How to Make Power Wheels Faster with Easy 18v Conversion

In this video I show you how to make power wheels faster with easy 18v conversion. This is the easiest way to increase the speed of your 12 volt power wheels by using an 18 volt tool battery and making a simple pigtail wire to connect it. The best part is that there is no cutting and no extra parts to buy. You won't void the warranty or sacrifice the integrity of the original design!
Here's a link to the Millwaukee XC 5.0 battery that I use
amzn.to/3oanke9
also featured in the video is the Power wheels barbie jeep
amzn.to/3SHHkTU
Disclaimer: If you buy a product using an affiliate link I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

[@phantom_pixel]

Great dad! The way you let him interact with you and that you didn't try to make him be quiet and made him part of the project really encourages self-confidence. This will pay much more dividends later in his life than letting you get a "clean take". Bravo.

[@toddquackenbush669]

I just did this battery conversion and not only did it work but I got to be hero dad. Thanks!

[@djayb83]

Great video and great job letting your son contribute. He seems very intelligent and that is obviously a reflection of good parenting.

[@alboy187]

Thank you!

[@beyondmeasures2461]

You took this very complex(in my brain) problem to easy level all in a few minutes. Great video!

[@scottdavis1922]

Great video, thank you! The smile on my kids’ faces when they tried their new Jeep with almost twice the speed (used 20v battery) was well worth the 15 mins. Cheers

[@Shotta72090]

Yours is the best and easiest way to convert the battery on KZbin! Awesome video!

[@WayneTheWolf]

Thee best and fastest conversion I’ve seen yet! I just did it for my son and he LOVED it! My only issue was keeping up with him. Thanks man

[@alboy187]

Awesome! Glad it worked for you!

[@WayneTheWolf]

The Amateur Dad Not only did it work but he smoke through the tires so what I did is cut a bike tire strapped around the plastic wheels and then screws it down. Works shweet!

[@blackfacePM]

My buddy put some 10" mountain bike tires around the wheels for amazing traction. I think he put screws in them to keep them on. No drift but it'll go anywhere.

[@TonyMontana-fs3lu]

This is better than most other videos. Cheap parts same performance

[@benlyons7752]

Love your little helpers! Great job.

[@frankshook3511]

I have the girls version of that 4wheeler, my daughter loves this upgrade. Clocked her in at 9.6MPH. Using the 5.0 M18.

[@orlandosantiago4399]

This was great I had my daughter jeep sitting for like 2 years because stock battery would not last 2 minutes Now this helped me how to upgrade the battery using a 20v And it made a huge difference Thanks

[@joshrblaylock]

Nice riding! Those kids know what they're doing. Definitely going to mod mine this way! Thanks!

[@DrBradKlontz]

Great hack! I will be souping up my kids' power wheels asap.

[@forjessicaandjosef3237]

Thank you for this..... I will be doing this for my kids soon.

[@jimmyallen8210]

This is great. No need to buy a docking station. Thank you!

[@BrandonColePhotography]

How does it charge

[@lucaslux4673]

Definitely like your way allot better than many others that I've seen. They all seemed so invasive, yours is just simple. Thanks

[@gsrhatch14]

Lucas Lux you mean the ones that do it the correct way?

[@lucaslux4673]

@@gsrhatch14 the "right" way to basically overload a 6V motor? Does it matter as long as it works?

[@justinsgarage1125]

Lucas Lux the correct way costs an extra $15 and comes with an in-line fuse so the battery doesn’t overheat and explode. It’s really no more invasive than this and if you can do this way you can do it a safer way.

[@justinsgarage1125]

www.amazon.com/Harness-Connector-Fisher-Price-12-Volt-Battery/dp/B01INNQ2RK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=power+wheels+female+connector&qid=1583329457&sprefix=power+wheels+fe&sr=8-2

[@JJ.ANDERSEN.201]

just add the 30A fuse and it’s perfect. (Speed regulator optional)

[@jamesarango9184]

Good stuff bro the main thing is being there with your kids 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@deweysines3184]

James Arango , agree 💯

[@spencerpacker1223]

SUPER easy, thank you SO much for the video!

