homemade clutch question

[gokartt]

im making a go kart with 5 hp briggs and stratton industrial plus engine.
It has a 2.5 inch pulley on the engine and 10 inch pulley in jackshaft. Then there is a 15 tooth to a 30 tooth sprocket on the axle. So the final ratio is 8:1.

For the belt tensioner, should i have a stick clutch or a clutch which loosens the belt when i push the brake pedal (attacked to the brake pedal i mean) or both?
btw i had a 20 kilo seat which i was gonna put on the kart but i bought a bucket seat which is way lighter
Any further suggestions on the clutch system?

 

[anickode]

I would make the clutch mechanism separate from the brake.

Remember you'll need to make the clutch mechanism so you can lock it in "neutral" for starting your engine, rolling it, etc. Rolling it would be mighty tough if the brakes are locked up when the clutch is engaged, with your other option being releasing the brakes, but forcing the engine to turn over as you push it, which is just dangerous.

Clutch and brake separate, definitely.

 

[mckutzy]

If anything why not make the throttle seperately controlled via a throttle cable and say a hand lever... The "gas" pedal is the clutch tensioner... Brake is brake

 

[MTNSleder]

I'd get one of these...

http://www.gopowersports.com/3-4-bore-ab-belt-clutch-200182/

 

[mckutzy]

That's actually a pretty good deal...

 

[anickode]

I'd get one of these...

http://www.gopowersports.com/3-4-bore-ab-belt-clutch-200182/

That's what the rat wagon uses. Works great.

 

[gokartt]

I'd get one of these...

http://www.gopowersports.com/3-4-bore-ab-belt-clutch-200182/

Unfortunately, gopowersports ,monster scooters ,amazon.com etc. does not ship to my country..And I've aldready assembled the jackshaft pulleys and the rear axle onto the kart so all thats left is the tensioner setup for the drive system.

---------- Post added at 09:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 AM ----------

That's what the rat wagon uses. Works great.

Can you share some pics of the wagon?

 

[David Ham]

Can you share some pics of the wagon?

its here
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=36839

 

[MTNSleder]

Unfortunately, gopowersports ,monster scooters ,amazon.com etc. does not ship to my country..And I've aldready assembled the jackshaft pulleys and the rear axle onto the kart so all thats left is the tensioner setup for the drive system.

Maybe share some pictures of your setup

 

[mckutzy]

Where is "your" country??? need to fill out your profile....

 

[gokartt]

Maybe share some pictures of your setup

Here are some pictures. The wheels are moving even though there is no tension on the belt as they are in the air.

Sorry for the bad quality

 

[MTNSleder]

Here are some pictures. The wheels are moving even though there is no tension on the belt as they are in the air.

Sorry for the bad quality

That's normal for any go kart for the tires to move in the air

 

[the road]

here is a picture of my karts belt tensioner and the engagement lever. push the lever forward and left into the notch to engage

you need a belt trap/guard that is the same circumference as the outside of the belt to hold the belt off the pulleys, mine is a little off on the front pulley but good on the large pulley and works fine.

i dont have a return spring, you might need one,

 

[gokartt]

here is a picture of my karts belt tensioner and the engagement lever. push the lever forward and left into the notch to engage

you need a belt trap/guard that is the same circumference as the outside of the belt to hold the belt off the pulleys, mine is a little off on the front pulley but good on the large pulley and works fine.

i dont have a return spring, you might need one,

How fast does she go ?and which engine?

 

[the road]

top speed is 12 miles per hour
engine is a rato 212 cc 7hp
gear ratio is approximately 14:1
wheels are approximately 17" diameter

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

It's just like an old Buick.

 

[gokartt]

Success!
The manual clutch system is done. The first picture is when its engaged and second one is when its disengaged.Works pretty fine.
The pulleys,belt ,spring and the tensioner costed around $24 and the other things are just about junk. A go kart manual clutch just for $25 instead of spending $170-$200 on a 3d motors port clutch. So what do you think guys?

 

[anickode]

If it works, it works.

A belt clutch, particularly with that small of a driving pulley, will not handle WOT clutch dumps very well.

Also, getting an agricultural style Kevlar belt (has Kevlar cords and a woven jacket) will help with longevity. Industrial style belts are typically intended to run at a constant tension with minimal bends and no slip. Kevlar cords will help the belt last longer doing the back-bend over the tensioner, and the woven jacket will hold up longer to engaging against a spinning sheave.