate for the increased mass but their balance is excellent and they have incredible road stability and perform like light weight motorcycles with smooth but significant acceleration and reasonable climb performance on a 20% incline. There is still nothing like a DC brushed motor for real bottom band torque when you need it and brushes are relatively cheap and easy to replace. However it is true that brushed motors are also less efficient overall but I ride in mountainous terrain and need a significant amount of torque.

I did detune a 21 speed gear train to 15 speeds and not only retained but expanded the upper and lower gear ratio limits. I found that with motors the extent of overlap for gear ratios in standard chain gear ratios was entirely unnecessary and that fewer gears with a greater range provides the rider with significantly better and more reliable performance. Part of my motive was reducing the width of the rear wheel but fewer gears also means less chain jumping too and that translated into better performance AND greater reliability.

BTW have you been experimenting with Ultracaps yet?

I have found the issue of energy storage and weight (not to mention cost and reliability) to be far more important overall than motor efficiency as a limiting factor to this technology. The difference in overall performance between the AC motors you describe and cheaper, less efficient but simpler and reliable DC motors is real but not as competitive as one might think given the cost difference. You said the AC kits are $450 but the least expensive one I found at the link you provided was $2500 compare that to the 3phase DC PMAC motor for $450 at the same site. It requires a more complex 8 pole controller but overall allows for a simpler installation.

AC motor www.electricmotorsport.com/stor...n.php

DC motor www.electricmotorsport.com/stor...c.php

I did not find any AC motors for the price range you originally described. Are they available at a different source?

I see you are still storing DC and running through an inverter in both directions so that is still a 5% loss both ways but I guess the argument is that AC motors are lighter, more durable and have a better weight to power ratio with a wider power band but is the claimed difference with DC still true after the additional components and cost?

Also does your system provide real braking effect during regen or is it just a rolling regen and what happens when the vehicle speed drops below the point when the voltage is no longer up to the charge level?

Does the controller simply block the low voltage end of the regen curve or is it able to boost voltage up to functional charge voltages somehow?

Thanks for sharing Justin and I apologize for bombarding you with questions. I wish I were closer to your side of the world to be able to share notes in person and compare some of the tech on the same test track.