Electric Go Kart
Wow…too many questions to answer…I think Ill have too make another video to attempt to answer some of the questions that I’ve been asked. Here are a few FAQ’s though:
-Which batteries do you use?
4 x 12v 33AH (amp hour = capacity) lead acids. I would use Lithium bats, but as a student at $10 an hour I cant afford them by a long shot.
-Which Motor?
Briggs and stratton “etek” 48V 300A 15HP I dont think they make them anymore but “PMG” – a german brand, make a 72v 400A 35HP motor! (it is more expensive though).
-How fast?
It only goes about 60KPH (36mph) with the current (LOW) gearing, but with different gearing I think it could do over 110KPH (66mph), (I know a guy who put the same motor and controller on a pocket bike/monkey bike with 1 to 1 gearing and he did 178KPH (110MPH)!!
-How long will it go for?
About 15 minutes flat-out with one battery pack (4 x 12v 33AH bats)
I hope this helps!
By the way…someone asked for drawings…I didn’t do any (sorry!!) I measure once, cut twice 
Cheers, Felix
Content
Comment by RIPPERTON on 17 July 2008:
LiFePO4 from BMI available on Ebay (search under “electric bike,scooter”
72v 10Ah 200A peak 24 cells $1440 9kg.
cells are about the size of a can of redbull and have bolted terminals
Comment by limeytrash on 17 July 2008:
I could spell better than you when I was 6 years old. Maybe you’re a little slow.
Comment by felixtimlock on 20 July 2008:
yeah, well, I was 16 when I made these videos and built the kart so piss off!
Comment by xsnowboarder93x on 23 July 2008:
what did you do for the axels?
Comment by ivaniclixx on 27 July 2008:
Yes please, someone answer
.
Comment by ILOVESPEED25 on 27 July 2008:
What a cheeky little fucker! That thing goes like snot!
Comment by christopherdoshoian on 28 July 2008:
But does anyone know how much it would cost for lithium batteries for a 72 volt setup. ) emiion rocket on 2 wheels.
Comment by christopherdoshoian on 30 July 2008:
thank u so much for the technicla info. I am trying to get the 72 vol motor onto a racing frame bicycle. Let me know if u think its a good idea, i think it is good. I have to ride 10 miles to work, and am thinking about making a badass bicycle. But probably with lead acid batteries.
Comment by crudbudsucks on 2 August 2008:
It really is amazing how in the 21st century, we still pretty much have to resort to heavy lead acid batteries and extremely small range. Unless you’re rich and can afford the latest lithium-ion batteries.
Comment by crudbudsucks on 2 August 2008:
Would never work without very stringent controls in place. What if I drove in and left a battery that was at the end of its life and got a new battery? They’d have to test each battery’s cells each time to see if it was junk or not.
Comment by crudbudsucks on 5 August 2008:
A 15 hp motor would propel a kart over 100 mph with a smaller drive sprocket, not just 36 mph or 66 mph. And 15 minutes range on 4-12 volt batteries is absolutely ridiculous.
Comment by crudbudsucks on 6 August 2008:
Since you’re a student, maybe you should ask some of your teachers about the difference between “to” and “too”.
Comment by TheNormieBug on 6 August 2008:
Uh, I don’t know about you, but I think I’d have a problem offloading several hundred pounds of batteries. I’ll stick with fast charging. Kills cycle life, though.
Comment by jtimlock on 8 August 2008:
Thanks, i have made a helmet cam vid and thats a good idea to include it, The helmet csm vid was to large to upload to youtube and i havnt done anything with it for a while. i plan on getting the kart out again and making a better video. I made this about 3 years ago.
cheers,
felix
Comment by JUKIO01 on 9 August 2008:
dude only 15minutes!? damn, i really how batteries become way more efficient in the future
Comment by upcycle on 9 August 2008:
Nice video. Where did you get your Brigs and stratten motor?
An idea for a new video… include a helmet cam video clip.
Comment by sponkii on 10 August 2008:
do any of you know a power transistor or like, that can handle 70-100 amp at max 40 volt ?..
because im making a el powerd “pocket” bike…
Comment by KASPLARFO on 13 August 2008:
That look like fun!
Comment by SnowyAstra on 15 August 2008:
I would definately buy any of the new tesla powered cars. But like yo usaid, distance is a problem. However, it would not be a hard thing to do to have ‘electric stations’ where you offload a flat battery, and replace it with a charged one for a small fee for the electric. Then your old battery goes on charge till its ready for the next person to use. Its possible, but the government want us to use the oil first
Comment by felixtimlock on 18 August 2008:
See the new description…
Comment by JUKIO01 on 20 August 2008:
is this a brushless motor?
Comment by musicmanmaster on 23 August 2008:
whats the top speed?
Comment by golfyam on 24 August 2008:
wer bouts can i get a hold of 1 of thes amzing machines?
Comment by Millionpounds on 25 August 2008:
lol you can see all the rubber flying up off the wheels! tht wuz wiked…
Comment by felixtimlock on 28 August 2008:
Electric cars hold the land speed record second to jet powered cars, above internal combustion engine powered cars. They have electric cars that perform as well as a Porsche, do about 200 – 300 kilometers per charge and are around the same price, but everybody knows petrol, why would they risk buying electric and having to put up with inherent distance limits.
Cheers,
Felix