How to convert power wheels to run on 18v is very easy.
I'll be converting a Power Wheels battery-powered ride-on toy from 12v sealed lead power to 18v lithium ion power today.The mod will add about 50% more speed to your child's bpro.
You will need a tool set to complete a project like this.I don't always use all of them, but some of the handiest stuff is.
There is a mini screwdriver set, wire strippers, mini pliers, magnetic parts dish and multimeter.
If you're doing this mod, you should have a broken tool or an extra battery.
You need an inline fuse no matter what you do to the battery.Don't cut the corpse.If you add an aftermarket battery to a Bpro, you need a fuse.Changing batteries require adding an inline fuse holder.Don't do it if you're not sure of any of this.
Stock components are hard to overvolt.When you apply extra voltage, expect the gearboxes and motor to wear out quicker.Mitigate this by keeping total rider weight as low as possible, do not rapidly shift directions while in motion, and allow cooling periods between battery changes, just take it easy and it will last longer.
I'm modifying the vehicle today.There is a $17 yard sale.Power Wheels.The pedal has a twist grip.The kids love the feature, which works by running the motors in series for normal speed.
The donor bits are pictured.A power tool that fits your brand of batteries, in my case, a broken milwaukee flashlight, but an old charger base would have worked as well.You will need a tool battery or three.The KFX will run for 40-50 minutes on this 9ah battery.You'll have to swap batteries more often if you own a standard pack.
I use Milwaukee M18 tools a lot.But other brands will also work.Anything 18v and Lithium will be an upgrade.You can spare batteries with the largest capacity.
I split the tool in half by removing the screws.They were T10 screws.Once the screws are out, the case pops open.
I had to double check the polarity of the battery and the sockets.Black is neutral and yellow is hot.Standard 12v coloring would be red hot, black neutral, but this was wired in yellow for whatever reason.
Remove the stock wiring from the terminals with your soldering iron and pliers.If you use 16ga wire for a flashlight, it will melt and cause major issues.
The donor flashlight needs to be cut.Above a screw joint, I picked my spot.The chop saw will be used to cut it.
If you go slowly, the chop saw cuts will be very smooth.The emphasis was on slowly.Cut too fast and you'll mangle the work.
To fit the new wires, drill a hole through the case.I used a mini pliers and a 5/16 bit to make room for the new wiring.
When I de-soldered the original connections, I noted the polarity of the wires.I connected my 12ga 30a fuse holder lead to the positive side and my 10ga stranded copper lead into the negative.I would have preferred to run it all in 10ga, but 12ga were the best I could find.I ordered a 10 pack of 10ga fuse holders from Amazon for the same price as a single one from the auto parts store.When my Amazon order arrives, I'll do the positive lead with 10ga.
I used vise grips to hold the work piece steady.I used my bigger iron to solder the 10ga stranded copper wire.I lined the wires up so they wouldn't bend when soldering.
I screwed the case back together after I reassembled the battery sockets.
I crimped some male spade quick connect fittings on the donor flashlight sockets to connect with the factory wiring.The stock 12v and 18v batteries can be used with the same vehicle wiring.The battery can be moved to other vehicles with female spade quick connect fitting.
Now is the time to put the battery into the compartment, hook up the wires and test the function.The build seems to be working well.
My test pilot was ready to go.He had a blast standing up, leaning forward and trying to twist the rear end around.It would drift like crazy on pavement when he broke it on grass.He was very happy with it.
To see sneak peeks of our upcoming projects, follow us here for completed projects and on www.instagram.com/poppafixit.
I tried to use a 20v hart battery with a motor control and a voltage read out, but it died.
Do I need a speed control if I put a batt on the power wheels?I know how to use the fuse.
6 months ago
Please help!We had an old 12V power jeep that we fixed to use 18V Milwaukee battery, but my father changed out the battery and the jeep started making noise, so he ordered a new one and worked for a while.The control board was blown when the gear box was replaced.The control box was ordered again just to blow it.The only control box they have is the power wheels.It will blow if it's put in.I put an inline fuse in but haven't tried the new control box.The box used to be hot to touch.What is causing the box to blow?Maybe the vehicle?Would be grateful for your input.Thanks.
3 months ago
If you want to go from 18 to 12 volts, you should buy a buck Transformer.
1 year ago
5 months ago.