12v to 36v step up 2

[Bunglefuzz]

Hi folks,

Really basic question here that I'm sure can be answered instantly.

I've got a 36v adult electric drift kart. Quite quick, wheel spins and skids everywhere. It has three fairly small lead acid 12 batteries that don't last long. I'd like advice on running a voltage step up system so I can run off a 12v leisure battery.

Question. I know by upping the voltage I lose current, but I'm thinking the big 12v leisure battery should give out ample current to run this thing. Am I missing something, will the acceleration drop below my current set up, or will top speed suffer? Please explain before I jump in and spend a fair bit of extra money, because the wife will not be happy..!

Kind thanks.

 

[itsmoked]

Everything will suffer. Not to mention your wallet. What you propose is not going to work. The batteries have characteristics that 'voltage translation' lack. Characteristics that your motor demands to give you the ride you want.

Functional alternatives.
1) Learn about in detail lithium batteries. 1/3 the weight. 1/2 the size. Insane current availability. I'm sure others have already converted. Ask/see how they've done it.

2) Switch to a BLDC motor and the appropriate drive electronics to run it. Likely could get the same power with a 12 or 24V battery system.

3) Leave it alone as you can stick with three batteries cheaper than any other solution.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[Tmoose]

1 - Wedge a (empty) beer can under the "gas" pedal ?
2 - I have no clue about the nature of the controls on any of these devices, and their requirements. Bypass one battery as a test to see how it would drive with 24 volts? As others said, this represents a huge system change.

 

[JG2828]

I'm not sure what a leisure battery is. However, can you use 3 12V car or marine batteries wired in series?

 

[jraef]

To reiterate, you don't want to mess with something like a voltage booster system from a 12V source, they are not all that robust and you actually waste energy in the process. Your problem is basically one of "amp-hours", not voltage. The 3 small 12V batteries that you have are giving you the right voltage level, but lack enough amp-hours for your desired use. Increasing the amp-hours with the typical VRLA (lead-acid) batteries will mean larger batteries and larger batteries will increase the weight, which will drain your batteries faster, etc. etc. etc. The trick is to find the optimum level of performance. As Keith mentioned, going to a different type of battery, such as Lithium Ion, can increase the amp-hours without so much of an increase in weight. it will also change the type of charging system you will use and overall, the cost may become prohibitive, but that's something only you can determine.


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