Power Wheels 24v Upgrade + Arduino Speed Control

Hey Robot Fans! Today we convert TWO Power Wheels cars to 2x voltage and also add a bit of control via an arduino. This way we (the parents) can set the top speed of the car at any given time.
This is part 1 of a 3 part series you can find links to the other parts here;
Part 2; Steering alignment; • Powers Wheels Jeep Par...
Part 3; Soft Start; • Power Wheels 12v to 24...
Upgrade Parts list;
Arduino Pro Micro: amzn.to/307XFGy
PWM Controller: amzn.to/2Lwytpf
Circuit Breaker: amzn.to/2LA8AVB
12v Lead Acid Battery (quantity 2): (these can be found on eBay, mine are 12v 1200mAH)

[@PatchBOTS]

Definitely a fun project! I was blown away by the size of the community of people who are into this kind of things . Forums, facebook groups, websites, stores, all dedicated to making PowerWheels go INSANELY Fast. I love it! Glad I could dip my toes into the PowerWheels waters and not feel the urge to dive in, haha. I think you can sink as much money into a PowerWheels as you could into a car. Feel free to link any of your power wheels mods below, I'd love to check them out!

[@ShortRound_Games]

Is it possible to add a radio and controller for a RC car.

[@solomonorion6879]

i know I am kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good site to stream newly released movies online ?

[@elonpatrick4722]

@Solomon Orion i would suggest FlixZone. Just search on google for it :)

[@memphisblaze4002]

@Elon Patrick yea, have been using Flixzone for years myself :)

[@solomonorion6879]

@Elon Patrick Thanks, signed up and it seems to work :D I appreciate it!

[@Rouverius]

I will admit, I was giggling when you cranked it up to 24v.

[@jon_raymond]

So did I! Good thing for the Happy wife circuit.

[@JWCustoms]

Man that was my exact reaction. I was super hyped to see those wheels moving

[@edwardillingworth2314]

Should make a video on the whole programming process for people that have never used an Arduino

[@PatchBOTS]

Thanks Edward, yeah I can definitely do that. In the mean time, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

[@KevinRussellT]

Fantastic. I did something similar and somehow missed your video which would have saved me a huge amount of time, plus yours is much better.

[@landmarker]

Very nice upgrade .. and the kids are super cute :)

[@TheReaL35]

Put a brake reduction module in that guy. A super nerdy way to do this...love it

[@nitro498]

Hello. Is there a schematic and parts list for this mod? Also the soft start! Thx.

[@chrome700]

Cool Video. I turned my sons into a wagon that hauls gear down to our boat. The only thing is before we get there the over heat sensor shuts it down. We have to let it cool for a few minutes and then go again. I was afraid to by pass the over heat sensor. Maybe I need to add 2 more motors to the front of it. It’s all stock but plan to up grade to the Milwaukee 18v because I have so many of them.

[@jeremygeorgia4943]

These days, you can get analog pedals - some of which seem to be exact replacements for the stock ones. I know that those were probably not available, when you built your project. However, when I see the speed that the new configuration produces, It occurs to me that a bit of speed control might be a good thing. It makes for a jarring & rough ride, otherwise. The Arduino could take an analog input from a variable resistor mounted in a pedal, and turn that into proportional output, via PWM, to the motors. Perhaps, the Arduino should be pulling a bit more weight in the project. The high/low speed switch could even be wired to the Arduino & select a custom range of speeds that you could program into the Arduino. The Arduino is capable of a lot. Maybe more of its abilities could have been employed in the project. You might want to swap the motors on the 6v project, if some are available.

[@RonenLin]

You need to make an instructable! I want to replicate this on my son's Benz :)

[@PatchBOTS]

I have a wiring diagram and all the code needed for free on my github!

[@rrstryker]

PatchBOTS link to your github?

[@agr00m]

@@rrstryker github.com/PatchBOTS/PowerWheels24v

[@xyznews6178]

They tell me they want a semi autonomous rover that can carry a camera and gimbal estimating the weight about 46lbs. I'm going to use power wheels motor and gears just looking for a simple way to use an Arduino. Thanks for the video.

