Help please switches keep melting.

[Rhodey]

I've made an electric go kart for kids.

It's a 24v 240w motor,
2 sla 12v 7ah batteries wired in series.
Potentiometer speed control.

I had a 6 pin forward reverse switch, that melted.
Replaced the switch then the Hont Ht1007 switch from a drill I made into throttle pedal melted. Where am I going wrong?

 

[EpsilonZero]

There is too much amperage running through the switch if it is melting. You need a switch rated for more amperage or to use a relay that is rated for it.

 

[Rhodey]

How can i work out the amps that are running through to buy the right one?

 

[Functional Artist]

I've made an electric go kart for kids.

It's a 24v 240w motor,
2 sla 12v 7ah batteries wired in series.
Potentiometer speed control.

I had a 6 pin forward reverse switch, that melted.
Replaced the switch then the Hont Ht1007 switch from a drill I made into throttle pedal melted. Where am I going wrong?

Are you using an actual speed controller?
...or just different "switches"?

A speed controller is designed/equipped to handle the amperage, your 24V motor is drawing
...most "switches" are not (that's why their burning out)

Something like this (~$30.00)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/500W-24V-D...192874?hash=item236db1526a:g:G3AAAOSwsWpeZA2g

 

[Rhodey]

This is the one I brought as it can be slowed down for kids and had switch for forward and reverse.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223954776519