Add Power to a Hot Air Balloon Cart

[peterturoff]

I have a homemade cart for moving around my Hot Air Balloon Cart that carries the Gondola. It has 10” tires... 2 fixed and 2 steering.
I am very interested in adding power to the cart. Ideally with steering (2 powered wheels) and a wireless remote would be awesome!
The wheels would need to be free spinning when not powered to continue using as we do now if powered system is not working or battery is dead.
I welcome any input as to what items I will need. I have 10” tires now, but could go to 12” tires... with off road treads.
Thanking in advance!
See attached picture for cart.

The system needs to handle up to 500 lbs and have variable speed up to 4-5 mph if feasibly possible.

 

[john61ct]

look at a powered dolly used for moving heavy camping trailers / caravans around.

If in the states, etrailer.com is a good vendor.

 

[peterturoff]

Thx...I did look at that option. It is not ideal in that they are fairly expensive and move slowly. I think my best option are electric hub wheelbarrow wheels on my current cart. I'm just not sure which ones are ideal and mounting brackets and controllers and batteries.

 

[Punx0r]

I was going to suggest looking at electric wheelbarrow hub motors if your cart can accommodate wheels that are supported by the axle on both sides.

If you want to steer the cart by remote rather than by a hand tiller then "skid steering" (like a tank) will probaly be easist to implement and control.

I guess you'd be looking at an interface using an RC handset and servos?

 

[amberwolf]

Goldenmotor should still have hubmotors that can mount single-ended, like your cart probably uses.

 

[wturber]

This low speed project may give you some ideas.

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=97418