[hallkbrdz]

I subscribed because I am interested in building a competitive electric racing kart to compete with tag / shifter karts in an open class. I'm glad there is still an active group out here that hasn't been facebooked...

After looking at various youtube videos plus certain vlogs there, I have decided to give it a shot. My current design (which have mistakes - the main reason I'm here) includes a quick swap battery pack, buffer capacitors, controller, and motor to give me a peak 77 HP rating without a huge amount of weight (about 63 Kg).

Bryan

Based in Oklahoma

 

[brian_]

Welcome, and good luck with your project.

The target performance level appears to be well up the kart classes. I had never heard of TaG (for "Touch and Go", meaning electric start) karts before, but of course the electric kart will have the same flip-the-switch driving convenience.

 

[RIPPERTON]

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php/rippy-kart-189498.html

 

[Karter2]

What motor are you planning to use, and which batteries ?..critical items.
You are lucky you have a "open" class that will let you run with the ICEs, most clubs are very restrictive with class groups, age, engine types, weight etc etc.
But if it is truely "Open" then pick your competition carfully as you may well be up against twin engined karts, 250 shifters, even those hi power Rotary engined karts with way more power and a lot less weight.

 

[hallkbrdz]

It's now 2021, and after a couple of years of thinking, asking questions, and now building, I can answer these questions. I ran the 2019 season with the '08 CRG (GP Racing) Honda 80cc shifter with the Tulsa Kart Club at JRP speedway. Although I finished the season in 2nd place, that's not really all that impressive as I mostly showed up more than the 125cc guys. LOL. What I did learn is that 2-stroke engines are a pain in the but to jet and get started in cold weather.

As to class for this electric kart, I am aiming at 125cc TAG. Yes, approval is going to be an uphill battle to just run with them. I don't care about points and am requesting to run as "provisional" with the TAGs.
I'm also trying to get the SCCA to allow me to run in the Autocross events (again just for fun). They are still deciding on what is required to do so and I am actively trying to steer them the right direction.
And then there is drag racing. You show up, you pass a basic tech, you run. Easy peasy!

Anyhow, on to what I am now building based on that sprint kart chassis...

HV Swap-able Battery (first one): 42S10P Molicel P26A, 5.5Kwh nominal
LV Battery: 18v Makita tool battery
BMS: Orion2
Controller: Kelly KLS14401-8080IPS
Motor: DHX Machines Peregrine 60 (alpha testing), water cooled. Hawk 60 that it is based on is 75/120 Nm Torque cont/peak, 34/55 kW cont/peak

Safety wise, I am trying to follow the limited regulations the FIA released under their 2020 E-Karting platform (that they seemed to have dropped), as well as many of the FSAE rules. This is my main concentration - it must prove safe to the kart body more than anything. Many of the parts have been intentionally over-sized to make sure nothing bad will happen, especially in a full-on side hit. Just the battery and support structure have gone though several total re-designs to try and increase strength.

Here is a rendering of the current configuration I am building to showing the rear components:

Continued on new build thread: EKartGo Project

 

[brian_]

I'm also trying to get the SCCA to allow me to run in the Autocross events (again just for fun). They are still deciding on what is required to do so and I am actively trying to steer them the right direction.

Good luck with that. Here in Canada, we had autoslalom rules which were designed to specifically exclude karts - regardless of engine - such as a minimum wheelbase. It's not that car people have anything against karts; they just didn't want their events taken over by another type of vehicle. That may not be an issue for "just for fun" non-competing entries, but they also have real safety concerns with an open vehicle carrying an unsecured driver.

But the typical parking lot autocross course would be great fun in a kart.

 

[hallkbrdz]

For karts in general, they just hate having their C8, etc beat by kart for FTD.