Complete noob looking for help.

[imhhawk]

Just to put it out, I know nothing about anything electrical. I have a old lawnmower that doesn't have a engine, and I want to make it an electric kart. What would I need to do it? I have a maximum budget of $500.
Is it even possible? It had a 13.5hp gas engine in it, but i know that motors are rated at constant HP while gas is rated at peak. I won't be cutting grass at all, and I've heard that that requires a lot of the HP. Is that right? What motor would I need, and what controller as well?
Any help would be awesome, Thanks!

 

[itsid]

500?

difficult to say the least.

Without knowing what kind of wheels and weight you're dealing with; I'd say about 1500 Watts is what you should expect at the very least (and that's EV constant power out rating!)
and that will NOT be fast nor powerfull, just enough to have some fun.

check this thread to get an idea what you're up to

Your best bet I think would be this:
find an electric golf cart (complete maybe minus batteries) that's seen better days...
if you pay less than 350-400 you have a good chance of reusing all components and
fill in some gaps (batteries) with the money you got left.

That ONLY works if the motor and controller as well as throttle and other electrical components are intact and reusable of course.
Or you can fix minor issues yourself.

otherwise a motor with enough grunt can set you back 300 bucks easily and a controller will be in the 200'ish too..
you still need throttle, contactors, heavy duty wiring (do not underestimate that) and various thingamabobs and doodahs
all in all maybe another 100-150 to spend at least

'sid

 

[imhhawk]

I could build my own body, it would just be harder. How much easier would it be to get parts for that? Could it be under 250-ish so that i could get metal for the body?
Thanks

 

[itsid]

I think you misunderstood my post!

An electric kart will get expensive if you don't find cheap donor vehicles (golf carts industrial carts etc..)
The parts are the same on ANY electric vehicle (they differ in size and power in regards to weight and speed only)

The cheapest electric kart motor for fullsize adults that I can think of is a my1020 1000W (36 or 48V) that can be had for about 100 bucks new and a matching scooter controller is around 30;
add a pedal and at least two contactors and you already spend 200 bucks plus shipping.
Wire in good sizes as well as terminals for that will draw you back another 30 bucks at least,
add a set of 3 lead acid batteries to power that contraption and you're closer to 400 than 300.
and you still need chain and sprockets, an axle and wheels...
And that works on a low weight small wheeled vehicle only (well... if you want to go faster than maybe 6mph)

So no, no way to build an electric kart of any kind with 500 bucks, if you don't find yourself a cheap donor vehicle. (or are really lucky to find individual but matching parts for dirt cheap!)

'sid