Dewalt 20V + trolling motor kart!

Joined
Apr 25, 2022
Messages
1
Behold! I have managed to sketch together a pretty impressive little go kart using an old Kettercar frame, power wheels steering axle, a minn-kota 80lb thrust 24v trolling motor, 4 dewalt flexvolt batteries wired 2s2p for 40v(36 nom) and 12 ah, and the rear axle/frame off a ridiculously overbuilt fertilizer spreader.

The rear frame and axle are high grade stainless steel, and include a 5 to 1 differential gearbox, and even zerc fittings to service the moving parts! Originally the gearbox was designed we use the wheels rotational energy to drive the actual piece of the spreader that spread the fertilizer as it rolled along. I installed the spider gear on the shaft of the trolling motor which i then attached to the frame. No brakes, no control box, just two bare wire ends wrapped around the steering wheel so i can push them together with my thumb.

The 24 volt 80 lb thrust trolling motor didn't quite have the power to get the cart moving at only 18 volts, so i doubled the voltage to 36. i understand the risks of over-volting, but its running pretty well after a few test runs. If she burns out anytime soon ill be sure to post about it. Top speed is around 20 mph, and im not sure of the range as im leary of pushing the batteries too far with no undervoltage protection in place.

Just thought id share this little project because i cant find any other examples even remotely similar to what ive built, and wanted to contribute some good information to a site i have frequented often over the years, and which i have learned a great deal from.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20220425_074331241_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_074331241_HDR.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 1,020
  • IMG_20220425_074555531_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_074555531_HDR.jpg
    4.1 MB · Views: 1,020
  • IMG_20220425_075032679_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_075032679_HDR.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 1,020
  • IMG_20220425_075508292_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_075508292_HDR.jpg
    4.9 MB · Views: 1,020
  • IMG_20220425_075643958_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_075643958_HDR.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 1,020
  • IMG_20220425_075655961_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_075655961_HDR.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 1,020
  • IMG_20220425_075707870_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_075707870_HDR.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 1,019
  • IMG_20220425_075549185_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20220425_075549185_HDR.jpg
    5 MB · Views: 1,020
Nice project, looks like fun :thumb:
Very aerodynamic motor and no grip front wheels for optimum understeer :lol:
 
That's looks like a blast. I think we need some video footage of it in action. Never seen a trolling motor repurposed like that. From trolling the waters to trolling past people.
 
So cool. Gotta be the sketchiest frame to push 20 mph. Hope you have a helmet on or on the open prairie. 😁🤘 Spark and go throttle/controller. With no brakes I suppose you could yank em apart if they weld themselves together...😳🏁🏁
 
That looks like a blast. I love recycled junk builds.

I would definitely look at adding a motor speed controller for that. While touching the wires will make it go, it's maybe a bit too crude for my tastes and when you disconnect the wires, it will make a high voltage pulse that could give you a jolt if you manage to be touching both wires. There are some very inexpensive controllers that would work for that.

I guess you could also use a mechanical relay and a button.

You could also wire up something that shorts the motor through a wire resistor to get braking. You just need some provision so you can't be braking and applying power at the same time. A mechanical relay could do this. I had something like this on my old Zappy scooter since the friction brake was so bad.
 
Back
Top