[@Jonathan-hb9kg]

Excellent Video. Patchbots is 1 of 3 KZbin channels I have ever subscribed too! One Question. As an amateur electronics dad ,this is probably a dumb question... but, why do you need to pair the PWM with Arduino pro micro? Doesn’t the PWM determine the duty? Is the pro micro and coding necessary? THANK YOU.

[@williamdiedwardo7557]

So you were supposed to keep the old DC and just add to new one to it I think I screwed up by ripping my other one out

[@ryanhamilton7523]

Can I purchase a pair of the 3D printed knuckles from you?

[@micultimy91]

well, nothing fancy. you shall try adding some ramp up and down (trapezoidal control) to the motors because that sudden stop of the motor it's going to hurt the gearing of the car.

[@PatchBOTS]

Done and done! After this video I bought a new braking resistor from ML Toys, now it kinda coasts to a stop, which is great. And I added a very simple amp up in code whenever the gas is pressed. thanks for the comment!

[@nathanziarek]

I must not be great at KZbin … where can I find the code for this? I’ve got a power wheels stripped and ready for painting. No time like the present to wire up some other goodies!

[@TheYockfu]

Hello PatchBOTS! This is a well done video! Thank you for sharing the schematics and code. If I were to replace the potentiometer with a hall sensor (gas pedal), what code changes are required? Is it possible to have both the potentiometer and the pedal? In case I need to adjust the max speed? Thank you for the help!

[@PatchBOTS]

Hi! Thanks for the coffees! A hall sensor has an analog output not unlike a potentiometer. The main change you would need to make is in the code, changing the PWM range. In the main program loop change the following: pwmWrite = constrain (map (pot, 0, 1024, 126, 257),128,255); to this: pwmWrite = constrain (map (pot, 0, 1024, 0, 257),0,255);

[@TheYockfu]

PatchBOTS Thank you very much! Your help is appreciated!

[@_HenryT]

Hi, wondering why you chose going this route vs other youtubers who chose a different PWM?

[@dasbear1535]

Hey Patchbots, could you post an update video for the Commander Bow armor?

[@PatchBOTS]

Soon.

[@nasseralsendi6281]

Awesome wanna ask my remote reciver and motors are in 12v do I have to change it or this two peaces well work just fine without damaging any thing

[@float986]

Any write up on the arduino build or a parts list? I'm wanting to do this to my daughters rc bigwheel that the factory screwed up and cant be used unless I build new guts :(

[@PatchBOTS]

Ah, yes. I will write this up. Feel free to email in the meantime if you're super eager to get started.

[@El.garage]

Excellent, do you have any option to add Rc module from a cart to control?

[@MicheleHjorleifsson]

Awesome

[@butterwh]

Have you had any issues with the motors burning out? I heard the stock motors can't handle 24v that well

[@dr.mazennatourdmd6629]

Question: how does the motor originally made to handle 12v do with double the voltage? I assume you kept the same motors on both ride .thank you

[@PatchBOTS]

Yeah I'm over volting the motors for sure. It will definitely shorten the life of the motors, but with moderate usage they are still fine a year later

[@jamesbahr7932]

you didnt upgrade the motors? is that 24v to a 6v motor?

[@johnrambo1349]

All fun and games till the plastic gears inside strip from all the speed and torque and you have to drag it 3 miles back home lmao

[@PatchBOTS]

Been waiting for that day! It's been 3 years and admittedly my kid doesn't drive it as much but its still kickin'. I think the soft start I added to it helped, check out that video, it really takes the stress of the gears.

[@gudrn]

This is awesome, but i'm looking for a proportional gas pedal to use with the ESC. Have you ever seen something like that?

[@PatchBOTS]

Yeah you can find kits like that on eBay and other "Modified Power Wheels" websites. This video is the first of three I did on this jeep. In the third video I added a soft-start to the Jeep which is kind of "half-way" between what is shown in this video and a full out digital ESC. I shy-d away from going fully digital in order to keep the analog gas pedal as a fail-safe.

