Combustion engine?

[Harold]

Hi
New builder and new on the forum. In fact I haven't even started building, I just got the patterns from Richard. And I had to promise my girlfriend to fix some other projects first  .

But already I'm having plans to do some modifications as well. My car has to be a little unique, isn't it?

The main thing I'm wondering about is the motor. I can't find a topic about this (or didn't search good enough), but isn't it possible to use a petrol engine from for example a lawn mower? Are there people who thought of/used this in their car?
One of the main problems might be the heat and danger for fire, or maybe the Toylander has too little space. Pls let me know.
Otherwise I just have to find my own disability scooter as well 

Regards
Harold

PS Isn't that nice, not even started and already enjoying thinking of the details. But isn't that what everybody does? 

[brian]

Hello Harold and welcome to the forum.

The installation of a petrol engine has been mooted before but it does limit the places where the toy can be used because of the needs of legislation.

It is also noisy which can upset neighbours, think of those childrens motorbikes puttering around on a sunny afternoon when all you want to do is lay in the sun and chill out.

The electric motor is more environmentally friendly, easier to operate and more to the point, quiet.

Ebay is your friend for wheelchair or invalid scooter motors, and there is enough information on the forum to show you what to do with it, and if you want to do whatever, in a totaly different way to previous builders, there are people on here who are more than willing to try and help you achieve your goal.

Regards,

Brian.

My thread is the one entitled "My Garandpa's got a new project."

[multisync]

Hi
I'm no expert on the legal matters, but as I understand it, the problem with a combustion engine apart from noise and so on is one of legality. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 14 to control a combustion engine vehicle in a public place. It is not possible to get insurance of any description. The hotrod clubs, who used to have sections for "Totrods", for youngsters, have had to stipulate that they are now for display only, and cannot be driven by youngsters at their shows.
Even on private property, the law deems it to be a public place if members of the public are admitted. Unless you have large tracts of your own land, it's virtually impossible to use such a machine.
Go clean, Go green, Go electric!
You may be surpised just how powerful an electric machine can be!
Best of luck
Walter

[Harold]

Hi

And thanks for your replies. Well, there it is, the law...didn't think of that  . That's actually a good reason for an electrical motor. We do have some land where we can drive undisturbed and don't have to think about the noise, but it sure would be nice if it's at least possible to use the car elsewhere.
I wasn't thinking of power bytheway. I found an invalid scooter with maximum speed of 18(!!) km/h, didn't buy it though, so I noticed that they have a lot of power. I just like a combustion engine a little bit better .
Well, well, electrical it is.

Thanks again.

Harold

[markh15]

Hi Harold,

The solution is, build two!! One for the private land (petrol powered), one for the street (electric).

As for the 18 kph model of scooter, I have seen one advertised (on Ebay) which can be 'tweeked' to give 12 mph, which is about 18 kph, but again you are going to fall foul of the law, as the legal limit is 4 mph on pavements, or 8 mph on the road.
Then there is the problem of road use, if it is to be used on the road, it must have Lights, Indicators, Horn, and be registered with the DVLA, who then send you a tax disc for the scooter.

I have recently heard of a gent local to me, who had 'tweeked' his scooter, and was caught 'speeding' on the footpaths, the Police, doing their job, have taken his larger scooter from him, and he has had to get a slower one!!

This minefield has been covered in another thread within the forum, so a word of caution when speed and power is concerned!

Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark.  

[Daveyjones]

Hi, I am about to fit a lawn mower engine in using a centrifugal clutch (rev and go) has anyone attempted this type of conversion??

My idea is to use a single belt/chain from the mower engine down to a shaft mounted with pillar type bearings, both the rear wheels being driven via the original drive sprockets/chains supplied with an electrical kit.

p.s we do not use it in public places.

