RE: (ET) newbie thanks you

[Jeff Tickner <jefft softlanding com>]

If I go the golf cart route, I will use the existing transaxle and try to 
set up a linkage from the brake pedal to open the contacts to kill power 
to 
the motor. I do have a neutral position on the range selector but there is 
a safety switch in place to kill the motor if I get off the seat when it's 
not in neutral. I imagine I could use a relay off that safety switch to 
kill power to the motor, maybe even do the same for the brake pedal.

I am open to using the motor and controller/contacts from an Elec-trak if 
there is a rusty or damaged one that can't be restored. I just see that 
the 
golf cart solution is more readily available.

-----Original Message-----
From:   Paul L. Heinzerling [SMTP:PHEINZERLING compuserve com]
Sent:   Thursday, June 03, 1999 12:38 PM

Message text written by Jeff Tickner
>how do they govern the top speed of
golf carts if they don't use a controller with a series wound motor?<


Jeff, there is no dedicated system for governing the top speed.  At full
voltage, the thing simply runs out of oomph at about 12mph on level ground.
 With several hundred pounds of cart and in my case a couple more hundred
of driver, the load limits the speed of the motor.  Since there is no
neutral in the gearing (the cart is reversed electrically by reversing the
field)), there is no chance for the motor to run without load unless you
spin it up with the back wheels off the ground, and even then you have the
differential and axle friction.