MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Beatle on June 05, 2014, 08:06:45 AM

Title: Kids Electric 'Buggy'
Post by: Beatle on June 05, 2014, 08:06:45 AM
Thinking about getting the kids a decent buggy to drive around a two acre plot.  Got to thinking that electric might be a better bet than petrol for a variety of reasons.  Anyone tried this?

Golf buggies are expensive so was thinking maybe retrofitting a Chinese buggy that has a blown engine.   Not sure what motors are available that would have enough grunt for a couple of teenagers (girls).
Title: Re: Kids Electric 'Buggy'
Post by: terravista on June 05, 2014, 08:55:00 AM
My brother made a buggy many years ago for his kids and ran it on a starter motor from a small diesel truck hooked up to the same vehicle's battery through a modified sewing machine foot pedal for speed adjustment with chain drive.
He claimed to get between one and two hours worth of small acreage driving for the kids from a charge.
That was 30 years ago so maybe batteries and starter motor strengths have changed.
It was a cheap option compared to a petrol engine.
Cheers
Title: Re: Kids Electric 'Buggy'
Post by: Mik01 on June 05, 2014, 10:40:28 AM
Thinking about getting the kids a decent buggy to drive around a two acre plot.  Got to thinking that electric might be a better bet than petrol for a variety of reasons.  Anyone tried this?

Golf buggies are expensive so was thinking maybe retrofitting a Chinese buggy that has a blown engine.   Not sure what motors are available that would have enough grunt for a couple of teenagers (girls).

I'm also interested in this.
I would think that you could rig it up with a solar panel also, which will extend the drive time of the battery? or will the draw be too much that a panel will achieve bugger all?
Title: Re: Kids Electric 'Buggy'
Post by: Beatle on June 05, 2014, 09:21:16 PM
I think it would be better to have the solar panels on the shed and keep two batteries in rotation for the buggy.

I like the idea of the sewing machine pedal.... :cheers:
Title: Re: Kids Electric 'Buggy'
Post by: marvellous_matt on June 05, 2014, 10:40:50 PM
http://www.goldenmotor.com/ (http://www.goldenmotor.com/)
these guys have plenty of options. How fast do you want it to go?