[@gudrn]

@@PatchBOTS hi there. thanks for your reply. Cheers from Brazil

[@mertcapkin7263]

Why did you not just use a variable resistor? Love the happy faces from the kids!

[@PatchBOTS]

I used a variable resistor (potentiometer) on the red car. I used the jumpers on the Jeep because I didn't want it to be too easy for the kids to figure out.

[@RobertSchulz]

@@PatchBOTS Variable resistors turn the limited battery time into heat instead of fun.

[@PatchBOTS]

@@RobertSchulz The variable resistor isn't in the power circuit. It's a logic level input to the arduino which is scaled to determine the PWM value going to the motor controller.

[@djtutty76]

Ludicrous speed! Space balls?

[@PatchBOTS]

You know it!

[@fonzieprocopio6334]

Hey guys... there has to be a way to slow the acceleration so it does not jerk so much? Could you make a video on that? Or link a part to figure it out?

[@patrickstefanski]

Funny you should say that, that video is coming Wednesday

[@AtonespotProduction]

GREAT VIDEO ... JUST GOT A 12V LAWN BATT .. IM LOST LOL GOOGLE DID NOT HELP ME SO IF I GET A DC MOTOR CONTROL I CAN BOOST THE SPEED ?? THANKS

[@PatchBOTS]

If all you want to do is increase the speed then you don't need a motor controller. You can just increase the voltage tot he motors and be all set. I used a motor controller in this video because I wanted a variable speed controller so I can adjust the top speed at will.

[@HaleStorm49]

I put a 20v in one of these and destroyed the gearbox after about 60 seconds - which of these components will control the acceleration so the gear doesn't disintegrate?

[@PatchBOTS]

Hey man, Yeah, that's an issue. So this video is "Part1", check out "Part 3" where I add a soft start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5rIiJqHoK-UiLc

[@HaleStorm49]

@@PatchBOTS Great will do - thanks

[@waelbadr4724]

Please, I'm using your video to modify my kids car but it's 4×4 and it has a speed controller with parent remote control. How to upgrade from 12 to 24 volts while these circuits are there coz everything heated up (but not burned) when I've added another 12v batt. You really showed an experience here so I'm expecting your answer with right solution.

[@PatchBOTS]

Electronic speed controllers are complicated circuits which may not allow for additional voltage being applied. It can't really help much without knowing about the speed controller as there are many different types.

[@waelbadr4724]

@@PatchBOTS it's kind a Chinese board

[@matthewackerman8148]

Question for you: It looks like you’re still running the PWM 16 - 24V power through the stock relays for fwd/rev and hi, low. How have they held up? I have a 6v car with RC relays spec’d to 14VDC. I want to keep that capability for parental control. I can step down the voltage for the steering and lights but I’m unsure how to handle the fed/rev section.

[@PatchBOTS]

The Jeeps don't use any power relays, just switches. So far they have held up fine. So far the jeep is running great even at 24v. I added a soft start to protect the gearing a little, and I"m just waiting for either the gears to fail or the motors to burn out. But so far so good!

[@KT1459]

How is the motors not burning out?

[@stevensorensen7572]

Hey quick question here, I'm working up a key switch as you mentioned, but you seemed to skip over where you put the switch in the wire diagram. Do you put the key switch between the batteries and the happy wife or did you use it to close a relay. Thanks!

[@PatchBOTS]

Hey good point, it was a late addition and didn't make it into the diagram. The key is between the batteries and the voltage stepdown for the 5v. So basically it prevents the Arduino and more importantly the motor controller from getting the 5v needed to relay the 24v to the motors. If you want me to whip up a more detailed diagram just shoot me an email to the address on the "about" section of the channel

[@stevensorensen7572]

@@PatchBOTS Thanks for the quick reply! No need for a diagram. I was skeptical of the switch taking all the current for the motors but couldn't confirm it anywhere.

[@brandonleirer4928]

I did a similar upgrade recently. Got really good speed, but the stock motors burned out within a day. Tried some 24v motors, but when I tried those, the speed seemed back to regular, even though it was using two 12v batteries. I’m lost as to what to do now? Any help would be appreciated.

