2017 - Entry #2 - Twin Karts

[OzFab]

As I explained in this thread, I'm also building twin electric Itsy Bitsy karts for my grandkids...

Yeah, I know, the parts pile is almost non existent at this point (I thought I had more time) & half of those parts won't be used; I'm not using the swing arms (obviously) & I'm not using those wheels, only the hardware attached to them (brakes & sprockets)

 

[OzFab]

Work has begun; I constructed the basic framework for both karts & begun machining adapters for the drive wheels (more on that later)...

 

[landuse]

Looking good Tony!!!

 

[OzFab]

As I'm using mechanical disc brakes one these karts, I had to make a spacer between the sprocket & the brake disc; this is the first part of the home made wheel hubs...

 

[Desertduler]

Nice Tony! I look forward to your build!

 

[OzFab]

Question time: I want these karts to have reverse; in my experience, if the motor is wired backwards (reverse polarity), obviously, the motor turns backwards; as I have very little experience with electric setups, I need to ask, can I wire the motor through a switch to reverse the polarity (giving me reverse) or do I need a controller with reverse capabilities?

 

[David Ham]

it would be easier with a controller, as you would need more than just a simple switch to reverse the polarity, but I'm sure Sid will be along soon with a detailed explanation...

 

[Functional Artist]

Question time: I want these karts to have reverse; in my experience, if the motor is wired backwards (reverse polarity), obviously, the motor turns backwards; as I have very little experience with electric setups, I need to ask, can I wire the motor through a switch to reverse the polarity (giving me reverse) or do I need a controller with reverse capabilities?

We need more info:

motor size
voltage
brushed or brushless

You mentioned "Itsy Bitsy karts for my grandkids..."

So, I would assume something like

...24V 500W brushed motors?


Maybe something like this would work

http://www.ebay.com/itm/60-Amp-Drum...ng-/322310325941?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275

 

[itsid]

I agree..
a very beefy switch like FA linked
this at least for me has free shipping and costs half what of what FA linked:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/60-A-Dru...Control-Rain-Proof-Reversing-BF9/172241278334

A reversing contactor (Solenoid) which costs upwards of 50 bucks easily
(http://www.evdrives.com/category_s/1942.htm)

Or a controller that does the reversing for you.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/500W-24V...-Quad-eATV-eCart-Electric-Motor-/162601558782

I can't remember what motors you have there, so that controller might not even fit.
but you get the idea.

Let us know and we might find what you need

Personally I'd go for the controller since it's likely as cheap as the forward only controller and only requires one additional flip switch (a buck) which can be conveniently placed on the steering wheel.

'sid

 

[OzFab]

Thanks for the info, guys...

Motors are MY1016, 24V 200W...

Controllers with reverse are a few dollars more than standard from what I've seen so, that's probably the way to go...

Edit: What about something like this

 

[Functional Artist]

I don't think that one will work for your needs

Specs say:
-The input power range is DC6V-28V.
-Current range: 3A or less

The input range would be OK but,
your motor will probably draw ~10A
maybe more depending on the load

I would lean toward the speed controller Sid mentioned
...you would have a new controller
...you would have reverse at the flip of a switch
...& it could be used on motors up to 500 watts if you wanted to upgrade to bigger motors later

 

[OzFab]

The issue with using the controller Alex suggested is that particular seller doesn't post to Australia & I can't seem to find any similar items locally; I'll just have to keep looking...

 

[David Ham]

heres a few: https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?...er.TRS0&_nkw=24v+dc+motor+controller&_sacat=0
they're rated for 2000W so you won't have any problems with overheating but I don't know if they have reverse...
this one does have reverse, but its from china so shipping will take a while: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-50V-4...d=302288206225&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

---------- Post added at 12:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 PM ----------

another one: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-50V-4...d=182487747736&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[itsid]

Hmm yeah difficult, check alibaba.com then.. they surely ship to australia
And it's a bit awkward to use (especially the search function is even less precise than google)
but if you found what you need, it's as easy as any online shop really
(just a hair cheaper mostly)

'sid

 

[OzFab]

6.5hp: Thanks for trying but, I don't see anything that would help

Alex: Not so much alibaba but, I did search Aliexpress but, not much luck...

I found this one but, $55 + shipping from CA, USA seems a bit much...

I'm thinking that the main application for a controller with reverse is mobility scooter or electric wheelchair, which are either 36V or 48V, not 24V...

I have seen suitable controllers on eBay, I wish I'd bookmarked them now...

 

[itsid]

yeah searchfunction is a bit crappy..
try "bike reverse controller"

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/24v3...obility-scooter-with-reverse/32824209595.html

24V36V48V is one word for chinese sellers

'sid

 

[OzFab]

Here's an interesting conundrum: I opened that link & IT'S IN GERMAN! After trying a few things, I eventually found the translate button; the problem with that was I then couldn't find that particular item on the global site

Not only that but, after hitting the translate button, every time I opened a page IT WAS IN GERMAN! As a result, I then had to clear the cookies for the site to see pages in English again so THANK YOU, ALEX...

End result, I sent the seller a message regarding the item & my issue...

 

[OzFab]

Update: After receiving a link to the English page of the link Alex provided, then a short conversation about special ordering & switching, last night I ordered
- 2 controllers
- 2 reverse switches
grand total $78

I'm happy with that...

 

[itsid]

Yeah sorry, forgot to remove the de part

For the next time you encounter such issue, it's a two part fix:
first remember the part number:
aliexpress[dot]com/<url-conform-title>/<partnumber>.html
just the number;

switch language
(topmost navigation bar, rightmost button... mostly named "Go to Global Site (English)",
sometimes just "Sprache" [language])

then enter that partnumber in the search box and hit enter;
you should end up with the exact same item in your desired language.

Sorry, I sometimes forget since aliexpress especially is reading my browser language and redirecting me to de.aliexpress whenever I visit the global website (which is indeed english)

'sid

 

[OzFab]

So, in just over a week after ordering the controllers, guess what landed on my doorstep yesterday...