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On Craig's list I happened to find someone selling a "Fun Racing Rider Mower / Go Cart" about 5 miles from my house, for $35. There are links in the ad to his project pictures and a video clip of his boy riding it a couple years ago:
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/for/2900333071.html
So I got it on Sunday, and I have already removed the 10 HP gas engine (which seems to be in great shape), and I replaced it with a 2 HP 3 phase electric motor. I have not actually applied power to it yet, and I need to adjust the drive belt because the drive pulley is smaller (or I could use a larger pulley. This mod still uses the 5 speed transmission, which had been modified with a 12 tooth sprocket (originally 8) for a speed boost. My new motor is 3450 RPM, similar to the gas engine, but I'll use a VF controller so I can run at slower speeds or even faster. :thThumbsU
Eventually I might remove the transmission and drive the rear axle sprocket with a direct chain drive, but for that I might need a different motor with higher torque and lower RPM. I figure a 9 tooth sprocket and a 1750 RPM 1.5 HP motor will give about 12 MPH and 22 lb-ft torque on the rear axle, which is a bit low. But I intend to use this more as a utility vehicle and fun project, so it should be enough. It should be more efficient without the transmission. And I could use a 1 HP 850 RPM motor which should give 6 MPH with 35 lb-ft torque. On 12" diameter tires that should give about 70 lb of thrust.
:fing32:
My video of the project so far:
http://youtu.be/SGd8i6dp4SY
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/for/2900333071.html
So I got it on Sunday, and I have already removed the 10 HP gas engine (which seems to be in great shape), and I replaced it with a 2 HP 3 phase electric motor. I have not actually applied power to it yet, and I need to adjust the drive belt because the drive pulley is smaller (or I could use a larger pulley. This mod still uses the 5 speed transmission, which had been modified with a 12 tooth sprocket (originally 8) for a speed boost. My new motor is 3450 RPM, similar to the gas engine, but I'll use a VF controller so I can run at slower speeds or even faster. :thThumbsU
Eventually I might remove the transmission and drive the rear axle sprocket with a direct chain drive, but for that I might need a different motor with higher torque and lower RPM. I figure a 9 tooth sprocket and a 1750 RPM 1.5 HP motor will give about 12 MPH and 22 lb-ft torque on the rear axle, which is a bit low. But I intend to use this more as a utility vehicle and fun project, so it should be enough. It should be more efficient without the transmission. And I could use a 1 HP 850 RPM motor which should give 6 MPH with 35 lb-ft torque. On 12" diameter tires that should give about 70 lb of thrust.
:fing32:
My video of the project so far:
http://youtu.be/SGd8i6dp4SY