Go kart battery/charging

[Austin1234]

Hi I have a yerf dog 3203 with a predator 212cc engine, I want to put round front headlights on the front and a light bar on the roll cage, I'm only 15 and I know a good bit about motor works but I'm not sure about electrical workings, but how would I keep my battery charged to power the lights while riding, may seem like a dumb question but oh well, thanks.

 

[itsid]

simple:
you CAN'T!

the predator 212 does NOT come with electric start nor is there a starter kit available yet;
that'd be needed to have a charging coil;
and while you could add such coil to the case, you cannot add a matching flywheelto use such coil.

Either buy a different clone engine (one with e-start) or buy a low power consumption Light and a decent battery to re-charge the battery at home.

'sid

PS yes, you could build an alternator from an electric motor, but to pick a good motor, wiring a decent charger circuit and wiring it all up in a way that'll not be dangerous nor drawing too much power from the engine...
you may end up spending more than you would for a different clone engine....

 

[supermanotorious]

are we sure the add-on e-start from NR will NOT work??

http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/elecstrkit-clone.htm

 

[OzFab]

Pretty sure since it's already been established that the flywheel taper of the Predator is different to that of a Honda/clone...

The best alternative is to use LED lights which draw very little power & fit a solar charging panel to the top of the kart; that way, the battery is being charged while you're driving during the daytime, ready to power the lights after dark...

 

[bob58o]

Seems like people have tried this, haven't found a thread where it was actually finished.

New Predator has same Crankshaft as Kohler CH270????

 

[itsid]

true true (well maybe .. can't tell, but let's just take this for granted)..

this is still ridiculous!

Why are people so obsessed with this stupid predator engine?
I get it they're cheap; yes..

but spending 100 for a predator, another 100 at least for a Kohler starter flywheel (I doubt you'll find one for just 100) and 70 bucks for the stator...

the predator isn't cheap at all anymore. (you can buy the kohler engine for 270.. still without e-start though)

Or just buy a Duromax 7hp WITH e-start for 170 -200 coins and be done with that flywheel stator messing...
(plus it has in fact e-start which the modded predator would still NOT have)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BZI1TSS/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_g86_i2_sh

even if - like Austin - you already HAVE a predator spending 170 ++ bucks on parts
(flywheel, stator) plus time to install that stuff...
or 200 for the duromax and be done with it... not much of a difference, is it?

'sid

[EDIT]
Lifan e-start at homedepot (also $200 as of now):
http://www.homedepot.com/p/LIFAN-3-...tal-Keyway-Shaft-Engine-LF168F-2BDQ/203277122
(free shipping )

 

[bob58o]

I agree it's ridiculous for the price and work involved.

 

[Austin1234]

You know, I think I'm going to buy a 12 volt solar battery charger and bolt it on my go kart and get led headlights.

 

[itsid]

I think you do have a battery charger at home anyways; just ask .. I'm nearly certain you will.

So, just keeping in mind to plug it in the day before you're going out for a night trip around the woods (or better after you came back from such); and you'll be set.
a reasonably large battery and LED lights presume.

Frankly, a solar panel can't charge much if you don't spend serious money for a really large panel.

'sid

 

[Poboy kartman]

I think you do have a battery charger at home anyways; just ask .. I'm nearly certain you will.

So, just keeping in mind to plug it in the day before you're going out for a night trip around the woods (or better after you came back from such); and you'll be set.
a reasonably large battery and LED lights presume.

Frankly, a solar panel can't charge much if you don't spend serious money for a really large panel.

'sid

Exactly....those are maintenance chargers....which keep your battery from going dead over weeks of sitting....

I totally agree....it doesn't take a very big battery to drive all night with LEDs ....and small batteries are cheap...so...if you have 2... and a switch....you'll never be in the dark....

 

[bob58o]

2 birds

With just a single stone.....

Jk, helmets are expensive.

 

[supermanotorious]

Pretty sure since it's already been established that the flywheel taper of the Predator is different to that of a Honda/clone...

The best alternative is to use LED lights which draw very little power & fit a solar charging panel to the top of the kart; that way, the battery is being charged while you're driving during the daytime, ready to power the lights after dark...

could the flywheel taper be modified? like "machining" while the engine is running by using an angle grinder?

janky video but along my drift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZodC58L0Zc

OR how about putting a Honda crank in the Predator?

Just so long as total build costs less than a Honda with electric start