what size motor and cost?

[ghost civic]

I got my kids a carter go kart recently. for the rest of this summer, Ill leave the gas motor on it as it does kinda run OK.

But Im thinking Id like it to be electric next summer.

so, with this cart and a 200 pound rider (in case I wanna drive it) how big (watt) motor will I need to get 20mph and be able to drive up a mild incline? And is it possible to keep it to 24v...or will I at least have to go 36v?

Once I now what size motor and voltage required, I can start pricing things out and do the conversion over the winter.

What type of batteries do you guys recommend? I have been buying 12v 12ah SLA batteries for the kids' power wheels, but im thinking that 12ah might not provide much runtime. 1 hour runtime per charge would be enough.

Will a ECU provide braking? It has a manual brake, but if it could brake some when the kid's release the gas pedal that would be a plus.

It looks like Id have to remove the jackshaft and mount the motor rearward...but that should give a decent amount of room for batteries.

 

[itsid]

Start here to get an idea

'sid

 

[ghost civic]

I got half way through, then my head exploded.

But I think Ive figured out that it would cost way to much. 1000w motor, at least 36v battery (I didn't see any 24v 1000w motors) plus controller and around $300 easy. I could get a brand new 5hp motor and a new clutch for $150. Electric sure seem like it would be cool though.

I might keep an eye out for a lighter, bare bones kart chassis though. a 500w motor might be kind of fun on one of those.

 

[landuse]

I got half way through, then my head exploded.

But I think Ive figured out that it would cost way to much. 1000w motor, at least 36v battery (I didn't see any 24v 1000w motors) plus controller and around $300 easy. I could get a brand new 5hp motor and a new clutch for $150. Electric sure seem like it would be cool though.

I might keep an eye out for a lighter, bare bones kart chassis though. a 500w motor might be kind of fun on one of those.

Going electric is not cheap

 

[ghost civic]

no kidding. If I can find a really small, light chassis I might get a motor/ecu like the razor 500mx dirt bike has. Even that will cost around $200. But a kart that is quiet and no fuse would be really nice.

 

[itsid]

unfortunately, electric motors are not as 'common' as gas engines for applications like ours.
simply not enough demand for that yet.

A leafblower easily has a 1600Watt motor... and costs -what?- 40 bucks?
A similarly sized motor for a kick scooter (say a 750W My1020) costs twice as much; if you're lucky!

Hopefully with inceasing demand the prices will drop one day...

'sid

 

[ghost civic]

unfortunately, electric motors are not as 'common' as gas engines for applications like ours.
simply not enough demand for that yet.

A leafblower easily has a 1600Watt motor... and costs -what?- 40 bucks?
A similarly sized motor for a kick scooter (say a 750W My1020) costs twice as much; if you're lucky!

Hopefully with inceasing demand the prices will drop one day...

'sid

I understand that some. I mean, brushless motors for RC use were wicked expensive years ago. Now you can get one for less than a modified brushed motor used to cost.

 

[drm]

$350 would get you going...
48v 1000w my1020 $80
Kelly kdz 200a controller $160
4 12ah SLA batteries $100
Throttle $10

Regen braking would be a bit more depending on controller and hardware.