Electric Go-Kart V1
BACKGROUND AND PROJECT OVERVIEW
Back in high school, I had a friend who built a go-kart with a Harbor Freight engine and a frame he found online. He invited me and a few others to come over and drive this contraption, the problem was it had no brakes. In typical teenager fashion, we drove it anyway. After a terrifying night of driving, I offered to mount some. During this process, I couldn't help but imagine how the system could be improved if it was electric.
This idea stuck with me going into college, I knew I had the skills to do it, the problem was money and time. I couldn't stop thinking about how fun it would be to have instant torque available to accelerate. Sometime during the year, I decided to start the CAD and see where it takes me, with plans to start the build over the summer.
GOALS
In short, Build a go-kart capable driving on standard road conditions using electric motors.
| Requirements | Constraints |
| Top speed must meet or exceed 30mph |
Construction must be achievable with hobbyist tools |
| Range must meet or exceed 15 miles | Lithium-Ion Batteries must be used for reliability, range, and power density |
| Kart must have capacity for future upgrades | BLDC Hub Motors will be used to achieve top speed and allow for all wheel drive |
| Frame must be custom and constructed from scratch |
Online liquidation websites and Ebay will be used to source components |
| Kart must be safe enough to drive consistently for all requirements |
Kart will have effective brakes, seatbelts, and emergency protocols for electrical subsystems |
| Costs may not exceed $3000 | Suspension system mandatory |
| Electric power train must be used |
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| Kart must be comfortable to drive |
In addition to these requirements and constraints, whatever is designed must be fun to drive and teach practical skills.
SCHEDULING
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Phil Zeringue for letting me invade his shop for a few months
Brody Kladis for helping out with LOTS of the frame assembly
Jack McDougal for helping with CAD and Metal Bending
Alex Stephenson for letting me borrow his welder and metalworking assistance