(ET) Re: E-Tractor vs the Engineer

["MR23 \(Christopher M. Meier, Mpls, MN\)" <mr23 mn rr com>]

Jim, I've forwarded this email to the elec-trak email list.

The amp draw is closer to 100amps, there is some discussion
about current draw in the archives, available at yahoogroups.
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elec-trak ).


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Coate" <jbc coate org>
To: "EV List" <ev listproc sjsu edu>
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 8:28 PM
Subject: E-Tractor vs the Engineer


> Speaking of battery performance when cold...
> 
> I am hoping to get an old Elec-trak this spring, and have been wondering
> a few things about them:
> 
> - Isn't using it every few weeks for sudden high current demands like
> mowing, roto-tilling, etc. not the best for the batteries as they won't
> have had on-going exercise? And especially in the winter after sitting
> for a month outside so stone cold and then asked to move heavy snow?
> 
> - My calculator says that the motors may draw over 300-400 Amps total,
> yet the wiring and contactors appeared fairly small (2 gauge or so?) -
> is the wiring really adequate or does it just run warm?
> 
> - Would replacing the guts with a "modern" PWM controller, 2/0 cabling,
> etc. have any benefit (other than making it look all pretty)? Or am I
> over-engineering again?
> 
> I'll be better when the snow melts and I get my hands on it.
> 
> TIA,
> _________
> Jim Coate
> 1992 Chevy S-10, http://www.coate.org/ev
>