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Build Log #4 - You Spin Me Right Round

A project log for Vintage Electric Go Kart

Your typical electric go kart build... maybe?

andy-shinnAndy Shinn 05/27/2021 at 22:120 Comments

So what have I been up to in the last two weeks? Well, not too much. But did hit an important milestone. The motor is spinning!

I did some work to wire up the DC-DC converter and throttle body. Then connected the battery up to the converter and controller (using a resistor to limit current to charge the controller capacitors first).

I did receive my acrylic panels for the battery box and glued them together. It looks nice. But the fitment with the packs large 2 AWG battery cables is not good. It also feels much more fragile than I would've expected. I'm thinking I'm going to scrap this idea and go for a cradle design instead.

This cradle would allow the front and sides to be exposed for easier cable routing. The battery will be strapped to the cradle with nylon straps. I'm planning to 3D print this part myself with a 3D printer that is on the way. Really exciting!

The other bit I have worked is getting the axle parts all aligned and tightened down for the belt drive. It looks like everything should fit but I will need a really thin wrench to get to the bolts between the motor and pulley. This is because the quick disconnect bushing needs to be mounted facing the motor. The shaft is not long enough to make contact with the bushing if mounted the other direction.

That is all for this update. Everything is still looking pretty good and should be able to get it moving in the next couple weeks. I'm still waiting on 3D printed parts for the display, controls, and throttle cable holder.

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