Electric Go Kart?

Question

Me and a friend are workin on an electric go kart.

It started off as a Welding Class project, which we used a wench as a motor.

But now, we happened upon an electric scooter. My friend did the calculations and it appeared that the new scooter motor would go 21.9 mph. (When the wench only went 304 mph) We took the motor off, and modified our design to use the scooter motor but when my friend (who is dramtically lighter than i am XD ) got on it, it was a slow crawl. and of course to put salt in the wound, when he got off and was running beside it steering, he could hardily keep up.

My ques. is, what are ALL types of motors:

1)Meant to be used for a long period of time

and

2) Run on 12 volts

we are hopin to NOT spend ANY $ on it. b/c my friend had that go kart frame (which his father gave him) and the wench. Everything else, we got for free.

Please post SERIOUS answers.

Answer 1

Your motor will work, but you need to use gears.

Answer 2

Even though an unloaded motor may spin rapidly, if you load it down with too big of a demand, the motor slows way down and wastes a lot of power.  

On motor types, the first major separation of types is Brushed and brushless.

Brushless is more efficient, but brushed is more reliable at lower price points.  Brushed motors do not need controllers, just batteries and big switches.  

Brushed motors  only have two wires, brushless have at least 3 wires.

If you  have a brushed motor, then just put  more volts thru the battery by putting another battery in series.

that is the simplest fix for your situation.

monitor motor temperature to see it does not get too hot.

You may also need to gear the motor down, turning speed into torque.  and add volts.

DC Motors that can put out decent power at low speed, are fairly efficient and don't weigh a lot, cost a pretty penny, so pick your compromise.

Answer 3

Why?  A good 15hp gas engine would do the job just as well.