[@PatchBOTS]

HI Brandon. Yeah I can't be too much help without knowing the hardware, but the 24v motors are likely a lower RPM than the 12v's you had. DC motors generally come with some form of gearbox at on top, I would ASSUME your 24v motors are a higher ratio than the 12v thus resulting a lower RPM. When it comes to motors/batteries/gearing the tradeoff is between speed and power. If your car is running the same speed at 24v as it was at 12v you probably have a substantial amount of additional torque. You can probably toss a couple extra kids on there and be all good to get moving. Speed is fun. Torque helps you get moving from a dead stop. Finding the balance is the fun part.

[@jztrump]

@PatchBOTS my question is a little off subject of this video, but I can't seem to find an answer anywhere. I recently replaced a 12v RC controller with an 24v Weelye RX30. The 12v controller supported the stock, stepless speed control foot pedal. The 24v RX30 controller does not. The RC function works properly while shifter is in neutral, but as soon as I put the car in forward or reverse, it begins to move without first pressing the pedal. I can't seem to find a 24v RC controller with the stepless speed control function. Is there something I can do to modify the RX30 controller so it will work with the stepless speed pedal? Thank you.

[@PatchBOTS]

This kind of thing was exactly what I was trying to avoid by keeping it primarily analog. Unfortunately, I can't help you because I'm not familiar with those controllers, but adding in digital systems can lead to bugs/glitches/hard to find errors. The arduino I have is digital but it's all in front of the analog gas pedal so at no point is the digital controller sending any power directly to the motors. If I was building a go-kart for myself or something I wouldn't mind a cool digital controller, but my kids use this thing and the idea of a bug or a glitch sending them flying is just so not worth it to me.

[@jztrump]

@@PatchBOTS good points and valid concerns. Thank you for your input.

[@JB-mi7nx]

Hi, love the video. Great work! I tried to get a 3dprinter company to make the steering knuckle and they said according to the manufacturer, the object is not printable in its current state. The dimensions we received for your parts are: File Unit: mm Dimensions: 2.1188571453094482 × 1.011502981185913 × 2.590221643447876 looks like the file needs to be changed to inches? Any assistance would be great as I purchased the rest of the stuff to put this together. lol. Also, what size are the bearings you used? I think I ordered ones that are much smaller than what is needed. ha.

[@PatchBOTS]

Whoops. Sorry about that. I uploaded two new files. They are mirrored. You will need to print one of each

[@emzycosmin]

hy guys. thanks for the video. Quick question if i may....what motors do the 12V jeep use?? I want to upgrade my 4yo sons ride on car to 24V but i m afraid it will burn the motors. Did you change aswell the motors? Any advice will be much appreciated. Thank you!

[@PatchBOTS]

My plan was to use the stuck 12v until I burned them out. A year or so later and they are still going strong!

[@emzycosmin]

@@PatchBOTS so you don t recommend to upgrade the motors as well? Mine are some China products rs550 with 30000rpm motors. Thank you very much.

[@PatchBOTS]

You can totally upgrade if you want. If you don't care about the 12v motors in the long run then I would just run then into the ground and then upgrade.

[@medranojuanbiot8032]

When are you doing more of the star wars clone trooper

[@PatchBOTS]

Soon.

[@MohdFaiz-rz3lp]

Hi, what motor you use with 24v

[@PatchBOTS]

The stock PW motors are still holding up!

[@HerbanWarrior]

Hey Patchbots, is there any way you would share your coding? I have never worked with arduino and would love to make this setup. I have a dune racer which is already 12v, but i'd like to do that knob like he did for mcqueen, because i figure later on i could replace that knob and the gas pedal with a variable pedal for more control since it looks like it could be updating the "max" speed on the fly. My other question is if it would be easy to program in a soft start, so that it took 3-5 seconds to reach full power, i would suggest you do it to yours and it can save you from every needing to replace the gearbox. I had been looking at eastcoastpowerup.com/ESC_LED_Kits/24v_ESC_Kit but there is no top speed limiter. Last question, could using a PWM like that be able to make it so i could use an 80v power source but effectively only send the motors max of 24v without need of a heavy and wasteful step down transformer, i ask this because i have the kobalt 80v electric lawn mower and it would be amazing to be able to use those batteries for the powerwheels lol

