Re: (ET) thermal fuse, mower blades, and hubris

[David Brandt <ev_dave13 yahoo com>]

Chase the warm wires, making sure they are corrosion free, clean, and tightly connected.

 

For sharpening blades, you really do need to use a grinder or a sharpener made for lawnmower blades (I believe those attach to a regular drill).  A local lawnmower repair shop will be able to sharpen them inexpensively if you don't have either of these tools.

 

David Brandt

From: john rieffel <rieffelj union edu>
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2011 10:52 PM
Subject: (ET) thermal fuse, mower blades, and hubris

Hi Trekkers,

It's pouring again now in Upstate, NY, but during a break in the
weather today I was able to test out my new batteries (thanks
harold!), and was very impressed by their power and longevity (my
3x12v deep cycle marine setup was good while it lasted, but...).

After 40 minutes of pretty intense mowing (two straight weeks of
springtime rain) in the lower of the high gears, my E-15 came to a
dead stop - as if I had kneed the power cutoff.    The power meter
registered zero.  After wiggling and jiggling and poking and prodding,
it seemed to come back to life (meters in the green again) of its own
accord.  Could this be due to the thermal fuses?

It is worth noting that the power cables connecting the ET to the
batteries were quite hot, although my brand-new interconnects were
barely warm.  Should this be a cause for concern, and if so where do I
start?

Unrelated: For the sake of longer battery life and better cutting, I'm
interested in sharpening and balancing my blades - any advice?  I have
a 10" bastard file, but no bench grinder.

regards,
jr

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