[@alboy187]

Spencer Packer thanks! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@miguelcorrea77]

Thanks you save me 18 dolls I was about to order the docking for the battery no more needed gracias

[@rockyjez6357]

Had the same batteries.just did it on my daughter's jeep thank you

[@victorpalos3241]

Great video man, definitely going to try it

[@jamesyoder1456]

Good job dad !! 👍🏼

[@ibbylancaster8981]

Good video, my grandson is the same way when it comes to “helping “. Patients! My grandson has a Chevy truck and we just got him a dodge Dually. Going to try and do his Chevy first , then the dodge. Don’t want to fry his lights and noise on the Dodge so I might keep the 12v in to run the accessories 🤔

[@joebutler253]

ML toys has a voltage reduction module so you don’t fry the leds when you upgrade the voltage

[@LancasterPlacentaCo]

Thank you for sharing!

[@dustingilbert4882]

Amazing video! Thanks!

[@alboy187]

Dustin Gilbert thanks man!

[@szaryobywatel5273]

I've just done this to my son's quad bike. Without cutting wires or anything Unplugged the wires from old battery and flattened the connectors . Then they just slotted in the new 18v Macalister drill battery. It also had a fuse on it already.5 minute job and quad does wheelies 😂

[@jeffmoen8563]

You unplugged the wires from the power wheel battery and flattened connectors?

[@mattcannon2421]

No one noticed that girl got her finger smash when he put the 12v down and took it like a champ. Min 1:23

[@robbie4341]

This is awesome thanks for the tip!!

[@curtislondon4642]

Great video bud👍🏽

[@alboy187]

Thanks!

[@the.reel.mccoy.]

Just remember you can always wire a second batter in parallel to increase the battery life, while not increasing the voltage :)

[@KT1459]

how?

[@pawpawtina]

@@KT1459 google "parallel wiring battery" geez...

[@SeanWMODonnell]

My Mastercraft batteries take like 20 minutes to charge full two of them give the kids an hour a full charge almost the batteries have built-in safety so they don't drain out and ruin them!

[@jennarose1832]

Awesome job

[@djneoda1535]

GREAT video Thanks for the idea Peace ✌

[@looseparashoot]

Dad of the fucking year thank you!!!

[@Mr.Stanley88]

Great video

[@alboy187]

Thanks!

[@badandylaoc]

Awesome! Now a traction hack is necessary!

[@alboy187]

Andrew Moore I know! I’ve been trying to find an easy way to fit rubber wheels on it.

[@jacobwoodruff8123]

12 " bicycle wheels with a sidewall cut out works great.

[@Ciaran334]

Great job. If you put rubber wheels on it will have too much traction for the plastic gears. I learned this the hard way after I put bike tyres on the outside of the plastic tyres. Stripped the gears of both motors

[@TheMadJester159]

Spray the tires with flex seal... could work.

[@oneeyemonster3262]

NO....that's how the GEARS will get STRIP...the third gear too. You want the rear to power slide or drift...so it'll act like a slipper clutch... it's actually from the breaking or when the kids let off the trigger switch.. The motor shuts off and jams the gearbox...but if the wheels grips.. it'll crank the bigger gear and STRIP them You could install and ESC for SOFT start or stop,,, but No more Power slide and donuts,( it's the main reasons the kids rides powerwheels) It;s a pain in the arss...but GARDENING dividers ( HARD 3-4mm plastic) It's stiffer and a litter hard to work with...but do able and worth it... You have to COUNTER the FLAT Head screws...so it dosnt stick out to grip... Whatever 8-10 mph...but drifting and donuts.,,with out wearing out the rear wheels..... I can actaully run 24V..in a different BRAND quad . it's slow on 18v. So i had to install 24V...other wise they wont ride it.lmao to my surpize the motors are holding up...I know they get HOT. but it has a DIFFERENT GEARBOX.,,and it has a rear REAR SHOCKs.. it's just enough to absorb the torquing...For some damn reason. my grand kids likes to HOP while ride powerwheels. quads...lmao That;s how the gears will get strip too... it has 2 speed. I tell the kids to use SLOW on GRASS ..it's SLOW on 24v.,,which is like fast on 12V..lol but 24V lead acid is faster than powerwheels 18V... Now they wont ride thier powerwheels brand on 18 becuase it's too slow :-(

[@ronaldo23425]

Thanks. Great video. My Porter cable 18v drill has a nickel cadmium battery. Will it still work even though it’s not lithium ion battery?

