The innovative Electric Skateboard comes up with a technological system that makes it work efficiently. It has also given beneficial commuting services over time. A beginner can find it easy to ride with a simplified knowledge of how do electric skateboards work?
The central working point of an Electric Skateboard is Electro Speed Controller (ESC). It adjusts a power supply from the battery to the motor to charge it. The system is either located under the Deck or inside the Skateboard’s wheels. The Electric Skateboard has a remote control system to start or stop the ride and control its acceleration.
Here is an explained working process of an Electric Skateboard with the best beginner Electric Skateboard to ensure a steady and stable ride.
Table of Contents
What Is An Electric Skateboard?
The Electric Skateboards are also known as e-board, e-skate, esk8. These motorized boards with wheels were evolved from regular skateboards in the late 1990s by Louie Finkle.
The innovative technology made the regular Skateboard turn into a strong Electric Skateboard to ensure a better working performance. They are designed to work best with a weight of 22lbs. It has a top speed of 10-30mph, while the range of an Electric Skateboard can vary from 10-31miles.
The working of an e-board is quite different from that of a normal Skateboard. The standard Skateboard gets started with the help of a kick push through the foot. While in an Electric Skateboard, the whole work is done by the motor.
The standard Skateboard uses the foot to move forward and apply the brakes. While, an electric Skateboard comes up with a remote control system, which accelerates and hits the brakes. Thus, the electric Skateboard is easy to ride and more fun than the regular board.
How Do Electric Skateboards Work?
The modern versions of e-boards are best designed and come well-operated for a better riding experience. However, to ensure a safe and smooth ride, it is good to know its working process.
The e-boards of the seventies were first powered by gasoline. It then transformed into an electric motor system.
A motor and battery manage the whole working of your e-board. The Electric Skateboard gets to work by pulling the trigger on the remote control. Then you open the throttle of the e-board. It helps transfer data through electromagnetic waves to the Electro Speed Controller (ESC).
Next, the remote control adjusts the acceleration. At the same time, ESC picks up information from the Bluetooth receiver. The ESC then adjusts the exact amount of power from the battery to the electric motor. And, the ride gets ready!
The final work is to tilt the body in the Skateboard’s direction to make turns on the electric Skateboard.
Electric Skateboard Parts
Here is a list of Basic, Mechanical, and Electrical components of an Electrical Skateboard and their functions in detail:
1. Basic Electric Skateboard Parts
Deck
The Deck is the Skateboard’s main flat surface on which the rider stands and adjusts his footing. It is usually made up of hardwood (maple wood) or fiberglass/carbon. The layers of wood and fiber ensure that boards are strong, durable, and lightweight.
Trucks
The trucks are a vital part made up of metal. It shifts the rider’s body weight towards the wheels and ensures smooth turns and a steady ride. They consist of several components: a hanger, bushings, base-plate, kingpin, and axle.
Wheels
The wheels are made up of polyurethane material. They come in a different range of sizes, shapes, and colors. It helps shift the body weight from the trucks to the pavement.
The larger diameter wheels are favorable for uneven surfaces, roll faster, and help control the acceleration. Whereas the smaller diameter wheels focus low in the center of gravity, cruises at a slower speed, and need less force to accelerate.
Grip Tape
The Grip tape is a sheet that lies on the surface of the Deck. It has two sides, one is covered with adhesive, and the other side is similar to fine sandpaper. The grip tape’s primary function is to support and balance the rider during acceleration, braking, taking turns, and performing tricks.
It also holds enough friction to transfer the force and energy of your body weight and movements towards the Deck.
Ball Bearings
Each wheel is attached to the axel with the help of two sets of bearings. The ball bearings are usually made up of steel, whereas they sometimes use silicon nitride. The primary purpose of the ball bearings is to help rotate the wheels of the e-board.
The bearings are the most fragile components of your e-board. So, they should be cleaned and lubricated regularly. Otherwise, there would be difficulty in riding the Skateboard. To avoid the ball bearings from getting damaged, buy a maintenance kit and use it more often.
2. Mechanical Components
The mechanical part of the Electric Skateboard consists of the motor. It is one of the most vital parts of the working process of an Electric Skateboard.
Motor
The motor is like the engine that makes the ride favorable. The electric Skateboard has two different types of motor:
Hub Motor
The hub motor is located inside the wheels. It is quite useful due to making less noise. However, the hub motor is exposed to overheating due to its placement inside the wheels. As a result, air cannot pass through the engine for its cooling effect.
So, holes are formed on the motor-casing. Simultaneously, these holes make the e-board less water-resistant and can damage it on wet pavements.
Belt Motor
The belt-driven motor comes under the classic design of an Electric Skateboard. It has a simplified working process as there is a belt that connects the motor pulley to the wheel pulley. This arrangement makes it a good water-resistant electric skateboard and a good source of air cooling compared to the hub motor.
