A remote kill switch in the power wheels allows parents to control the vehicle when they see a possible danger when their kid is playing with the Power Wheels.
A remote kill switch can be installed in the Power Wheels by modifying a walkie-talkie or any other radio device using some other parts. Once the switch is developed, connect it to the power button of the Power Wheels.
The turn-off button on the remote will kill the power on Power Wheels, or if your kid goes out of the range, it will also stop the vehicle.
Table of Contents
Do Power Wheels Already Have Remote Kill Switch Function?
Power Wheels does not provide a remote kill switch function, although some power wheels models provide remote control in stock. These remote controls can control throttle and steering. Remote Kill Switch can be installed in the Power Wheels with proper modification.
It may sound hard, but the parents can install it at home. You have to buy and arrange particular parts and tools.
Parts and Tools Required to Create a Remote Kill Switch for Power Wheels
- Radio Transmitter and Receiver
Radio Transmitter and receiver can be used from anything which works on radio functionality. It can be a walkie-talkie, a wireless doorbell, or a remote-controlled kid’s car. You can also buy a pair of transmitters and receivers from amazon.
Other than radio, you can also use Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver, which requires extra modifications.
- Automotive Relay
The automotive relay is used to control high currents. The relay’s basic function enables a small current flow circuit to operate and control high current circuits in the Power Wheels remote kill switch function.
- 741 OP AMP Integrated Circuit
The 741 OP AMP integrated circuit is used to monitor the output of the receiver. If the output of this circuit is high, it will activate the relay.
- 100 Microfarad Capacitor, Resistors, and Diodes
This 100 microfarad capacitor, resistors, and diodes are added to the control circuit to filter the noise and clean the pulsed from the radio receiver. Three resistors will be required with the configuration required will be 10 Kohm, 3.3 Kohm, and 1 Kohm. Two diodes with 1 amp capacity.
- Small Sliding Switch
This switch is used to replace the switch in the transmitter if it is a momentary switch. By replacing the switch, you can turn it on/off without pressing and holding, for example, the button in the walkie-talkie.
- Circuit Board, Jumper Wires, Heat Shrink tubes
The circuit board is used for the control circuit; everything is assembled in a circuit board. The wires are used to make connections, and heat shrink tubes are used to secure them.
- Quick Disconnect Connectors
These quick disconnect connectors are used with the relay to disconnect the power when stopping the vehicle.
- Tools
If you have a tool kit for electronic work, that is great. Otherwise, a wire stripper, crimpers, soldering iron, and glue will be required.
How to Create a Remote Kill Switch for Power Wheels
The process is easy and can be done at home by the parents with little concentration; all the parts and tools described above will be used.
The process includes the use of soldering iron, so if you have not used one before, it is recommended to practice the use of soldering iron. It is an easy step by step process:
Arrange a Transmitter and Receiver
In this process, we are using a set of walkie-talkies as our radio transmitter and receiver, but it is not limited. You can use any device which has a radio transmitter and receiver, or you can buy a set of transmitters and receivers from an online store.
Modify the Receiver if Required
The receiver is modified when you have used a radio device that is not meant for this functionality. In this case, we are using a walkie-talkie; we will modify the receiver to access output signals.
First of all, open the screws of one hand of the walkie-talkie and get access to the receiver. In the walkie-talkie, the output is connected to the speakers.
The output signal is sent to the speaker’s positive terminal, and the negative terminal is directly connected to the receiver’s ground. Cut the wires from both terminals and strip them, then you are ready for the next step.
If there is any other button on the receiver which has no function, you can also remove it. Next is to connect the receiver to the control circuit.
Control Circuit
Here comes all the engineering, don’t worry if you don’t know about the parts or process; it is well explained here. The circuit is designed to run on a 12V battery pack.
The control circuit is integrated with 741 OP AMP, which monitors the receiver’s output. The 741 OP AMP compares the two voltages, the and signal, and the reference voltage.
The signal voltage comes from the receiver, and the reference voltage is generated by two series resistors which are 3.3 Kohm and 1 Kohm.
When the single voltage (the receiver’s output) goes higher than the reference voltage, then the output of OP-AMP also goes high, which activates the relay.
We are using the automotive relay to switch high currents, but a large relay will require a high current to activate, so OP-AMP may not provide enough current to activate the relay.
To solve this problem, we connect the output of OP-AMP to a transistor(MOSFET) which is also used to turn the relay on and off.
The receiver’s signals may contain noise, and to clean it, we need to add a diode, capacitor, and resistor to the input of the control circuit. It will make the circuit work properly without any interruption.
The last step is to test the circuit. You can connect the circuit to batteries and electric light or anything and use the receiver button to check if everything works fine, then solder all the connections in the circuit.
