Larry,
I have an E20 and like to use it with cruisecontrol in forward.
My preferred way of stopping from cruisecontrol mode is to put
it in reverse - it will coast to a stop. I am not quite
sure but I think all that happens when I would throw it in
reverse going full speed (instead of CC speed 4) is that it
also would coast to a stop.
If you want to apply power the other way to decellerate faster
without using the breaks I have to let of the accellerator pedal
first and reapply. I do this once in a while in case of an
emergency, but try do avoid it as the current draw on the
batteries is so high and usually it spinns the wheels and
looses traction if I do that.
The thing I don't like about using the break for stopping is
that it doesn't allow me to coast from CC and depressing the
accellerator to turn CC off is "strange" and the (brief)
accelleration is the exact opposite of what I'd like to do.
Anyhow, point being is that you can throw an E20 into reverse
at full speed and don't hurt anything (I think), just don't
reapply the throttle. I think its pretty fool proof.
Markus
-----Original Message-----
From: elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu
[mailto:elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu] On Behalf Of
Elie, Larry (L.D.)
Sent: Mittwoch, 3. November 2004 10:03
To: chris_t microtrac com; Elec-trak list
Subject: RE: ET reliability (was: RE: (ET) [Fwd: Re: PICS of
E20 with mowerinVirgina])
I believe the E-12S has the most forgiving electronics and is
the most reliable. It isn't the fastest, or the most
efficient, but it's the only tractor that you can put in
reverse when going full forward that won't burn something up.
Larry Elie
-----Original Message-----
From: elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu
[mailto:elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu]On Behalf Of Chris
Tromley
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 12:27 PM
To: 'Elec-trak list'
Subject: ET reliability (was: RE: (ET) [Fwd: Re: PICS of E20
with mower
inVirgina])
Chris Zach wrote:
<snip>
However this does bring up a point: Elec-Traks are not point
and shoot
tractors. They are not like the average Craftsman tractor which can
basically be run with no maintenance till they fall apart in
7-8 years.
In owning an Elec-Trak one sort of has to be able to do simple
troubleshooting and some wire tracing/component replacement
when needed.
If nothing else, it's 30+ years old. And we're running them in
production (well I am; mine needs to mow and blow reliably)
That said, the E12's and E10/8's are about as simple as one
can find. In
fact I'd have to say the E12 is about the most point and
shoot Elec-Trak
with the best bang for the buck. But even with an Altrax
and a Landis
one is still going to have to fiddle with the tractor to keep
it running.
Is it worth it: Yes. Is it simple: Eh, depends. It's a bit harder
without Bill, however I think the community here has filled
that gap.
Such is the way of things with any type of oddball, be it a
Delorean, a
Lotus, an electric car, or an electric tractor.
Hi Chris,
I thought I'd offer some perspective from one who is still
very new to ETs
and the whole concept of tractors in general. (If anyone had
suggested to
me a few years ago that I'd be driving a lawn tractor, I
would have died
laughing.)
Like many, my New Idea tractor is not a hobby. It's a tool.
I need it to
work when I need it. I can't afford surprises, don't have
the time. If I
wasn't so pro-electric power, I might have considered a gas
tractor. But
then I read in Consumer Reports that garden tractors and
riding mowers are
among the most unreliable consumer products out there. Like
most consumer
products, they're not meant to be fixed by Joe Average.
Since I don't own a
truck, that means service calls. On weekends, the only time I have
available. Very expensive, very inconvenient.
To me, an ET makes perfect sense even if you completely disregard the
environmental benefits. It's built simply. With a few basic tools, a
schematic, some sandpaper for the odd corroded contact, a
hammer to whack
that sticking relay, some bubble gum here, baling wire there, a little
common sense or maybe a post here, it's rolling again. And
when you take
the time to fix it right, the chances are good that it will
stay fixed.
Not that I've had to do so much as clean a contact yet. So
far, the thing
just works.
I know most people think "real" tractors are gas powered.
The reality I see
with my New Idea makes more sense.
Chris Tromley
near Philadelphia PA
USA
100% Gas-Free Yard Equipment:
* Avco New Idea EGT 150 electric tractor (equivalent to GE
Elec Trak E15M)
Need a snow blade!
* B&D corded electric mower and string trimmer
- to be powered by tractor-mounted inverter some day
* Patriot 1.5 hp electric chipper/shredder/vac
- to be turned into a tow-behind vacuum cart some day
* Remington Garden Wizard corded electric tiller
* Craftsman corded electric snow thrower
- to be sold when I get a blade for the tractor
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