garolittle
Member
Running the dragstrip to gather data on battery performance. The goal is to match TAG series performance level at the Atlanta Motorsports Park. Have also been testing the kart at the Lamar County Speedway in Barnesville, GA.
107mph Electric Kart
- Thread starter garolittle
- Start date
ClarkSr
Member
Tag's may have the HP for those times, but certainly not the clutch!!!
Very interesting project, to say the least. Electric will be the thing at some point.
If you don't mind,... Motor, controller, chain, gearing, batteries, availability, weight, run time per charge, charge time, charger used, and of course cost?
Very impressive numbers. Please keep us informed.
Clark Gaynor Sr.
Very interesting project, to say the least. Electric will be the thing at some point.
If you don't mind,... Motor, controller, chain, gearing, batteries, availability, weight, run time per charge, charge time, charger used, and of course cost?
Very impressive numbers. Please keep us informed.
Clark Gaynor Sr.
garolittle
Member
Thanks Sir. It is sold as a kit and should only be used with shifter kart chassis.
AC-9 motor from HPEVS, 1238E Curtis Controller, 100V/46aH battery assembled by Vextrek (Augusta, GA). CC/CV charger from Thunderstruck Motors with a CANBUS network that communicates with the BMS. Can run 15-16 laps at wide open throttle at the Atlanta Motorsports Park (.83 miles long with 43ft.
Thanks Sir. It is sold as a kit and should only be used with shifter kart chassis.
AC-9 motor from HPEVS, 1238E Curtis Controller, 100V/46aH battery assembled by Vextrek (Augusta, GA). CC/CV charger from Thunderstruck Motos with a CANBUS network that communicates with the BMS. Can run 15-16 laps at wide open throttle at the Atlanta Motorsports Park (.83 miles long with 43ft. of elevation changes). Basically you “top off” the battery in between races since you are not likely to deplete it unless d”racing more than 15 minutes straight. We have it mounted on a DR shifter kart and everything weighs 310 lbs without the driver.
$8,500 …. Available on demand if you live in the Southeastern USA.
of elevation changes).
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Ted Hamilton
Helmet Painter / Racer
Is the $8500 just the powerplant / batteries, or does that include the chassis?
garolittle
Member
Unfortunately that’s just the kit. Absolute minimum profit to me for the kit. Lithium prices have been rising and it uses top-of-the-line components. Expensive but built for the long term.
trigun7469
Member
Have you tested in the rain yet? or is this not suitable for it yet?
garolittle
Member
Motor is air cold so it has small open vents near the motor mount. Also battery pack is not IP 65 protected so the set up is not water proof. Hope to have one that meets IP 65 at some point in the future.
garolittle
Member
Last week, we were allowed to race against some vintage and modern 2-cycle karts at the Lamar County Speedway in Barnesville, GA. Really great group of people. They did not have to let us race but seemed interested in the project so they let us race the gas powered karts. Hopefully, we will get to run against some TAG karts soon. Our ultimate goal is a 52-second lap time at the Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville, GA.
Here’s a brief video of the Barnesville race. Vextrek is the #6 kart driven by Adam Phillips
Here’s a brief video of the Barnesville race. Vextrek is the #6 kart driven by Adam Phillips
trigun7469
Member
Are you planning on attending this? https://www.worldkarting.com/series/ekarting/
garolittle
Member
Actually did not know about that. Will definitely put it on the calendar and see if we can go. Really appreciate you bringing it to our attention.
garolittle
Member
UPDATE: 110 mph in the 1/4 mile and 87 mph in the 1/8 mile. Still working on ways to improve the 60ft times but we are pleased with the overall results. The Vextrek lithium battery performed well and all other drivetrain “vital signs” were good. Made about nine passes at the Carolina Dragstrip in the 90 degree heat. Will test the kart at the Lamar County Speedway in Barnsville, GA and the Atlanta Motorsport Park in Dawsonville, GA in June. Sincerely appreciate all the tips you guys have provided 
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garolittle
Member
Back-to-Back dragstrip runs. 110mph on the first and 109mph on the second. We made a third consecutive run but did not get it on video.
fatboy1dh
Member
I think technology is already there. What if you had a battery that fit where the fuel tank goes? A kit that required no chassis modifications or attachment to sidepods? The total weight of the kart race ready was 175 without driver? And the whole package was <$5k? That would be cool...
Ted Hamilton
Helmet Painter / Racer
Based on your results, you can reduce power levels to TaG level to preserve battery, and/or run a smaller battery pack. What would going to 80V instead of 100V do to longevity of runtime and power? Another benefit of batteries at the "normal" gas tank position is that mass centralization would help handling. As battery tech improves and sizes come down, I imagine this will happen...
garolittle
Member
Yes Sir and thanks. The price is if I make one. If I can make 10 or more I should be able to negotiate a lower price the the electric motor, motor controller, an lithium batteries for use in assembling the pack. Also assume no motor rebuilds … ever.
garolittle
Member
Really wish we could get the batteries to fit in the same place as the gas tank. Perfect location but the pack is too large at this point. Running 80V vs 100V simply reduces the top speed (but not acceleration) all other things being equal. Higher voltages have the advantage of requiring less current (amps) to obtain the same power level which means everything (motor, etc) tends to run a little cooler (always a good thing). Lots of trade offs and you make some great points. Will have to study it carefully and we really appreciate the ideas.
garolittle
Member
That would be the ultimate goal.
Really wish we could get the batteries to fit in the same place as the gas tank. Perfect location but the pack is too large at this point. Battery technology continues to improve so they should get lighter and cheaper if history is any indication. One advantage of electric inspire of the high initial price is that you should have no motor rebuilds… ever. No oil or gas costs and no carburetor costs … ever.