Performance
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Who thinks that electric cars don't perform well?
Here is a list of electrics that go 0-60mph in the 4 second range. They go from 3.6 to 4.5 seconds and use a variety of battery technologies.
That matches the new Porsche 911 for performance. And with the cost ranging from $108k to $550k, they are just as expensive as the high end gas guzzling sports cars.
I'm not really looking for something that runs that quick, and especially not that expensive, but I have been giving some thought to another electric vehicle. With our move out to a ranch style, multi-acre property, my kids have been asking for a fun vehicle of sorts. An ATV, dirt bike, something. I'm not opposed to getting something, but I don't want a high end racer of the kind I see for sale.
Actually I don't want anything that goes too fast. 20-25mph gives them just enough speed to hurt themselves a little, but still have fun. So a friend has an old go-kart I was looking at. But gas, hot engines, etc. are a bit of a problem for the little ones.
So I'm thinking electric. solar preferably, something they can run a little and will charge itself without costing me an arm and a leg.
Steve Jones
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You could consider using “scalectric” engines to do it yourself. The engines you find in radio controlled cars and airplanes. Many people think that a small engine like that cannot propel a human. We built a cart using a 500mA motor running at 12000 rpm. Gearing it down gives you the power. The speed control must be done using a pulsing DC method. You accelerate by lengthening the pulse. That will give you smooth acceleration and not continue running faster once the roll resistance was overcome. The kids rode on it sometimes 3 at a time (it definitely goes slower then).
5ilverFox
Consulting DBA / Developer
South Africa -
"With our move out to a ranch style, multi-acre property..."
Have you considered a pony? Far more enviroment friendly.
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Unless you're a serious BattleBot building and into the DIY thing, why not just buy a cheap, "pre-owned" golf cart and see how that works for the kidlets? The suspensions range from Grandpa to Plays-only-in-the-Rough.
Since I need an excuse to buy an oxyacetylene torch, I've been planning to build a monster beach bum cart as a gift for Dad's retirement... But then I also wish I had time to finish the 'bot. Who needs welding lessons? How hard can it be?
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Look into the electrify-your-bike kits and make the go-cart an electric. Make battery changing easy and keep one or two always on charge.
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The safe top speed is 9mph - that's what the user controlled vehicles at the Disney parks are limited to.
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try this link: http://www.electric-bikes.com/motorcys.htm
Recently there was a short snippet in both Solar Today and a motorcycle magazine (American Motorcyclist, if I recall correctly) regarding an EVT electric scooter that a gentleman had mounted folding solar panels on - fold them up to ride, and when you park unfold them and charge the battery.
Depending on what you expect your kids to do with this vehicle (i.e. just scoot around, or build a motocross track out back), you might want to consider how robust it is! Stationary solar panels might be a better option (and if you can grid-tie them, they can lower your electric bill as well as charge the scooter, but you're getting into some serious money at that point).
For more info on solar-related stuff, try http://www.solartoday.org/ - I love the magazine. (I have a 3 KwH system, grid-tied, on my roof - that means on sunny days my meter runs backwards, and I 'make' money. I LOVE to watch that meter spin!)
Here there be dragons...,Steph Brown
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Very cool and thanks. We have horses, mostly my wife and daughter. It's the boys that want a cart/motorcycle of some sort.
And 9mph sounds excellent to Dad's Ambulance service.
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