(ET) E15HA problem with forward speeds

["Doug McCorkle" <dmccorkl sover net>]

Hump - I'm having exactly the problem you describe with my E15HA - low 
power
on hills with normal gauges.  But I used the power boost button to help get
up the hills, which helped, but then it would sometimes cut back in to
normal power, sometimes I had to reduce the speed and then ramp back up to
get to normal power.  Then (but it's just a little pesky hill!) it started
not going forward at all, although reverse was fine, initially working 
after
I would put it into reverse then go back to forward.  After backing it back
into the garage and letting it sit for a couple days, I checked the
connections in general, and pulled the charger up to take a look down 
there.
Everything looked normal, but I found that forward speeds had returned 
(most
of the time) after lifting and moving the charger.  It still does a little
of the variable power.

I'll go check all the connections again, but does anyone have ideas about
this?  I didn't understand your post that you knew it was the bands, but 
the
problem was in the foot switch.  (And if anyone can give a simplified
explanation of how these things work, that would be great.  I've read the
manuals and I still don't get it!)

I'll also check that reversing relay.  But it seems more like a connection
to me - it either absolutely doesn't work (although the contactors click 
the
way they ought to) or it works fine (well, maybe not with the power issue,
but at least the motor turns and powers the tractor normally on level
ground).

It sure gives me thought about doing the AllTrex conversion!

Doug McCorkle


 
  Are these the metal bands that are located in the front of the tractor, 
  behind the grill.

  If so I wouldn't necessarily assume there is a field problem. I would 
  first look to make sure that the speed control switch is working and 
  engaging the proper relays to drop those things out of the circuit.

  My I-5 recently was acting a little flaky and doing just that. There is 
a 
  power drop due to having the resistors in line, but it may not be 
  apparently obvious. On level ground the power drop is slightly 
noticeable 
  but not like it is when you come to a hill. It will seem like weak 
  batteries, until you come to an incline, then it will seem like DEAD 
  batteries.  The gauges however will indicate that nothing is wrong. 
That's

  how I knew is was those blasted resistor bands. I would have normal 
  voltage and current draws, but no (low to very low) power to the ground.

  My problem was in the foot switch and not the relays.