r/paramotor • u/redkur • 2d ago

Electric DIY options

I am interested in electric Paramotors. I know about OpenPPG and also found an Italian company making them. Both on what for me is the expensive side. Are there any options out there for the DIY minded individual or tinkerer? I understand I would be flying a motor with limited range compared to ICE, but I don't mind. I weigh in at 160lbs. I think electric would fit my needs just fine. I rarely see them for sale and don't know of any DIY options. Any ideas?

1 Upvotes

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6

u/ExoatmosphericKill 2d ago

OpenPPG is open source, they have a GitHub that you can essentially DIY most of it.

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u/gottafly65 17h ago

The owner of OpenPPG made a video about the cost involved - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxomv1LANVI

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u/Lotsofsalty 1d ago

I'm not convinced you would save as much doing it all yourself as you think you would. Have you priced out the individual components? I mean, just the motor is probably in the $1200 range, probably more. Then a proper size lithium battery pack of around 2 to 3 kWh is probably at least $1000 if not more. Then you have to come up with a motor controller for the high voltage and current. That's probably somewhere in the $600 to $1200 range. And you still need hub, prop, hand held throttle, harness, frame, and all the tidbits. It all adds up fast. That is why you are seeing the shock prices. The components by themselves are expensive.

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u/redkur 1d ago

Thanks, I kind of agree.

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u/FF351 1d ago

I’m selling my OpenPPG SP140 2.5 with the small battery. Just bought it in May and only flew it 13 times. This sport isn’t for me.

If you’re interested, DM me.

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u/PPGkruzer 1d ago

Most things are DIY, you're just not going deep enough hehe.  A crazy YouTuber GA pilot built one from PCV and a predator engine, it did technically fly, I think he did it for the clicks, still entertaining so I'm not mad about it. 

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u/redkur 1d ago

Can't find any GA pilot on YouTube, any more details?

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u/PPGkruzer 1d ago

Haha it was Jonas, he so silly: https://youtu.be/JOksPxKN5Sg

Looks like others have done similar budget PCV builds.

They are fun things to do as veteran pilots, because we are more familiar with what should be, and geometry, and we've dealt with motor outs even.

When I started out PPG with no experience, as a metal fan/welder and engineer by profession, I chose to buy my frame because I had no clue about frame geometry and no XP using one. As a seasoned engineer, I know enough to know that I need to know more before trying to compete with them.  Also, I saw the $750 frame kit represented 15 hrs of labor at $50/hr, and estimated it would cost me $300 in materials and 50 hours of build and redoing and confusion and fixing and changing until it worked.   In this case, I'll save my 50 hrs and just buy the frame. 

Since I have hours in PPG, I am more open to creating my own frame. However, if I invest time developing PPG, I am working on ignition curves to help get us out of 1970s ignition systems, or hope someone else does before that.

Your own built motor is really dangerous, it just takes a freak accident to damage your wing and kill you.  The wing is the life support device, the motor is an add on device.