[@pyronun6000]

That intro is the BEST. 🤣

[@brettsilva7317]

Bro,your kid is trying to make a video, get outta the way!

[@Unitedtribes]

Lol

[@stephaneroy1590]

I have the same 4 wheeler i put a 20 volt 4 ah goes great

[@ericatkinson83]

It seems that drill batteries last longer than the conventional power wheels batteries?

[@SummerBR]

Don't forget to put a 30 fuse and a fuse line if you don't want to burn your motor and battery

[@PeteyMcSavage]

I might be trying to upgrade the power wheels battery why should someone put a fuse in thanks?

[@pawpawtina]

@@PeteyMcSavage just in case.

[@PeteyMcSavage]

WaynesWorkVlog thanks for answering what can happen if there is no fuse. I’m not good with understanding electrical know how

[@pawpawtina]

@@PeteyMcSavage he answered what can happen in the original post... lol. maybe google what a fuse is for??

[@quirkygenius]

Love kids, but this is a video for adults? ! Like your idea of how to add the connectors, that will fit in to the connections without having to cut the fires and splice in. Good job!

[@mrcjh98]

Just a thought... The conductors that connect to the original battery are 12 gauge (at least in the wrangler). A typical lamp cord is 18 gauge. Its likely that lamp cord is your weak link with regard to the smoking... A continuous 20 amps across an 18 gauge wire may be enough to melt the insulation, so a 30 amp fuse as suggested in some comments may protect the motors, but it will still lead to smoking a lamp cord. So... just a suggestion... but try 12 gauge romex or some other 12 gauge cord for the additional wire.

[@alboy187]

Chris Hoffmann Dude, thank you! That totally makes sense, it was the lamp wire that got hot and melted! I wonder if I could run the high output 9.0 battery if I used a larger gauge wire..

[@300zxdriver]

The Amateur Dad I saw a guy on here that ran a 18 volt 12 ah battery.

[@bLackmarketRadio]

I don't know where you live that lamp cord is 18 gauge...

[@jairocruz3812]

@@300zxdriver yo quiero adaptarle una así, de 20 o 24 voltios y 12 amperes

[@rahoffman123]

Great video thanks I u ist got that q3 volt chevy Tahoe for grandbaby and it has remote we control it has 2 different setting for speed I'm wondering if I went to home depot would it be hard to do that same set up is their a certain milwaukee battery best to buy use

[@alboy187]

The one we use is the 5ah (amp hour) battery. I connected a 9ah battery once and it got way too hot. I wouldn’t do that.

[@domdomalakazam4638]

And 50% less time of use. And burning motors quicker. And damage gearbox. And expensive repair. Goood job mate!

[@MartinValverde-ro2ht]

Thanks

[@ang3lofdeath7]

This is a great idea! You do need to add an inline fuse on the positive side though. You risk it catching on fire if you dont.

[@alboy187]

andrew byrtus do you know what amp fuse I should use? I haven’t really had trouble with the 5ah battery getting hot, but the 9ah melted the wire.. not good😬

[@ang3lofdeath7]

@@alboy187 I used 12g wiring and 40amp fuse. My kids 4 wheeler runs off of 20v 6ah battery. The fuse used in the stock 12v system is 40amps so I kept it and haven't had any issues. I ran into hot wires after use so I upgraded to 12awg wire and it's been great.

[@albert102785]

@@ang3lofdeath7 hi will it work for a barbie van ?

[@ang3lofdeath7]

@@albert102785 it's up to you if it's safe or mechanically sound to upgrade but you can upgrade voltage to any motor just beware of the "C" rating on a battery and checkout what the motor can handle.

[@albert102785]

@@ang3lofdeath7 thanks bro

[@Mixwell1983]

My sons isnt a powerwheels brand and it takes a wall charger and plugs into the barrel style charge port. What is the run time with the 5ah battery ? Edit: i see you answered 45 to 60 mins. Thats pretty good considering you can swap batteries and charge the drained one in about an hour.

