Motor battery balance help

[Rhodey]

I've built my first go kart for kids using a mobility scooter motor. It's 24v 240w 2000rpm. I originally put to car batteries on it and it barely moved, as I last hope I attached my two makita 18v batteries and although it destroyed the batteries I ran brilliantly and fast for about 15 mins.

My question is what batteries would be best to run it, I've got a speed controller so can turn the speed down for the kids. I don't need technical details just want a simple answer of what battery to use.

Thanks

 

[Functional Artist]

Hello Rhodey
...sorry but, dealin' with electrical stuff requires some technical details

A 24V motor should "normally" run "good" on (2) 12V car batteries
...if they were wired together "in series", to produce a 24V battery pack

Were they "good" batteries?

Then, it "ran good" on (2) 18V batteries
...were they wired "in series", to produce a 36V battery pack?


To answer your question, I've used (2) 12V 12AH SLA's (sealed lead acid) to power my karts with 24V motors
…(3) 12V 12AH SLA's to power my karts with 36V motor's
…(4) 12V 12AH SLA's to power my karts with 48V motor's
…& (5) 12V 12AH SLA's to power my karts with 60V motor's

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43116

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70tNYKeBjrc

 

[Rhodey]

Yeah they were wired in series. I'll get some new 12v batteries and try them. Thanks for the reply. Ive got a video of the different set ups but don't know how to add them on here.

 

[Bmr4Karts]

Yeah they were wired in series. I'll get some new 12v batteries and try them. Thanks for the reply. Ive got a video of the different set ups but don't know how to add them on here.

You need 3 12v batteries wired in series. You likely killed your power tools batteries by pulling too much current or over discharging them.

Mobility scooter motors are geared for torque, not speed. So unless you change the gear ratio or install larger tires the only way to get more speed is to increase the voltage. 36v should be fine but I would monitor temps.

 

[Rhodey]

Yeah the 18v batteries just cooked there not meant for it but I just wanted to make sure the project wasn't a waste of time. I'll wire 3 12v in series and try that today. Thanks for the reply. It's torque I need not speed with the kids driving it. Gear ratio is 3.5 to 1 so plenty enough for kids.