How to Beef Up a 12 Volt Power Wheel
đź› Number of parts: 284 | Model: Power Wheels Ride-On F-150 | Producer: Mexico | Time to Disassemble: 3 hours, 4 minutes
If you were five years old, you'd be pretty stoked to see this under the Christmas tree. Its 12-volt drive system whisks you up to 5 mph. A power lift-and-lower tailgate can carry your toys. There's even a speaker with a 3.5mm aux jack to bump "Baby Shark."
But eventually, you'd get bored of it, and so might your parents. That's how stock Power Wheels become juiced-up miniature race cars. Bigger batteries, motors pulled from cordless drills, custom-fabricated axles, slick tires—Power Wheels upgrades are only limited by your ambition. Thanks to online communities in Facebook groups and on forums like modifiedpowerwheels.com, there's plenty of knowledge to go around.
To navigate the world of modified mini-cars, we spoke with Rob Fusi, a New Jersey–based mechanical engineer. His YouTube video where he swapped the battery in his son's Power Wheels Porsche 911 GT3 has about 5 million views. He says that whether you're after a modest power upgrade or a high-performance rebuild, these are the four stages of modification.
Stage 1: Battery
The easiest go-fast modification is boosting your battery voltage. Most ride-on cars use 12-volt batteries, so upgrading to 18 volts increases speed without putting too much strain on the motor or gears, Fusi says. You could drop in a Power Wheels brand 6-volt battery, or opt for a cheaper aftermarket model; the latter option doesn't come with an inline fuse, so you'll want to add one to protect against power surges. Start by chopping off the existing battery connector and use F2 connectors, sold at auto parts stores, to wire it all together.
Stage 2: Electronic Speed Controller
The electronic speed controller (ESC) tells the battery how much power to send to the wheels. The stock ESC is just an on/off switch, full throttle or no gas (and no coasting, either). An ESC kit delivers a more realistic driving experience. You can build your own from a Razor scooter variable speed controller and the rest of its parts (pedals, wires, connectors, and more), or buy a complete kit. A universal ESC kit from Eastcoast PowerUp will run you $150. Fusi's bonus tip: Now that you've got more power and control, improve handling by duct-taping the plastic tires for better grip.
Stage 3: Custom Fabrication
Advanced tinkerers swap gearboxes for powerful direct-drive electric motors, or even motocross bike engines. ATV-style suspension makes heavily modified Power Wheels legit off-road vehicles, and at this point, your Frankensteinian creation is probably only safe for adult use—turn over the keys when your kid turns 16.
Stage 4: Trick It Out
It's not just about speed: A ride-on car is the perfect canvas for the Pimp My Ride makeover you've always wanted to do on your Civic. With an after-market ESC installed, you're primed to wire in the accessories like a reverse buzzer or a virtual sound simulator (for custom ignition noises and engine notes—how's a screaming Ferrari V-12?). Finish it off with underbody LED lights, and drop a pair of LED-lined subwoofers in the truck bed for maximum style points.
This article appeared in the December 2019 issue of Popular Mechanics. You can subscribe here.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/trucks/a29884764/power-wheels-f150/
0 Response to "How to Beef Up a 12 Volt Power Wheel"
Postar um comentário