[@conniewaldvogel1530]

Sounds really easy but how do you don’t that easy setup with a type B plug on a Motion Trendz ride on

[@danielsmith2306]

Dissemble the old battery and use the connector off of it to attach the new batteries.

[@TwoTimesRmedia]

Doing it this way you, have you had any issues with them ? Did the motors burn out? Or anything ? I'm considering doing this with my daughter's car. I just want to make sure it's safe.

[@Super-wv2bb]

The question I, would it last long drive as the original battery

[@TheVitalTiger]

should join an affiliate program like Amazon's and paste a link to the battery in the video notes. Helps to have a link to the right part for watchers plus you get like 5% or something like that for each purchase.

[@alboy187]

I know, that’s the goal eventually! The Amazon affiliate program has a lot of rules though. I think you need 1000 subscribers and you have to have so many sales per month to stay active. My channel is still too small 😭

[@RazorShalom]

Can you do a kid Trax 4 wheeler.? Can u convert that brand.

[@calvindibartolo2686]

0:17 "Without any cutting wires" 2:27 "I just cut this off of a lamp"

[@alboy187]

Ha! Good point. I meant without cutting any wires on the Power Wheels 🤣

[@therljones]

Alan, what's the next step after this, say if you want to DOUBLE the speed on these things? Do you have any links or resources for that that you might be able to share? Thanks for the vid -- it's pretty great!

[@alboy187]

If you want even more power www.mltoys.com/Modified-Power-Wheels-Parts-s/100.htm they make bigger motors and upgraded metal gear boxes. I wouldn’t squeeze any more out of the stock parts. The stock motors will get hot and probably fry and the tiny plastic gears strip. Once the kids are old enough get them a go-cart, they have More speed, more power and rubber tires!

[@56irat]

I upgraded my grandson's ride on car from a FD550 10000RPM motor/gear box to a RS550 30000 RPM motor/gear box. The size of the old and new are identical and these are sold by many sellers on Amazon in various speed RPMs. When I jack the wheels on a ramp off the ground, it runs as long as you press the pedal for minutes at a time with no problem. However, when I put a rider in, the motors conk out after 3-5 feet. You turn the key off, then back on and it immediately does the same thing each and every time. Can anyone help me to remedy this problem? Thanks.

[@jcast3741]

Did you have to install 18v or 24v motors?

[@KazRoni-ks1fg]

Hello. Will changing a 12v to 18v not burn the motor on it?

[@Adrian008]

Can I do this with a 6v paw patrol , upgrade it to 18v ?

[@yungcash5465]

Did this for my kids and the issue I’m having is the battery is dying fast and it’s hot. Any suggestions?

[@yariturchini]

Ciao... can i change myHi...can I do this on the electric motorcycle that has 6v now?

[@taimz637]

How long 5ah battery running?

[@BeingAngieBee]

Your kids are sooo cute!! "you already said that part" hahahaha

[@SJFijianRick]

Great video, running into the same issue. How long does the 5ah battery last ?

[@Jacob-lg7gz]

I did this to my sons 4 wheeler. Battery doesn’t last nearly as long but it’s about the exact amount of time to charge them. About 20-25 mins of nonstop use. Probably getting the fuse and voltage regulator to adjust the speed and battery duration.

[@DrDwizz]

Info on fuse and voltage regulator please?

[@barbiedematel1403]

So when we made changes it continues to blow out fuse. Any suggestions

[@AshS85]

Don't these upgrades shred the gears?

[@carlplz00001]

Hi, can you replace a 12 V battery for a Milwaukee 18V 9ah or 6 ah, instead of the 5 ah you used in the video?, thanks.

[@DadHacks]

Ya. The 9ah or 6ah just means you will have a longer run time. I.E. 9ah will last longer than 6ah

[@albert102785]

Hi I just saw ur video and would I b able to do it to my kids van it's the barbie van lol

[@Travis-fm8xz]

If u take a small strip of carpet or shingle and fix to the back tire it will fix the spinning and getting stuck problem

[@JoshWest070278]

I have a Rollplay Quad 6v. I did this with a Dewalt 20v and burned the circuit board in the wiring harness. I bought a new wiring harness ($9) and then started googling. Found your thread here. Any idea how to save the low end components? Maybe use Speed controller? I also think I killed a battery, ($130) so may add the fuse/ kill switch as recommended. What we do as dads :)

[@LS-yv8zh]

20v may be alot for that 6v circuit, also factor in the mah of each battery

[@alboy187]

Josh West Thats a big jump from 6v to 20v! I’m no electrician, but if components are fried it probably isn’t worth trying to save. If the motors are good you could try just wiring it straight from the battery to the pedal switch to the motors. That’s probably too much power for the little motor anyway, they’ll get too hot.

