alchemysa
Veteran Member
This is something I made about 12 months ago for the grandkids to play on when they visit. (It was my mother-in-law's 'gopher' originally but it failed and was never used much anyway. She's departed now but would be happy to see the kids having fun on it.)
These things have a complicated and expensive computer control in them normally. The computer controls the motor speed, motor braking, rate of acceleration, stationary brake, battery recharging and more. Repairs are usually beyond most D.I.Y.'ers so when they fail its a serious decision whether to fix it or ditch it. In this case we decided to ditch it ... sort of. I stripped off everything except the chassis, body, motor and wheels. The armchair seat was removed and a simple padded seat added. The handle bars were cut down in height and width. The motor is now controlled by a DC Motor controller and a twist grip hand throttle. Braking now uses a hand lever and disk brake system from a bicycle. Forward and reverse is controlled by a two way rocker switch. The round switch is a kill switch that cuts off all power. Its runs on a couple of old car batteries that were no longer good enough for road use but surprisingly, in this thing, give a full days fun when 'fully' charged.
All up I spent about $130, The most expensive thing was the DC Motor Controller at around $100.
It wasn't designed to carry 3, but kids always write their own instructions. (But even adults have fun riding on this thing. Theres something quite relaxing about riding on something thats almost totally silent).
These things have a complicated and expensive computer control in them normally. The computer controls the motor speed, motor braking, rate of acceleration, stationary brake, battery recharging and more. Repairs are usually beyond most D.I.Y.'ers so when they fail its a serious decision whether to fix it or ditch it. In this case we decided to ditch it ... sort of. I stripped off everything except the chassis, body, motor and wheels. The armchair seat was removed and a simple padded seat added. The handle bars were cut down in height and width. The motor is now controlled by a DC Motor controller and a twist grip hand throttle. Braking now uses a hand lever and disk brake system from a bicycle. Forward and reverse is controlled by a two way rocker switch. The round switch is a kill switch that cuts off all power. Its runs on a couple of old car batteries that were no longer good enough for road use but surprisingly, in this thing, give a full days fun when 'fully' charged.
All up I spent about $130, The most expensive thing was the DC Motor Controller at around $100.
It wasn't designed to carry 3, but kids always write their own instructions. (But even adults have fun riding on this thing. Theres something quite relaxing about riding on something thats almost totally silent).
