Shop Vac motor go kart?

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Ryknight2

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I took apart a shop vac and got out the 5HP motor because i wanted to build an electric go kart. I don't have any experience building go karts or working with electronics and have a low budget. I saw a little bit on this on this thread: http://goo.gl/cVbze8
I don't have a welding torch, so i can't build a lot of designs. I would love it if i could get a simplified plan to build a simple go kart frame and how to set up the gears. It would be even better if i got some sort of plan to control acceleration, because just installing the vacuum's on/off switch would have it go at top speed all the time, and that wouldn't work in my small(ish) yard. I have an old push mower to take parts from if needed.
 
n3480h

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Shop vacs are 120V AC. Just how long is your extension cord? If you really want an electric kart, you'll need to look for a powerful DC motor. I've seen a car starter used, but things can get hot in a hurry. Even hotter if you take it from your mom's Lexus.
 
n3480h

n3480h

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Here's some serious help with what you want to do: Read the two excellent stickies at the top of the Electric Projects forum.
 
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dcastillo

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Ryknight2 said:
i don't have the money for a motor, would the vacuum motor run on 36-48v? at decreased power of course. also, i saw Four - 12 Volt 7 Ah Sealed Lead Acid batteries for only $60, would they work? the sticky at the top of this section said small batteries wouldn't work. are they small batteries? http://www.batterymart.com/p-four--...campaign=PLA&gclid=CP-guLDO_78CFQQQ7AodDjIACQ
Click to expand...

If its an AC vacuum, it wont work at all on DC.
And yes, 7Ah is a little on the low side.
-Danny
 
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Ryknight2

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aren't vacuum motors universal and can use AC or DC? plus, where do i find batteries larger than 7ah? I searched on google and all the batteries i saw where 12v 7ah batteries.
 
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mckutzy

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Vacuum motors like the one your describing are not meant to have a load of an actual contact driving force. They are designed push air with a fan blade/squirrel cage/ ect.
Like wise, that air movement is fundamental to their cooling. Without it it will burn quickly.
They all most always have also bushings or a bearing that is just meant to handle the blade.
 
Doc Sprocket

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And I seriously question the "horsepower" ratings on these things. I don't know HOW they arrive at those figures, but they don't seem at all realistic. I must be missing something.
 
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Ryknight2

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what else should i do with the motor? i have a bike i don't use, single gear with coaster brakes, would it be possible to put the motor on that with two 12v 20ah batteries? Also, when i plugged the motor into the wall, it went crazy, it accelerated in milliseconds and shook so much it flew a few feet, so i think the horsepower rating was right.
 
itsid

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dcastillo said:
no motor, as far as i know can run on ac and dc

batteries here
http://www.chromebattery.com/sealed-lead-acid-batteries.html
Click to expand...

nah that's not true.. nearly all modern household electronics can have what is called a "universal motor".
those do run on AC as well as on DC...
powerdrills, hairdryers, washing machines just to name a few.

it's basically easier to make a universal motor than it is to make a AC only motor ...
has something to do with the reason you need to control which way it turns on startup.

Anyways.. even if you power such a motor with DC which again is very well possible,
you need to have the matching voltage 120V in your 240V in my case
and that means 10 or twenty batteries in series just to get the voltage needed :eek:

Also universal motors aren't exactly reliable for some reason.
*shrugs* also they're very inefficient (but cheap to make ;))

'sid
 
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mckutzy

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Maybe put it back in the shop vac if it isnt totally destroyed by now. Its meant for vacuums.

I think you would be better off with a drill on a bicycle. little amount of tools required, not much knowledge needed on the wiring, lot of already info out there.
 
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Ryknight2

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I found this shop vac being thrown away, so i grabbed it and took it apart, i ripped a rusted screw out, so it won't go back together, plus i already have a working one. so what else should i use it for?
 
Poboy kartman

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Ryknight2 said:
I found this shop vac being thrown away, so i grabbed it and took it apart, i ripped a rusted screw out, so it won't go back together, plus i already have a working one. so what else should i use it for?
Click to expand...

Do you have a small boat that needs an anchor??????


Sometimes what you find on the curb.....is trash!!!!!!!
 
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