Project help...

[miniwelnick15]

Alright, so I know you guys must get at least 20 kids a day asking "hey guys can you help me build fast kart that i can make with electricity thats cool". I am building an electric go kart with a bike derailluer (thing that changes gears) so that i can get a wider range of torque vs. speed. Is it unreasonable to ask a $700 budget limit for the project? Also, are any of the 48v/1000w motors from monster scooter parts any good? I know they aren't exactly high end but I am on a budget. Any other suggestions or help would be much appreciated.

 

[zabac70]

First , you need to read few threads (yes , threads , not posts) about stuff here (and on WWW) to make conclusion of your own (what you really need and where to get it).
Second , derailleur setup is potential problem regarding torque of the motor (it would slip off to often). You can have speeds (two is enough) , but people tend to use other things for that (centrifugal clutch , custom gearbox , series/parallel wiring...).Your budget is OK for basic fun , but with more research , you'll be able to save money in one thing to gain more on the other (ie , cheaper/used motor - more batteries or stronger controller).
Bare in mind that "fast" electric go kart , usually means short time fun , unless you spend some serious $$$ for advanced system (Lithium based batteries , 50 or more Amps controller...).
However , I believe that you can do it for that budget of yours (assuming that you already have kart). Research is the main thing , building it - pure fun (and I know that you are , probably , impatient to get started on your build)

 

[miniwelnick15]

I don't get how it would slip off though. Would the motor just pull so fast the chain loses grip? I don't understand. Anyways, a lighter frame would be better correct? If I can't shell out on an expensive motor, less weight to pull would seem better.

 

[devino246]

I don't get how it would slip off though. Would the motor just pull so fast the chain loses grip? I don't understand. Anyways, a lighter frame would be better correct? If I can't shell out on an expensive motor, less weight to pull would seem better.

Bike chains arent as strong as industrial/kart chains. The main problem (lacking a better way to explain it) is that the sprockets arent lined up on a multispeed bike. At low speeds with little power, its fine. But at the speeds of a kart engine, it wont work.

I dont see you being able to lighten a frame so much that it requires a smaller motor.

Personally, i think you should just build a regular kart. Your budget is much more fitted to a gas kart and in my opinion, theyre more fun.

 

[zabac70]

devino246 is right...But , as I said , you can build an electric cart , but it would require some scavenging , RESEARCH , DIY (and know-how) and a bit of luck (with finding parts at right price). For example (and for starters) you can use car starter (about $20) as your motor and by the time you fry it (and you will) , you'll be knowing much more about how it works (electric system). Here are links with instructions for how to adapt a car starter to work as a motor (posted some time ago , by honorable member of this forum - Kibble) : http://www.diygokarts.com/engine/car-starter-motor-conversion.html
http://www.diygokarts.com/engine/car-starter-motor-conversion-2.html
http://www.diygokarts.com/engine/car-starter-motor-conversion-3.html
If it is too much hustle for you , then , by all means , go for classic kart with IC engine...