Dave

[Harold]

Hi Dave

I did buy the fast wheelchair and built the electrical motor on the Toylander, but I'm still dreaming of a "real" engine. I also thought about using a lawnmower engine on a second Toylander (Mark's fantastic idea). I was thinking to use two sprockets with spiral toothing. That must be possible. But first things first, there's still a lot to do before the first one is finished .

I remember I have seen a link to a webshop where they sell sprockets, but can't find it anymore. This site is just getting too big .

Good luck with your project and keep us all updated! (It could be useful in future  )

Harold

[markh15]

Hi Harold,

If our beloved leader Mr Shepard can't help with these items, then may I suggest the following.

The two best online stores for chain, sprockets, bearings etc, are 'Technobots' (www.technobots.co.uk), or 'Bearing Boys' (www.bearingboys.co.uk).

Both of these companies stock a wide variety of these items at competitive prices, and will supply items via mail-order.
Ordering online is simple, or you can still telephone your requirements in if you need more advice.

Hope this has helped.

Be Good,
Regards,
Mark.

[toylander57]

Hi  Harold,
I have built and desinged my own toylander which is a hybrid... yes you herd me right it has a 90cc quad bike engine with about 6hp and does around 10mph, then when you want to go into a park flick the ignition key over to electric and it does about 7mph in high range and about 4mph in low range yes you did read that correct, i have used marine ply for the body and have had no heat issues.

[brian]

Can we see a few build and finnished pictures please, the project sounds very intersting.

Just to play devils advocate, even with the internal combustion engine stationary, would you still be able to run in a public place under any power.  Might be worth asking the question.

Regards,

Brian.

[CycloneMike]

Brian,
To answer your devilish question, if it is fitted with an engine it will be classed as a mechanically propelled vehicle even if the engine is not in use. In the event of "trouble" and a court considered that it was made intended or adapted with some intention of road use, then it may be ruled that it is infact a motor vehicle, bringing a whole new set of rules.

[brian]

Mmmmm, that's what I thought Mike.

Has your Toylander got a blue flashing light atop?

Yes, I know you are not allowed to use a blue flashing light.

Regards,

Brian.

[Harold]

Yes, I really would like to see some pictures too!

[MowerMan]

Hi,

Newbie here - I found the site by accident about 3 days ago, and have been glued to it ever since!

Assuming you have read and understood all the forgoing regarding legality.......

I haven't built an Internal Combustion Toylander, but I HAVE built several 'ground up' go-kart type vehicles with I/C engines. The simplest set-up is a Horizontal Crank type engine (suffolk Colt or similar) with centrifugal clutch, driving one rear wheel as per plan.

Better - use it to drive an axle from a small ride-on mower. The axle contains a differential, so both wheels can be driven.

Another option - use a vertical crank engine (MUCH easier to find, and CHEAP). I happen to know a 3.5HP Briggs & Stratton 'Quantum' will fit nicely under the bonnet. Use this to drive a transmission from a ride-on mower (which will incorporate multiple forward gears and a reverse), and which will also turn the drive 90 degrees, then chain drive to an axle as above. Would have to rig a 'belt tension' type clutch, and the transmission can't be 'hot-shifted', but not really a problem, since the gearing is such that the car will pull away in top gear easily. CAREFUL choice of engine needed - must have a heavy flywheel to allow operation without the mower blade. Use an engine from a power washer, or a mower with a blade clutch (which will be useful), to be sure. Surprisingly, some of the cheap, Chinese origin, mowers, have such engines. Briggs, Tecumseh and Honda (among others) have electric start options, and include on-board alternators (puny, but useful).

A hydrostatic transmission from a garden tractor would solve most of the transmission problems, BUT is big and heavy - at least compared with the original electric set-up. As a bonus, however, some garden tractors incorporate hydraulic power steering driven by the transmission pump. This would transfer easily.

Just some thoughts - where I live this would be pointless, as there's NOWHERE it could be legally used, but if you own some private land, or live on a farm, it might be an interesting project.

Regards,

Phil