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!