Relay Help: Modifying Big Red Button Switch on 12V Forklift Ride-on Car

Technical Discussion Wiring
1

Hi all!

I am working to learn how to modify a Big Red Button as an activation switch to replace the pedal on a 12V car. I have reviewed some previous posts, and found this one to be the most helpful: Wiring for McLaren 12V - #9 by alidasteen , but still have more questions. Since this post was from a few years back I wanted to check in with people here to make sure these instructions are still valid or if there is another recommended method before ordering a relay. I found these ones from Amazon: 5 Pin 12V 30A SPDT Relay.

The main thing I would need assistance with is figuring out which wires go to which relay pins, and guidance on the wiring to get the relay incorporated in the circuits. Another note is this car has two gear boxes, I believe two motors in parallel connected to the 12V battery? Not sure if that adds extra steps or complications.

Below I have attached a picture for reference, but am happy to follow up with more details if helpful. The switch has not yet been rewired (no Big Red Button wires in there yet, just the car built as instructed).

Thank you for your tips!

image
image1920×2560 437 KB

Other specifications from manual:

Battery: 12V 4.5A *1

Motor: 12V *2

Charger: 12V 500mA

On battery:

load current is 20A

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Hello and welcome to go baby go connect!

Right now, does the car drive when you press a pedal?

When go baby go started, all models of ride-on cars would put all the current for the motors through the pedal, but now, most ride on cars have a circuit board (in that box labeled HY1915RX) that usually contains relays already.

I’ve never used your exact model of car (can you send a link so we can get more information?), but I think it is likely that the pedal in your car is just switching a small amount of current that signals the control circuit board to turn on the motors. I can see in your photo that the wires for the motors and battery are thicker than the other wires which supports this idea.

It is probably safe to connect a big red pushbutton to the foot pedal.

If you can get a photo of the wires on the back of the foot pedal we could help you more.

@mikey has designed circuit boards to adapt from the plugs on many foot pedals to the audio jack on adaptive switches and this would let you avoid soldering. If you think one of these boards would be helpful for your project I have a spare board that Mikey gave me that I’d be happy to send you.

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