RC Power Wheels Conversion How-To

[@biancakovar4601]

On a LA street, under large boards for garbage pickup, I spotted the front of a sea-green child's motorized Mini Cooper. My friend retrieved it with a rolling box lift, it being impossible to fit into my car. The many kids on our street were like magnets, asking does it work and can they have the 1st turn to drive it. My friend is mechanically inclined, hooked a working battery, testing the two rear wheel motors, both ran like wild bobcats and he had to hang onto it by lifting the rear. He hooked up speed control and remote control. He found your site: how-to and what type of linear actuator and control board to use to enable him to steer the dear mini Mini Cooper by remote control. Your tutorial was clear- minded and inspiring us to continue our project using the patina-aged Cooper rescue. We thank you. Our passengers will be Shakespearean puppet/dolls carefully sculpted to resemble the actors in character for the Independent Shakespeare Company based in LA. For 15 yrs. the company of masterfully trained actors, musicians & dancers have delighted audiences from all walks of life, free theater in Griffith Park, 5 nights a-week during the months of July & August...with best wishes, Bianca, a friend of >iscla.org< I surmise my comment fits into an odd category. My intent is sent in good faith of your obvious knowledge & experience as a mechanic.

[@charlietuna5962]

Great job John, excellent forward thinking for the customer to be able to self standardize it later! That's going to be a lifesaver in the future, better put this video on a disk for him. And now I understand that charger question about a month ago.... Your work never ceases to amaze! I hope to remember this many years from now.

[@DirtyGarageTx]

I baught my 1 year old daughter a bmw i8 nothing fancy jus have power button forward an reverse an a radio aux so she can jam out ,what side in the actuator should I use u mention different sizes in the stroke

[@tonez9o8]

How can I get a car done by you? I’m out in jersey

[@GSK9B1T3]

How would one add a soft start pedal to this build so when the child is ready they still have soft start and can drive the vehicle without the need of radio control?

[@betotexasmade4435]

Can u help me want to do this to my sons Chevy Silverado 12v truck

[@jhawk1977]

Sorry to bother you again, but I have my LA and my LAC and I have it wired exactly like you show @ 5:17 (there is a green light on the board), but when I use the transmitter to turn left/right nothing is happening. What should I do to troubleshoot?

[@CustomKidzCars]

Do u have 12 volt battery powering the board?

[@jhawk1977]

Yes sir, I have the stock 12v battery powering the board directly. My receiver and ESC are using a14.8v LiPo. I also cut the red wire from the servo lead that goes to the board.

[@jhawk1977]

When I initially wired it all up and turned on power the LA actually extended to its full length. I just cannot get it to do anything at this point (retract or extend).

[@CustomKidzCars]

Do u have a regular RC servo to plug into the receiver to make sure your radio system is working correctly? I hope u cut the voltage wire coming out of the esc.

[@jhawk1977]

I got it working! My wiring was slightly different for some reason. Top to bottom is White, Black, Red, Blue Yellow.

[@fnotransportfnotransport6958]

Like you video 👍from netherland

[@dustinj8510]

What is the relay brand you used?

[@CustomKidzCars]

Bosch

[@dustinj8510]

One more question, what gauge wire did you use for the connections from the motors to the ESC

[@CustomKidzCars]

12 gauge

[@lt1jon]

For the actuator control board, is it the red wire from the reciver or the battery that you do not connect?

[@CustomKidzCars]

The receiver. U power it up with the battery

[@ItsMeAdamC]

How much do you charge to make these?

[@CustomKidzCars]

It's a wide range depending on how crazy we get with the build. Anywhere from $800- $3500 has been our range.

[@mlv77]

Nice job! I used supercapacitors for my kid car. So usefull for battere life😉

[@jhester03]

What is the part number for the supercapacitors you used?

[@TobiObito8674]

Hello, I have a group of students that are converting a power wheels car to RC for a disabled child (Go Baby Go). I purchased all the parts in your description but with a 4" linear actuator. I can't seem to dial in the LAC to get it to auto center. Did you use the pots on your LAC to set this or did you use the Advanced USB settings? If it was the USB settings what were they? I have been trying to get it working for a week or two without success. Thanks!

[@CustomKidzCars]

Did u power up the actuator before they mounted it on the ride on? It needs to be on center position then figure out the mount location. To fine tune the steering we use the steering trim on the radio to make it go straight. Hope that helps

[@TobiObito8674]

@@CustomKidzCars I have been testing the Actuator without mounting it to the car. The settings has been full retract/extent. When mounting it we will have it set to 50% as we will need all 4 inches of stroke. The main issue is that it doesn't seem to know its center position. When it goes beyond the center line in either direction it doesn't return.

[@CustomKidzCars]

Do u have a 5 wire actuator? Won't work with a common two wire unit.

