Plus my girls could not go across gravel or up even small hills due to lack of grip.
I fixed both problems and here is how.
|~|Hack your Power Wheels = More Power + Longer Run Time|~|
I bought an almost DEAD power wheels at a Garage sell and after seeing $50 power wheels batteries that run for less than an hour I thought I could do better
Plus my girls could not go across gravel or up even small hills due to lack of grip.
I fixed both problems and here is how.
The lack of grip is due to the cheap wheels and the fact that all the weight is up front.
By shifting the battery to the back it improves weight distribution and since Power Wheels are rear wheel drive the principle is simple.
Just like how you add sandbags in the bed of your 2wd truck for better grip. The weight of the Big Battery over the rear wheels increases traction.
I tried a Motorcycle battery that I had laying around first but it did not seem to do to well with what I assume was the discharge cycle.
I bought the biggest Lawn and Garden Battery Wal-Mart Carried for $25
It is perfect in this case as it was the PERFECT size to fit in the back between the two motors without bending the posts on the Motors terminals.
Rather than Hard wiring the new battery directly. I used the old Power Wheels Batteries Connector.
***Sorry for not having a Picture of this but the Pic I took corrupted and I could not salvage the file***
Removing the old Connector off the PW Battery is easy. Simply use a hack saw to cut along the top groove on the battery.
The PW Battery is 2 Parts, The cells on the bottom and a Cap that covers half the Black Plastic connector you see below.
If you are sloppy with the Hacksaw like me you may get a small amount of PW battery Acid on your fingers....
DO NOT FREAK OUT... It Tastes like Sour Patch Kids with a Kick so simply lick your fingers clean...
*** WARNING THIS IS STUPID DO NOT LISTEN TO ME *****
Once you remove the top part of the PWs Battery Molding the little Black Connector Pops out. Simply Wire it with ~36" of wire
Use a drill to drill a small hole inside the hood and run the wiring to the back where your battery is.
I only needed to drill 2 holes and they were both not visible as they were covered with the hood and the rear plastic fascia
Purchase 2 simple Battery terminal hookups and wire your battery hookup extension to the Lawn and Garden Battery.
This is important as it keeps the option of reverting back to the PWs original style battery as all of the hookups are intact
Plus your kids can easily charge the PW as you can simply plug in the original PW Charger.
Cabbage ( My Daughters Nickname ) Points to her Corvair style PW
Looks Stock, All the other toddlers will have NO IDEA of the Beast under the Hood!!!!
It is a GREAT hack as you get much better TORQUE due to the stronger battery.
They can travel in VERY long grass and even up gravel hills.
Plus it will run at least 4 or more hours To be honest I have never timed the Run time.
All I know it is FAR more than even a brand new PW Battery.
I have charged the battery at least through 5 cycles with the PW wall wart charger and so far have had no issues.
I do not know the actual charge time as I simply charge it over night and unplug it in the morning.
|~|DISCLAIMER|~|
DO NOT DO ANYTHING I DESCRIBE ON THIS PAGE!!!!
It will probably BLOW UP or cause a Worm Hole. I am not responsible for any fires are Acid burned tongues.
The Hack was less than $30 in parts, Beats the Retail cost of a PW battery with MUCH better results.
My Salvaged Road Sign Coffee Table
Special Thanks to My pops he doesn't know it but I am using his webspace. THANKS
Jay Hamilton