[@PatchBOTS]

Hi Micah. 1. Yes, my code for both cars is available here: github.com/PatchBOTS/PowerWheels24v 2. Yes you can replace the knob with a variable resistor gas pedal, or you can actually have both running on the same arduino. A knob to control the top speed allowed and the gas pedal to accelerate to that top speed. 3. Yes, my next upgrade will be to add in a soft start. It's not hard at all to program, but it requires a feedback loop from the gas pedal. Right now the arduino is PWMing the voltage to the system constantly. The gas pedal is acting as a simple switch to let that power flow. The arduino has no idea whether or not the gas pedal is engaged. I would need to add a loop going back to the arduino to let it know that the gas pedal has been engaged and to run the "startup" code. It's not hard, I just didn't do it yet. I will make a video about it when I do. 4. In theory, yes, you can PWM an 80v power supply to output 24v. The problem is finding a PWM controller that can accept 80v. I'm sure they exist, but they will be big and likely expensive. The BTS-7960 I'm using only accepts up to 24v. But like I said, yes, it would work if you find the right controller.

[@PatchBOTS]

And just to follow up on point #2. If you do decide to go with a variable resistor for the gas pedal you wouldn't want to run the actual power through it. You'd want it to be logic level going back to the arduino and have the PWM signal going directly to the shifter knobs (bypassing the gas pedal). Like @Robert Schulz said in another comment " Variable resistors turn the limited battery time into heat instead of fun."

[@HerbanWarrior]

@@PatchBOTS did you ever look into a soft start and soft stop?

[@PatchBOTS]

​@@HerbanWarrior It's slated for as soon as it gets warm in NJ again! My daughter can now comfortably ride at 20v. I'm not pushing her up to 24v until I do the soft start. For soft stop all you need is a bigger resistor like this one (I have this in the jeep now): www.mltoys.com/product-p/brake-reduction.htm For soft start I'm going to add in a feedback loop from gas pedal to the arduino, all logic level like mentioned above. I wont be getting to this until spring, but feel free to send me an email or message me on facebook if you want me to guide you through ahead of time.

[@HerbanWarrior]

@@PatchBOTS thanks, I will take you up on that if i manage to get all the hardware installed and working before it gets warm lol

[@kdu8004]

Mechanical engineer here that needs help with electrical. Would you guys be willing to send me the wiring diagram for your Arduino and PWM controller? East coast makes something similar but they'll charge you 140 dollars for the system. I would rather do it myself at the same time learn a new skill. Thanks guys.

[@PatchBOTS]

Hi, Sure I can do that for you this week and put it up on my GitHub. And yes, my next video is adding in a ramp up so I don't strip the gearbox. I will be doing that and fixing some wheel alignment/steering issues, so look out for those videos in a couple weeks.

[@duk1776]

@@PatchBOTS Right on.. I ended frying both of my kid's powerwheels motors trying to run 40V. Dumb ass me. It was hilarious for about 15 seconds. So I'm trying to do it right this time because I don't want to stop seeing that cheek to cheek grin from the girls. So Ordered more robust, more torquey and faster 27T 775 motors with metal gears, L298n motor controller, and Arduino. Hopefully have a reliable 24 volts system that I can adjust as my girls get better at it.

[@PatchBOTS]

@@duk1776 I don' t think the L298n is a good choice. It's built for smaller hobby projects and is only rated to 2 amps. These cars can pull a lot more than that and fry the L298n pretty quickly unless you have a heavily modifed evaulation board. I'd look into the BTS-7960 (what I used), it can power 40A.

[@duk1776]

@@PatchBOTS That is a great point. The amp draw on the 775's are very high. Thanks for catching that. I guess I'll need to consider what you recommended. Appreciate the feedback!

[@erinstefanski8703]

Happy wife lol