Mobility scooter

[MaraschinoGirl]

Hi all
New to this, have some electrical experience but pretty limited.

I'm wheelchair bound most of the time and was recently given a mobility scooter that needed some work.

I've got it going (had to replace some wiring and put some new batteries and fuses in) but it's grossly underpowered.

I want to upgrade it a bit.
I'm not talking racing or high speed but basically, I figure if I'm gonna throw money at it, I'd like to get some decent power and range. I'd be happy with a top end around 40kms.

The plan is to turn the power down when it isn't needed and wind it up if the scooter is going to be offroad (like grass or uneven surface) and go up hill (I live in a hilly area) right now a curb cutout is almost too much for it.

I'm also future planning since Dad has bad knees and is a pretty hefty fella, I'd like to be able to offer it to him when needed that's not gonna burn out on him and still be able to motor along.

So I'm set on replacing the rear axle to basically a gokart one.
A motor
I figure I'm going to need a new controller - ideally bi-directional
I'd like to swap out the thumb control for hall effect twist controls
Brakes or a braking motor (or both)
And batteries

What I don't really know is sizing it all up.
A quick look at evilbay and I've found a 48v 1000w 26.7amp 3000rpm motor for around $100 but is that overkill?

Hope for some input.

Ta

Sarah

 

[Functional Artist]

Hello Sarah,

Welcome to the forum.

A 1,000 watt / 48 volt motor is not overkill at all.

You'll probably need that much power or even a little more to do what you want to do.

What voltage does the scooter run at now?

Can you post some pics to see what we're workin' with?

 

[Bbqjoe]

Hi Sarah. Welcome.
Stick around, these guys can really help.

If I ever become wheelchair bound, this is what I want.

 

[Rail rider]

Hi Sarah. Welcome.
Stick around, these guys can really help.

If I ever become wheelchair bound, this is what I want.

With a turret mounted .50

 

[Bbqjoe]

With a turret mounted .50

I'm thinking minigun, but yeah!

 

[MaraschinoGirl]

The current running is 2 x 12v 10a batteries.
I haven't pulled it apart to see what size motor is in it, but it's very small.

As for the mini tank - I have seen a couple of them.

 

[AltuveRules]

Here's what you want to do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5rkw4SeP4

 

[MaraschinoGirl]

Not a bad suggestion and I did consider it but it would make it pretty useless indoors as well as noisy and smelly. Would be a fun toy though!

 

[tinamcjittles]

First things first Sarah, lower the seat and handlebars to aid with the CoG. Don't wanna flip while racing through WalMart.. Remove all of the electronics (batteries, controller, charger..) then go online and buy a golf cart motor (more the merrier). Next you need a high-torque golf cart speed controller and the accompanying Li-ion packs. Get a potentiometer for your throttle and wire it into where the golf cart pedal plugs in. Then when your drivetrain is finished you'll be doing wheelies and hitting 30-40 before you know it!

 

[OzFab]

The first issue is, no matter what size motor you use, be it 100W or 1000W, they all max out at around 3000rpm so, if you want more speed, you need to change the gearing, there's no way around that; a stronger motor will only give you more torque so, you won't increase top speed, you'll just reach it quicker...

However, higher gearing = less low end torque, you'd need to figure out a happy medium...

Having said that, you have a few choices:
- a second motor, in conjunction with higher gearing, leaving the original setup as it is
- a larger motor; no, 1000W isn't overkill, there's no such thing as too much power; if you don't need it, simply don't use it; better to have it & not need it than need it & not have it

Keep in mind that, with a larger motor, the standard batteries will still provide the same power but, the range will be shorter so, bigger batteries are necessary; fortunately, you should find more powerful batteries in the same size shell; in my experience, 9.6Ah & 12Ah are the same physical size, otherwise, you'll need to find more space for larger batteries...

Personally, I would suggest against a go kart (live) axle; with both rear wheels locked together, steering is greatly compromised...

As for a twist throttle, that shouldn't be an issue, a few dollars on eBay...

 

[Weeder]

First things first Sarah, lower the seat and handlebars to aid with the CoG.

Dudette, How do you know she isnt like seven foot eight?


Party on!!!

 

[tinamcjittles]

Dudette, How do you know she isnt like seven foot eight?


Party on!!!

Lmk when you find a 7' 8" chick lololz

Any progress on the scooter, lady?


You're only running like 240 angry pixies through that motor on a good day, most razor scooters would smoke you atm. Batteries, engine and controller seem obvious and easy!

 

[Rail rider]

Lmk when you find a 7' 8" chick lololz

Any progress on the scooter, lady?


You're only running like 240 angry pixies through that motor on a good day, most razor scooters would smoke you atm. Batteries, engine and controller seem obvious and easy!

I found this hottie for you. With 4" heels and she's at 8' That's a lot of woman to love.

 

[tinamcjittles]

I found this hottie for you. With 4" heels and she's at 8' That's a lot of woman to love.

Looks like a dude...