Re: (ET) elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu

[Allan <allanhv worldnet att net>]

I must have missed something here; I'm not sure what you've already tried.

For future reference, please post the model number.

It sounds to me like you have as many as 3 problems.

1. One or more batteries are bad.  I would check each cell voltage after 
running
them down some.  Full charge voltages don't always show bad batteries.  
Testing
under load would be the best.

2. The charger should be putting out on the order of 40VDC.  Of course, 
when
charging low batteries, you will not see the charger output this high.  You
could probably check the charger output with no load by opening the power
disconnect.  BE CAREFUL running the charger for such long periods of time. 
 I
burned out a charger (transformer) trying to charge dead batteries.  The
excessive load on the charger overheated it.

3. The speed control is not as complicated as it would appear.  Open the 
panels
and inspect the wiring.  Even without a schematic, you will probably be 
able to
see the problem.  Keep in mind that running in the low speed(s) wastes 
power and
will deplete the batteries faster.

Allan

G McPherson wrote:

> Thanks for all the great input.
> I tried the following with some success & some difficulty.
>
> 1. The power pack I charged for three days and it brought the voltage up 
> to
> <36 volts. So I used the tracter long enought to drop it to 28 volts and
> then charged again for 2 days. The batteries seems to be responding
> reasonabley to the cycling so I am encouraged that they may yet have 
> life in
> them. Each battery was showing at least 6 volts by the end of the 
> charge. I
> will also pick up the battery tester suggested by Cape Code Jim 
> (thanks)to
> test each battery. (Looking Up)
>
> 2. The Speed Control lever unfortunetely did no better at the full 
> voltage.
> It still would shift from forward to reverse normally but would not
> accelerate to a higher speed at all just ?on or off?  All the graduated
> speed control has disappeared.  I will pick up the home "owners manual" 
> from
> technical services to follow the trouble shooting sequence. But if anyone
> has any other insights please pass them on? (Still Puzzeled)
>
> 3. When I worked on the mover the one blade was a little stiff so I 
> inverted
> the mover and dropped oil into what appeared to be the lower bearing. It 
> now
> spins more freely and does not heat up appreciably faster than the 
> others.
> Possibly this solved the problem but I will monitor it closly. (looking 
> Up)
>
> 4. I found the brakes pretty weak. It seems obvious, but I am humble 
> enough
> to be hessitant to mess with them without some guidence. Is it just the 
> one
> adjustment? How does one adjust the rear brake? (hessitant)
>
> I Thank You All for the input!
>
> Garnet McPherson ? lifesmith hotmail com
> Green Planet Foundation ? Eco Centre
> Colborne Ontario
> (ET15 & Commuta-Car)
>
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