Neurotikart II - First Ride

Finally, the first ride of the new kart. Better motor, better controller, more power. I won't rule out future tweaks and improvements, but this is the first time rubber hits the road.

Update:
Neurotikart 2 is powered by a D&D model ES-33 motor, which can be found at Electric Vehicles USA for about US$650. I'm sure there are other places, but I use EVUSA. The controller is an Alltrax model AXE-7234, which runs 72v and 300A. Final drive was originally chain and sprocket, but I've upgraded to toothed rubber belt, sort of like what's used on some motorcycles. The frame is primarily iron pipe, and the kart weighs about 500 lbs. The batteries are Optima Yellow Top D34, and there are six of them. The kart now has a functioning trailer hitch, and I've used it to pull about 1000 lbs of payload around (at low speed) for over two hours without recharging.

The first motor on the Neurotikart 2 was a Perm PMG-132, which cost around $900. It burned up after less than 8 hours of service. Perm motors just can't take the heat.




If you're interested in building a kart like this and using new (rather than used) motor and controller, plan on spending from US$3000 to over US$4000 in parts alone. It takes me about 2 months of my free time (evenings and weekends) to fabricate a kart.

A cheaper and easier option would be to locate an existing gokart and convert it. The cost of bolt on parts like wheels, axles, and steering components adds up quickly, so an existing kart would provide a "running start" toward a finished electric kart.

I've considered commercializing these karts, but with such high cost, it's difficult to find serious interest. So until the costs can come way down, it's just my own little waste of time and money.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Neurotikart
• electric
• gokart

[g60badass]

great kart but your driving sucks

[wires99]

@g60badass : Good thing I don't drive in your neighborhood, then. :D

[richfilmswales]

how long to charge it from flat??

[wires99]

@richfilmswales It takes about 5 hours using a bunch of 10 amp chargers

[maco10810]

Hi Wires

Nice work, I would like to know how the car batteries are holding up, I would love to be able to use them they a lot cheaper than the batteries used on most EV's. Car batteries remain fully charged in a car so they have thinner plates than the ones designed to be run flat. The theory is the thin plates warp and short out.

I also built an EV, no controller just a soft start button running through a resistor to take up slack before hitting the main power cheers.

watch?v=HjsYANIIDmc

[wires99]

The Optimas hold up great, but those "Economy" car batteries not so much. They've long since been returned for recycling. You just can't discharge a car battery many times and have it live through it. After about 10 charge-discharge cycles, the car batteries were down to about 20% capacity. The Optimas get basically full capacity for 100 cycles or so. Too bad Costco doesn't carry them any more. I may be looking for a new type of battery...

[eb1zzle]

Might wanna consider wearing a helmet with this one. lol

[warwickbill]

how much would one off them cost to buy?? do u sell??

[ibrmmh]

Wow that's awesome

[CheapNoize]

Do you have to charge each battery sepparetly? And how does a full recharge take? How did you build the throttle system?

[callofnerds1]

first time driving

[deletedalien]

hi

[deletedalien]

@g60badass The hell are you talking about???

This guy can drift the daylight out of this thing, and let me tell ya drifting a kart on tarmac is NOT easy

@wires99: Dude i dont want your kart I NEED IT!!!!! its sooo flippin' sweet!!!!!

we need to talk i want to make one of these!!!

[deletedalien]

@g60badass The hell are you talking about????

That some serious drifting right there!!! (no sarcasm) i should know, im a drifter (look at my vids) anywho

@wires99: DUDE your kart is FLIPPIN' AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont want one I NEED ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need to get in contact so i can start crafting something like this seriously, Anywho later take care.

[Boogietized]

@wires99 I love your reply!

[desertbowhunter]

hey i am upgrading my go kart and i need a break caliper. where did you get yours

[MrTeckman01]

@wires99 o ok it was just a thought now i feel retarded lol