Electric skateboards are slowly but surely reaching mainstream popularity. This is because many people are trying it as a means of transportation and public options are a bit risky for now due to the pandemic. Although there are many cheap and expensive options, did you know that you can build your own electric skateboards?
Instead of buying, people are opting to restore old skateboards into an electric version. It’s a complicated task, but it can be done easily if you know exactly what to do.
Find the perfect foundation
First of all, you need a foundation. While classic skateboards are a viable option for an electric skateboard, we recommend using a longboard instead. Long boards provide better stability and more space for additional components that will be needed later. Preferably, the wheels are placed on top to give more space for electronic components as well.
What kind of batteries and motors should I get?
As for the engine, you have the choice between two or one. Dual motors perform better in terms of speed and hill-climbing ability. However, they are more expensive than individual engines. We suggest getting high-end single motors because they are already powerful enough, but they are also relatively cheaper.
For batteries, the commonly used type is lithium polymer batteries because they provide a lot of power and are lighter than most types. One downside to using lithium polymer batteries is that they can sometimes be volatile and brittle.
You need to be careful during the build process as you might destroy the batteries. You can also leave batteries on a low charge for long periods of time.
Also, you have to be careful when filling them. Make sure you have a quality charger and don’t overcharge your batteries. If you are careful with it, the batteries will last much longer.
Make it work with a transmitter/receiver
Last but not least is the transmitter/receiver system, which allows you to control your skateboard. The most commonly used transmitters/receivers are the ones that come with RC cars. Also keep in mind that you will need a box for the electronics so they are not easily damaged. Cases are often made of steel for added protection.
Go ahead and build your electric skateboard
Before you start building your electric skateboard, you may want to first look at some samples for inspiration. There are electric skateboard kits you can check out and guides you can read right before you start the build process. These are great alternatives to buying or building your own electric skateboard.
Power tools like drills are also needed for this project. As well as adhesives such as high strength adhesives. Of course, you would like to work in a safe and isolated area. Keep in mind that you are working with powerful tools, so it is better to stay safe. Don’t forget to wear protective gear like heavy-duty gloves.
All of these items are usually purchased at hardware or hobby stores and are easy to obtain. Connecting the parts is more complicated, so we’ll leave it up to you to figure out how to put the wiring together.
Just to give you an idea, building an electric skateboard is a lot like building an RC car. If you have experience in this, you can easily build an electronic skateboard without an instruction manual.
Before you throw it out for a spin…
Once you have built your electric skateboard, we suggest that you try it out first. Don’t jump on board right away, just try to control it and see how it works. You should take a test ride without taking shortcuts because you could put yourself and others at risk by riding an electric skateboard that has not been tested.
Keep in mind that you can spend more building an electric skateboard instead of buying one that is already built. The nice thing about making your own, though, is that you’ll at least be able to customize the dashboard to your liking. If you gain more experience building an electric skateboard, you will be able to build better ones in the future.
If this seems like too much, you can buy pre-made electric skateboards. It’s easy and you can even get some free products depending on the type you buy.
Categories: How to
Source: newstars.edu.vn