On 1/30/2011 5:43 PM, Jim Coate wrote:
I do remember seeing brief peaks at 500 amps (ie the e-meters limit) when digging into packed snow banks. As the e-meter was measuring the _total_ current draw from the pack, that means the 500+ amps was split between the snow thrower motor and the drive motor. In order to force the snow thrower into the snow bank that hard, figure the drive motor was pulling at least 150 amps, so that leaves 350 for the snow thrower motor. [Chris: what exactly were your meters recording?]
Well, I have two battery strings (the BB600's) so I have a Link-20 meter with the dual-shunt option. Each side can measure up to 500a, so I can see numbers above a normal E-meter. However it can't save RS232 type telemetry so I have to watch and press the "Select" button to watch amps and ah draw between the two packs. Not perfect, but very close.
Oh, and make sure your tires are properly inflated when using chains, otherwise they will unseat themselves very quickly. And more fun with cold/numb hands will follow. So yes, I'm happy to be setting up the new home in warmer Virginia :-)
*nod* Oddly enough I have new tires and was able to blow snow the first time on level ground without them. However when there's ice chains are the only way to go. I use a pair of rubber bungee-type things to hold the chains on the tires, works pretty well. Usually I'll just jack up the back of the tractor using the tiller bar and a floor jack, put on the chains, then drop it down.
Chris