Re: (ET) Picking up the E20 on Thursday!

["RJ Kanary" <rjkanary nauticom net>]

 There is a fuse link, on the power disconnect. I have successfully opened
one under load. There was a brilliant, but brief flash, and fireball, but 
as
the wire vaporized, the gap became large enough that it self extinguished.
All in less time than it took to describe it. The existing protection I
would proclaim as being adequate.


RJ Kanary @ Bandi Bros. Inc.
Member TRNi  Since 1998
ASE® Certified Master Auto Technician
Member Tech Line Associates Since 1987
rjkanary nauticom net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Zach" <czach computer org>
To: "Elec-trak" <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 21:59
Subject: (ET) Picking up the E20 on Thursday!


> Well, it looks like I am going up Thursday morning to pick up my ET20. On
> Sunday I went over to a fellow ET person who actually had four tractors 
> (3
> Wheel Horse and one ET15). Being able to take a physical look (my first)
at
> an ET makes me feel a *lot* more comfortable about what I am getting 
> into.
>
> First: These things are built *solid*. Compared to my 96 Craftsman 16hp,
> they are tanks. Much heavier metal, more solid looking overall.
>
> Second: They're not *really* that big physically. A bit fatter maybe, but
> about the same size. The short wheelbase should make it a lot more
> manuverable than the Craftsman.
>
> Third: The motor *really* is small. I was expecting something on the 
> order
> of a OHV ICE motor, not a little thing tucked under the seat. It's
possible
> that I might be able to convert my tractor to a electric motor of that
size
> if I can figure out a way to mount it and fit three 12 volt batteries in
> there...
>
> Fourth: The charger appears to be quite simple. And it doesn't look like
it
> will be too difficult to add an additional quick-lock port for the solar
> input. I'd say a 10 amp fuse should be more than enough (with a 100amp
crash
> fuse on the shed side in the event something serious gets shorted).
>
> Question: Is there any sort of a catastrophic fuse in the battery circuit
of
> the E20? I'm thinking something along the line of a 48 volt 200amp DC
rated
> UL fuse to about 25,000amps? 36 volts is probably enough to produce a
plasma
> ball if there was ever a dead short, this would be bad. If there is a cat
> fuse, then I can protect the panels with a simple 10amp DC fuse or
breaker.
>
> Thanks!
> Chris
>
>