Re: (ET) Charger heating while driving

[steves <ssawtelle erols com>]

Matt O'Brien wrote:

> My E-12S  is performing sluggishly.  Has trouble climbing any grade at all.
> I notice a electic heat type smell.  Then feeling the hood I can feel 
> the heat that the power resistors in the charger area give off.

If the resistors are hot, you are in an inefficient speed setting. The 
resistors limit the current to the armature and slow the motor down at 
the cost of power. You really want to have the 'throttle' at full and 
set the transmission to the appropriate gear to the right ground speed. 
Lower settings use the resistors. As a side note, the E12S has no field 
weakening, which is why full throttle is the best setting (unlike it's 
bigger cousins).


> I've checked to see that the charger is really off by rotating knob 
> while plugged in.

The resistors are unrelated to the charger.
>  
> I've been trying to find the manuals, but I'm having trouble finding 
> where I "filed" them..

Elec-Trak.org has copies.

>  
> Something obvious?

See above?

> Can I take the charger out?
>  
> I plan to charge with PV panels  soon...

Yes, the charger comes out pretty easily and is independently wired in 
(as I recall).

>  
> Thanks,

You're welcome, SteveS

>  
> Matt O'Brien 
>
>
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