[@TheMadJester159]

Maybe add an inline fuse so it doesnt kill the battery??

[@dalemoore11]

1 battery doesn't need fuse, tho a low voltage kill switch is better set it to 15v

[@SOLIDIUS36]

That power slide, after installation, hahah

[@daniellehmann2099]

Can I use a 20v instead of a 18?

[@katybalentine2836]

Could I use a lithium 1.5AH 20V? I like the way you do it. Really easy.

[@alboy187]

20v is probably too much. 18v can make the motors run pretty hot. 20v could fry the wires or burn out the motors. I believe it is possible to get bigger motors that could handle the power if you want.

[@katybalentine2836]

@@alboy187 I only have a 20v. I'll keep looking.

[@tswej]

i have 20 volt Black and Decker batteries I'm no longer using which would be perfect for a conversion, Will they fry a 12 volt power wheel motor?

[@ricksgiggle8852]

No. They'll work the same.

[@1999maio]

Will 24v conversion hurt anything? Fuse issue? Only batteries I have laying around are 24v

[@ferminflores279]

That may burn the motor since you are doubling the voltage if the toy motor is 12v.. 18v seems to be the max you can increase voltage to avoid burning motor

[@alanbountham2993]

what's the play time compared to stock? edit: nvm, found the answer. great video.

[@handcannon9814]

What is the answer?

[@kevint9702]

The 12 volt batteries that came with the power wheel is only about $50. Buy another one and wire it in series and get a 24 volt system. But I would wait until the boy is a bit older because it will be way faster.

[@stevenpodolsky5164]

One of the reasons he switched to a 18v battery is because all those batteries that come with those toy vehicles etc take a loooooong time to charge. Hooking 2 up might run longer but will take a lot looooonger to charge. A drill battery probably a little more then an hour. (5ah).

[@ksupersmooth]

I have the wire cut from my lamp... How do I know which side is negative and which is positive?

[@alboy187]

Kerri Newgard it doesn’t matter. The wires aren’t positive or negative until they’re connected to a power source.

[@giantgigante7725]

BECAREFULL THIS KILLS YOUR 18V BATTERY. ;IT DOESN'T HAVE A VOLT STOPER. LIKE THE TOOLS HAVE THAT SO IT GOES BELOW AVERGE AND THE BATTERY WILL GO BAD. YOU NEED A LOW VOLTAGE ALARM TO KILL THE POWER BEFORE IT GOES BELOW WHAT'S RATED 🔋⚡🚨👍

[@stifflers69mom1]

Giant Giants I’m like 90% positive it’s built into the battery not the tool the battery will shut down alittle under one bar there is a Circuit board built-in to each battery

[@alboy187]

I can’t confirm yet. We’ve been through probably 50 charge cycles so far and it still seems to be working fine.

[@timtereshchuk9358]

Killed my 9.0 amp second day ! But 4.0 seem to work for few days now !

[@LS-yv8zh]

This shouldn't be a problem the circuit is in the battery not the device. but you can just use a nicd battery to avoid that issue.

[@giantgigante7725]

I thought the sensor was i the battery my self so I say this because it killed 2 of my 4.0 batteries one bosch and one DeWalt. And they wont grab charge no more. I even try jumping them dewalt had one more use after that, bosch dint jump so idk whats up with it,i even cheaked all my connections nothing wrong with them ,. So idk maybe bad battery sensors ? Who knows but like u said nicd. Batteries are good also but for some reason dont last as long?

[@aoushev1976]

Is Black and Decker 18 volt 3.6Ah battery is gonna be good for this instead of Milwaukee brand? Thanks

[@alboy187]

aoushev1976 as long as it has the same type of connection they should work the same way.

