RE: (ET) Dead E-15

["Don Barry" <Don Barry kirbycorp com>]

Bill sells a *sealed* replacement switch that works GREAT. It's one of 
those things everyone should have on their ET. It comes complete with a 
new fusable link, too.

FWIW, you'll need to enlarge the hole in the console to accomidate the new 
switch. I used a UniBit drill bit for this - they work nice for enlarging 
existing holes.

Don

>>> "Jeff Tickner" <JeffT softlanding com> 04/14/03 09:16AM >>>
I have the dirty Molex as well, a temporary fix is to bang your fist on 
the side of the tractor console just below the speed control  :-) I did 
clean it and use some contact cleaner, the problem went away for a while.

Do you still have the original main disconnect? The copper disc and brass 
bolts style? 
I was talking to Bill last week and he said that design was so bad that 
even when it was brand new you had a voltage drop of several volts across 
it. Once it gets oxidized and you start getting arcing and pitting the 
resistance increases and the thing starts heating up under load, further 
increasing the resistance. I have been cleaning mine periodically and I 
noticed it was warped so I called Bill for a replacement and he gave me 
the lowdown.

Bill said the voltage drop essentially magnifies any other problems you 
might have in tractor operation and also reduces the highest voltage of 
the charger. I think the replacement was $33.

Jeff Tickner
Technical Support
800-545-9485, Ext 536
SoftLanding Systems




"Steve Caplan" <scaplan mdtelephone com>
Sent by: owner-elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu 
04/14/2003 09:45 AM

 
        To:     "Marty Canada" <emcanada yahoo com>, "tractors GE" 
<elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
        cc: 
        Subject:        RE: (ET) Dead E-15


Marty,
            I have seen that problem twice on two separate E-15s. Might be 
the same on an E-12. For me the problem was a dirty Molex connecter under 
the dash panel.
                      Steve,
                      Baltimore, Md.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Marty Canada [mailto:emcanada yahoo com] 
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 6:10 PM
To: tractors GE
Subject: (ET) Dead E-15
 
My tractor(E-15) has sat all winter. I didn't even use it to push snow 
this year. I did however, keep the charge topped off and did some normal 
maintenance. 
Today I decided to use it to pull my cart to haul fallen limbs and other 
chores prior to mowing tommorow.
 
However it won't run. 
 
The charge is up. The relays click when I push the "throttle" .  The deck 
motors kick right in, the front lift runs fine. 
 
I put it up on a truck jack with both rear wheels off the ground, turned 
on the key, and pushed the throttle forward then checked the drive motor. 
There are Zero volts across the motor. I checked the fuses and the big 
relay and they appear to be good. I checked the brake and seat switch and 
they seem to be OK. I took the belt off the motor and jumped 12 volts 
across the motor and it spins great,
O great gurus of the Elec-Tracs I come before you looking for ideas on 
what to to next.
 
Please remember that I am a salesman and know VERY little about electrical 
circuits etc.
 
Any and all replys will be appreciated.
Thanks 
Marty Canada
 

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