RE: (ET) time for a new pack...

["Elie, Larry (L.D.)" <lelie ford com>]

I got this 'conflicting' post that I'm including...

"
oops.  I attempted to charge my e-trak several times with the disconnect 
open 
before I figured out that it should be closed.  Now it sounds as though 
that 
can be fatally damaging?  I think it is still working fine, I get a 
voltage 
reading of about 43.5v when the charger is on.  do I have anything to 
worry 
about something I should check for on the charger?

dave
E12S
Seattle
> 
> 


-----Original Message-----
From: daveb seanet com [mailto:daveb seanet com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 4:41 AM
To: Daniel Eyk; daveb seanet com; Jim Coate; Elec-Trak List;
diggerdave bigfoot com
Subject: Re: (ET) time for a new pack...


Thanks to all who responded with battery advice and info.  Now I have one 
last 
question (yeah sure) ;^)

I am thinking that I'll have only about two months of tractor use left 
this 
year before parking it for the winter.  Not that I won't use it at all 
during 
the winter but it won't be used very often.  Would it be better to wait 
till 
spring to buy and install the new pack?  Our winters out here are 
relatively 
mild to most of you folks on this list.  also the pack I currently have is 
barely adequate as I am usually down near "empty" on the fuel gauge even 
after 
a 10 hour charge, which produced a resting pack voltage of 38.3v several 
hours 
after the charger shut off but before use.

thanks much, 
dave
E12S
Seattle
"


OK, Dave, which is it, 38.3V or 43.5V?  43.5V is probably 'fully charged' 
but 38.3V is NOT.  I repeat, 38.3V is NOT FULLY CHARGED.  Ignore that the 
ET is '36V'; it isn't.  I doubt you can mow more that 15 to 30 minutes on 
38.3V, but 42V or better should run 3 to 4 hours.  Voltage IS a reasonable 
measure of charge but the effect is decidedly non-linear; an extra volt at 
the 38V level may represent 10 minutes mow time but an extra volt at the 
42V level probably represents anything from 30 to 60 minutes more mow 
time.  I hate to keep hammering at this but the best indication (other 
than checking the electrolyte itself) for charge condition is voltage.

Second, get some experience at full charge/discharge on your old batteries 
before getting new ones.  In other words, get the new pack next spring.

Larry Elie