Electric Skateboard
Goal: Build an electric skateboard for under $500 with a maximum stable speed of 20-25mph with 10mi of maximum range. It should be able to go down curbs and up driveways for convenience. It should run in wet and dry conditions, excluding puddles of water.
Execution: The skateboard uses Puaida electric skateboard components. The dual speed controller/reciever, dual hub motors and remote were bought off of amazon for around $250. The battery was custom built (36v 20ah) and cost an additional $200. The battery charger cost $40. The spacers, 2x4s, plywood, deck, heatsink, silicone and aluminum scrap were sourced from previous projects. only one part was 3D printed, the speed controller mount.
All of the goals were achieved, the biggest issue being the battery clearance. Going up driveways often caused the bottom of the battery casing to scrape the ground, so aluminum plates were added to prevent damage to the battery.
Conclusion: The skateboard was overall a success with the goals in mind. While it definitely is not perfect, it is has been tested to travel at a max speed of 28mph with a theoretical 30mph with a lighter person. It weighs about 20lbs making it difficult to carry around. It is much faster than riding a bike and so far has never run out of battery. It has only had to been repaired twice, once when a screw fell out of one of the rear hub motors and another time when a capacitor inside the speed controller came loose and had to be replaced. Additionally, a piece of foam was added to the nose to prevent damage if control was lost and the board hit someone or something. A mount for a bike-light was also added to the front for nighttime use.