Re: (ET) HA26E15HA Reverse problem

["Doug McCorkle" <dmccorkl sover net>]

In an update on the reverse problem, following the helpful advice of many, 
I
checked the diode-varistor board, found the diodes questionable (and the 
PTO
diode broken), the varistor/MOV missing, and wire 10-2 from the diode to 
the
R contactor not connected.  I built a new d-v board from Radio Shack parts,
using half a bridge rectifier for the f-r diodes and a quarter of one for
the PTO diode, the only MOV they had for the varistor, and reconnected wire
10-2.  I used the bridge rectifiers to get an amperage value over 5 (the
largest single diode value was 4 amps).  Just tested it last night in a 
romp
around the yard, and both the reverse situation and the PTO (it would run 
in
the "start" position but not in the "on" position) appear to work normally!

Thanks to everyone on their helpful comments and suggestions.  The 
expertise
available and shared here is what made the repair possible!

Doug McCorkle


-----Original Message-----
From: RJ Kanary [mailto:rjkanary nauticom net] 
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 10:44 AM
To: Doug McCorkle
Subject: Re: (ET) HA26E15HA Reverse problem


         Doug , do the armature resistors get hot while this is going on ?
If they do,  let's get the field voltage fixed first, before you discover
the OTHER things that can happen with a weak field.
       Check the two diodes on the diode varistor assembly, located on the
lower passenger's side of the upper control cabinet panel under the hood.  
I suspect you will find an issue there, or with the wiring.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Doug McCorkle 
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu 
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 10:25 AM
Subject: (ET) HA26E15HA Reverse problem


Hello all. I'm a new E15 owner, the HA26E15HA version, and I'm having some
trouble (I have another couple posts about the PTO and the Lift Motor!). 
The
tractor overall is in fairly good condition, but has not been used at all
for a few years (sitting in a barn) because it did not appear to go into
reverse - made it hard for the previous owner to use, I guess! I've tried
using the guides and manuals that I have, but have trouble finding info
specific to the HA model. Here's what it does: reverse only moves the
tractor in the lowest gear and only when the batteries are fairly "full",
and only in the third (fastest) setting. There is no response in the first
two speeds, and it's a slow build-up of speed in the third speed, with a
heavy current draw. To get any response at all the drive motor has to be
fully stopped, and I have to put it quickly into the highest speed (in
reverse), with no response if I let it stay in either of the lower speeds
for any amount of time before going to the highest speed. There actually is
a response in the other gears, but proportionally less, and less of a
response as the battery is drawn down, as if there just isn't the current
available to do it. 
Some other notes on this problem:
1.) There is no braking in reverse, just a gradual decrease in speed.
2.) There is no response in the first two reverse speeds.
3.) The R and F contactors do appear to click at the appropriate times.
Well, now having gone out and fiddled with it some more, it's a little
different. I was moving the speed lever slowly in the reverse speeds, to 
see
when the R contactor clicked, and I found that there was sometimes a mild
action in the second speed. After all the fiddling, what happens is that 
the
R contactor clicks in the second speed (still no response anywhere in what 
I
think should be the first speed), and clicks again for the third (highest)
speed. At least I think it's the R contactor, I can't be entirely sure. But
now the usage meter only shows a very sight movement into the green in both
forward and reverse (it used to jump 2/3 into the yellow top arc when I put
it into 3rd speed reverse, and slowly move down to the middle of the green
as the motor slowly ramped up), and the battery level meter drops about
halfway during both forward and reverse.   It still behaves the same as far
as slowly ramping up in reverse 3rd speed and it does still move the 
tractor
like before.  It looks to me (as a separate problem) that something 
happened
while I was fiddling with the speed lever and caused some other problem(s).
So, I have a number of questions:
1.) Any ideas about what's going on?
2.) Can anyone point me towards history or info on the difference between
the other models and the "HA" model? I did find the "Product Service Manual
for Model E12JA &E14/Model E15HA & E16" on the Elec-Trak Owners Group site,
but is there more?
3.) Can anyone point me towards info on how the cans that click work?
(relays, contactors, or whatever they're called?)
4.) How do you get the dash (where the PTO and lift switches, etc, are) off
- mine seems stuck, I was assuming it would just fold down after removing
the four screws, like the piece the fuses are mounted on.
5;) When the troubleshooting guides talk about a "relay energizing", do 
they
mean that it makes the click, and therefore either opens or closes? And is
there a difference between the RTN and 2A-H relays (I think they would be
called relays) and the contactors in the cans?
Sorry for all the questions. I am obviously a neophyte with these tractors.
I'm used to the small electric motors and speed controllers used on 
electric
RC models, which are much simpler! I suspect the simpler thing to do would
be to get one of those AllTrex controllers, but the current finances 
dictate
troubleshooting! Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Doug McCorkle



_______________________________________________
Elec-trak mailing list
Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
https://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak