First Project, need help.

[718]

Hey, I'm completely new to the whole go cart thing. I fly and build model airplanes, but I don't know if that has anything in common with this. Anyway, this is my first project. I plan to buy a cheap Power Wheel toy ( I'm getting it today. ) and modifying it into a go cart. I think I'll either attach two wheel chair motors to the front wheels or just upgrading the default 6V DC they have to a 24V DC or even a 36V DC. However, I know that the 36V could run the risk of blowing and has a high current so it could be too dangerous. Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice on, you know, what would be a good motor, if there's anyway to make the original motor more powerful. Just any help or advice would be great. Thanks.

 

[oscaryu1]

Doubling the voltage quadruples the power, so that's all you'll need. If you can somehow gear it lower also... with a variable speed control, that'd be sweet.

 

[718]

Lol, cool thanks. That's what I though. I think I'll put a 24V on it, then I can go 30 MPH! Unfortunately, the Power Wheels company (Fisher Price.) doesn't make the type I just bought anymore, so I'll have to solder some wires onto the new battery models in order to connect them. Do you think that'd work. I don't wanna ruin anything cuz I'm running on a tight budget here seeing as I'm only 14. I'll post pictures of "El Extreminator" here soon.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Thats a tight place to squeeze into.

 

[718]

Lol, nah, I got a "ride on lawnmower" model. Lol, so my legs are free! I plan on taking some old seat and putting some hinges in it and drilling it into the top of the compartment so that I can have easy access to it and I'll be comfortable. After I get it up and running for awhile I'm gonna try and install a roll cage. Lol, after all, going 30 MPH on one of those tiny things is invinting frequent flips. Lol. I can't wait. One draw back is the fact that the stearing is extremely poor. At max you can turn it about 45 degrees, so that's another matter to address.

 

[718]

Here are pictures of El Exteminator. At least, I hope they show up.

 

[oscaryu1]

14? Haha I'm 13! Anywho, you'll hopefully regear it. Since it's... 6V or whatever, it'll most likely have worm gears (torque > speed)...

And when you do get the cash, get the 12V Deep Cycle Gel batteries... not car/marine/ect. batteries.

 

[oscaryu1]

Oh and speaking of building and flying model airplanes, nice! I have one that's falling apart (custom made from a kit)... But I can't fly it because it's too crowded in the city. Futaba transmitter, ect

The only thing you can really use to help you out in this situation is the ESC, if you do plan on doing a variable speed "kart".

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

That thing is BEGGING to have a 50cc chainsaw engine installed.

 

[718]

That thing is BEGGING to have a 50cc chainsaw engine installed.

Lol, I know. I can't find one anywhere though. I mean, I could buy a new chainsaw, but I don't have that money. I've been checking on Craigslist regularly for one, but haven't found it. :/

 

[718]

14? Haha I'm 13! Anywho, you'll hopefully regear it. Since it's... 6V or whatever, it'll most likely have worm gears (torque > speed)...

And when you do get the cash, get the 12V Deep Cycle Gel batteries... not car/marine/ect. batteries.

Lol, sweet.
Anyway, I know this is a dumb question, but I'm not quite sure how to regear it. How do you normally regear an engine? Sorry, I'm totally new to this. Yeah, those were the batteries I was thinking about.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I think you can get those 50cc pocket rocket engines on ebay for pretty cheap.

 

[718]

Oh and speaking of building and flying model airplanes, nice! I have one that's falling apart (custom made from a kit)... But I can't fly it because it's too crowded in the city. Futaba transmitter, ect

The only thing you can really use to help you out in this situation is the ESC, if you do plan on doing a variable speed "kart".

Dang that bites, I love to fly it. You should see if your city has any like resevoirs or something because I live in Denver and we have resevoirs everywhere, like Chatfield Resevoir, and they almost always have an airfield.

Yeah, but I'm not gonna do variable speed. I'm just gonna keep it as simple as possible since it's my first project.

 

[718]

I think you can get those 50cc pocket rocket engines on ebay for pretty cheap.

Sweet, those might work. I'll check it out.

 

[718]

Awesome, those Pocket Rocket engines'll work great.

 

[718]

Okay, stupid Fisher Price decided to have the battery plug covered and everything, therefore, it's difficult to hook up a 12V battery to the 6V plug. I'm wondering if I can use wires or something to hook them together, but then I won't be able to charge the batteries if their plugs get wire soldered on them. Is there any other way to connect a 12V battery to a 6V plug?

 

[2or3wheels]

dude, the motor looks like its out of my brothers traxxas stampede. most of what you see it the gearing, i think you may need to just plain upgrade motor, or you can see if the 12 v will work and beat on it untill that motor overheats and stops working(nice thing about electric is that they dont "blow up")

 

[718]

dude, the motor looks like its out of my brothers traxxas stampede. most of what you see it the gearing, i think you may need to just plain upgrade motor, or you can see if the 12 v will work and beat on it untill that motor overheats and stops working(nice thing about electric is that they dont "blow up")

Lol, I plan to just use a 12V on the motor until it dies then upgrade. Lol, then I'll use a 50cc chainsaw motor once the original motor stops on me.

 

[oscaryu1]

Regearing means you're taking the big "worm" gears that were intended to have tons of torque, and downing their size and teeth numbers. You'll get a increase in overall speed, but acceleration and hill climbing would suffer. A small 2 stroke engine is a great alternative.

 

[718]

Alright, thanks. I think I might try that. I might replace it's current motor with a 5.5HP motor of my family's old Tecumseh lawnmower. It still runs great, it's just, we got a new mower, so I think that motor'll work well.