Timing belt drive on electric kart

[bigdavevw]

Hi guys, looking for some advice on a current project.

I,m going to put a 4kW-5kW electric motor onto a kart and i,m wondering if a belt drive system would be ok/safe to use?

I thought about using an automotive timing belt and pulleys to keep the cost down.

I,m guessing these belts can handle the power from the motor?

Has anyone attempted this before? If so i,d like to hear your experiences!

Dave.

Pic for clicks

 

[Poboy kartman]

I'd have to say....with a "timing" belt ....it would be critical when you did it....!!!??

Seriously, the only problem I see is possibly mounting the pulleys....gopher it!

 

[bigdavevw]

Lol.

Mounting the tensioner should be ok, the motor shaft might require an extra bracket with a bearing to cope with the side loads or whatever you call them, so i,d attach it to that.

 

[anderkart]

A timing belt, tensioner and pulleys should be plenty strong, but a couple potential drawbacks would be:

Most timing belts are far longer that you'd need or want...

It might also be difficult to locate the correct diameter pulleys to achieve your desired gear ratio...

____________


I'd go with a chain drive system instead, we could probably help you calculate a suitable gear ratio, plus find reasonable prices on purchasing both sprockets and a chain if you posted details like:

1- Motor output shaft diameter and type. (post pic)
2- Do you already have an axle with a sprocket mounting hub?
3- How many inches tall will your back tires be? (15"?)
4- Post the max RPM of your electric motor, at the voltage you'll be running.
5- Also post the specifacations of the battery(s) you plan on using.
6- Also post what top speed you expect , and where/how you'd be riding, like only on flat-hard terrain like roads & parking lots, or if you expect to be driving the kart off-road/up steep hills?

PS:
Building an electric powered kart can get very expensive, If you really wanna save money: I'd suggest going with a gasoline engine instead...

 

[machinist@large]

Pulling for pullies......

Hit McMaster Carr, Applied Industrial, Grainger's, et al. websites.They all have extensive selection of timing belt types and the pullies that go with them. They also have application guide's to help you figure out what you need, as well as how to properly set your system up.

And for the record, timing type belt's can handle large loads when properly selected. Harley Davidson has used them for the final drive on all of their motor cycles for decade's, and some of the deep pockets crowd have built them up to the point that a lot of car's can't match their power numbers....

 

[KartFab]

Some enduro race karts use that type of drive system, there may already be something like that out there.

Also, some concession (pay to ride a go kart at a track) karts use that type of drive system in conjunction with a wet clutch.

Search "go kart steel cog pulley synchronous belt drive system"