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Re: (ET) Timer stuff
I too have this type of setup, although slightly different. I have a
2-position switch. One way, the switch shorts the wires to the timer
motor, and the other way, it shorts the control wires to the Landis
controller -- its an opposite switch, turning one on, one off, then
opposite -- timer is on or the controller is on, but not both.
It seems perfect, but there is one gotcha. If the timer has not yet
returned to off, and the switch gets thrown to the controller side, thus
cutting power to the timer's motor, the timer will remain in the "ON"
position indefinitely, thus cooking your batteries forever until you
notice. You have to be very careful to make sure the timer is off before
you throw the switch.
The controller is great for unattended battery maintenance. However, I
found out over the winter that it isn't perfect. Just before heading out
to plow some snow, I noticed the batteries were especially low on charge,
especially when I was both driving and lifting the dozer blade. I had to
go back to the garage and run a full timed charge before going out again.
I don't know how the controller got fooled, or if its set too low, but my
batteries were definitely in the red zone, to the point of slowing down
the drive motor whenever I operated the lift.
E20
Potomac, Md
(---------------------------)
mailto:Jeremy Gagliardi com
http://Jeremy.Gagliardi.com
(---------------------------)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Garry & Terry Freese" <tnlighthouse bellsouth net>
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: Re: (ET) Timer stuff
Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 21:31:19 -0400
>
> When the mutual conductance of the wires caused by the operation of the
> Landis Controller,
> starts the motor of your built in GE timer, install a ON/OFF between one
> of the wires of the
> motor. The timer motor will start at zero and go all the way around.
> About 14 plus hours worth.
> Turn this switch OFF when using the Landis Controller and On when you
> want an equalizing charge.
> Notice I said WHEN, This WILL happen unless the GE timer motor is
> defective or removed from the
> circuit. I did NOT believe it at first when it happened but others from
> this list said it also
> happened to them.
> Yes, I have the Landis Controller and Like the Landis Controller, and
> will order more when the
> time is right.
> Garry East TN
>
> At 12:40 PM 5/23/2005, you wrote:
>
> > Chris;
> >
> > I can't answer your questions with a definate yes or no. I will
> > describe what the controller
> > does, and you can make
> > your own assumptions. I'll also talk about how I use the controller.
> >
> > I'm sure Harry will post how to get one if he didn't reply to you
> > privately. I believe he has
> > an ad up on
> > elek-trak.org ...
> > ...
> > ...
> > ...
> > In fact he does.....
> > Here's his write up..
> >
> > This controller replaces the stock timer on the ET. Basically, the
> > controller checks the rest
> > voltage of the battery
> > pack, and if it is less than 38 volts, it turns on the charger (via a
> > solid state relay) for
> > about five minutes. After
> > the five minutes is up, the controller turns off the charger and waits
> > until the pack voltage
> > again falls below 38
> > volts, at which time it again turns on the charger for another five
> > minutes, and so on. This
> > controller does not
> > replace the stock charger, it only replaces the timer. You just plug
> > in the ET when not in use
> > and forget about it.
> > The setpont is adjustable via a trimpot on the circuit board.
> > The setpoint is set to 38 volts, which is equivalent to 2.11 volts per
> > cell, which is the
> > resting voltage of a fully
> > charged flooded lead acid cell at room temperature. Some people like
> > to tweak up the setpoint
> > a bit in the winter, but
> > I have never bothered. I have used these on my E8M and E12S since
> > about 1992, and have now
> > gone through two sets of
> > batteries each.
> > I have sold around 80 of these over the last 5 years or so, with
> > essentially no problems. You
> > can see the installation
> > instructions at:
> >
> > http://www.gis.net/~hlandis/mowerinst.doc
> >
> > The price of a controller is $40, including shipping to the US and
> > Canada. Send check or MO to
> > Harry Landis
> > 207 Oak Street
> > Norton, MA 02766
> > Or PayPal to:
> > hlandis hotmail com
> > Please don't use the Reply To button on this ad, as Hotmail (evil
> > Microsoft) doesn't like it
> > and frequently sends the
> > message to my junk mail folder. Contact me directly at:
> > hlandis hotmail com
> >
> >
> > Now, having pasted that, I will say that I do turn my controller up
> > during the winter, I also
> > use my tractor almost
> > daily during the winter, sometimes twice daily, I'm sure you
> > understand.
> >
> > Another trick I sometimes use is.... I have made up a short piece of
> > 12ga. wire with
> > alligators one each end. When I
> > feel the need I just clip the wire across the solid state relay,
> > essentially shorting it out
> > and forcing the charger
> > to run until I remove the shorting wire. If your batteries need
> > equalizing, this may do it.
> >
> > You can have my timer, I'll never re-install it, it functioned well
> > when I removed it..
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Stay Charged!
> > Hump
> > "Ignorance is treatable, with a good prognosis. However, if left
> > untreated, it develops into
> > Arrogance, which is often
> > fatal. :-)" -- Lee Hart
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu
> > > [mailto:elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu] On Behalf Of
> > > Christopher Zach
> > > Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 9:14 AM
> > > To: Elec-trak list
> > > Subject: (ET) Timer stuff
> > >
> > > Ok, everyone seems to recommend the Landis, so I think I'll bite the
> > > bullet and give one a
> > shot. It should be
> > interesting; my big questions are:
> > >
> > > 1) Can it bring the batteries up to a "full" state of charge as
> > > indicated by my battery
> > monitors (7.35v per battery)
> > >
> > > 2) Can it equalize an out-of-balance pack?
> > >
> > > Also I wonder if it can be slightly rigged to act as a solar
> > > charger. One could use it's
> > on/off control to modulate
> > a MOSFET in series with the panels. Might be the magic solution for
> > everyone who wants to
> > charge solar but can't
> > find a 36 volt solar charge controller.
> > >
> > > Where do I get one?
> > >
> > > Chris
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Elec-trak mailing list
> > > Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> > > https://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> > https://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak
>
>
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