Possible to build modern electric kart

[rk44]

Hello Guys,

Im looking to build a kart that is similar to the OTL storm kart.

http://www.kart1.us/electric.html

Thanks

If possible, if someone can direct to me some schematics that would be helpful! And if anyones knows where I can get parts that are similar to the ones that OTL uses.

-rk44

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. I do not think you are going to find any plans for this kart. The best would be to get plans for a normal shifter and just drop an electric motor in. Have a good read in the electric section, especially the sticky threads

 

[dcastillo]

would this meet your needs

http://equadsandkarts.com/minimoto/3minimotos.jpg

 

[Krash]

When you say schematics are you looking for a full set of plans or just the electrics?

Given that there are heaps of examples of frames, steering, wheels etc, I can point you to some motor, controller and battery sources.

Motors - agree that PMAC (permanent magnet AC) motors are great or brushless DC is effectively the same thing. The main categories are RC Hobby motors, bike kits, etek style motors or car/motorbike kits.
RC Hobby
These are the best power to weight and can get them over 20kW but they need to be heavily derated for use on a kart and usually run at high revs so need plenty of gearing down. Hobbyking Turnigy motors is a cheap supplier to start searching on. Competitive on cost and power, but the riskiest choice.
Bike Kits
Usually only up to 500w so not vey exciting for a kart but there are a few suppliers including cyclone motor (taiwan) and golden motor (china) that will do motor kits up to or over 5kW
Etek style motors
After etek stopped making ride on mower electric motors, similar format and size motors were available from Mars and now Motenergy. You can get a 20kW mot energy motor for about $600 from EV Power's web store in Australia.
Car/Motorbike Kits
More expensive but the simplest way of doing a high powered kart as comes in a kit prewired with motor, controllers etc. Golden motor and Kelly Controls have car and motorbike kits.

Batteries
This is where I think Kart1 US has gone wrong. They are using lead gel cells which are heavy, less performance and more expensive than lithium on a cost per charge basis. Yes they are simpler, but I would recommend starting with headway cells. about $20/cell for the smaller size $30 for the larger 15A cells. This is the 1 hour discharge rating so they will deliver 10 to 12 this this current. There are various suppliers in different parts of the world. I have got mine from EV Power in Australia.

Regards
Wayne

 

[landuse]

When you say schematics are you looking for a full set of plans or just the electrics?

Given that there are heaps of examples of frames, steering, wheels etc, I can point you to some motor, controller and battery sources.

Motors - agree that PMAC (permanent magnet AC) motors are great or brushless DC is effectively the same thing. The main categories are RC Hobby motors, bike kits, etek style motors or car/motorbike kits.
RC Hobby
These are the best power to weight and can get them over 20kW but they need to be heavily derated for use on a kart and usually run at high revs so need plenty of gearing down. Hobbyking Turnigy motors is a cheap supplier to start searching on. Competitive on cost and power, but the riskiest choice.
Bike Kits
Usually only up to 500w so not vey exciting for a kart but there are a few suppliers including cyclone motor (taiwan) and golden motor (china) that will do motor kits up to or over 5kW
Etek style motors
After etek stopped making ride on mower electric motors, similar format and size motors were available from Mars and now Motenergy. You can get a 20kW mot energy motor for about $600 from EV Power's web store in Australia.
Car/Motorbike Kits
More expensive but the simplest way of doing a high powered kart as comes in a kit prewired with motor, controllers etc. Golden motor and Kelly Controls have car and motorbike kits.

Batteries
This is where I think Kart1 US has gone wrong. They are using lead gel cells which are heavy, less performance and more expensive than lithium on a cost per charge basis. Yes they are simpler, but I would recommend starting with headway cells. about $20/cell for the smaller size $30 for the larger 15A cells. This is the 1 hour discharge rating so they will deliver 10 to 12 this this current. There are various suppliers in different parts of the world. I have got mine from EV Power in Australia.

Regards
Wayne

Dude....lithium is so expensive that the general DIY karter is just not going to use them