XJSman89
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Post by XJSman89 on May 23, 2014 16:10:08 GMT -6
In order to get it better traction, some people are taking large mower tires (My dad has some leftovers that I'm going to use for my build) and they cut the sidewalls off and epoxy them to the plastic wheels. If you have the space to go with a larger diameter tire they do seem to add a considerable amount of traction. You can even cut off every other tread to make a more knobby tire.
I've got my own vehicle that I'm "building" so to speak, albeit not in the same manner. No fancy lights or sirens or anything though! haha. My dad has an H2, so I found a power wheels H2 on craigslist and bought it for my little sister (she's 2, I know it's weird.) and she loves it. The batteries were shot so I stuck an old lawnmower battery in there... went from 11amp-hour to 300amp-hour haha. Once she gets the hang of it I'm going to go with two smaller 12v batteries in parallel to make it a 24v vehicle, but it goes pretty fast for her now as it is!
I love playing with these things, they're so fun to mod! I'm glad you're having fun with yours.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on May 23, 2014 17:15:35 GMT -6
Haha! You guys and your Power Wheels! ALMOST makes me wish I still had a child small enough to ride one! LOL! BTW, 2 in series for 24V, parallel only increases capacity.
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Post by sall on May 23, 2014 19:39:57 GMT -6
Good deal Collins. It's fun. It only takes a few minutes to wire up the lights and the likes. Nothing complicated since everything always see 12v and isn't as dirty as a car charging system. It is fun to watch it evolve. He loved the siren! Then immediately asked where the lights were! You will definitely enjoy it. There is still a larger Kawasaki Ninja Quad he is too small for. That thing looks wicked haha. Post some pictures when you get the chance! I don't want to be a downer but lawn mower/car batteries are not safe for the PW really. I would want the child to be safe first. Just some food for thought! Right now the traction is okay unless the grass is damp. I coated the tires in textured truck bed coating. Some people put pneumatic tires on them from HF too. Possibilities are almost endless haha. Ribbed serp belts, etc. Haha hey now Tigger... what about grandkids now/future?! Here are the tail lights: ... and the amber parks/fogs: That's all he is getting for now. The 555 circuits for flip/flops wig-wags will wait a little bit is what I am telling myself.
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XJSman89
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Post by XJSman89 on May 23, 2014 20:59:46 GMT -6
Nice! The battery I have is sealed so it must not be a lawnmower battery, I will post pics this weekend. I don't have any pics without her in it at the moment and I don't want to put those all over the net haha. The vehicle is yellow but my dad's is black so I'm probably going to paint it to match, haven't decided yet.
Lights in general are a great idea, I was thinking about that as well. Do you have any links to where you got those from? I'm thinking just headlights and tails for this build with an on/off switch. Nothing too fancy. You're right to, wiring on these is easy. It is almost more fun for me to build it than she will have driving it.
The only thing I wish were different was the turning radius but there isn't a whole lot that can be done about that either. Hopefully a modified battery compartment and rubber tires for me this weekend!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 using ProBoards
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Post by sall on May 24, 2014 16:11:39 GMT -6
Lights can be a safety feature haha! Well, I guess the wiring is easy when you are running at 12v. Can always use an aux battery for lighting though to keep everything at 12v. I will be grabbing an extra battery like what is in the mini quad right now to go with this setup and potentially a 6v for 18v action in the future. I just grab those little lights off of eBay. HeadlampsTails LampsPark/FogsIt's all pretty inexpensive. ~$20 for the lighting and will be satisfactory IMO. I picked the those lamps because they also have reflectors built in. It's fun to bring a couple things up and ask them what they like best. I thought one of those back alarm sensors would be funny. Beep... beep...beep. The siren was from my remote start install. They sell heat sinks for the motors for running at higher voltages for extended periods. Those little motors get pretty hot! Anyways, enjoy your build. I am sure she will love it! Keep me posted!
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Post by sall on May 24, 2014 18:10:22 GMT -6
Headlights! Trial run with the bar. He can steer MUCH better this way. It more akin to the mini quad steering. Leverage.
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Post by sall on May 24, 2014 21:17:51 GMT -6
Crappy Night Shot: Little fire in the burn pit was screwing with cell phone camera.
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Post by sall on May 27, 2014 18:13:11 GMT -6
Just putting them on as they roll in. Still awaiting the front park/fogs.
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Post by sall on May 29, 2014 16:25:45 GMT -6
Ordered a back-up alarm for when in reverse. Looking for a small set of reverse lamps as well. Undecided on those. I also grabbed a digital volt meter to monitor battery voltage!(Might grab an ammeter as well). I have a few other things I would like to do. Underbody and interior lighting. Which I already have 5M of 5500-6000k 5050 LED strip I can use for that. Ignition switch and wireless remote kill switch are two things I would love to do as well. Only so much time. It's as bad as the car hahaha. This thing may have more mods than most Auroras!
