1st E-kart, looking for advice

[knievel]

Hello all, I decided to jump into an electric kart after reading some posts here. After a couple of weeks of looking I managed to find a nice used kart for $350 that I'm hoping will work well.

It has something that I think is unique, 2 sets of pedals linked together. The closer set being for smaller riders. So it fits my 8 year-old and myself quite nicely.

My plan is to sell the engine and torq-a-verter and buy some electronics with the proceeds.

I have already bugged cboy for his parts list and now have an idea of what to order. The current plan is a 350W 24Volt motor, 36V controller, and 3 12V 11Ah batteries. Should I go bigger?

Another thing I'm unsure of is the connection from the electric motor to my live axle. The motors all seem to come with a #25 sprocket and the sprocket on the kart now is a 60 tooth #35.

Anyway here are some pics..

 

[B man]

i would NOT convert that kart. its pretty nice. looks well built. has a TC. and 6.5hp?
better than any electric kart.

why do you want an electric one?

 

[j.concepcion54321]

yeah man id keep the kart the way it is and go electric on something else. Does the kart run good as it is??

 

[Chuechco]

The overvolted 350W motor may be enough for the 8 years old boy. In case you want to ride it, I would go for a bigger motor. 1kW or more.

 

[gokart14]

gas prices are over 4 bucks were i live maby a good idea lol

 

[karl]

gas prices are over 4 bucks were i live maby a good idea lol

Me to its 3.9999 I never understood that. I might cut a slice out of a penny and give them that and 3.99

Tho it might cost more to charge it then fuel it up anyways and motors and battery are expensive so you will probably lose money converting to electric

 

[knievel]

The kart runs awesome with the engine, was used very little.
I want to be able to run it out on the street so it's gotta be electric.
Plus my wife won't let him on it unless it electric and nice and slow to start with.

I would like to be able to ride it myself with my 4 year-old on my lap so I guess I'll have to go bigger with everything? I'm looking for around 15-20 mph.

 

[j.concepcion54321]

look around the forums theres some really good info on electric motors here. monsterscooterparts.com has some really cheap. and you can also check ebay. If i were you id go with a 48 volt set up and run 5, 12 volt 12 ah batteries through it giving i 60volts. That should be plenty power. Get yourself something like a golf kart controller and gear it low so you can get good torque and the speeds that you were thinking of.

 

[devino246]

You can just put a throttle stop on it.

 

[B man]

keep it gas. persuade her its safe and he will wear a helmet. and it would be better gas on the street. in another year he will have learned it.

 

[redsox985]

Gear it down so that adding speed is as simple as getting a smaller axle sprocket. That motor and TC is worth more than $300 new.

 

[knievel]

look around the forums theres some really good info on electric motors here. monsterscooterparts.com has some really cheap. and you can also check ebay. If i were you id go with a 48 volt set up and run 5, 12 volt 12 ah batteries through it giving i 60volts. That should be plenty power. Get yourself something like a golf kart controller and gear it low so you can get good torque and the speeds that you were thinking of.

Ok thanks I will think about this.

And guys please, it's going to be electric.
Like I said I want to run it on the street. Noise is the issue.

 

[B man]

change the muffler.

 

[B man]

whoo said you couldnt ride it on the street?

 

[knievel]

I think you are in the wrong forum.

 

[redsox985]

Ok, if you're fixed on electric, sell that motor and TC to finance the project. But please, don't sell the motor/TC setup on Craigslist/Ebay for less than $200 (if it's a Comet TC). Can you give us some better pictures of the TC? I'm sure someone on here would be willing to deal with you to get a Comet TC.

 

[B man]

I think you are in the wrong forum.

just sayin thats a way better setup. but be prepared for chargeing and short rides(depends on batteries).

 

[B man]

i would lighten the frame. make it more efficient with the electric motor. seeing as it wont be running a big gas engine.

 

[B man]

is it going to be just a street kart?

 

[karl]

I would keep the motor and clutch and store it as a upgrade for when your kid is older if you can. I see one problem, and it will be very hard to turn for him, you are almost better off buying another cart of make a small light frame that is his size so he can have fun on it. Then you can drive the big cart. Its a win-win if you got the money.