DIY Electric Skateboard

I am Luka, student of Electronics from Slovenia. I have been looking for an electric skateboard for quite a long time. My priority was that it has normal skateboard deck (not longboard or cruiser or penny board). I didn't find one like that on the internet, so i made my own. You could say that I am not really good at research but I am better at creativity. :)

I decided that my electric skateboard should have:

• 8.0“ skateboard deck
• Max. 165mm wide trucks
• Max. 75mm wheels
• Fast motor
• Strong battery

It took some fixes and upgrades to get to the final driving and safe version of electric skateboard.

In this instructable I am going to share the whole project step by step as well as tips and common mistakes which will help you save some extra money.

• Skateboard deck (8.0“): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RAD-BLANK-SKATEBOARD-DE...
• Truck raisers (1/2“): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pig-hard-risers-1-8-or...
• Trucks: https://holyboardshop.com/paris-trucks-v3-165-mm-...
• Motor mount kit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIY-electric-skateboar...
• Wheels and bolts + tool: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001352414892.htm...
• Battery: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000867530871.htm...
• Motor: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C6374-efficience-brush...
• Motor regulator: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Longboard-RC-...
• Remote control VX2: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flipsky-2-4G-Screen-Re...
• XT60 battery connector: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XT30-XT60-XT90-MT60-RC...
• T-plug connector: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Pairs-T-Plug-Male-F...
• Polyester kit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1kg-Fibreglass-GRP-Pol...

The parts you need to make an electric skateboard are linked in supplies and you can also see them on the image above.

I also used some specific tools:

• Pliers
• Screwdriver + and -
• Wrench 10mm and 13mm
• Inbus key 5.5mm and 7mm
• Drill machine
• Soldering tool
• Lathe

Lets say that you buy exactly the same wheels (link in supplies).

You will need to use drill machine to make holes in the wheel. Holes on the wheel must match the holes on the pully. It is difficult to drill into the rubber as it is quite flexible so be patient and precise. When holes are made you can put holder and pully on the wheel and try to screw them together. Dont screw them in circle. Try to screw odd first and even later (start counting anywhere). That is how you will be able to screw them straight together without deviations.

My wheel is a bit thiner than it should be because I cut off a bit of a wheel on the inner side to make it compatible with pulley I used before.

I highly recommend using Paris Style trucks 165mm. Those are the best option to make them compatible with motor mount and deck size (8.0“). Paris Style truck is made from solid aluminium bar so it is possible to make this truck 18mm diameter with lathe. Other trucks usually have hollowed out some of aluminium on the bottom side to make them lighter. This hollowed out aluminium makes them incompatible with motor mount.

Lathe work should be done by someone experienced in this field. I took my truck to the car repair company to shape this part for me. I want my driving wheel on the back left side that is why this truck is shaped 18mm diameter for four centimetres in center direction (without axle). Also the hole on motor mount is 18,5mm in diameter and mount should be placed 4cm away of the truck end in center direction.

Maybe images describe it better. :)

When your trucks are done, you are ready to put your trucks on the board. Do not forget the raisers.

In this step you can install your wheels without driving wheel.

Use wrench 13 and do not forget on washers (they come with truck).

Set the motor mount on your motor. On the picture above you can see how I placed it (try to get your motor axle in the centre of the mount). Do not tighten the screws all the way. Motor should still move up and down on motor mount.

Set the smaller pully on motor axle. Don't tighten the screws all the way.

Now install your motor on upgraded truck. Set it like it is seen on the picture above. It should be 2.5cm above deck so it wont hit the deck in sharp turns. Only tighten the black inbus screw on the back of motor mount! Do not tighten bullet screws until you are completely sure that mount is on the right place.

In this step you will install belt and driving wheel.

First put driving wheel on the truck and try to align both pullies. When you see it fits, you can tighten up small pully on motor. Now push motor all the way up on motor mount so there will be enough space for belt. First put the belt on small pully and than put driving wheel on truck and install the belt. The belt needs to be tensioned. Try to push motor down the mount and make as much tension as possible. At the same time tighten all the motor screws on the mount so it stays tense. Those screws should be tighten very well.

Battery:
When you will connect battery to regulator there will be some sparks. It is completely normal because of high charge of your battery. If it annoys you, you can place a high power switch on positive line of your battery. Be very attentive and precise when you are soldering battery connector (never short + and - of your battery!)

MCU: There is a flipsky motor regulator which have MCU with re-programable software. You can reprogram this regulator for your specific setup (different battery, different motor and different remote). In tutorial below you can watch a youtube video how to set up your regulator for your specific needs:

I recommend that you minimise power lines length and try to minimise space needed to place it on the board. Be aware on receiver board which can be broken because of small size (maybe use some foam for protection).

How to make an enclosure?

If you are lucky and have a chance to use 3D printer than it is simple for you (many examples already exist).

Mine is made of glass fiber and polyester reisin. First i placed all electronics on my skateboard (battery, regulator, receiver, cables and connectors) and i measured length, width, height, than i added approximately 1 cm on each direction and tried to make model in this dimensions from fibran xps (material for isolation), or other material. Than I placed Glass fiber on model and coated them with polyester. After one day it was completely dry. You can brush the edges a bit with the sand paper. I painted my enclosure with matte black spray. Make 4 holes for screws. When your enclosure is ready you can put it over the electronics and prevent some hardware issues. Inside enclosure you can place a thin layer of foam. Tighten your enclosure to the skateboard.