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How to Convert a Hoverboard Into an Electric Kart

In this project, I show you how to build a powerful Electric Kart (I call it Hovercar) from a Hoverboard.

emanuelferuEmanuelFeru
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Project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgHCcj0NgWQ

The kart is responsive and drives very nicely. High torque and fast response even at low speed. What is nice in this project is that the parts were not modified irreversibly, making possible to restore the hoverboard and the kart back to their initial factory functionality.

The kart can reach speeds of up 25 km/h with standard settings or up to 40 km/h with Field weakening activated. For enthusiasts, it is a great platform to learn about electric mobility, programming, control design and electronics.

View all 13 components

  • 1
    Preparing the Kart

    First, we need to prepare the kart by removing:

    - the rear wheels and axle and

    - the pedals including the chain mechanism

    Since we will keep the rear brake system, some of the kart screws will be re-used to attach the hoverboard. It is a good advice to store all the removed components from the kart in the case you want to revert the kart back to its original shape.

  • 2
    Attach the Hoverboard

    The kart is mounted on top of the hoverboard. The key of this mounting is a U shaped bracket that I made from an aluminium straight bar.

    On each side, the U shaped bracket is secured with 4 M5 screws. 2 screws to secure the bracket to the hoverboard and 2 screws to secure the bracket to the kart.

    From plywood we can cut the floor of the kart. To ease the process, use a piece of cardboard to get the shape and dimensions right. Use the cardboard shape as a template to cut the plywood as shown in the picture.

    Once the plywood shape is ready I glued few reinforcement pieces under the kart for extra strength. Finally, I painted the plywood in black.

  • 3
    Connect All the Electronics

    In this step, add all the necessary electronics:

    - add the hoverboard electronics and battery

    - connect the pedals

    - add buttons and LEDs

    - add connectors for mainboard flashing and sideboard flashing

    For more details regarding the pinouts, check out my Github repository:

    https://github.com/EmanuelFeru/hoverboard-firmware-hack-FOC

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Discussions

gutabsgf wrote 01/13/2023 at 18:12 • point

Is there any way to use the hover board to control the DC brush motor

Is there any way to use the hover board to control the DC brush motor

  Are you sure? yes | no

Janis wrote 08/28/2021 at 13:52 • point

hey great work on this hovercar project!!!
I want to build it myself but is there a firmware for the new YST DXT J20 v4 Mainboard? it uses a AT32F403RCT6 controller. the sideboards are also different ( YST D 94V-0)...

or do you recommend to get another hoverboard?

  Are you sure? yes | no

ThankTheMaker wrote 06/12/2020 at 19:48 • point

Which pedals do you use? Seems the linked ones in the component list aren't the same used in your project.

  Are you sure? yes | no

EmanuelFeru wrote 07/03/2020 at 13:02 • point

Yes, I had different one, because I had those pedals already available. But the ones that I linked should work as well.

  Are you sure? yes | no

gutabsgf wrote 01/13/2023 at 18:12 • point

Is there any way to use the hover board to control the DC brush motor

  Are you sure? yes | no

Sebastien.kva59 wrote 06/02/2020 at 10:56 • point

bonjour a tous je viens vers vous car j'ai besoins d'aide je suis actuellement en pleins projet de creer se fameux hovercar pour mon fils mais le souci ces que j'ai reussi a flasher la carte mere mais impossible d'arriver a flasher les sideboards du coup j'ai voulu mettre des autres sideboards en stm au lieux des gd32 mais cela a fait cramer le sideboards mais maintenant la carte mere ne demarre plus au bouton poussoir et quand je desire reflasher la carte avec st flash utility j'ai un messages d'erreur the elf loader file is not accessible donc pouvez vous m'aider s'il vous plait car d'apres se que je comprends l'acces au mcu a etait effacer

hello to all I come to you because I need help I am currently in the middle of a project to create the famous hovercar for my son but the worry that I managed to flash the motherboard but impossible to get to flash the sideboards so I wanted to put others sideboards in stm instead of gd32 but this made the sideboards burn but now the motherboard does not start anymore at the push button and when I want to reflect the card with st flash utility I have an error messages the elf loader file is not accessible so can you please help me because as soon as I understand the acces to mcu was erased

  Are you sure? yes | no

EmanuelFeru wrote 07/03/2020 at 13:06 • point

Sorry to hear, probably when you connected another sideboard the Red and Black wires were reversed. The wire colors are not consistent from board to board. So, best is to check the correctness of wire connection before connecting anything.

By connecting it wrongly also the mainboard might got damaged. It can be repaired, but you need to check really carefully before powering it.

  Are you sure? yes | no

gutabsgf wrote 01/13/2023 at 18:12 • point

Is there any way to use the hover board to control the DC brush motor

  Are you sure? yes | no

damennix wrote 05/12/2020 at 05:47 • point

I'm working with a hoverboard that has 2 main boards. I've flashed both board successfully but  There's allot less information on them and only 1 fork. Are they the newer version?

  Are you sure? yes | no

EmanuelFeru wrote 05/12/2020 at 15:41 • point

Apparently, the 2 main boards hoverboards are newer from what I know. Unfortunately, I didn't have them in my hands yet to check them out. Maybe in the future.

  Are you sure? yes | no

damennix wrote 05/12/2020 at 16:07 • point

I could pickup a few used hoverboards locally, but I'm afraid they will be the new type as well. Is there a forum somewhere for discussions about hoverboard hacks? They offer so much opportunity I'm surprised I find so little about it. How many hours do y'all have in this firmware?

Also the board I have is at least 2 years old, Im curious how popular the single board version is still.

  Are you sure? yes | no

EmanuelFeru wrote 05/13/2020 at 06:57 • point

If you buy used ones, some of them still have the single mainboard. If not, you can still buy the single mainboard kit from Aliexpress for instance

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUoKbLT

I am not sure if there is a forum somewhere, but we have a small community privately on Telegram to share projects and ideas. Feel free to join here:

https://t.me/joinchat/BHWO_RKu2LT5ZxEkvUB8uw

  Are you sure? yes | no

lalalandrus wrote 05/08/2020 at 20:23 • point

great work and video, glad to see the FOC controller working. i was thinking of jumping back into the project, been quite busy since i bought an airplane.

  Are you sure? yes | no

EmanuelFeru wrote 05/11/2020 at 06:38 • point

Hey, nice to hear from you!
Would be nice to do again some work together.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Dan Maloney wrote 05/04/2020 at 19:47 • point

Good job protecting your head during that wheelie! That could have hurt.

  Are you sure? yes | no

EmanuelFeru wrote 05/04/2020 at 19:59 • point

I risked it a bit on that one :D A helmet is recommended... just in case

  Are you sure? yes | no

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