If you are still not comfortable assembling the circuit, you can get help from an expert to do that for you. This picture will help understand the structure of the circuit.
Create an Adapter for the Receiver
If you create a remote kill switch for 12V power wheels, you need a receiver that can work on a 12V battery. If both work on the same voltage, you can connect them parallel to work on one battery; otherwise, you will need a different battery for the receiver.
The walkie-talkie receivers can also run on small rechargeable batteries.
One other solution is to create an adapter for one of them by using a voltage regulator circuit. You can also buy a voltage adapter and use it accordingly.
The recommended setup is to select a radio device that is compatible with the Power Wheels battery.
Modify the Transmitter’s Switch
The transmitter is the other hand of the walkie-talkie. Most of the walkie-talkies have a momentary switch to hold and talk and release to stop.
It will not work for a remote kill switch in Power Wheels because you need power for a long time when your kid is playing.
Open the transmitter and cut the wires going to the momentary switch, connect the wires to a sliding switch in the same manner.
Make sure to fit the sliding switch in the transmitter to be used easily; you can make a rectangle hole in the transmitter and stick the sliding switch with the help of glue or screws.
Connect the Relay to the Control Circuit
An automotive relay is the best choice because it already has a special socket that is easy to use with the control circuit.
Connect the relay to the control circuit. First of all, take two wires and connect one to the output of the control circuit and the other to the negative terminal, which means to the ground of the control circuit, solder the connections.
Now the other ends of wires needed to be connected to the relay. Crimp-on the 12-10 gauge or any suitable size connectors to the ends of wires and connect them to the terminals of the relay.
Connect the Remote Kill Switch to Power Wheels
The remote kill switch system is ready to be installed in the Power Wheels. Locate the wires going from the battery to the power button in your kid’s power wheels.
Cut one of the wires and strip both ends. Crimp-on the quick disconnect connectors to both ends. Now attach one of the ends to the common terminal on the relay and the other to the “normally open” terminal in the automotive relay.
Now the battery of the Power-Wheels can only send the power to the motor when the circuit activates the relay, and the circuit can be activated by using the sliding switch on the transmitter.
The other advantage of this system is that it will be switched off immediately if the car goes out of the transmitter range.
Test the remote kill switch and mount all the parts in the hood of Power Wheels. Attached them to the walls by duck tape. If you can find any other place to mount the parts, you can also use that.
Test the Remote Kill Switch
Let your kid drive the power wheels, and you start testing the remote kill switch. You will notice with turning off, and on the switch, on the transmitter, the power wheels will be turned off and on. Let him go out of the range of the transmitter. The vehicle will be stopped when he is out of the range.
Is There Any Alternative Way to Install Remote Kill Switch in the Power Wheels?
If you don’t want to invest your time in modifying a set of walkie talkie or any other radio device, there are many alternative options available in online stores.
For example, the Vonnvoff wireless remote switch can be directly connected to the power button as we connected our modified system.
This switch has a 328 ft long-range, the transmitter is a simple on-off button, and the receiver is an input-output relay like the modified walkie-talkie system.
The problem with these kinds of systems is that they are not reliable, especially the transmitter of this device. If this device fails or dies, it needs replacement.
On the other hand, if the modified system fails, we can find the root cause and replace the particular parts.
One other problem with these devices does not turn off the power wheels when they go out of range, which means your kid will be out of your control if he is not in your range.
Read on: How to Convert Power Wheels to Remote Control
Cost of Remote Kill Switch for Power Wheels
Creating your remote kill Switch does not cost much and can be afforded by everybody. A used set of walkie-talkies or any other radio transmission which you do not have to buy. The cost of other parts required for the modification is given below.
- Automotive Relay $10
- 741 OP AMP $5-$7
- 100 microfarad capacitor $3-$4
- Capacitor and Diodes $10-$15
- Small sliding switch $2-$3
- Circuit Board $1
- Wires and Heat Shrink Tubes $3-$5
- Quick Disconnect Connectors $1
The total cost for this system is $30-$35 with all reliable parts and more functionality. On the other hand, a remote kill switch can be bought and installed in the power wheels, which costs $25-$60 based on the quality of the remote switch.
Conclusion
The remote kill switch is the best safety function parents can have in their beloved child’s Power Wheels. From this option, parents can kill the power of their child’s Power Wheels with the help of a remote.
A remote kill switch can be installed in the Power Wheels by modifying a radio device with both receiver and transmitter.
The process is not expensive and can be done at home. The system can kill power if it is turned off from the remote or if the vehicle goes out of range.
An alternative to this is the Remote kill switch provided in the market, which can only kill the power when turned off from the remote control.
