Help wiring a speed controller into a power wheels

[Odd-job]

Trying to be hero dad by upgrading my kid's power wheels escalade with a hall effect pedal so bought a speed controller and a pedal off of amazon. The only issue is that I can't figure out how to wire the 3 wire pedal into the 5 wire speed controller

My layman's understanding is that the speed controller potentiometer has 5 wires as 2 wires are the on/off switch with the remaining 3 wires the actual speed control which should be wired into the pedal in theory. Figured I could bypass the 2 wires for the on off switch and wire the remaining three wires into the pedal. It is either full on or off when I try to do this so must be doing something wrong. Wasn't planning on messing with the forward reverse switch which is separate.

According to Amazon, the pedal wires are Black - Negative, Red - Positive ,Green -Speed Signal.

Some guy commented the following on Amazon with regards to a wire schematic on the speed controller:

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Why do you need a diagram? The on off switch on the potentiometer turns the driver circuit on and off, the relays are used to reverse the output polarity. one relay is on, one is off for forward, then to reverse the relays flop the one that was on in the first direction now shuts off and the one that was off now turns on. any 5 terminal relay works that way,85 and 86 are coil power of the relay, pin 30 is input, 87 is normally open 87A is normally close.(relay in off position.



Link to Pedal:
https://smile.amazon.com/JCMOTO-Throttle-Accelerator-Electric-Scooter/dp/B01ICAWLLU/ref=pd_sim_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01ICAWLLU&pd_rd_r=JJBDMP1P3PTPETXQ2X3B&pd_rd_w=coopX&pd_rd_wg=y2nzZ&psc=1&refRID=JJBDMP1P3PTPETXQ2X3B

Link to Speed Controller:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSRZURN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Odd-job]

Here’s a picture of the hardware after I gave up for the time being.

 

[mr_josh]

It sounds / looks to me like the three position switch selects reverse and forward (with a confusing third position...) The potentiometer appears to have its own on / off (the red and black pair) for the controller power and then the three wires that are actually connected to the potentiometer. I’d try putting a toggle on the red and black pair and wiring the other three to your throttle control. (This is the post that took me out of lurker status... hope I didn’t screw it up... )

 

[BillK]

OJ,
My first question would be ... are the two units designed to work together ? If you dont know that for a fact then the only way to properly figure it out is with a wiring diagram of both the pedal and the speed control. There is no way to just guess at this. I was an electronics test half my life but without a wiring diagram and system operating specs I dont think anyone can just guess at it.

 

[Odd-job]

It sounds / looks to me like the three position switch selects reverse and forward (with a confusing third position...) The potentiometer appears to have its own on / off (the red and black pair) for the controller power and then the three wires that are actually connected to the potentiometer. I’d try putting a toggle on the red and black pair and wiring the other three to your throttle control. (This is the post that took me out of lurker status... hope I didn’t screw it up... )

Welcome mr josh and thanks for coming out of hiding to help me with my plight. Let me give it a shot. Was just going to get lazy and bypass the red and black pair that I didn't snip yet. The potentiometer has a click which turns it on so was relying on that.

 

[Odd-job]

OJ,
My first question would be ... are the two units designed to work together ? If you dont know that for a fact then the only way to properly figure it out is with a wiring diagram of both the pedal and the speed control. There is no way to just guess at this. I was an electronics test half my life but without a wiring diagram and system operating specs I dont think anyone can just guess at it.

I hope they are designed to work together. This was random shopping after a couple of beers on amazon type of inspiration. The speed controller didn't even come with a schematic unfortunately so I get what I deserve here if I can't get it to work.

 

[dogdog]

I don't think they would work...at least not easily...


I think if that motor controller used the potentiometer as a voltage divider, then you'll needed to find out what is the max voltage at that potentiometer sees on the motor controller, and find out the voltage output range of that potentiometer (usually it is the middle pin)
if it is within range of that 0-4.5 then all you have to do is hook find a +/-5V to power that food paddle and the output pin to that potentiometer output pin...

but if that controller doesn't use that pot as a voltage divider type circuit and it is not a 5V (0-4.5V) then probably you can't use it...


If you have verified that it fits... means the control voltage and output range....

then base on this description. of that foot paddle... then it would be (maybe have some one verify it)

foot paddle green (ground ) to motor controller black (ground)
foot paddle red (+5V input) to motor controller red (+5v source)
foot paddle black (output 0-4.5V) to motor controller yellow (middle pin of the potentiometer voltage divider) .

Product description
Metal hall effect spring loaded foot throttle pedal for most Chinese made kids electric go kart Scooters e bikes

Input Voltage: 5V , Output 0-4.5V

Throttle Physical Range: 30 Degrees

Output format: positive control

Wiring configuration:
Green wire: negative pole
Red wire: positive pole
Black wire: For signal out

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

EVs need a failsafe to verify you are really on the gas before believing the pedal position sensor and setting you in motion. In some it is simulated in the hall sensor, and others,ther might be 2 extra terminals to engage the contactor or enable sensor read.

 

[Odd-job]

Thanks. I think you pinpointed the issue. The speed controller seems to operate in the 5-8v range which is not compatible with the pedal.

Looks like the I will have to use the pedal in the next upgrade.

 

[Killer95Stang]

Go to the Industructables website and search Power Wheels and speed controls. I saw a few articles on simple speed controllers that might work for you.

Found a site called EastCoast Power Up that sells exactly what you are looking for. Even includes the pedal like the one you bought. A little pricey, but hey, "Hero" isn't always cheap.

 

[Odd-job]

Go to the Industructables website and search Power Wheels and speed controls. I saw a few articles on simple speed controllers that might work for you.

Found a site called EastCoast Power Up that sells exactly what you are looking for. Even includes the pedal like the one you bought. A little pricey, but hey, "Hero" isn't always cheap.

Being a Hero is definitely expensive. I figure for the next upgrade I might as well go big or go home 24v or maybe even 40v. Lawn tractor or golf cart wheels, suspension, etc. For now I will try to be satisfied with justification using my M18 batteries without grenading the stock power wheels transmissions.

Thanks all for the help.