[@TobiObito8674]

@@CustomKidzCars It is a 5 wire actuator. Progressive Automations Feedback Linear Actuator - Stroke Size 4", Force 35 lbs, Speed 2.00"/sec - 12 VDC The wiring from of the actuator to the LAC is P+ Yellow P Blue M+ Red M- Black P- White After testing a while with the LAC's wiring chart I noticed the colors on the actuator were different than the LAC's and adjusted it to the wiring listed above.

[@mathewwyrick9881]

Can you have duel esc's with one receiver ? Cus I want to have duel brushless Motors, 4 six cell lipo battery's upgrade tiers and have it 4x4

[@CustomKidzCars]

mathew wyrick not 100% but I believe all I do is parallel the esc wires with a wye that plug into the receiver

[@derrickandrews5046]

Next time you get an inquiry from another client to do another one of these builds,would it be possible to record the process from start to finish ? Like how Wesleyb52 did ESC installation videos for the power wheels upgrade mods to 24volts a few years back. I have been wanting to do this for some time now,and have all the parts except the actuator,because I wasn't sure of how to determine the speed of the stroke. Also for the steering,are you using one solid piece of flat stock running across to each wheel,and the actuator is connected to it ? My build is a 16v Kids Trax Dodge Viper converted to 24v,with Traxas 775 motors.(Thinking of upgrading to dual 250 watt motors @ 36v chain driven/disc brakes.) I re did all the lighting custom by using a cheap Chinese scooter wiring harness,which made wiring up 12v leds a breeze for full function running lights,brake lights,turn signals,high&low beams,and horn. You haven't posted any videos for a while,but now you've put out this one ,and a few others,i'm glad your back,keep up the good work and the awesome mods. Oh one last thing,I wanted to know if you could post down in the comments the link for the RC board,and what actuator you would recommend for the two seater 16v kids Trax Dodge viper model. Thanks John !

[@CustomKidzCars]

Derrick Andrews the links for all the parts are already in the description.

[@jonathanmenendez1516]

Brother i have install all and the servo is not working whit the reciver and the servo controller..it just steering to the right

[@CustomKidzCars]

Make sure u have the wiring matched up to the specific lac board u have. There r two different ones.

[@gallo2749]

really nice job how much something like that cost

[@mainlinestopage]

thanks for the help

[@dritanshabani6396]

Hey bud, great information in the video. I love your videos. So I’m a little confused the linear actuator firgelli, has the same name brand on that little lac board under the dash in @5:48 of the video firgelli, but when I was to order it from the links you provided the name is different it’s like actuonix. Is there another board that I need to order? And if not does the actuator come with a board that will connect to the LAC board? Hopefully I explained it correctly please help, clearing it up. Also the red wire you cut from the lac board where does the white and black wire go to?

[@CustomKidzCars]

The actuonix lac board will work. Not sure if they changed the name or what. The white and black wire plug into the radio reciever

[@dritanshabani6396]

Custom Kidz Cars OK perfect thanks for clearing that up for me.

[@dritanshabani6396]

Custom Kidz Cars this just dawned on me do they make a esc to handle more than 12v I was looking more the lines like 24v or 36v

[@CustomKidzCars]

Yes but the cheap ones overheat and our first brand caught fire! We ended up using a battlebot motor driver. Look up sabertooth controllers. Not cheap and kinda hard to find.

[@dritanshabani6396]

Custom Kidz Cars okay thanks I also found this. www.pololu.com/product/3291/resources looks like this will do as well

[@NoahNation]

I have a first gen Escalade. (H0440) and I can’t determine what stroke length to get. I want the most turn radius as possible. Running 24v with the mamba monster 2, Acutonix LAC, and same controller as you. Would you be able to help me out? Great video!

[@CustomKidzCars]

I would go with a 4 inch. U can always dial back the stroke with the radio adjustment knob

[@NoahNation]

Cool, thanks!

[@crazyladyy69]

Custom Kidz Cars want to do for my boys

[@junhochen6263]

Your video inspired me to convert my daughter's power wheel. But I have a question about the setup you are running, is the battery 6v or 12v? I am asking this because I will be converting a 14v power wheel to radio control. And i notice the.ECS can only handle max 7.4v.

[@CustomKidzCars]

It a 12 volt setup so it will work fine

[@andreyk5444]

I just did this whole conversion but having some issue with the control board for linear actuator. When I connect the battery, steering does not work. I have to let it sit, then it starts working. Is this normal after you connect the battery?

[@CustomKidzCars]

proper procedure is to turn on the radio, power up esc and power up the lac board. there is usually a slight delay before steering is active.

[@degar1877]

Think im going to try this

[@brayden_Z]

Good job bro.. I'm ma do this

[@satiacumd09]

In another video you said if your kid has 24 volt upgrade they probably to old for rc by parent. Well.....id like the jeep to keep up with me joggin :) 12v is just to slow

[@CustomKidzCars]

They make jogging strollers to take the kids for runs.

[@satiacumd09]

Thats lame though. She loves her jeep.