Re: (ET) GE Elec Trak

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <etpost drmm net>]

Can't help you on the solar part, but I can tell you that I fitted an 
Alltrax controller to my E15 a few years ago.  I would never go back to 
the 
factory speed control.  The Alltrax is buttery-smooth; I can move the 
tractor by centimeters.   (As a note, there are other transistor 
controllers 
that can provide the same service, it's just that this one is configured 
for 
ETs.)

It's also more reliable.  Folks will tell you that the big advantage of 
the 
GE contactor controller is that it's easy to work on because it's so 
straightforward.  They're right, and that's a good thing, because you'll 
be 
working on it a fair bit, if my experience is any indication.   

On the other hand, once you get the Alltrax installed, it JUST WORKS.  

When I had the GE contactor controller, I was forever fixing something, 
either a semiconductor on one of the cards or the burnt reversing relay 
contacts.  The final straw came the blustery winter's day when I was 
plowing 
and had to reverse the tractor by raising the hood, lowering the relay 
panel, and pushing on the reverse relay.  

You can certainly rebuild or replace the various components of the GE 
controller, and that will probably improve its reliability.  However, IMO 
it's not worth working on.  If yours works, I'd say use it until it 
doesn't, 
and then rip it out and put in something that wasn't developed in the 
Apollo 
Space Program era.  

But as you'd expect there are plenty of opinions to the contrary here. ;-)