Electric skateboards: working principle, best models and selection criteria

Today, electric transport is becoming increasingly popular among various categories of people. It allows a person to move on roads and sidewalks and not to exert any effort. One of the most interesting types of such vehicles can be called an electric skateboard. This is a great solution for the city, which will allow you to feel confident and easy on any surface.

Outside, the electric board is similar to a regular skate, which does not have an electronic drive. That’s why it is called an electric skateboard, since its device is not so complicated and complicated in comparison with the classical model, although it differs. For example, the mass of the product in question is significantly larger. The wheels here have a larger diameter.

If we talk about the device of an electric skateboard, then it consists of 4 main components:

• Electrical engine;
• rechargeable batteries;
• brakes;
• control mechanism.

Now let's say a little more about each element. An electric skateboard may have 1 or more electric motors. Low-powered boards accelerate to 15 km per hour, and more powerful models - up to 40.

Similar speeds are typical for non-professional devices with electric drive. If we talk about models that belong to the category of sports, then they can ride at a speed of 90 kilometers per hour. True, riding at such a speed is fraught with great health risks, which requires special training. Note that the electric board motor can be easily turned off and moved on it, like on an ordinary skateboard.

An electric skateboard receives electrical energy from the lithium-ion type batteries with which it is equipped. Usually they are located directly under the board. Their power is small, but the electric motor itself can hardly be called very energy-intensive. Therefore, when the battery is fully charged, you can drive up to 20 kilometers or more. Everything will depend on the model.

Yes, and to charge such a battery of labor is not difficult. To do this, you need a regular 200 volt outlet and a special wire, which usually comes with the board. Usually a couple of hours is enough to fully charge the battery.

The braking mechanism is usually responsible for reducing the speed of the board when moving after receiving the appropriate command from the control panel. This is possible due to the use of the recovery effect. The motor, in fact, goes into the state of the generator. And the device is coasting and begins to slow down, while simultaneously charging the battery. If riding occurs with deactivated motors, then braking can only be done with your feet. Usually the braking distance is 12 meters.

The control mechanism is usually a remote control, thanks to which the person who exercises control, starts the brake and allows you to control the movement of the board.

Now let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this transport. The strengths are the following points.

• Any electric skate, if it is not an SUV, can be used as the simplest skate. If the battery is exhausted, you can safely ride with the help of inertia of the body. On the top of the board, nothing will interfere with the simplest pushing away with your feet.
• Given that the skateboards received electric drives, their dimensions remained small. If you compare them with electric scooters or electric bicycles, then the boards can be carried in your hand or put in a backpack for the duration of the trip in transport.
• The control panel of such a transport is an original decision of the creators, because it can work at a certain distance from the skate, which is why it can be called remote. The remote control does not interfere with the person traveling, it is very compact and using it is as simple and easy as possible.
• The control panel allows you to control the skate even when a person is not on it. That is, you can ride someone or drive him to yourself.
• Such transport has a considerable supply of energy and can drive quite quickly. According to these criteria, it will be preferable to gyro scooters. Such a skateboard can ride on one charge for an hour even at high speed.
• Lack of moisture sensitivity is another important aspect. If it rains outside, the electronic system will not fail, because it is protected by the board. But riding through puddles will already be a danger. And the road will be slippery, which can cause danger during the ride.
• A number of devices have various auxiliary elements. For example, a headlight that illuminates the road for a safe ride. It does not consume a lot of charge due to the fact that it is based on several low-power LEDs that generate sufficient light flux.

If we talk about the shortcomings, then The main one is the rather high price of the device. It will be significantly higher than a regular skate. And if you buy some sort of branded model, then not everyone can afford it.

A significant part of the cost of the device is electronics. And if it breaks, then the repair will be expensive. therefore You must definitely protect the electric skateboard. Given the permanent charging and discharging of batteries, their service life is constantly reduced.

Electric skateboards can be divided into several categories according to various criteria.For example, this can be done according to the permissible mass of a person, by power and by the type of road surface. The first criterion is quite important, because if a person, whose mass is more than permissible, gets up on such an electric skateboard, then he will simply break. Manufacturers produce such models of electric skateboards, designed for the weight of the rider:

• lungs;
• medium;
• heavy.

The easy option can also be called childish. They are suitable for people weighing up to 85 kilograms. Medium models can support a person weighing up to 100 kilograms, while heavy ones are designed for people weighing up to 135 kilograms. According to the paving category, electric skateboards are:

• urban
• off-road.

The first category is characterized by narrow and smooth wheel tires, not very large engine power and low weight. Off-road tires are characterized by pronounced tire treads, as well as adaptability to driving on dirt roads and easy off-road driving. Here, the motor power will be higher, as well as the mass.

In addition, electroskates vary in power. By this criterion they are:

• children’s;
• professional.

The first category has a power of up to 150 watts and can move at a speed of up to 10 kilometers per hour. Models of the second category have a power of up to 350 watts, their speed will be significantly higher.

In addition, on the market you can find both one-wheeled and two-wheeled options. Naturally, models on two wheels will be more popular, because they are much easier and easier to manage.

The market today has a fairly large number of companies and firms that produce fairly good and economical, but at the same time powerful electric skateboards. For example, company Evolve Skateboards. It was founded in 2012, and in just a few years it managed to conquer the electric skateboard market and become one of the most successful companies in this market segment.

Founder Jeff Enning himself became the developer of the company's first models of electric skateboards. And his product turned out to be so successful that in 2014 the company entered the world markets, including the Russian one. Especially successful models can be called Evolve Bamboo One, Evolve Bustin Pintail 2 in 1, Evolve GT Carbon Street, Evolve Bustin Pintail Street, Evolve Carbon All Terrain.

Another manufacturer whose electro skateboards deserve the attention of consumers is models from the Chinese company Xiaomi. Created not so long ago, the company first positioned itself as a manufacturer of mobile phones. But having achieved success in this field, she began to actively develop the production of other goods, including electric scooters.

Another company that makes pretty high-quality electric scooters - American company Razor. It was created in 2000. The brand's calling card is the so-called scooter model A, which is known to everyone. According to user reviews, the company is doing no worse than electro-skateboards.

An electric skateboard will be a great solution if you have experience riding it. If it is not, then it is better to first practice on non-motorized counterparts.

Another important point - you should pay attention to the speed of the device. The largest for children's models is 15 kilometers per hour. For adults - up to 40 kilometers per hour. This value will depend on how powerful the engine is installed on the skateboard.

The third aspect is power reserve, which is determined by the charge of the battery. On average, we are talking about 20 kilometers. But for more powerful models, this indicator can be 2 times more.

Another important point - battery capacity, which is measured in ampere hours. The power reserve will depend on this indicator.

The next point that will affect the choice of model is the angle of inclination. Thanks to him, a person can, with varying degrees of ease, go uphill and go down.

Another aspect is number of wheels and their sizes. As mentioned, today you can find one-, two- and four-wheel models. If the wheels are large, then the skate will be maximum. But maneuverability will suffer, so here you need to be careful.

The next selection criterion is clearance. The higher the platform is located, the more difficult the terrain it will overcome. Most models are average.

And the last criterion is board weight. Depending on the model, the value can vary from 8 to 35 kilograms.

An overview of the Armo Board Pro Gen 2 electro skateboard can be found in the next video.