Electric Superkarts

Post by **Clay** » Thu, 24 Jan 2008, 04:28

Hi again. I know I've posted previously a topic on the electrathon series and I still think that is a good option for electric racing. However, what if the series was to be for Superkarts instead?

As I've previously mentioned, due to an existing competition here in Perth not many of the locals are keen to switch to a new faster (and a lot safer) set of competition rules. But if the racing was to be lots faster on real race tracks instead of car parks would there be interest?

The design of the cars would be restricted with no suspension but would this be a problem? Not when you could do things like a certain carbon fibre kart (Google it - you'll eventually see a Darth Vader-looking kart which is unbelieveable!).

We specify no more than 48V and say 30 minute races? I'm keen to talk to the Superkart people. They already have links to CAMS, access to tracks, insurance etc. Might be a simpler way to get involved with Electric racing...

Post by **Mark T** » Thu, 24 Jan 2008, 15:28

One of our members up here in Sydney built an EV kart and took it for a couple of laps around the car park at our last field day. There's a shot of it in the last EV News. I think it was only a sprint kart frame but he intends fitting a lighter more powerful pack in the future. It looked plenty fast enough as is.

Post by **Clay** » Thu, 24 Jan 2008, 16:56

That's basically a superkart, except a superkart runs wings as well. The advantages these things have is that parts are cheap, donor vehicles (i.e. second hand karts) are cheap, the only parts we need to build ourselves are the motor mounts, the wiring loom, adapt the throttle to work a potentiometer instead of a carbie, mount the batteries and controller and build the bodywork (if you want to do it custom).

Other than that you're good to race. There's a kid in melbourne who put a Briggs & Stratton etek electric motor on a kart and put videos of it on youtube. have a look - it's geared low, but it flies. up the gearing and it would be really quick.

I reckon it could be fun

Post by **stuartri** » Fri, 25 Jan 2008, 01:11

Clay just so you know unofficially CAMS are very close to releasing a public statement in February regarding their entry into Alternate Energy Racing.

I do not think that we are that far off a national Electrathon Competition.

If there is any interest and you want to come down to melb I am working on securing a go cart track that we could race our vehicles on.

Stuart

Post by **Clay** » Fri, 25 Jan 2008, 01:59

Cheers stu. I just know that over here the response has been flat to say the least. If we get this off the ground - either electrathon or karts, then that would be sensational. It is simply another option

Post by **Thalass** » Sat, 26 Jan 2008, 06:22

Electric karts would be fun!And a relatively cheap way to get into racing.

Post by **BjBlaster** » Fri, 29 Feb 2008, 06:21

I know it's not Australian, but have you all seen this?

http://neurotikart.com/

Mark does such a good job of his metal work!

Can't wait to see/hear the belt drive

Cheers

Bj

Post by **mykartdream.com** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008, 04:53

Hi all,
Newbie here. I am very interested in the idea of an electric kart. I was involved with the Superkart Club of NSW for awhile, but now I'm in Canberra.
If anyone has info on what motors etc to run in a kart I'd love to hear it.
Regards
Darcy

Post by **antiscab** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008, 06:16

for a kart, id recommend an etek.
for a scary kart, id recommend a x-91 6.7" and a curtis 1231C. (think 60kw in 150kg:p)

Matt

Post by **mykartdream.com** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008, 14:32

A little more info please? I am totally new to the world of electric motors.
I would love to see a full grid of electric powered karts zinging around tracks across Australia.
I also reckon there would be good potential for sponsorship. Has the idea of a national electric karting championship been discussed or considered?
Having a look at all the links on the AEVA website there seems to be plenty of people involved. Surely we could get something going?
How much do these motors cost (and their batteries)?
What do they weigh including batteries?
How reliable are they?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Regards
Darcy

Post by **mykartdream.com** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008, 14:38

Just found this which has just added to my excitement.

mythbusters electric kart

Post by **antiscab** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008, 23:40

the x-91 and curtis i think your looking at $3k, but youd need 144v, which would break the 48v limit by a fair bit:P

not sure what capacity batteries you would need. one way to work out is how much petrol do the petrol kart variants use?
substitute each L for 2kwh and you can work out how much usable energy u need

matt

Post by **Mark T** » Mon, 07 Jul 2008, 13:00

If you are prepared to wade through it all here is FIA Electric Vehicle Regulations. Towards the end of the technical regulation are the go kart specs. It might be a good starting point.

Post by **AMPrentice** » Thu, 13 Nov 2008, 17:59

cheap 48v controllers are a good option with small cheap electric forklift power steering motors and some small drive motors.