Hello!
I’m a beginner looking to build a remote controlled 2 wheel drive utility cart/rover that can carry a 35gal to 55gal tank of water outdoors for the purpose of being a home DIY zamboni for my outdoor rink. With a full tank it would weigh between 300lbs to 500lbs. To do this, I’m assuming I would need to go with 2 wheelchair motors, 2 caster wheels, a thumb remote control with receiver and a sabertooth controler. Does this sound right?
Could you please recommend where I can get these items what, which type of sabertooth controler and motor I should purchase?
Thank you!
Mark B
@markbren4 Those would need to be some fairly powerful wheelchair motors, but given many wheelchairs are rated to carry around 200+ pounds and themselves weight 100 pounds, plus need to move up inclines, it might be OK. We don’t carry wheelchair specific motors
The DC motor itself is not too expensive. It’s the high gear ratio gearbox and corresponding high current motor contoller which cost the most.
Ex: https://www.robotshop.com/products/e-s-motor-60d-brushed-planetary-gear-motor-24v-36rpm
Ex: https://www.robotshop.com/products/phidgets-24v-142kg-cm-192rpm-131-dc-gear-motor
The motor controller you purchase needs to correspond to the needs of the motors - you cannot pre-select this without knowing the motor’s voltage and maximum continuous current.
These might actually still be underpowered. If you have some electronics skills, dismantling and hacking a used wheelchair would save the most money
1 Like
Possibly? Just takes research. You need to know torque, speed, total power, and then find wheels which are compatible, and an affordable controller. RobotShop doesn’t have any kits like that at this time unfortunately.
Thanks for looking into this!
