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The capacitor and diodes in the charger are the common failure
points. A fairly easy replacement. Unless actually possessed, by
mice in the case of Elec-Traks. I've seen chargers where the mice
chewed off all the insulation of the wires and interesting things
then happen. Several feet of heat-shrink tubing and a hot-air gun to
the rescue and new parts as needed.<br>
<br>
NOTE: the wiring harness (9-pin plastic body with 5 pins actually
used) only disconnects wall power between the timer and the input to
the transformer. To disconnect the charger from the battery pack,
you need to remove the stair-step black metal piece with the timer
assembly that covers the band resistors ("toaster") behind the
headlights. Then reach way down and unscrew two nuts (think socket
extension) and remove the two wires that drop down under the frame.
Be sure to insulate the ends of those wires if the batteries are
still installed.<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://electrictractorstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=172">http://electrictractorstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=172</a><br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://electrictractorstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=61">http://electrictractorstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=61</a><br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://electrictractorstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=62">http://electrictractorstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=62</a><br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 5/24/17 8:29 PM, Briggs, Michael
wrote:<br>
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<p>I think my E15 knows I've replaced it with a robotic lawnmower
and am planning on selling it. It's trying to sabotage itself.<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Let me explain. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>When I got home, I used the better multimeter I brought home
from work to measure the voltage of the batteries. The pack read
37.5 volts (3 days after it was last charged). A bit lower than
ideal, so I figured I'd charge it for a while this evening and
measure again in the morning. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>I turned on the power strip I keep the charger plugged into,
and noticed the charger sounded "different". After a couple of
seconds, the breaker on the power strip tripped and the charger
shut off. That seemed odd, so I decided to check things out.
While doing so, I noticed that I had left the tractor's main
power disconnect turned off (I think I turned it off yesterday
or the day before when cleaning up the connections on card 1).
So I said to myself "self, you should probably go ahead and turn
that back on" - without thinking it through (after all,
something had just tripped a breaker on the power strip powering
the charger).<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>As soon as I turn the main power disconnect back on, there was
a "ffffftttt!" sound and a little spark from the charger area,
and the release of some magic smoke. I immediately shut it back
off, and said to myself "&*#%!!!!!!!". <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>I haven't had time to do any diagnostics yet, since I had to
start making dinner. I disconnected the charger from the tractor
(unplugged its harness), and turned the main disconnect back on,
and everything there seems fine - but obviously something is
amiss with the charger. I didn't do any fiddling with it. What's
weird is that having the charger ON didn't make any sparking or
release any magic smoke - it just sounded different (almost like
something was rattling), and tripped a breaker. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>The magic smoke was released (from the charger) when the
charger was *off*. It's been over 10 years since I did anything
with the charger, so I can't remember how it's all wired up. The
behavior seems consistent with some kind of short in the charger
- but why would that matter when the charger is off? Hmmm....
the harness must have the + and - ends of the battery in two of
the connections (so the charger can charge the battery) - I'm
guessing those must have shorted together. I'll check for
continuity between those tomorrow. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Anyway - this thing seems to be trying hard to keep me from
selling it.... <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>In case the charger is fried - does anyone sell rebuilt ones?<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Thanks,<br>
</p>
<p>Mike<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
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<div>Michael S. Briggs, PhD</div>
<div>UNH Physics Department</div>
<div>(603) 862-2828</div>
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