Powered Wagon Ideas

BigBody79

BigBody79

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Location
Lumberton
I seem to be starting a lot of threads that go no where. But, here's another.

I scored a pretty sweet deal on a mobility scooter. The plan is to use the motors and maybe controller to power a wagon. The idea behind the wagon is to carry all of our crap on to the beach. So, I'm looking at lawn mower tires to drive this thing. My initial thought is something like a 16x6.50 or an 18 x 8.50.

I've got a couple ideas and want to keep it as simple as possible.
1. Use one drive motor to a solid rear axle. This would give me more gearing options via sprockets. Pull like regular wagon.
2. Use both drive motors linked together to drive both rear wheels. Need to find/make a hub that would work. Pull like regular wagon
3. Use both drive motors independently for maximum turning. Much more complicated wiring controls. Drive more like a mobility scooter.
4. Use both drive motors independently and drive same side wheels with skid steering. No idea on controls. Maybe remote control!

I'm looking at a max speed of around 3.0 to 3.5. Does not need to be fast.

Scooter originally used two group 24 deep cycle batteries.

I have a pair of group 27 batteries that are 53# each.
Motors weight about 10# each

I think that the goal would be to keep the whole deal under 300#

Scooter in question.

r4000.jpg
 
Are you still going to be able to ride it? Seems like it would be more trouble than its worth for a wagon. And what do you do when the batteries inevitably die on your 300# wagon? How much stuff are you carrying? Will you have to load/unload it from a vehicle?

We used to carry a wagon worth of stuff down to the beach. A few years ago I got tired of it, and we started just carrying an umbrella, 2 chairs, and a bag with a couple drinks/snacks/books. Traveling light made it a much more enjoyable experience.
 
Look at some electric vehicle parts vendors, they have small motor controllers and lots of other things for the electrical side for a lot of flexibility.

Whatever you do, make sure your drivetrain parts are sand-proof. A toothed belt drive would probably be the simplest choice for the low loads and power you need, instead of a chain/sprocket setup. Belts are pretty self cleaning in dry sand.
 
All good questions. I don't really think a dead battery is going to be a problem. Range is close to 15 miles on the standard chair. I do not plan on riding on it. (Solar charger?)

As for the load: Cooler, chairs, umbrella, beach toys, various other things. Probably fishing poles, bait, tackle.

It is more trouble than it will probably be worth, I'll concede that right out of the gate.
 
BigBody79 said:
All good questions. I don't really think a dead battery is going to be a problem. Range is close to 15 miles on the standard chair. I do not plan on riding on it. (Solar charger?)

As for the load: Cooler, chairs, umbrella, beach toys, various other things. Probably fishing poles, bait, tackle.

It is more trouble than it will probably be worth, I'll concede that right out of the gate.
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Sounds like you have a lot of the bases covered. You really should put a seat on it so you can ride it :wheel:
 
I would skid steer it with remote control. It is likely going to be heavy enough that you cant pull if it died, so might as well make it that much cooler.

or if designed as a wagon, you could put a neutral position (clutch) to free-wheel it so, you might could pull if dead. Also, might look into lithium batteries. Easier to package and lighter, but more $$. Also look into balloon tires, atleast for the fronts.
 
I think it would be better if you found a way to build it as a giant remote control wagon that you can pile all your shit in to and then just drive it down to the beach like a little RC car. :lol:

That would be so damn awesome.
 
Blaze said:
I think it would be better if you found a way to build it as a giant remote control wagon that you can pile all your shit in to and then just drive it down to the beach like a little RC car. :lol:

That would be so damn awesome.
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Now we're talking. And it probably could be done with a lot of the existing electromechanical system.
 
Blaze said:
I think it would be better if you found a way to build it as a giant remote control wagon that you can pile all your shit in to and then just drive it down to the beach like a little RC car. :lol:

That would be so damn awesome.
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Yep just look at the golf bag caddys that follow golfers around now.
 
How will you transport it to the beach?
 
Blaze said:
I think it would be better if you found a way to build it as a giant remote control wagon that you can pile all your shit in to and then just drive it down to the beach like a little RC car. :lol:

That would be so damn awesome.
Click to expand...
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I felt like ole' johnny five last night taking that thing apart. I have dismantled all the parts that I am going to keep and chunked the rest of it today. I had parts all across the shop floor.

I picked up 4 16x6.50 Tires at agrisupply. Only $5.00 each.

I think that that skid steer is going to be too much stress on the motors/gears/belts/whatever I use. I think that a solid axle and steering is going to be the best bet. I do have two linear actuators that I can also use. Might use one of them for the steering. I do have an r/c transmitter receiver already that I can use.

I do not know if this thing will need to 4x4 or not. I'm hoping not.

Also a bit concerned that with a solid rear axle that it won't turn sharp enough to go up or down a handicapped ramp.

As for transportation it will probably go on one of those hitch mounted racks. You've seen them on the back of old crown vics that lean super hard one way and barely look like they are holding anything. (Or, I could use the larger actuator to have it lift it's self up off the ground after I hook it into the receiver hitch.

Thinking that I could probably go with a pair a SLA Batteries for a significant weight savings.

Was also hoping to use the second motor for a ride on for my girls. Something similar to the wagon but something they could ride.

Would really love to figure out someway to have a rear differential.
 
justjeepin86 said:
figure out some way to put a riding lawn mower rear end in it. There's your diff. And gear selection if you used the trans.
Click to expand...

Might as well just swap an ATV drivetrain in it. :p
 
I've started a thread on this non-sense before so forgive the bench racing.

I'm thinking that the motor puts out about 13rpm at the wheel at 5.5mph. I'm thinking I can reduce that to 1:2 and have an out put of 65 rpm at the axle giving me a top speed of 3.1mph.

Of course my math is suspect at best. That would give me twice the torque(?). Should be able to move it on one motor I'd hope.
 
I bought racing go cart spindles and welded them on my heavy duty wagon. Mounted a set of wide go cart tires for flotation. I then put a receiver hitch on the back and use my back rack on it to hang chairs from. Worked good last year but will make some changes to either bigger tires or motorize in the future. I'll try to find a picture shortly.

JY
 
I built an RC mower with a set of wheelchair motors, Just guessing it weighs upwards of 200lbs. I did skid steer with 6 wheels first and then switched to tracks. Best I can remember I am about 1.5:1 gearing and it will pull me and it around no problem. Dimension engineering is worth giving a look, they make the RC simple to hook up. Here is an old video of it.

 
Tracks crossed my mind. But might be an extra added expense not worth it. For a few motor controllers that might work.

That tracked mower is awesome. Did it retain the orginal gear reduction plus the 1.5 to 1?

Thought about some sort of simple hub system. Where I could just unlock one hub and drive the one wheel. Wouldn't be a problem because a live axle is only difficult in high traction low speed turning appilcations.

Good idea on the go kart spindles. Will look into that.
 
Yes I retained the original gear reduction plus the 1.5:1, but I built it to mow some of the steep banks I have around here. I was running 10" wheels and feel like it would have plenty of power for what you are wanting to do. The tracks in the video are no longer on the mower I am reworking the track system, and have come to find out tracks present several unique problems.
 
Damn I thought this was going to be about an old dodge power wagon.

Nothing further to add
 
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