OwnerDoug Nichols
LocationSydney, New South Wales Australia map
Email email image
Vehicle2010 Mini Monster Truck
"Scrapheap Challenge style" Made from parts from my shed, for my son to drive around the property on.
Wheels from a ride on mower
Custom chassis
Mechanical disc brake on an old car disc.
Reverse by a changeover mechanical switch, with an emergency Kill switch!
MotorOhio Electric Permanent Magnet DC
90V 1Hp
Drivetrain10 tooth sprocket on Motor and a 52 tooth on axle driving one wheel only.
Chain and sprocket from Go-Kart shop - finer pitch than bicycle.
Controller Homebrew
1Hp 90V PM Ohio Motor, running on 48V now with a homebrew PWM (555 Timer driving 5x 18A 200V mosfets in parallel)
IRFS640
SLA batteries 2 x 12V 18Ah & 4 x 6V 10Ah
Batteries6, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Various Brands mostly refurbished.
2 x 12V 20Ah
4 x 6V 10Ah
System Voltage48 Volts
Charger
12V 4 stage, Manual hookup at present - will custom build a 48V charger in time!
HeaterSolar (the sun - open top)
InstrumentationNil
Top Speed20 MPH (32 KPH)
One wheel drive and braking.
Accelerationwheel spins if too heavy footed
RangeFun goes to the extreme range!
easily goes for 1 hour of yard driving.
Seating CapacityKid sized! but can squeeze an adult in for a bit of fun.
TiresOff an old Simplicity Lawn tractor, hubs a bit worn and rattly but they were free!
Conversion Time3 weeks + ongoing Tweeks!
Conversion CostChain and sprocket $80.00
Mechanical disc brake $ 40.00
Extra battery 18Ah $52.00
All else was junk from my shed
Additional FeaturesRoll Cage made from 1"sq bed frame steel, bent by notch and bend then weld method.
Control by 2x 12V relays initially then a PWM. -Really simple and cheap!
Kill switch in series with main motor power for safety.
Mechanical Disc Brake - foot controlled.
My 7 year old son and I built this as a "Scrapheap Challenge" type project together. I did the welding and he did the scavenging in my shed.

code by jerry