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plato442
Aurora Driver
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Oldsmobile...
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Post by plato442 on May 29, 2014 17:22:14 GMT -6
My wife wants to see videos, maybe shes giving me thumbs up for ours little ones future power wheels! I had to repaint the pink roof to black on my daughters truck!
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Post by sall on May 29, 2014 19:47:22 GMT -6
My wife wants to see videos, maybe shes giving me thumbs up for ours little ones future power wheels! I had to repaint the pink roof to black on my daughters truck! View AttachmentSweet ride! I wish I could. I'm not too keen on posting pics/videos of him on the net publicly. The grin goes ear to ear though! Maybe see if I can get a night time video this weekend. Might get away with that.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on May 29, 2014 19:55:46 GMT -6
Haha, I'm gonna get one of those volt meters for my riding mower!
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Post by sall on May 29, 2014 20:45:04 GMT -6
Haha, I'm gonna get one of those volt meters for my riding mower! haha Post starter solenoid?
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Post by sall on May 30, 2014 14:25:57 GMT -6
Markers/Fogs flanking the license plate in front bumper.
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Post by sall on May 31, 2014 20:59:28 GMT -6
... because you guys love this thread apparently! haha Under Body Lighting/Headights
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Post by michiganaurora on May 31, 2014 21:33:14 GMT -6
Very cool, the kidd gotta love that thing.
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Post by ohiobuckeye on Jun 1, 2014 8:06:53 GMT -6
This thread is a riot! What a lucky little kid. Good on you Sall.
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XJSman89
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Post by XJSman89 on Jun 1, 2014 19:23:45 GMT -6
Haha nice! Here is mine. Not modified yet except for the huge battery. Probably getting some headlights soon. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 using ProBoards
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Post by sall on Jun 1, 2014 19:48:00 GMT -6
Haha sweet! Not modified YET. I like that haha. I've got quite a few more accessories to add as they roll in!
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Post by sall on Jun 2, 2014 16:26:42 GMT -6
Finally received the switches. Mounted them in the dash radio/vent bezel and epoxied them real quick. There is some open space around the switches as they are round in square holes but oh well! Still looks good. Just a few more things to go. Although the wiring is simple. It is still time consuming routing wires where they won't snag moving parts or little fingers pull on them. I have to diode isolate and use a couple SPDT relays to control the lighting functions and design a pcb for wigwags/strobes.
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Post by sall on Jun 2, 2014 19:45:36 GMT -6
Made a small PCB to control the headlamps/reverse strobe. When the PCB receives 12v from headlamp switch the headlamps come on constant. If the switch for the strobes are pressed on the headlamps will strobe. When in strobe mode the reverse lamps will also strobe(future addition).
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jun 2, 2014 20:59:39 GMT -6
. That dash panel looks better than the one in my truck, haha!
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Post by sall on Jun 3, 2014 11:48:44 GMT -6
. That dash panel looks better than the one in my truck, haha! Haha! We will see how long it stays in that condition. This project has expanded quite a bit. It's fun and worth it. Reverse alarm to be installed this evening. Purchased some anti-skid stuff for skateboards to put in place of the floormats. Sometimes he hops in and out barefoot in damp grass or coming out of swimming pool. If you can't tell I'm a bit bored with my Aurora(s) aside from driving them
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Post by sall on Jun 4, 2014 12:42:11 GMT -6
Floor mats are ready! Cut them last night! It is skateboard anti-skid.
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Post by guy48065 on Jun 5, 2014 10:20:41 GMT -6
How's that Playskool workbench working out for ya?
;-)
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Post by sall on Jun 5, 2014 11:09:41 GMT -6
How's that Playskool workbench working out for ya? ;-) Haha! It works pretty well!!
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Post by sall on Jun 5, 2014 20:52:16 GMT -6
Lighting Controller/Switchboard completed! Now to get it wired in this weekend!
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jun 5, 2014 22:17:00 GMT -6
Impressive. Nice work!
...from my HTC One M8.
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Post by guy48065 on Jun 6, 2014 8:10:56 GMT -6
Sall, I love doing this kind of project! Do you have access to a label printer? If not I'd be happy to contribute (free) a strip of legends for your light panel if you want. Maybe a single strip placed below the switches, since they're so small. Something like I did on my ATV: PM me if interested & let me know the appropriate dimensions.
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Post by sall on Jun 6, 2014 10:13:39 GMT -6
Sall, I love doing this kind of project! Do you have access to a label printer? If not I'd be happy to contribute (free) a strip of legends for your light panel if you want. Maybe a single strip placed below the switches, since they're so small. Something like I did on my ATV: PM me if interested & let me know the appropriate dimensions. Passenger ejection seat! Haha I used to have a CarPC labeled that when it was not in use! I appreciate the offer! The lable slook good! However, I used truck bed coating on that dash piece. Seeing how it textured I am not sure the labels woud adhere well?
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