We often hear the question, can I make an electric skateboard at home? The answer is as straightforward as it seems. One can easily make an electric skateboard at home because all of the required components for building an electric skateboard are included in electric skateboard kits.
The basic component required to make a DIY electric skateboard is a deck, wheels, trucks, electronics (batteries, engines, etc.), drivetrain, and enclosure. We also get the electric skateboard kit tools, so it is easy for a layperson to design and create their electric skateboard.
Why should one make an electric skateboard at home?
When can we have easy access to every single model of the electric skateboard in the market then? Why should one prefer making an electric skateboard at home? Well, this is the real thing to say. If someone wants to have a good combination of all the top features in one electric skateboard, you should try DIY electric skateboard. Here is the list of benefits you could have by making an electric skateboard at home:
- Adjustment to top speed and range is all in your hand.
- Upgrading in battery and motors can be done according to the model.
- The deck could be designed as per personal preferences.
- In short, a DIY electric skateboard is a personalized and customized option for commuters.
Total Expected Expense
Electric skateboards can be built with cost anywhere from $350 to over $1000 to create a top-of-the-line board. The price range is very wide because it all depends upon your choices and preferences, so if you’re new to electric skateboarding, there are some quite affordable options available. An electric skateboard costs about $600 on average. The more you spend, the latest features you could have in your DIY electric skateboard.
5 Steps of Make Electric Skateboard at home
Here are quick 5 steps to make a DIY electric skateboard at home. You can include and exclude anything as per your need and make an electric skateboard that completely satisfies your needs and wants.
DIY Electric Skateboard
Whenever we find an electric skateboard, we see major things in it, such as its body or the deck, the powerful motor, battery, speed, range, and braking. Eventually, these are the only important things one may need to develop an electric skateboard at home. So let’s get into it
1. The hardware of the E-board
A deck of the electric skateboard is the foremost important thing to see on any e-board, so you should select the deck’s best material. A longboard deck is preferable because it provides more stability, a smoother ride, and more room for you to maintain balance on the electric skateboard.
The deck of an electric skateboard must be strong with little flex and top-mounted rather than drop-through trucks to allow more space underneath for the electronics enclosure and engine. It depends upon your requirement. Use either maple wood or Canadian wood with fiberglass coverage to make your deck more robust and sturdy.
2. Drive System
Of course, after deciding on the deck material, one may need a drive system to design an electric skateboard’s overall body. For that purpose, pullies and a motor mount are necessary. You can easily find a flexible pulley on the internet. You need to pick everything that corresponds to the other. Here for an electric skateboard, use a timing belt to link a 36T to 14T T5 pulley reduction.
Clearly define the ratio and the distance to avoid any kind of hurdle at the end. The ratio is critical in the case of designing a DIY electric skateboard. Say, for example, you are using a 213 kV motor, then the ratio as mentioned earlier is good to go, i.e., 36T to 12T, and remember this is for the smaller motor, which means an e-board for the beginners or kids. If you need a complete guideline about the kid’s electric skateboards and which product is best for your kid, then you must read this article electric skateboards for kids and teens.
3. Motors and the Battery
Electric skateboards are usually set up with a single motor or a dual motor. In most cases, one larger lower kV motor appropriate to run down an electric skateboard. With the lower kV motor, the electric skateboard climes hill well and are the less expensive choice. If you are an average commuter, this combination is more than enough for you. Whereas dual set-ups provide more power and allow you to climb hills with ease, but the cost will rise dramatically. So knowing the need for an electric skateboard, choose the motor type. So to make an electric skateboard at home, try to follow the below-mentioned grouping for motors.
To get going through all-terrains, the motors of your e-boards must have a lot of power and torque. Brushless Rc plane outrunners are widely used in electric board manufacturing. You’ll need one with a low kV like the “turnigy sk3 213kv,” or the smaller “ntm prop drive 270kv” can be used to give a better watt power to an electric skateboard. At the same time, you will need a lithium polymer battery to never let your e-board die. “LiFePo4” is the better option since it holds less but still has enough strength and is sometimes easier to handle.
4. Material of the Board
To rape everything up in the enclosure that protects the hardware is crucial to choose/decide. You need to give keen importance to this step as it will save your electric skateboard’s life.
It would help if you had a sturdy enclosure to secure your batteries and other costly components. You need to select a material that encompasses healthy airflow, protects the robust construction, and is safe to carry an electric skateboard body. These all are essential features needed in an electric skateboard.
A quick tip here is to set out all the major components on a piece of paper and sketch a rough outline around them. Follow this step to make all the parts as small as possible.
Arrange everything in its place and capture it with the mesh. The mesh at either end allows for excellent airflow to cool the electronics and is kept in place by the bottom plate’s pressure. Each lipo battery is held in place by the tapered ends.
Along with it, a double-sided foam could be used to protect the receiver pack. The main body of an electric skateboard should be screwed directly to the deck. You can also use brushed aluminum for the bottom plate and fiber vinyl coverage for aesthetics.
5. Wheels and Trucks
Wheels and trucks are the definite things to decide beforehand. First, look at the purpose of making this board. If you need it for daily commuting, you could run with casual features, but you should think beyond the border if you want to go for professional output.
A better choice for any purposed electric skateboard is the bigger wheels with plastic hubs. You could go for aluminum wheels and rubber tires.
In comparison, the pneumatic tires are considered good for hill climbing and are convenient to ride off-road. So fix the tires to the body, and you are good to go. Remember, we have tried to make this electric skateboard without breaking the bank.
If you are interested in knowing the rates of the ready-to-go best cheap electric skateboard with their pros and cons, you must read the article affordable Electric Skateboard.
After manufacturing a DIY electric skateboard at home, go for a test drive. Keep in mind some major considerations of riding an electric skateboard. Such as:
How to Ride an Electric Skateboard?
It’s very easy to ride an electric skateboard once you have the right product. It might be difficult to get on the board and maintain balance the first few times, but riding an electric skateboard is no different than riding a normal non-electric skateboard. The only difference is that this skateboard is drove by a motor that can be operated remotely, and you won’t have to paddle it.
Electric skateboards are a convenient means of transport these days. So whenever you get on an electric skateboard, wear the safety kit and go with drift. Safety kit usually includes:
- A properly fitting helmet
- Wrist guards
- Elbow/knee pads
These are all necessary safety equipment. Skateboarders should wear shoes that are closed, non-skid, and supportive. Wrist guards protect the wrist and reduce the likelihood of fracturing a bone in the event of a fall. So design an e-board according to your likeness and preferences but never forget to care for your safety.
Break the surface and thrive for better commuting, Happy Skateboarding!
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