PowerWheels 2014 Drivetrain Ideas

Brushless DC Motor

RC

• Repurpose outrunner brushless DC hobbyist motor for car/boat
• Overview of this technique for scooters

Advantages

• Definitely the best weight/performance/efficiency ratio

Disadvantages

• Not as straightforward electrically
• Overkill?
• More expensive than hacky solutions ($200ish)
• Less known about how to do this
• Tend to be fast RPMs to big amount of gearing down

Hydrostat

• Use 12V pump from Harbor Freight ($30ish each) to pump oil to turbine

Power Steering Pump as Turbine

• Needs to be vane pump. Most but not all PS pumps are vane. Disassembly Video
• Pumps available from salvage years for $20ish. Some are pick/pull and some are not. Price is the same
• Vanes in PS pump fly out from centrifugal force.
• Must use lubricating liquid

Advantages

• Innovative/unique
• Could be cool to use transparent pipes plumbed all over the place so people can see the hydraulic action. Put glittery stuff inside the fluid
• CVT Transmission!

Disadvantages

• Getting the balance between pressure and displacement of liquid likely to be tricky
• Extra weight/parts that are totally unnecessary
• Efficiency? Likely low
• Only 1 example found of using a PS pump as a turbine (MIT project) and that example was a report and not explained in detail.
• Not much reference in using vane pumps in general as turbines. Does this mean it's a bad idea?