OwnerZaine Stapleton
LocationPortland, Oregon US map
Email email image
Vehicle2009 First electrathon Aluminum frame
This is my first electrathon car I have built. Its for my senior
project.
MotorBriggs and Stratton ETEK motor Permanent Magnet DC
This is a real ETEK motor. Got on eBay for $230 as used.
DrivetrainRear wheel drive. Has 35 pitch chain to drive the rear wheel.
ControllerAlltrax AXE 4834P
Got off of eBay for $132 as lightly used. Choose the AXE
model to change settings if needed.
Batteries2 Optima Red top 75/25 or Yellow top D75/25, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
There are actually 4 batteries; 2 for practice and 2 for race.
System Voltage24 Volts
Charger E&J 24 volt wheelchair battery charger
Picked up on eBay for $66. Snipped the plug off of the end
of the charger and modified to have gator clips to hook onto
battery terminals (batteries in series when charging.)
HeaterTrust me, if you racing in electrathon, you get heated up by
all of the excitement during a race!
DC/DC Converter None
The batteries get pulled out of the car to get charged up for
either practice or race, depends on whats going on. No need
for a converter.
InstrumentationCycle analyst.
Top SpeedDepends on the gear ratio. I've yet to see how fast the car
will go with a 2:1 ratio. With a 2.5:1 ratio, the car will hit
35mph flat out (though I wouldn't be going this fast during a
race anyway.)
AccelerationNever tested it before.
RangeDepends on how fast your going and if you really using the
throttle a lot.
Seating Capacity1 driver, if driving slow; one person can stand on the back of
the car on the rear wheel supports.
Curb Weight0
Unknown, I've yet to weigh the car.
TiresThree Maxxis Hookworm 20"x1.95". Tire pressure at max on
all three (110 psi.)
Conversion TimeAbout 6 months to get all of the parts. About 8 weeks in the
summer to weld a frame and have the car rolling under
power.
Conversion CostNeed to look at the receipts.
Additional FeaturesThe car has a rack and pinion steering system (thanks to Kirk for the help you have
been.) Has a Simpson 5-point racing belt; cars have flipped before during races. 2 Avid
BB7 disc brakes on the front wheels. Car configured as a cycle-car (2 wheels in the
front, 1 in the back.) Rear wheel drive. Really fun to drive! Can't wait for the racing
season in the spring.

code by jerry