Turn the red controller knob located on the front of the kart to the right to activate the contactor that sends a current which closes the circuit from the batteries to start the AC Controller.
The AC controller sends a current to the motor that turns electrical energy into mechanical energy, allowing the kart to have movement.
They use the multifunctional handheld remote to send the signal from the handheld controller to the transponder on the kart, which then sends that same signal to the AC controller.
After the AC Controller has received the signal, it then communicates with the motor, sending a current forcing the differential to rotate its gears, which in turn allows the axles to accelerate in a forward or reverse motion.
AC accelerator:
The AC accelerator has an accelerator handle that is connected to the accelerator pedal by a control cable that is the full length of the kart. When the pedal is pressed it pulls force on the handle activating the potentiometer (the Potentiometer is located inside the AC accelerator). When pressed, it closes a circuit sending a signal to the AC Controller telling it how much current it needs to send to the motor.
AC Controller:
The AC Controller is the computer of the kart that controls everything the kart does. The complete connection is a bundle of wires that runs from the red controller knob located on the instrument panel of the kart back to the AC Controller. These wires control everything from the AC Controller, cooling fans on the motor, transponder, to the ac accelerator, and so on.
Differential:
The force of each axle could cause the differential to lock causing positive traction, or it could lock either side separately. If everything is working properly, the resistance from the differential would be minimum causing the kart to gain speed. The proper differential operation is a key component in making the kart get full speed through each gear. The greasing of the differential gears is an important part of preventative maintenance to ensure proper function.
Axle Bearings:
Axle bearings are another key part of the rotation of the tires. If they are working properly they will allow the axles to spin freely with no resistance. There are two on each axle which helps with keeping the axles in the proper position to be able to sit correctly in the differential. When the bearings are not functioning at their full potential this could cause one or both axles to spin at a different rate, decreasing their maximum speed. You can usually tell when the bearings are going bad by the noticeable drop in speed as well as a creaking noise coming from the rear.
Tires:
The function of the tires is to create friction between the kart and the surface being driven on. This increases the grip and overall momentum of the kart, causing it to maintain more speed. Tire wear and pressure are other key factors in improving the kart’s overall performance. Each tire has two tire indicator marks allowing easy visibility of the tire wear. When the marks are gone, the tire will need to be replaced. If not replaced, the tires are more likely to lose traction, causing the driver to lose speed coming around the turn.
Steering:
Steering is also a key component of maintaining the speed of the kart. Understeering and oversteering will also affect the kart’s operation as well as the lifespan of the tires. Understeering is turning early and will cause the kart to lose speed as well as the grip of the tires. Oversteering is turning late in the corners which also could cause a loss of speed and decrease the tire’s likelihood to keep a grip.
Brakes:
Braking plays a big part in maintaining momentum during the race. Pressing too hard on the brake pedal will cause the brake caliper to expand quickly; this will cause the kart to slow down a lot faster than pressing the pedal gently. Each person and kart brakes differently, the driver has to adjust his/hers braking techniques.
Closing:
Each driver handles the kart differently as each kart also handles differently. The important part is the driver’s adaptability to each kart to maintain his/her racing line as well as momentum around the track. This includes learning the overall operations of each individual kart.
