"Speed, I am Speed"
-Lightning McQueen
This is the benchmark that we strive for with our innovative, environmentally friendly electric go-kart.
The E-Kart V1WX9 was our first prototype go-kart. The name stands for Version 1 Wooden Xperimental 9 MPH go-kart. It used the 24v power-train from an electric scooter attached to an a wooden frame and was capable of reaching just over 9 miles per hour with a single passenger. This project was an excellent starting point for us, as it taught us about many of the complexities involved in designing an electric go-kart.
The battery life was strong, and we were able to add functional drum brakes and steering. We also learned a lot about chain tension, battery life/charging, and structural support in this design. Unfortunately, It's unique single rear wheel design limited its speed, traction, and stability. In late 2019 the V1WX9 was retired to the upstairs area of the CIS. Although it may no longer be with us, its soul lives on in our hearts, and we honor its legacy with our newer model (which uses the same batteries). It's basically an organ donor lmao but we still love it.
Our second prototype was the V2SAX23. This stands for Version 2 Steel Aluminum Xperimental cart with a top speed of 23 mph. This name can be quite a mouthful so many call it the FOG (Faster than the Other Group). Unlike the first iteration, this cart uses a full metal frame, which provides unparalleled rigidity, combined with a new four wheel setup that dramatically improves handling. It sports an ultra-powerful 2.5hp electric motor powered by a 48 volt architecture, and can reach top speeds of over 23 mph.
The Electronic setup consists of a 48v 1800w motor which produced significantly more power than a 24v system. Additionally, the upgraded electronic speed controller allowed for 3-speed control and forward/reverse control built into the controller. A hall-effect sensor was used for a foot pedal for the gas and a kill switch and circuit breaker were added for electrical safety.
Our beautiful control panel was hand machined from the finest pieces of aluminum and built to match the rigorous demands put on it under high speeds and spirited driving. It provides the necessary controls to adjust speed, direction, and several indicators to help aid the driver.
One of the most challenging aspects of our design was creating a motor mount to meet the rigorous demands of the high torque motor and heavy batteries. Ultimately, we settled on an outboard design, as the motor needed to be held in a specific orientation to propel the Kart forward correctly. We made sure to add some adjust-ability to the mount for chain tension. the motor mount is designed to be able to bear the weight of all the batteries and electronics as well, functioning as a solid platform for future developments.
After a few incidents, none of which involved things catching fire, we've made an effort to ensure that our E-Kart prioritizes the safety of its operator. After consulting the brilliant Dave Otten, our development team has prepared a number of measurements to keep the ride as safe as possible.
The kill switch is an easily accessible way for the driver to disable the Kart in the event of a crash or break-down. Flipping this switch will disconnect the batteries from the system, effectively shutting down the vehicle.
The circuit breaker is an integral part of our kart, as it can prevent bad things like fires. In the event of an electrical overload, the circuit breaker will break, braking the circuit.
The seatbelt is the final new addition to our E-Kart. Because of the increased potential for speed, we needed to make sure that the operator would be safe under hard braking, hence this belt holding them in place.
When one goes fast, they need to be able to control that speed. Our new E-Kart model has been equipped with a drum brake that stops one of the rear wheels when a pedal is depressed. Essentially a large rubber ring clamps around the "drum", which is attached to the axle and wheel, stopping the kart.
A mastermind behind the wheel and computer, Tarun Chichili led the electronics division in the E-Kart design team. His unparalleled electronics knowledge has pushed our group beyond all others *cough sleeping beauty cough* and he will continue to pioneer the world of speed as the project develops.
The lead mechanic behind the E-Kart operation, Harrison Shaw has extensive experience with all things drive-able (including some fast ATVs imagine that). His design skills hold the project together, both literally and metaphorically, and he can't wait to push the project to new heights (or rather speeds).
This project is sponsored by Raid Shadow Legends, one of the biggest mobile role-playing games of 2019 and it's totally free! Currently almost 10 million users have joined Raid over the last six months, and it's one of the most impressive games in its class with detailed models, environments and smooth 60 frames per second animations! All the champions in the game can be customized with unique gear that changes your strategic buffs and abilities! The dungeon bosses have some ridiculous skills of their own and figuring out the perfect party and strategy to overtake them's a lot of fun! Currently with over 300,000 reviews, Raid has almost a perfect score on the Play Store! The community is growing fast and the highly anticipated new faction wars feature is now live, you might even find my squad out there in the arena! It's easier to start now than ever with rates program for new players you get a new daily login reward for the first 90 days that you play in the game! So what are you waiting for? Go to the video description, click on the special links and you'll get 50,000 silver and a free epic champion as part of the new player program to start your journey! Good luck and I'll see you there!