wheelchair options

[cars95]

Dear all, I have been offered an electric wheelchair buggy type with wee basket on front. It is 24volt comes with new batteries, horn, speedcontroller,light as far as i can see (it was dark when last saw it)it only has one motor and is called Invacare but i dont know the model number. For what im getting it for i was wondering how much of this i can use on my new build that im trying to get started soon. It goes forward and reverse and you control the speed with your thumbs on the sterring wheel,which is similar to handlebars on a bike, it also has a meter to tell you state of the batteries. I never measured back axle but i would like to know how much of this i could use and i might try and upload some pictures of it later as going for second look.
                                Thanks for now
                                                        Blair

[markh15]

Hi Blair,
Is it the three / four wheel type or scooter?

If it is, then the rear track should be about 24 - 26 ins wide, which is not wide enough to use directly on the Toylander, but is usable.

The way to do this is mount the 'Transaxle' (Motor / Differential assembly) in the same manner as the scooter, but under the seat unit.
Walter and I have used this method (albeit slightly differently), and have mounted drive sprockets onto the original scooter hubs, with the chain drive to the rear wheels.

Everything else should be pretty straightforward to convert, even some of the front axle parts could be used, with a little modification.

You might find some ideas or inspiration on my T2 build website.  Just click on the 'Globe' icon below my username (top left of this panel), and the link will take you there.

Hope this has helped,
Regards,
Mark.

[multisync]

Hi Blair,
just as Mark has said. This is the way I went. Look at my blog "Toylander 2 started at last" and you'll see some details. The width at the rear axle is critical. I fitted sprockets on the axle ends driving the rear wheels which were supplied by Richard at RLT, works a treat!
Walter

[max]

HI ya, i am using a invacare for my build, first thing is to make sure its all working properly. im having problems with mine as everyone knows. but the good news is that the axle, controller, battries and some of the wires can be put to good use(have a look at the photos that i posted)
 but the bad news is that if its not working properly its a right pain in the *rse, and if i would have bit the bullet and just bought the bits from toylander in the first place it would be finished by now, but some people like doing things the hard way!!! but look on the bright side if you get stuck someone on here will help.
 Another thing  to remember is some times its cheaper to buy the right thing from Richard at toylander, than the wrong thing from somewhere else!!
max.

[multisync]

Hi
What Max says is quite right, buying the proper parts is often the best option. It's not worth buying a buggy as a donar, unless you are sure it's all working and will donate useful parts. I went that way and paid a lot of money for a quality donar, and all was well, but I have since acquired a "cheap" buggy for another project, and so far it's just a pain. Better to buy quality that will be a success than take a gamble and lose out!
Regards
Walter

[markh15]

Hi Blair,
Sounds like you got a good deal on the scooter, Well done!!

The way I look at it is this....

I had 3 scooters 'donated' to me for my project over the first few months of the build, 2 were OK, ran well, everything worked etc, etc.
The third was OK, it ran and was more powerful than the others, but the bodywork was hammered. The front end was smashed, and it looked like my mate's dad had been playing 'Dodgems' in it.

I too contemplated selling them on to make a bit of money, but after watching Ebay for a little while, and seeing what people were asking, and ending up getting, was totally different, so I decided to keep the useful bits, and donate the rest to my local 'Shopmobility', which is a scooter repair workshop.
These guys run on 'Lottery' funding as a charity, and so can't make a profit, but can recieve 'donations' of cash.

They were appreciative of the parts (mainly Wheels and Tyres), and have shown their gratitude by helping me out with parts and (free) advice when needed.

The moral of the tale is this, you bought the scooter, use it as you see fit, but helping someone else, might pay dividends in the future!

Just a thought.

Regards,
Mark.