[@aoushev1976]

The Amateur Dad Thank you very much!

[@traw2x141]

You gotta put rubber tires on next

[@goneviral6037]

You can cut the connector off of old battery to make it direct connection!

[@pawpawtina]

false. these connections are internal on the battery.

[@goneviral6037]

WaynesWorkVlog yes you can, I have done it, and there are videos on how to do it, you pop the top off and can pull the connector up and cut both wires, maybe you are not using a 12 volt battery.

[@MrFlacco]

💪🏾

[@raidersfan4837]

Hi i just saw your video i have a 12 volt f150 can i use a ryobi 12volt lithium battery without burning the motor

[@alboy187]

Raiders Fan I’m no electrician, but it should be fine, 12 volts is 12 volts right?

[@raidersfan4837]

Sorry its a 18volt lithium battery can i stiil use it for about 15 minutes without burning the motor.

[@roberthunter4782]

Does it have to be only Milwaukee battery?????

[@alboy187]

It would probably work with any battery that has a similar connection. There are actually a few adapters available on Amazon made specifically for different batteries. That would be a safer/better bet.

[@uncletacosupreme7023]

My son has the same 4 wheeler. It didnt look like he was pulling the turbo handle.

[@TonyMontana-fs3lu]

Uncletaco supreme he was

[@sethperry1323]

How long did that new Milwaukee battery last?

[@alboy187]

Do you mean like a single charge? Or in general the life of the batteries? We’ve been using the same battery pretty hard for over a year with no issue. On a single charge it runs about 45 min to an hour.

[@sethperry1323]

@@alboy187 just for the day after u charge battery... i allready did it... 12 ma battery will go along time in my daughters 4 wheeler she cant kill the battery in a day..

[@Samsung-ym1xf]

2 cool

[@TheReaL35]

PSA, do not cut the plug off your wife's lamp to tweak your kid's power wheels

[@ts46176]

That's right, cut the plug off the refrigerator instead

[@NeoAndersonReloaded]

Range!

[@SweetDaddyBarron78]

How fast did it go in the end, like from what mph to what mph

[@alboy187]

Hey, I don’t have a way to measure MPH that low, but I’d say it goes 50% faster. So if it did 5 mph before it might to 7-8 now. It’s noticeable!

[@lenasadventuresworld6642]

What if I use a 3.0xc battery (18v) as oppose to using your 5.0xc (18v)? Will I run into any smoky or burning issues?

[@alboy187]

The 3.0xc will be fine, it’s the same as the 5.0 it just might not last quite as long.

[@KAT-cq5hw]

Wouldn’t that make the battery run out quicker. and that is really cool btw

[@deano8628]

But it's a big difference between a 15min charge with the drill battery vs a 8hour charge with the original

[@vladix750]

I installed 18v Makita battery instead of original 12v. Did not add any fuses. Original al battery only went up to 7 volts, after installing Makita, the voltage went up to 19.7 volts. Car became really fast... but after one hour of racing empty plastic gears stearing motor broke. Then my daughter raced in car for about an hour, until forward speed disappeared, I swapped wires around to go forward. Another 1 hour of riding and it stopped completely, motors got very hot as well. Take care with mods!

[@marcosvelasquez2235]

Can I use a 20v battery instead of 18v??

[@alboy187]

Marcos Velasquez it will work the same, I would run it for a few min. And see if the wires get hot. If they do, I wouldn’t use it.

[@ntotman]

How long does the battery last before it needs to be charged again?

[@alboy187]

Nicholas Totman probably around 1 hour of continuous use? It lasts a while, and it re charges pretty fast too.

[@TonyMontana-fs3lu]

I just throw an extra one in the battery compartment. When they run out swap them

[@ezradbass]

you could use a lawn more battery

[@jonmichael02302]

Does it hold a charge as long as the original?

[@alboy187]

John Michael it runs for a solid hour. And takes less than an hour to recharge. The original battery needs to charge for like 8 hours or something ridiculous.

[@jonmichael02302]

@@alboy187 How long did the old battery last? Same?

[@arturoarreola9365]

John Michael by old battery do you mean original battery? If so they only last about 30 minutes and have to charge for 14 hours