New builder introduction and questions

[Steve Bod]

Hello builders.

Firstly an introduction.
I am in the process of building a Geepstar and work is progressing well. I have most of the woodwork and metal panels done. I have also completed the swing axle and bumper fabrication. My steering includes a 4:1 reduction gearbox which I am particularly pleased with - more about that another time.

However I am a complete dunce when it come to electrical things. With this in mind and having read most of this forum concluded that a donor mobility scooter would be a good starting point. I have procured a Karelma K8. A 24 volt device with two motors. The scooter was scrap but I have had the motors working.
However, the problem is that the dashboard of this scooter does not contain the circuit board that linked all the switches and motors together. The dashboard is equip with a potentiometer to set the speed and another one to control forward and reverse.
So I would like to ask what advice you would give someone in my position.
My original idea was to use the scooter systems to drive the Geepstar, the motors even have built in brakes, but does anyone know how to get the speed controller and potentiometers wired up ?
My second idea was to use one motor on 12v with a simple switch, and a band type brake on the other rear wheel. I would be interested in comments on this idea too.
Sorry for the long message.
Best regards,
Steve.

[Neil117]

Hi Steve welcome to the site.

when i was wiring up my one i was in a similar position but the end result works. what we done was my scooter had 2 pots that controlled the speed as well as the wig wag the solution that we came across was to cut out 1 of the pots and replace it a push to make switch and as it still goes through the controller the soft start still works i still have the wig wag connected to mine but its under the seat and i cut up the bit of panel with the min max knob and mounted it on my dashboard we then used an on off on switch as forward reverse control the only problem i do have is if the speed control is on max then sometimes it overloads the controller and it just beeps when you try and move but my daughters only 4 so she shouldn't be needing the control at max i'm presuming its because i cut out the other pot but it trots along at slightly more than a jog when its turned up you could always leave it in hope that helps

[electric4fun]

Hi Steve,

I'm new to this site , but not new to building electric toys based on electric wheelchair equipment, the first thing i would ask , what is the rating of your motor ? (24 or 12V , Watts? )

reason i ask is that i had a similar problem, i had motor but no controllers , depending on the need i know some fine controllers that might suit youre design.


<edit> posted to fast, do you have a picture of this motor?

usually the have 2x2 thick wires (re/blue) for the motor , 2 white for the brake , and 2 thin black for the brake 'on' switch (a switch that signals that the manual brake is on )


best regards,
Luc