PVC go kart, with fiberglass

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

pmwoodward3

New member
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
So i've had the idea to make a go kart for a while, but i never had the money or the time. But now i do. So my idea is to make a simple go kart frame from PVC then rap it in a couple of layers of fiberglass for extra strength. So today i got all the PVC parts and fiberglass i need, but now im stuck on what kind of engine to get. I don't have alot of money to spend on it, so im looking to find an engine. Im trying to make a fast go kart, probably in the 60v-72v range, maybe 40 mph. So what do you recommend for the engine? Ill post pics of the frame when i finish it.
 
t0x1k

t0x1k

Vroom
Messages
435
Reaction score
0
Location
South, NJ
Whoa buddy....
Unless you weigh like 20 lbs and have carbon fiber skin and bones I wouldn't even think of PVC or any plastics for a go kart. Imagine how PVC breaks. It breaks into dagger like pieces, now imagine one lodge in your rear...Yeah, don't think so.
 
mike75925

mike75925

thinker and tinkerer
Messages
1,753
Reaction score
4
Location
Alto, tx
hope you have done your homework on a plastic frame. electric motors have a lot of torque. the 6.5hp motors will generally get you there. most of speed is gearing and weight. 2 strokes vibrate too much, so i would say 4 stroke. any idea of the karts weight? the frame with all running gear except motor and driver. wrapping pvc in fiberglass doesn't seem as strong as filling the pipe with fiberglass
 
dpaxson

dpaxson

New member
Messages
346
Reaction score
0
Location
parma heights, oh
mike75925 said:
wrapping pvc in fiberglass doesn't seem as strong as filling the pipe with fiberglass
Click to expand...

actually wrapping it would be stronger for the same reason that larger thin walled tubing is stronger than smaller thick walled tubing. also filling it with expanding foam might add some strength too
 
mike75925

mike75925

thinker and tinkerer
Messages
1,753
Reaction score
4
Location
Alto, tx
wrapping it by crossing the grain of the glass would strengthen. rod flexes, tube not so much. sand the pipe with some 80 grit paper for good adhesion. and wipe down with acetone or something too. are the pipes going to be vacuum bagged?
 
P

pmwoodward3

New member
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Update, i found a 120v electric engine in a shopvac, you think i can suscesfully run it at like 72v?
 
P

pmwoodward3

New member
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
mike75925 said:
wrapping it by crossing the grain of the glass would strengthen. rod flexes, tube not so much. sand the pipe with some 80 grit paper for good adhesion. and wipe down with acetone or something too. are the pipes going to be vacuum bagged?
Click to expand...

vacuum bagged? vas is das?
 
Doc Sprocket

Doc Sprocket

*********
Messages
15,677
Reaction score
143
Location
Ontario, Canada
I have heard that running an AC motor at a substantially lower voltage is detrimental to it's health. No idea if there's any truth to it...
Wait! 72v DC? thru an AC motor? Nope.
 
mike75925

mike75925

thinker and tinkerer
Messages
1,753
Reaction score
4
Location
Alto, tx
what schedule? i know of schedule 40, but i only dabble in plumbing. i think the higher the number the thicker.
 
P

pmwoodward3

New member
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
mike75925 said:
what schedule? i know of schedule 40, but i only dabble in plumbing. i think the higher the number the thicker.
Click to expand...

to be honest is the schedule that is on the shelf at home depot, lol i didn't rly look more then that.


and i think im going to layer smaller pipes inside of the frame, and a small metal pipe on the very inside, like this

http://pvcbuggy.com/plans.html



 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top