(ET) RE: Regen observation

[Christopher Meier <Christopher Meier cwix com>]

If one is at part throttle, and thus the resisters are in
the current path, part of the regen current then gets burnt
up in the resister, correct?  So a lower gear and full speed
throttle position would give the most regen current to the
battery...

I learned about the regen, the first time I tried driving down
a steep hill of grass.  Or should I say, the second time.  That
first time, I turned the throttle off and tried to use the brake
to control downhill speed.  Not easy, especially since my brake
pedal sticks a bit.  The second time, I overcame my fear of going
down the hill with the throttle on, on a 900lb tractor.  From
then on, it was fun...

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu
[mailto:owner-elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu]On Behalf Of Rhett T.
George
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 1999 12:10 PM
To: elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu
Subject: Regen observation


 - Greetings -

The observation that Chris made regarding rolling downhill on the E16 
describes regeneration exactly.  This occurs with the shunt traction
motor when full battery voltage is applied to the field.  The tractor
inputs mechanical power to the motor by trying to overspeed the motor
in the downhill trip.  The emf (voltage) developed in the armature is
greater than the battery voltage.  Consequently the current flows in 
the direction of the battery.

In moving the boat and trailer around with the E15, I rely on regen 
and sometimes see the power meter swing below zero in the downhill 
part of that operation.

                                        Rhett George