Modified Power Wheels Gator

[Redlunn]

I recently became the proud owner of a free kids ride-on Gator that was in non operating condition. My 5 year old son wanted it to be a "Monster Truck Gator" so in to the shop it went. It's still in prototype stage but so far is working pretty well.

Thanks for checking it out!

Some specs:

• Steel frame
• Four 12V batteries in series to make 48 volt
• Electric wheel chair motors (ebay)
• 120 amp dual channel motor controller
• Variable speed accelerator pedal
• Arduino handles the power up sequence and the accel/decel ramping
• Key switch to disable when kids are misbehaving
• ATV tires I had laying around

 

[flyng_fool]

That is super cool! How fast will it go?

 

[bullnerd]

That's cool!

Looks like an optics breadboard table?

 

[bad_idea]

Yes.

 

[Redlunn]

That is super cool! How fast will it go?

Thanks. Top speed is currently unknown, too much snow here now. It won't be crazy fast but should be more than enough to keep a kid entertained.

That's cool!

Looks like an optics breadboard table?

You are correct. Garage duty was definitely not that table's intended usage.

 

[dogdog]

following.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Looks fast enough to get a kid in trouble. I'd suggest working on a reduced voltage version of that, so they can learn /earn their way up to 48 volts. Not sure how long those 24 volt motors will last on 48 volts...?

 

[Redlunn]

Looks fast enough to get a kid in trouble. I'd suggest working on a reduced voltage version of that, so they can learn /earn their way up to 48 volts. Not sure how long those 24 volt motors will last on 48 volts...?

The speed controller allows limiting the power available to each motor. When the keys get handed to the kids there will be an output limit that can be raised as they gain experience. But for "dad mode" it's wide open.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

That's a really nice job!

 

[PLOWJEEP]

Lucky kid

 

[mbatarga]

I'm a Ga Tech Engineering graduate from several decades ago. This was on the local news here in ATL a few months back. Barbie power wheel converted to run a 250cc B&S engine - 30 MPH!

 

[gte718p]

I'm a Ga Tech Engineering graduate from several decades ago. This was on the local news here in ATL a few months back. Barbie power wheel converted to run a 250cc B&S engine - 30 MPH!

To funny

The student shops have improved a lot since I was there. Still had many good nights launch the mini baja down the skyles stairs, drifting FSAE car around the MRDC parking lot, and driving the solar car around campus in the middle of the night.

Maybe I should have spent more time in class and less in the shops.

 

[Razorhunter]

Love this project. Off to mod my sons up now.

 

[bad_idea]

I would like to see a pic of the front axle assembly if you have one. Looks like some fancy work there, what did you use for the steering?

 

[Redlunn]

I would like to see a pic of the front axle assembly if you have one. Looks like some fancy work there, what did you use for the steering?

Here is a pic of the front end. The steering spindles are homemade from some pipe and a few 5/8" bolts. The bearing hubs are off ebay, advertised as bar stool racer parts. I am using a slightly modified version of the original steering post. It could use power steering but that will be a later addition.

 

[bad_idea]

Love it. Have you had a chance to run it? Any videos of it driving? Would be curious to pace it with a car to clock speed.

 

[97nismo]

Or download a speedo app on your phone and hold it up to check speed...

 

[nh_yota]

I had the original Power Wheels quad when I was a kid and it always had issues with the batteries, from what I can remember 30+ years ago. That thing is badass.

 

[zmotorsports]

Awesome job. Kid's gonna love that.

Do you by any chance have a thread on your CNC plasma table. Looks like a 4'x4'. I would like to eventually have something along those lines. Any information you could pass along would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Redlunn]

Love it. Have you had a chance to run it? Any videos of it driving? Would be curious to pace it with a car to clock speed.

Or download a speedo app on your phone and hold it up to check speed...

No speed data yet, too much snow still. It is on my list of tests once we have some room to ride.

Awesome job. Kid's gonna love that.

Do you by any chance have a thread on your CNC plasma table. Looks like a 4'x4'. I would like to eventually have something along those lines. Any information you could pass along would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Sorry, no thread on the plasma table. It was built before I found the Garage Journal. The cut area is 30"x30" because it had to fit in a small location at my prior residence. I have more room now but it works for what I need so far. It recently got a controls upgrade to get rid of the old winXP PC and move to an inexpensive windows tablet. I considered sharing that process on here but haven't done it yet.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Very nice... I thought I was doing good years ago when I upgraded my son's power wheels. I replaced the 2 - 6 volt batteries with a 12V lawn mower battery and studded the tires with sheet metal screws. Thing would almost lift the front wheels when i was done with it. lol

Eventually it stripped out the plastic gears and went in the trash. It was fun while it lasted though.

 

[Redlunn]

Got the frame painted, did a little housekeeping with the wiring (more to do), and switched the Arduino from an Uno to a Pro Micro. I clocked a trip down the driveway at 15 mph with 220 lbs of ballast weight. Definitely going to be too fast for a 50 lb kid.

 

[cre73]

Awesome work, gonna make one happy kid.

 

[Redlunn]

Well, the keys have been turned over to my son for a few weeks now and it appears to be a hit. He wants to drive it daily. Even got him to fill the back with sticks found around the yard and haul them off. Tonight he came in the house covered in mud and the gator looks about the same as he did. So, it's getting used exactly how it should be.

A few changes since last update:
* Lowered supply to 24v for better battery life
* Added usb ports to back for easy software updates
* Added charging port
* Added emergency stop button to kill all power

 

[LXCam]

What an awesome dad. Heck I was dad of the year just switching out my daughters Barbie corvette to a 24v system. With plastic wheels it never got enough traction to hit fulll speed at our old house, but drifting around the back patio and walkways was way funner anyhow for her.

You got to get a video of the boy tearing it up in the mud.......please

 

[mp_tx]

This is awesome.

 

[wretched73]

That really is sweet, definitely post a video of him tearing it up