A toy car, especially with power wheels, might look fancy, but it runs a bit slow. If you like to learn how to make a toy car go fast, you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’ll share with you three methods to speed up your RC car and power wheels.
Adding a battery or replacing it with a lithium version might need a little skill in soldering and screwdrivers. The easiest is changing the bushings to bearings. For complete details, keep reading.
Method 1: Add Additional Battery
Generally, the battery plays a vital part in accomplishing a faster speed. In this method, we’ll install two batteries instead of one into a 2-volt power wheel.
What You’ll Need
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6-Volt Battery
Power rides on cars are normally built with a 6-volt battery to power a DC motor and propel the car to run. Instead of one, we’ll be using two batteries to maximize power and speed. Your power wheel can go faster as the motor spins twice as much as before.
To get the best results, use batteries with the same condition and capacity. Both batteries should be new and have the same voltage, which is six volts.
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Parallel Connectors
It requires connectors to link the two batteries together. We need a single connection point to link into the motor and switch. As much as possible, look for insulated connectors for the safety of your kids.
Polyethylene is the best form of wire cable insulation because it’s dense and carries excellent electric qualities. When buying new connectors, look for the right current rating and connector size. A regular wire connector has the capacity to hold a maximum of 12 amps per circuit.
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Charger
Before installing the batteries into the power wheel, you should ensure that they’re fully charged. It’s essential that you use a high-quality charger to keep the top performance of your batteries. Use the charger that comes with the package, or buy the same charger when it’s lost.
The charger’s amperage is significant as it tells the charging time. The batteries charge faster if the amperage is higher. Choose a brand that provides a longer warranty period and with higher ratings.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Connect Two Batteries
First, look for a perfect spot for the additional battery in your power wheel. Link the two batteries to make sure that they have a single point of connection going to the motor and switch. Use an insulated connector to link the batteries in the same polarities.
For example, connect the positive terminal from one battery to the positive terminal of the extra battery. Do the same to the negative terminals.
2. Charge And Go
Now, charge the batteries one by one to their full capacity. Simultaneously, ensure that the additional battery is fixed securely to prevent any problems. After everything is through, you can drive your power wheel at a faster speed.
Keep in mind that many elements can affect the speed of your toy car. Such factors include your child’s weight, surface driven, and tire condition.
Method 2: Replace The Battery With Lithium
Another method to enhance the speed of your power wheels and RC cars is to upgrade the battery. Old batteries, like pencil cells and lead-acid, can be replaced with a more efficient lithium battery.
What You’ll Need
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Lithium Battery
Lithium batteries are lighter compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. They also packed a higher voltage in a compact body and charged faster at the same run time. RC cars only need one lithium battery, but power wheels might need two.
When choosing a new lithium battery, look for the size and make sure that it fits your car’s battery compartment. Look for high discharge lithium batteries, so you don’t have to worry about overheating.
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Connectors
You’ll need connectors to connect the new battery to the toy car. (See description on Method 1).
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Tools
You might need a lot of tools for this method. First, a screwdriver to loosen the screws when opening the car. Next, a soldering iron and lead to connect the wires securely. A pair of clippers might also come in handy when cutting the wires from the old battery.
If your battery doesn’t stay in place, keep it secure with an adhesive.
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Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Open The Car And Pre-Tin
Using a screwdriver, loosen the screws to open the car. Find the battery and snip off the cables. Now, pre-tin the connectors and the toy car’s wires with your soldering iron. Make a universal connector to the lithium battery.
Simply put a little soldering lead on the tip of the wires, so they connect securely with a little heat.
2. Connect The Lithium Battery
Now, it’s time to connect the single connector to the new lithium battery. Link the black wire to negative and the red/white wire to positive. If your new lithium battery doesn’t stay in place, put in a little glue or adhesive.
Method 3: Change The Bearings
For RC cars, you can make them go faster with a little tweak, and that’s to change the bearings.
What You’ll Need
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Bearings
Bearings have a longer lifespan and demand less maintenance than bushings. They also tend to spin the wheels much faster. I’ve noticed that there is some wobble when my RC car uses bushings.
The good news is that ball bearings are just so affordable now that it makes good sense to do it. When picking a bearing, consider the weight that it supports. I prefer ceramic bearings because they spin at a high RPM and significantly have a longer lifespan than a regular stock steel bearing.
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Screwdriver
You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the wheel. Look at the screwhead of your RC car and make sure that you use a screwdriver with the same pattern. Usually, screws can be removed with a Phillips head and a slot head.
The shaft is also secured with a screw, so you might need a screwdriver to remove it quickly. A flathead screwdriver also comes in handy when you need to pop the nut off easily. A melon head is also useful in taking the bushing out.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Remove The Wheel And Bushings
Using a screwdriver, loosen the wheel from the RC car. When the nuts are off, pull the wheel right off. Now, remove another nut using a flathead screwdriver, then pull out the pin.
Let the axle pop out and push on the stub shaft. Set the O-ring aside because we’re going to use that as a spacer. Stick your melon head at an angle and remove the bushing on the front and rear.
2. Take The Bushing Out And Replace WIth Bearings
Next, pop the bearings in the same spot where the bushings were located. Once done, place the axle stub back in its place. Slide the spacer back over and insert the pin back into the hole.
Put the screws and nuts back together, then fix the wheel back into the toy car. Make sure that you screw the screws tight.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy following my tutorial on how to make a toy car go fast. All of the methods are easy if you know how to use a screwdriver. My favorite is replacing the batteries with lithium because it’s more efficient.
If you have anything to share about making a toy car go fast, feel free to post in the comments below. Don’t forget to share it with your followers if you like it.