3. Electrical Components:
Here is a list of electrical components that helps in the functioning of the electric Skateboard as a whole:
Battery
The battery is an essential energy storage device that gives a power supply to the motor. It comes in different sizes, shapes, and materials. The bigger battery tends to cover large distances as compared to the small ones. The two types of batteries used in electric Skateboard are:
Lithium-ion battery
It has long-lasting durability of 2-3 years approximately and covers a great range compared to the other types of battery. The charging duration is 5-6 hours.
Lead-acid battery: It comes in the cheap price range and covers 9-10 months. The charging duration is 12-24 hours and ends its limit after covering less distance.
Extra Battery
An additional battery comes as a bonus with your electric Skateboard. Few skateboard brands offer a removable battery option. It is found helpful on longer rides. So, when your original battery gets empty, this additional battery is ready to make your ride get started.
Remote Control
The remote control is one of the handy gadgets of the electric Skateboard. It helps in keeping the connection with the electric Skateboard.
Some RCs work by pulling the trigger on the backside to open the throttle and hit the braking. While other RCs have a slide button on the front side and are pushed forward to accelerate and apply brakes. Also, a slide wheel is present in RCs to control the speed of your Electric Skateboard.
Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
The Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) is the main power of an Electric Skateboard. It controls the board’s electrical functions, including distributing the required amount of energy from the battery to the motor.
It processes a large amount of data and transmits the signals to different parts connected to ESC. For instance, it controls every action performed by the Electric Skateboard.
Bluetooth Device
The Bluetooth is the source of the wireless connection between the remote control and the Skateboard controller. It transmits signals from the remote control towards the receiver located inside the electric Skateboard.
Some other functional components of the Electric Skateboard are mentioned down below:
Lights
The lights are a useful tool while riding your Electric Skateboard during the evening or nighttime. It is best to attach white LED light at the front, and a red LED light at the back of your e-board.
Nose Guards
The nose, tail, and wheels can be guarded by protective coverings made up of heavy-duty plastic. Their purpose is to prevent them from getting damaged and dirty.
They are found in various sizes, shapes, and colors according to the design of your Skateboard. The wheel guards are essential as they make your ride fit on the wet and muddy pavement.
Rain Wheels
The rain wheels are specially designed for self-riding the Skateboard on the wet pavements. They make the water take away from wheels and ensure a clean ride. Even though rain wheels can partially protect the board, skating in the rain is not recommended.
Which Electric Skateboard Is Best For Beginners?
One of the most flexible e-board for beginners is Teamgee H5 Electric Skateboard. This e-board comes at an affordable price and ensures safety for both beginners and professionals. This electric longboard covers all the up-to-date features and specifications such as:
It is ultra-thin with a built-in suspension system and is 3 inches off from the ground to ensure a stable ride.
The longboard comes with a user-friendly wireless remote control system with an LCD screen. It helps open the throttle, control acceleration, and hit the brakes.
A High-efficiency of 380-Watt dual motors powers it. Thus, it can cover a distance of 9-11 miles with a top speed of 22mph.
The Deck is layered with a 10-ply Canadian Maple and 1 layer of fiberglass to provide friction and stability during the ride.
The longboard has the lightest weight of 14.6 pounds. It is 37.99 inches in length and 8.7 inches in width to properly hold your body weight.
The wheels (polyurethane) are 9cm in diameter and make the ride favorable on uneven surfaces, roll faster, and maintain acceleration. Also, it has enough energy to climb inclined surfaces such as hills at 20%.
You can also check a detailed review of the best electric skateboards under 500 in 2022.
Conclusion
The motorized board with wheels has become popularized with the new era of inventions. It has also increased its performance level over time. The two main parts that do the whole work are the electrical drive (motor and battery) and remote control systems.
First, the battery helps charge the motor system. Next, the trigger is pulled, or the slide button is pushed on the RCs to turn on the Electric Skateboard. The Bluetooth device then gets into action to transmit and receive signals.
The signals will help in the throttle’s opening, controlling the acceleration, and stopping the board.
Lastly, the Electric Speed Controller (ESC) is the main PowerPoint that adjusts the power supply to ensure the best riding experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to turn on Electric Skateboard?
Electric Skateboards turn on with the help of a remote control system. All you need to do is open the throttle by either pulling the trigger on the backside of the RCs or pushing forward the slide button at the front side of the RCs.
Can you ride an Electric Skateboard normally like a normal Skateboard?
Yes, you can drive the single hub-driven motor electric skateboards just like regular skateboards. They are easy to kick push as compared to the belt-driven boards and dual-motor setup.
How much does an Electric Skateboard costs?
The Electric Skateboard costs range from $200-$2000. An Electric Skateboard's price varies depending upon the marketing range and effectiveness of parts. Thus, the heavier battery Skateboard is high in cost.
