I also figure that one of the biggest cost in the system would be the motors. The motors must support a rider's weight and provide enough speed to keep the rider balanced (and provide a little show off speed). I looked online to see how much DC motors cost for such an application and my jaw dropped to the ground. I saw motors ranging from $150 to $600 each. I'm trying to do this on the cheap and that is very steep. Wheelchair motors were priced very reasonably and they are suitable for Segways based on Trevor Blackwell and other Segway builders. They are also used on Battlebots.
There are several wheelchair motor vendors out there like NPC Robotics. They have motors ranging from $72 and up along with tires and wheels. I looked at Ebay for used motors because I still felt this was a big investment at the beginning of my project. I looked and I looked and I looked, but I was running into a little trouble. Most motors were very expensive or they did not have a matching set. I was starting to get frustrated until my father left me a voicemail and said he found some on Ebay. WHAT? How did my father who recently figured out how to search on Google and attach a file on Hotmail find motors on Ebay.
Well, this is what he found:
Can you believe it? I got two 24VDC wheelchair motors with hub and tire for $26. I could not believe. I told my co-worker who built a Segway last year and he said if I didn't get those motors then he would of snatched them up. The seller stated that these motors were from a Rascal wheelchair. He also said they retail new for $1000, but I'm thinking he is talking about the chair not the motors. I must say, my father found an excellent set at a great price. Now I can start my concept drawing.
Silicon Rivers
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