Re: (ET) Charger heating while driving

["Richard \"Zack\" Zachary" <njcfsa earthlink net>]

Hi Matt,
The power pulse switch is on the dash board just to the left of the key switch.  Normally it should only be pressed for less than one second when starting during unusual situations (see E12 Owner's Use and Care Manual page 4).  However, if your are already moving in the second speed and it gets you up to the third speed, then you need to search the circuit I described earlier.  Test this out to see if the power pulse switch gets you to third speed.  If it does then get a schematic for your exact machine and start checking each part of the circuit.
I checked the centrifugal switch by using a meter set for resistance on the small plug (P7,J7) that comes out of the motor.  When the motor turned the switch closed so I knew that it worked.  But when I checked the continuity of wire #36 which runs from this plug to coil 2A, it was not connected.  When I found and fixed this break everything returned to normal.  Your problem might be elsewhere so check each part of the circuit until you find the problem.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Zack

Matt O'Brien wrote:

Zack,

 

Thanks for your excellent info.  I'm going to get my hands on my manuals soon.  One quick question though.  What is the power pulse switch?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

----- Original Message ----
From: "Richard "Zack" Zachary" <njcfsa earthlink net>
To: Matt O'Brien <obrienm00 yahoo com>; Elec-trak list <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:49:43 PM
Subject: Re: (ET) Charger heating while driving

Hi Matt,
I had this exact problem on my E12 and received a lot of help from some very nice people on this list and finally solved it.  So I'll share what happened with you.
The resistors take current and heat in the first and second speeds of the controller and should stop heating in the third speed.  In order to achieve the third speed, the circuit between the solenoid contactors and the centrifugal switch needs to be closed.  You can manually close this connection by pressing the power pulse switch.  If you hold this switch down after achieving second speed and you go into third speed then the problem is in this circuit.  It is either a worn switch in the speed control, a defective 2A solenoid connector, a defective centrifugal switch in the motor, or a bad connection.  After testing all of the above, it turned out in my case to be a bad connection at the Molenex connector in wire # 36.  This wire runs from the motor's centrifugal switch to connector 2A. I just patched around it and it has worked just fine since.  Make sure you use the correct schematic for your machine and test until you find where the break is occurring.
If I can be of any help, let me know.
Zack
E12

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.

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

 

I've been trying to find the manuals, but I'm having trouble finding where I "filed" them..

 

Something obvious?

Can I take the charger out?

 

I plan to charge with PV panels  soon...

 

Thanks,

 

Matt O'Brien 

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