Band Brake installation

[Wimperdink]

Heya folks. I have a quick question about installing a band brake. I'm converting an old mobility scooter over to gas power and am having to create as I go. I have installed a drum on the differential axle for the brake system but there is not a lot of room between the drum and the engine plate. The questions...

1. Does the hard mount side of the band have to be the leading edge. In other words with the drum rolling fwd, the leading edge being the bottom of the drum.

2. Will a hand lever provide enough pull for a band brake or do I need a foot pedal?

Thanks and I'll get pics up when I get a lil further along.

 

[firemanjim]

The stationary mount should be at the bottom, and about centered with the center of the axle. The side you pull on, goes ccw when looking at it.
Yes, you can actuate it with a hand lever. I'm assuming you mean one mounted on the handle bars? Like a bicycle? It will work, but probably not the best option. If that's the type lever you want, I would have used a cheap hydraulic disc brake set up, scavenged off a Chinese atv or pocket bike.
I hope you don't plan on going fast on this contraption..... The ones I've seen, people got hurt........
If you do, post pics or video...... As a PSA......

 

[Wimperdink]

I just didn't know if there would be enough leverage on a hand lever to put proper tension on the band to stop it.

You want pics of the speed or the pain?

 

[machinist@large]

.......I hope you don't plan on going fast on this contraption..... The ones I've seen, people got hurt........
If you do, post pics or video...... As a PSA......

.......You want pics of the speed or the pain?

Both, of course!!!!!!!

 

[Wimperdink]

So in good forum etiquette I've come bearing pics.

 

[Wimperdink]

And with better etiquette I will remember to resize them before uploading next time.

 

[machinist@large]

As far as the build is concerned, I'm sorry, the total layout just isn't giving me warm fuzzies...

 

[Wimperdink]

I'm all for suggestions. I've considered going with a disc but it is too tempting to try the band brake since it was given to me free. ;-)

P.s. warm fuzzies are reserved for screw top wine and panda bears. ;-)

 

[itsid]

well a seriously powered mobility scooter always looks like it'll tip over within the next seconds.. even moreso if it's a three wheeler..

other than that, I see nothing wrong with the layout.
the differential should carry the laod nicely, help turning and most of all the one band is attached to the diff-case so it'll stop both wheels.

If that's enough with a hand operated brake band is a different thing.. IDK, I'm not too confident to be honest, but well... it's worth a try.
(but try at SLOW speeds and work your way up )

that gear ratio though.. looks a tiny bit high, what's that a 48T sprocket?
running 4:1 ratio?

that's not ideal, even with small wheels it's leaning towards high speeds..
which on a tricycle narrow and high isn't exactly a brilliant idea;

So I'd say get a larger sprocket for the diff...
other than that it's looking good to me.

'sid

 

[Wimperdink]

Aha your onboard with my school of thought. I attached it to the diff hoping to displace the braking power more efficiently between both wheels. I believe that sprocket to be 46 teeth. I used the speed calculator and estimated the speed to be around 28 mph which is plenty fast. I'm not opposed to slower speeds with better launch rates but need to get it to stop first. I realize that dual rear brakes would be ideal since I will have no brakes if I get a wheel in the air, but hopefully age has stolen a bit of my need for crazy riding.

 

[rmm727]

If I were you, I would add another bearing near the right rear side of the diff. Those diffs only have bushings in them and can wear out quickly with alot of weight. Maybe the narrow width of that scooter will help but machines with wider axles that use that style diff use 4 bearings.

 

[Wimperdink]

Hmmm now that's something I hadn't considered. I pulled the axle out of that frame and out of the brass bushings that used to be in the same position as I've installed the pillow blocks. The chair had a high weight limit for adults. I do have a wider lawn mower diff axle I can use if this doesn't work out.

 

[Wimperdink]

Well I got this mobility scooter on the road today. I don't have a lot of data on it at the moment other than that my gear ratio is close to perfect. Its got decent take off and way to fast top end. Perfect.

I still have some stiffening up to do on the frame as I won't need the disassembly options that it needed as a power chair and the steering could be tightened up too. If I can figure out how to make dualies for it to widen it a tiche, it might not be quite so tippy. I'll report back with pics and a video snippet the next time I get home while the sun is still out.