How can I make an electric go cart using a 12 volt battery and starter?

Question

Looking for cheap do it yourself ideas for a small golf cart type mobile. I am looking for easy to find easily accessable materials for my project. My knees are about to go out and I need the mobility. Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

You might want to do a websearch on those robot warrior, warbot kind of machines. I'm not really sure starter motors are designed for long term operation. In cars, you're not supposed to run them for more than about 30 seconds at a time. Heating problems.

Answer 2

Here are a few options

http://www.trimuter.com/

http://www.bikecare.co.uk/adult_tricycle...

Generally an electric trike will give longer range than a golf car and there is a lot less trouble legally riding them on the road.

There is quite a large range of electric bikes that could suit your needs also.

Answer 3

By the way, off the subject,

I only walk on the front of my feet to

avoid banging of the heels and knees.

I cut the heels shorter on many shoes and

sneakers in a vice with a hack saw, to

make it easier to walk this way.

I hope it works for me, but I just made it up,

didn't read about it.

Probably doesn't apply to you, sorry.

Answer 4

First, if you need a mobility scooter, you should know that's a very big industry.  Companies that build scooters, doctors that prescribe them to people so they can get them free through medical insurance.  This industry is full of scamming, fraud and kickbacks,  writing prescriptions for people who don't really need them, and really junky scooters.  You could get a scooter that way, or at least, parts from junked ones.

Check out the electric-vehicle forums and whatnot for good batteries.  The cheapest lead-acid batteries will give you a VERY short service live.

Car starter motors aren't rated for continuous running, their bearings aren't equipped for it, but it might still work.

Look into Tai Chi (good Tai Chi, not just the bozo at the local health club) for something that can save your knees.  My Tai Chi teacher got into it as a last ditch way to avoid knee surgery, and it worked!