Skateboarding is all about fun; it’s about feeling that adrenaline rush and wind on your face as you move faster than your feet can carry you. All in all, it is about speed. And there’s no better way to get that speed than using an electric skateboard.
Electric skateboards have become the new trend; undoubtedly, they have more perks than your regular old skateboard, starting from their fantastic speed. However, they can be pricey. For skateboard lovers who wish to join in on the adrenaline ride but find the prices of electric skateboards available too heavy for their pockets, a DIY conversion is a perfect solution.
A DIY version is a simple way to get your own customized and super-efficient electric skateboard. If this idea sounds appealing to you in any way, stay tuned to this post as we guide you on how to convert your skateboard into an electric board. For those worrying about their level of experience, do not worry; this guide will help even the newest DIY beginner. So, let’s begin.
- Comparing Budget Vs. Need
Before you embark on this creative journey, you should first be able to access and compare your budget with your need. In truth, there are hundreds of electric skateboard configurations out there that you can choose from, but you need to decide what best suits your needs and your budget.
Before you begin the journey, ask the following questions:
- What kind of electric skateboard am I looking for?
- What speed range do I need? Do I want maximum speed or maximum acceleration?
- And the most crucial question is – What’s my budget?
By answering these questions, you’ll be able to effectively work on your skateboard conversion process without getting stuck along the line. From the answers you get, you’ll be able to decide your budget, purchase the right parts that suit your needs, and work on a creation you can easily handle.
- Purchasing The Parts
Now that you have a budget and know what you want, the next step is to get all the necessary parts for your electric skateboard conversion. An electric skateboard requires three main components; the motor, the batteries, and the ESC (Electronic Speed Control):
- The Motor – The motor is your engine, and it is the one that provides the power that propels the wheels to function and move. There are three types of motors for an electric board; the belt drive, the direct drive, and the hub motor. All of them have pros and cons, so before you decide which one you wish to use for your board, be sure to make your findings.
- The Batteries – The batteries generate the power needed by the engine to work. Considering that there are different battery types on the market, its best to look out for the following:
- Ampere – the best options are those with a 30A minimum current.
- Voltage – The best options are those with a 36V capacity, which is the standard.
- Ampere hours – Choose those with optimum discharge. Preferably, go for Lithium-ion batteries as they offer lesser risk in usage and storage.
- The ESC – As the name implies, the ESC is the part designed to control the speed of your skateboard. It is the primary brain of the electric skateboard as it acts as the receiver that connects the power from the batteries to the engine. It also regulates the amount of power it dispenses to the engine based on the signals it receives from the electric board’s remote control. Just like with batteries, the options are endless when it comes to them. A great way to choose the best for your model would be to purchase your ESC from stores that specialize in electric skateboarding.
Other components for making your DIY electric skateboard would include wheels and trucks, a case to cover the battery port, and remote control. But if you feel overwhelmed with all the information above, one way to reduce stress would be to buy DIY electric skateboard kits. These come with everything you may require to make your e-skateboard alongside an installation guide. But note that they are more expensive than buying the parts separately and would not allow for full-on customization as you would desire. Nonetheless, they are ideal options for first-time DIYers who wish to get it right.
- Assembling And Mounting
Whether you bought your parts separately or decided to go for a DIY electric skateboard kit, the next step is to assemble it all to have a functioning e-skateboard to ride.
For those who purchased their parts separately, you would want to:
- Assemble your battery pack first. If you don’t know how to go about it, you can find many helpful resources online on how to build a DIY electric skateboard correctly and safely.
- Once your battery pack is set, connect all other required parts.
- Connect the batteries to the ESC, then the ESC to the batteries, and test to see if they both fit and work perfectly.
When your battery and ESC are working perfectly, the next step is to mount it all to your skateboard. Connect all wires where they belong, and drill or secure the engine to the board. Ensure it is firmly secured and will not come off even on bumpy rides.
Most parts are already assembled for those using the DIY electric skateboard kit, so all you have to do is mount it to the skateboard following the installation instructions. Be sure to test that the ESC and batteries are working fine too.
- Test Run And Enjoy
After assembling and mounting all parts correctly, it’s time to test the newly converted electric skateboard to see how well it works. With your remote control, make all the necessary adjustments, then test the speed and range settings to ensure it meets your taste and needs. Once you’ve confirmed that it all works perfectly fine, you can enjoy the adrenaline and speed that your newly converted electric skateboard can offer and even go as far as entering a skateboarding tournament with it.
Conclusion
Building an electric skateboard might not be easy, but it is worth it at the end of the day. Following the instructions above, you can create your own customized, super-efficient, and awesome electric skateboard from your old skateboard. So now that you see how easy it is to build an e-board, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try it for yourself!
