Introduction: Electric Bottle Car
This Electric Bottle Car was inspired by YouTube user crazyPT. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voT-xADi-RE) Our team used recyclable materials to encourage reuse of plastic that has been inundating landfills. Electric Bottle Car can be built by children and adults. It is a fun project for everyone.
Step 1: Materials
· 2 Bottles with caps (1 square shaped, 1 round)
· 1 Long drinking straw
· Small electric motor (use from broken electronic device)
· 4 Same size bottle caps with holes drilled in the center
· 1 Long wooden skewer
· Craft knife
· Candle or matches
· Hot glue gun with glue sticks
· 9-Volt battery
· Sharpie
· Optional, carton for car seat (milk carton or other)
Step 2: Gather These Materials
· 1 Straw
· Scissors
· Square shaped bottle
Step 3: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
Cut the straw, leaving 1 inch on each side of the bottle. Refer to the picture.
Step 4: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
Using the rest of the straw cut it to the same length as the first segment. Refer to step 3.
Step 5: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
Place the straws as far apart as possible for stability, and perpendicular to the bottle center-line.
Step 6: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
For this step you will need a hot glue gun, glue, square bottle and the shortened straws.
Step 7: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
Apply a fair amount of glue to the middle of the straw, leaving the ends unglued.
Step 8: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
Glue the straw to the bottle.
Step 9: Attach the Straw to the Bottle
Repeat the process with the second straw as shown in step 8.
Step 10: Attach the Wheels
For this process you will need the hot glue gun, glue, 4 bottle caps with holes in the center and 1 long wooden skewer.
Step 11: Attach the Wheels
Put the skewer through the cap, leaving about a quarter of an inch on the outside of the cap. Refer to the picture.
Step 12: Attach the Wheels
Use the hot glue gun and glue the cap onto the skewer from the inside of the cap. This process will secure the wheel to the skewer.
Step 13: Attach the Wheels
Insert the skewer into the straw.
Step 14: Attach the Wheels
Cut the skewer, leaving it 1 about inch longer than the straw. Refer to the picture.
Step 15: Attach the Wheels
Put another cap through the other end of the skewer.
Step 16: Attach the Wheels
Glue the second cap onto the skewer. Make sure that the glue does not touch the straw, the skewer must move freely.
Step 17: Attach the Wheels
Repeat the same process (Steps 11-16) with the other 2 caps, skewer, and the straw.
Step 18: Making the Propeller
For this step you will need a round bottle, scissors and a box knife.
Step 19: Making the Propeller
Use a sharpie to indicate where you will cut the bottle. Refer to the picture.
Step 20: Making the Propeller
Use a craft knife to cut the bottle on the marked line.
Step 21: Making the Propeller
Use scissors to cut 8 perpendicular propeller blades. Refer to the next step.
Step 22: Making the Propeller
Make sure there are 8 equally cut propeller blades.
Step 23: Making the Propeller
Use a candle or matches to heat up the propeller blades near the bottle cap and twist them slightly, making sure they are at a slight angle (candle is more effective than matches).
Step 24: Attach the Propeller Onto the Motor
For this process you will need the motor, propeller and a hot glue gun.
Step 25: Attach the Propeller Onto the Motor
Apply a fair amount of glue onto the motor shaft. Do not get the glue onto the motor body.
Step 26: Attach the Propeller Onto the Motor
Glue the motor to the center of the propeller cap. Refer to the picture.
Step 27: Complete the Car
For this process you will need the body of the car, motor with the propeller, a 9-volt battery, marker and a box knife.
Step 28: Complete the Car
Apply glue to the body of the motor. Attention! Make sure the electrical contacts on the motor are horizontal while applying glue. Refer to steps 28-30.
Step 29: Complete the Car
Attach the motor onto the top center back of the bottle. Refer to the picture.
Step 30: Complete the Car
Use the marker to indicate the lines where cuts will be made as well as where the battery will be placed. Refer to the picture.
Step 31: Complete the Car
Use the craft knife to cut into the bottle. Cut center dotted line first, then cut only the outer side lines. Refer to the next step.
Step 32: Complete the Car
Use the craft knife to cut into the bottle along the marked lines. Fold the front ½ of plastic to become the windshield.
Step 33: Complete the Car
Double fold back plastic to act as the battery holder spring. Refer to the next step.
Step 34: Complete the Car
Do not glue the battery to the car, it must come off to stop the car. Place the battery in contact with the eclectic motor and watch it go!
38 Comments
Question 5 years ago on Introduction
How do I make la bottle car go to the front
Answer 5 years ago
It doesn’t movie
Reply 1 year ago
there's too much friction on the wheels, use a flatter round object
Answer 5 years ago
p.s it does move, @SandraF80. you might have made it wrong, (Assuming you accidentally meant "move" (An object changing position) and not "movie" (A recorded show, such as for entertainment [like a kids movie] or for information [such as a documentary about space])
Answer 5 years ago
stick the battery so it's tight against the motor. if it goes backwards, flip the battery so the other big side is up. that should make it go forward. if the wheels don't spin its because the skewer is to big or the straw is too small. (or you squished the straw against the bottle that will also hold it back.)
3 years ago
NICE! My little boy will love that one.
3 years ago
I don't have the black thingy.what should I do?
Reply 3 years ago
Somebody please tell me.I have to show it tommorrow.
Question 4 years ago on Introduction
Why is it the electric bottle car not moving forward
Answer 4 years ago
I already assembled the car completely and the propeller is rotating but the car is not moving forward. It just stays on its place while the propeller is continuously rotating.I didn’t know what went wrong.Can you give me some tips or clues what’s wrong? Thank you.
6 years ago
when i bought the motor it did not come with that balck piece is there any way is can get it
6 years ago
i finished
6 years ago
i am at the last step
6 years ago
this is intresting
7 years ago
9 V is too much for most such motors.
7 years ago
Inspiration !!!
7 years ago
Inspiration !!!
7 years ago
What are the benefits of paying the annual fee for Instrutables please
Reply 7 years ago
Well you might as well just start with a free subscription, and then if you make a few great instructables, they sometimes give you a free pro membership, for 3 months!
This has happened to me, and my friend. (but they still haven't taken it off after 3 months:)
Reply 7 years ago
I think it's mostly the satisfaction of knowing that you're supporting a great site... with a few bonuses (like less ads) thrown in.