Couldn't figure out where to put this post so hope it's okay popped into this section.

Flagship scooter (all season transportation)

Removable cover
Locking doors open on both sides/both removable
Front wheel drive, front and rear suspension
Pneumatic air filled tires and electronic brakes
Headlights, turn signals, emergency flashers, rear view mirrors
Automotive windshield, windshield wiper and automatic wiper fluid

Overall dimensions: 57 length, 34 wide, 59 height
Total weight 294 (including battery packs)

Battery: 12 Volt battery pack
Universal Charger: 110 V or 220 V
Range 25 – 35 miles
Maximum speed: Up to 4.8 mph
Speed settings: 20




My question ... I wouldn't attempt it myself but do you think it's capable of being 'upgraded' so it can gove up to 10 mph rather that what it's capable of now?

Thanks!

I'd have trouble fitting in that thing at 34 inches across and i 'm a rather small guy. besides it doesnt look tall enough for tthe drive through window.

Hi Mara,did you manage to find out what it was designed for?
At the speed stated,I would guess it's an all weather Electric wheelchair for the handicapped.
With only those very small openings in the side glass,it would be terribly hot in Summer,I would imagine.

Oops, sorry! I forgot to mention it's a medical scooter! (Not for myself, thank goodness).

The sides come off, thankfully, otherwise yes, one would turn into a crispy critter in no time during the summer. But as for being kind of short for a 'drive through window' (huge hoot!), guess the person in the window could lean out and down?

But because many of these scooters 'whiz' along at 10 miles an hour, for the money involved in purchasing one of these (about $10,000 Canadian) it should surely go that fast? (The given speed of it now is creepy-crawly at best).

There must be a way to 'soup' it up a bit? Bigger power pack? (Can you tell I know zip about these things? )

Easy if you know how to get these things mobile, as they say. I saw a souped up one over here.Had 2 large DC motors fitted.One on each rear wheel. This was one on show, to guage if there was enough interest to produce them.This one was my favourite colour,Yellow and this thing went like a rocket ship.The owner of the shop showed us how this thing went.Left rubber marks all over the carpark.Loved it.Forget the stated speed and I think the distance on one charge was around 25 KLMS.

Wahoo!!! Now no laughing (at least not too hard ) but to whom would one take it to be 'outfitted' with something similar? A mechanic/local garage - do they work with battery powered things like this, I wonder.

When I mentioned it to the place that sells these things, the poor man was aghast that I'd even suggest such a thing as it would "invalidate the warranty". Undoubtedly it would, but warranties are rarely as good as we hope they'll be before we read that itsy bitsy tiny print.

Wouldn't it be easier to modify an electric golf cart (about 2,000 or less used I'd think) most of them will do better than just 10mph and carry at least 2 people with room for oxygen tank(s) and what not. of course probably wouldn't be good indoors (unless you have the room to maneuver )

This post has been edited by no one: Sep 22 2007, 02:39 PM

You are prohibited from useing these on the street or in Shops and plazas here, if over a certain size,but no regulations as to power,that I'm aware of.Still would be fun to have a quick one.
A Golf Buggy 'no one' would be no easier to convert as it would require just as much design requirements as a scooter,only on a bigger scale.And require much much larger DC motors,due to weight,hence more costly.IMO.
Hi 'Mara' A Garage or Mechanic wouldn't have the expertise to convert something like this.You would have to be an Electrical Engineer as you would have to have sound knowledge in Electricals.
Also a Mechanical Engineer to design gearing,lathe work and fabrication.A one off would be quite expensive.

This post has been edited by DSTM: Sep 22 2007, 10:33 PM

One must check the local laws first where ever one lives. Many areas restrict speeds. States/Provinceses/or?

Most do not allow more than 5mph for a powered chair. (Google is a friend?) We are not talking about a street legal machine here.

One must get approval for the mods to the equipment then?

It's not as easy as one thinks. It does take a specialist to Mod a unit?

Modding them is a little more advanced then most would believe, I imagine. Figure on these:

1)Adding a higher Torque and/or Horse Power Motor to increase the power of the chair (for extra weight or for extra speed) = More Watts used per minute

2)Adding a Faster Rotating Motor for more speed = More watts used per mintue

3)Adding a faster rotating motor and a higher horse power motor = Many More Watts used per minute

Conclusion: You'd need to upgrade the batteries to maintain a good charge and keep from destroying the batteries from over heating which will equal more weight to factor in.

This post has been edited by blackspyder: Sep 22 2007, 10:57 PM

Thats why you seek the services of an Electrical Engineer as I stated in my last Post.'BlackSpyder'

At 10 MPH, I would have serious concerns of it tipping over when turning. Don't think that would be a good thing.

Must admit I love the idea of a converted golf cart but alas, although going in tandem would be romantic, it would never fit through the grocery store doors. But what fun one could have through parks, etc!

You're right of course - excessive speed could be a huge 'ouch' if a medical scooter tipped over! Mind you, the regular 'medical scooters' sold here range in speed from 4 - 10 mph, so I suspect that the 10 mph may be the most one is permitted to use with them.

Thanks for the great advice regarding consulting an Electrical Engineer, DSTM - after reading the work involved from our BlackSpyder's post, I don't expect the quote to be 'cheap' - eek!

Still, well worth looking into and thanks again - really appreciate all the help.

Dear Mara,
Modifying your scooter isn't that hard, but you will need someone with electronic experience to do it.
The directional controler is also a potenttiometer regulator, and will need to be altered or changed out.
This device will also not be inexpensive( from $200 to $600 u.s.)
It certainly will void any warranty, and your scooter will be more supseptible to tip over.
In addition, your battery drain will be much higher shortening your scooters range. This also effects the life of the batteries.
You won't be able to get the parts you need at Radio Shack, but their people should be able to steer you towards a supplier for the potentiometer.


Love & Peace,
John
P.S. You won't need to beef up the motors as they are more powerful than what the scooter needs in the first place, and they will work just fine for your intentions.

Great to know for the future - thanks so much to everyone! (Amazing how little thought I actually used to give to those who can't zip around on their own two legs as I do).