Electric Car Kit

This simple car kit explores movement, electricity and forces.

This car uses pulleys to transfer force from the motor to the wheels.

The complete kit and instructions are available at ScienceKitShop.com

Step 1: Parts

This is a kit offered on ScienceKitShop.com but after you go through the instructions you can create your own using your own parts if you'd like.

Kit includes at least 4 wooden parts and one plastic board (cut to size), 4 pulley wheels, 4 tire rings, battery holder, one transmission pulley, electric motor, rubber bands, motor mount, screws, paper clips, brass paper fasteners and eye screws.

Step 2: Car Chassis

The car chassis is made of a plastic board, reinforced by wood blocks and eye screws that will also support the axles of the wheels. So let's give them sufficient space and line them up evenly so that our car will go straight when we are finished.

Step 3: Wheel Axles

The axles will go in the rings of the screws like such so then you can attach the wheels.

Step 4: Wheels, Transmission Pulley, Rubber Rings and Rubber Tubing

See the image to get an idea of the setup of the transmission system of the car. Notice the rubber tubing in place so that the axles won't move. The transmission pulley will go next to one of the wheels of the car. Preferably one of the back wheels.

Step 5: On/Off Switch

Here we've used the Brass Paper Fasteners and Paper clips as our "ignition" switch. Once the wiring is connected and the clip hits the fastener, it's GO TIME!

Step 6: Battery

We can attach the battery holder and insert batteries to the bottom side of the vehicle. Notice the Brass Paper Fasteners as well.

Step 7: Connections

One of the wires from the battery holder will go into the Motor and the other will go into one of the fasteners. Using a connection wire, we will connect the other side of the motor to the other fastener so that once the clip connects the two fasteners, it will complete the electric circuit and power the car.

Step 8: Top Side Connections

See how the black wire is from the battery holder and the red wire is a connection wire. The red wire from the battery holder is attached to the other fastener. The idea is to have the paper clip act as a switch to complete the connection once it hits the other fastener.