Sure. Here are three, I have more depending on what you need. These show where we pasted the Dysem (on the side) and Velcro (on the rear) of the Kidzone. The “opposite” side of the Velcro is of course on the corresponding point on the seat. The other two pictures show how we wired the switch in as I described above.
It has been my experience that while the joystick seems like it would work great. Little ones often do better starting with one switch. Joystick use will come later, sometimes much later
Hi Doug, We wired a switch the way you have done it, however it is going backwards when pushed. Do you have any suggestions? There is still a blue wire that is connected to the original handle junction… should we try these? Thanks so much
Suzanne In Norfolk, VA
Hi Suzanne,
Yes, we have seen this problem, too. The manufacturer does not always consistently use the same colors for the wires. So instead of connecting the orange and yellow wires to the relay board, connect the blue and green instead. In other words, from my original instructions, substitute green for yellow and blue for orange. See if that helps.
Best regards,
– Doug
Thanks we did get it to work, wonderful results with our friend who enjoyed herself!
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Glad to hear this project went well. Sharing our program’s experience with these -
Our program, TARC CS modified one of these chairs last year for a child. We 3D printed a removable bar that fits over the top of the built in control knobs (actually just the stump underneath the black/silver plastic), allowing the child to move the vehicle forward or backwards by pressing both knobs in the same direction at once.
If split in two parts, a single hand could easily be permitted to reach each control knob - similar in appearance to the handles on a zero-turn lawn mower, but with the one control bar extending to the side with the functional limb.
Seating was modified using elevator bolts, HDPE board, washers, and nylon locknuts to create a backrest. A harness was installed using the elevator bolt connections.
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do you have photos?
I believe we have a waiver signed which permits sharing of the vehicle in use, but I will have to confirm before I can share that. This was back in January of 22. I would change few things if I were to print it again. This approach was, while crude, effective and about as cheap as it gets. Maybe 2 dollars worth of PLA plastic was needed, less than an hour of work to get the design ironed out, 2 or 3 hours to print. We use a heavily modified Creality CR10-S5 3D printer with a “supervolcano” heat block.
Would you be able to share your design files for the 3D printed pieces? And potentially an install guide?
Good afternoon,
Yes, certainly. The vast majority of ride-on vehicles I’ve modified have a small cap on top of each control lever. These caps can typically be popped off using a flat, tapered tool (like a screwdriver). Once removed, the levers are held in place with a retaining screw, which can be unscrewed to detach them.
Please note that the spacing between the control posts varies slightly between models. I recommend measuring the distance between the two posts on your vehicle and adjusting the design accordingly. If you’d like assistance with the CAD modifications, I’m happy to help—this is a quick edit to the model.
I currently have multiple designs available:
One is a simple crossbar, as shown in the posted pictures.
Another offers additional leverage, allowing a parent or therapist to assist more easily in one direction or the other.
Some children may benefit from swapping the control polarity. This can be done by either rotating the controller units 180 degrees after removing them, or by reversing the spade connector wiring underneath. Remember: the idea that “forward means I go forward” is learned, not instinctive. Some children grasp movement better through the intuitive action of pulling to go forward, especially if they have limited gross motor experience (e.g., non-ambulatory, never crawled).
Additionally, I’ve developed microcontroller code for more advanced adaptations. Using small, inexpensive boards like the nRF52840 SuperMini (about $5), it’s possible to create a current sink that precisely controls the motors. This allows customization including latching behavior (operating the vehicle for a configurable distance per press), debouncing to smooth jerky inputs, and other custom input patterns tailored to a child’s needs
Link to the 3D models:
12v or 6v ride on vehicle control bar by Bryce Ragatz | Download free STL model | Printables.com
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need CAD assistance, code, or ideas to make this project work for the children in your care.
Warm regards,
Bryce Ragatz, ATP
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Wow, thank you so much Bryce!!
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