mobility scooters

[berg]

Hi All

I notice lots of talk about the benifits of using running gear from mobility scooters. Having checked out ebay and local ads there is a vast array of scooters. Is there a model which you have found to be benificial to your build. Figure it would be wise to get as much info before making purchase.

With regards to body build I have used the process of transfering the measurements from the plans on to the MDF and then comparing and confirming the sizes to the actual body. I have to say for me this seems to be working very well. 

Berg

[markh15]

Hi Berg,
It would be nice to address you with your christian name instead of your 'Handle'.

There is no 'Hard and Fast' rule about Mobility Scooters', the only thing I would suggest is try and find one that is working, and has decent batteries, as these are quite expensive to replace new. I would stick to a well known type personally, something like a 'Shoprider' or 'Freerider', as these are the most common, but others have used 'Sterling', but there are so many to choose from.
I have also seen 'Batricar' models advertised, these look to be a good option, but I haven't had chance to examine one as yet.

I have found from stripping three different models, that the 'Shoprider' type are 'Metric' fittings, and hubs and steering parts will interchange with others such as 'Freerider', while 'Pride' scooters use 'AF'  (UNF / UNC) bolts and fittings.

I have recently been shown an old 'Town and Country' scooter, this had three large wheels, about 14 / 16 ins in diameter (around the same size as 'Toylander' models), but the interesting bit for me, was that they have just one motor which drives the rear axle via a heavy (ish) chain, and this (axle) has a small 'Differential' unit built into it.

The other thing to look for is features, such as Lights, Indicators etc, as this will add realism to the finished vehicle. Some of the scooters (shoprider, freerider) have small round lights (look at my rear lights) under the rear cover, and these are ideal for the 'Toylander'.

Try and find the cheapest option that works for you. Bodywork is unimportant as it isn't used, so this will work in your favour, as most people want a decent looking scooter for a relative.

I have seen 'Scooter Dealers' advertise on Ebay from time to time, selling off old, damaged and traded in scooters, and these go quite cheap, just bide your time, and keep your eyes open for bargains in your area.
The other thing to try is 'Telegraphing' information. Let all of you family, friends, work collegues know that you're building a 'Toylander' and ask them if they know where to find a scooter. You might just drop lucky (as I did 3 times), and have one 'donated' to you for the project!

I have sent other members messages in the past, if I see something that they are looking for, and will do the same for you (or anyone) if I see one in your general location, as the more 'eyes' you have, the better!

Hope that this helps you,
Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark.

[multisync]

Hi
What Mark says all makes good sense, it's best to look underneath any prospective buy and see if you feel that it fits your needs.
One or two have very large drive units, that makes them unsuitable.
Again some of the lightweight ones have small motors, and smaller, lower capacity batteries, so will be less suitable.
Generally if you buy one that has 35Ah batteries, it's likely to have a motor of suitable size, But most have a similar drive unit to the one that you see in some of the forum pictures. Many different models and brands, all use the same drive, and many are the same machine marketed by various companies.

I paid ?200 for a Shoprider 4, you may be able to get something a lot cheaper, but for that I got a working machine, good motor and controller, that I could check before purchase, with good 35 Ah batteries. And lots of other useful bits and bobs. I felt that it was worth paying that, rather than pay less and end up with any problems.
I found cheaper ones on ebay, same model and damaged bodywork much cheaper, but too far away, you may be more lucky. But be wary of buying anything that needs repair, as new parts are very expensive, even buying one that needs new batteries, may not be a viable option.
Best of luck in your search
Walter

[berg]

Thanks for the info. I will start searching.

Steve

[batbuilder]

Make sure that the drive gears in the gearbox are in good order. I bought a set of wheelchair motors of ebay and the plastic cog driven by the worm wheel had no teeth. I made my own gear reduction system in the end and I will use the motors for a future generator project.

Again get the best you can buy in good working order, I have made that mistake on a kitcar donor, and it ends up costing a lot more in the end.

[markh15]

Hi All,
In respect of what has been said by Pete concerning plastic gears, I've had one of the Mobility Scooter  'Differential gearboxes' in pieces, and I can tell you that they use metal gears for the drive and differential, and these are beautifully made, with no decernable play anywhere.
I would anticipate, that under normal usage, they would be vertually indestructable.

Just like a car, they need oil in the housing for lubrication, and have the neccesary filler plugs to both fill, and check the levels. I refilled mine with a good quality EP 80's grade gear oil, bought from my local car accsessory store for a few pounds.

Remember that some of these 'Scooters' are quite capable of transporting a 20 stone adult, at between 4 and 8 MPH, for around 30 miles, so carrying a couple of youngsters around the garden, or up and down the street should be no problem at all.

As others have said before, make sure the one you are buying works properly, and all the features function as they should. The majority of the systems are managed via the 'Control Box', and if this is faulty it will be both expensive to replace, and hard to find another of the same type.

I am fotunate in that there is a local 'Breakers' of Mobility Scooters', who are a registered charity. These guys have scooters donated to them, and either repair them and sell them off cheaply to those who can't afford a new one, or if they are too bad, dismantle them for spare parts to repair others.
So unless there is a facility like this in your local area, be wary of the 'Needs some attention', or 'Sold as Spares' adverts, unless you are an electronics wizard!
They have helped me with some bits for my build in the past, and as a result, I have donated all of the parts that were not needed from my scooters , to them.

Hope that this has helped you, and clarified some queeries,
Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark.