Where to buy? Solenoid, Pot box

[Qmavam]

I'm building an electric go kart.
I want to purchase a solenoid with at least 150 amp rating maybe 200amp.
My battery pack is 36v, but I will have a 12v dc to dc converter to power my controller so I could use a either 12v or 36v coil.
I also want a pot box to drive my controller. Maybe hall device?

What suppliers have you used that have reasonable prices?
Thanks, Qmavam

[cargoon]

A ford from the 80's used a seperate solonoid to turn the starter. Anyone in an auto parts shop should know what you are talking about. Here they are about $30. I have read that they can weld themselves in the on position, hasn't happened to me but something to think about(Safety Kill Switch)

[go kart mozart]

You can get a lawn tractor universal 12 v starter solenoid at home depot, lowes, or even Napa auto parts. there cheap money and work well. I would personally just rip one off of a old lawn tractor. These are the same as the older series ford starter solenoids which were used on cars trucks and farm tractors. there a dime a dozen.:thumbsup:

[Qmavam]

A ford from the 80's used a seperate solonoid to turn the starter. Anyone in an auto parts shop should know what you are talking about. Here they are about $30. I have read that they can weld themselves in the on position, hasn't happened to me but something to think about(Safety Kill Switch)

Yes. the solenoid is a safety device. So I bought one made for
a golf cart. I paid $55 at a local golf cart shop, that was the best
price I could find after you consider shipping.
I already got the gokart running we had a great time for four days, then I popped the motor speed controller. It was something I changed that popped it. It's in for repair. I'm eager to get it back. I attached a picture.
Qmavam

[jr dragster Tyler]

I've had those solenoid's weld shut on me. Wasnt even that much current either. It's scary and a pain in the @$$ when they weld shut because the starter or whatever keeps going and...Well lets just say bad things happen.

[Grumpy]

Find either a master switch for battery disconnect or dual battery hook ups for pleasure boats switch rated high enough for this also marine use either 1st bat, or 2nd bat, or both or off position. Master battery switches used on Cat earth moving equipment.

[stephenm2682]

nice kart, how much was that motor, how fast does it go?

[oscaryu1]

Car batteries?! :O

[Qmavam]

Car batteries?! :O

Hi Guys,
I started this thread about 9 months ago, I have since finished the kart. You can view a video at;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MKjbXltAew
I'm in the process of a rebuild, changing to belt drive instead of chain, using a different motor mounting scheme, straightening the
axle (nobody admits hitting anything, hmm!) My son has finally
saved $100 to buy good batteries. I told him I'd pay the rest if he would pitch in $100.00.
It has been great fun!
Mike

[anderkart]

Hey that turned out really great, nice job!

I was thinking you could cut/mod some sprint kart side pods to use as your battery covers.
(like these: http://www.cometkartsales.com/store/fiber/images-new/puffopod.jpg)

If you have a local race kart track, you could probably go and talk to some of the racers and find one that would gladly sell their old side pods for just a couple bucks or you might even get some for free like I did.

[freakboy]

I have a question when you could do it cheaper with a gass engine what made you go electric?

[Qmavam]

Hey that turned out really great, nice job!

I was thinking you could cut/mod some sprint kart side pods to use as your battery covers.
(like these: http://www.cometkartsales.com/store/fiber/images-new/puffopod.jpg)

If you have a local race kart track, you could probably go and talk to some of the racers and find one that would gladly sell their old side pods for just a couple bucks or you might even get some for free like I did.

I have put some thought into battery covers, but didn't want
to put anything together until I settled on my final batteries.
Side pods have got lower on my to do list. I'm about half done
with solar collectors to heat water for my home.
That project has been taking most of my spare time.
Thanks, Mike

[Qmavam]

I have a question when you could do it cheaper with a gass engine what made you go electric?

To each his own.
Whatever floats your boat.
Mike

[freakboy]

I was just wondering what it was i understand that everyone has there own oppinion i just wanted to hear yours.

[mattlepperd]

If everyone climbed the same hill life would be pretty boring.

[Scumm]

Agreed. I chose electric because i wanted a quieter ride and I like the idea that it doesn't burn gas. Plus, I'm finding the challenges I keep running into more fun than I thought.

[mattlepperd]

Yep. I am spending money like a new Liberal President but I am having fun with this elecrtic stuff. I keep learning new things and that makes me scrap my plans 3 times a week an buy all new stuff. In fact reading this thread made me throw out my controller and buy the opne on that cart along with a new throttle pot and reverse contact. Another $500.00 just because I decided to look at a youtube video. This controller is the cats *** though.

[Qmavam]

I was just wondering what it was i understand that everyone has there own opinion i just wanted to hear yours.

My background is electrical/electronics. I have a dislike of
working on oiling engines and gasoline smelling carburetors.
And, an electric gokart is something a little different than the usual.
:-)

Mike

[Qmavam]

Yep. I am spending money like a new Liberal President but I am having fun with this elecrtic stuff. I keep learning new things and that makes me scrap my plans 3 times a week an buy all new stuff. In fact reading this thread made me throw out my controller and buy the one on that cart along with a new throttle pot and reverse contact. Another $500.00 just because I decided to look at a youtube video. This controller is the cats *** though.

No doubt, an electric costs more than an IC gokart. No chance you can spend like the liberal (socialist) president. :-)
I don't know what controller you had, but if I was buying my controller again, I would go with the programmable just for that
little faster ramp up time. Although I don't know why I want more torque faster, I'm soon to get my third chain and spocket set. My first one I spun all the teeth off, actually it wasn't me, it was someone about 70 lbs heavier than me. The second one
has teeth the are shaped like a sharks fin. But that's part of the fun, an electric has all its torque at 0 rpm, where a IC has to rev up to start producing torque.
Tell me about the reverse contact, I'm in a rebuild now and would like to add reverse. (part #, company, URL).
Thanks, Mike

[jr dragster Tyler]

I have a dislike of
working on oiling engines and gasoline smelling carburetors.
Lol, Whats wrong with getting dirty?

[mattlepperd]

I went through Carl at EV DRIVES.
The man is awesome and gave me a good deal AND he built a mock up of my projects wiring and tested it and sent me hand drawn diagrams and photographs of the mock up.
He can be reached at 541-218-8890
He is an engineer and a fellow tinkerer. Call him and get the right answer and good parts. I wish I had ran into him before I spent a thousand bucks on crap I cant use.