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I agree completely. If you are going to buy a new controller - buy an Alltrax made for our tractors. I was one of those guys who got a free replacement after it was long out of warranty. My E-20 with an Alltrax was a beast. I also agree you should rewire your tractor. I never understood why people live with 40 yr old relays and mouse chewed wires and expect their machines to be reliable. T-Mobile. America's First Nationwide 4G Network. ------ Original message------ From: Robert Troll Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2016 8:37 AM To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu; Subject:Re: (ET) Curtis controller mod > I think Robert Troll made a wiki on Curtis controllers, but again my> memory is not notably reliable.>> --CharlieIndeed I did. The full detailed plans list should be out there, shoot me an email if you want to know more. The Curtis 1204 with high pedal disable works just fine with the ET motors, and was made for permanent magnet motors. It has not even gotten remotely warm in the few years of use that i have gotten out of it. I was not the first to use this setup, i just came up with a simple analog safety ckt to control the field and make sure that the field always has power before the armature. No need to use any relay for reverse, you simply reverse the field using a switch. Varistor prevents back voltage, and 4a fuse prevents over current. I did this because when i went looking for info how to install a controller i got lots of "Yeah no problem, or at least it should work." type of answers. One of two people had working designs, but did not have automatic safety's or were using home brew control boards. I also had a few hucksters try to sell me controllers with "special programming" for only $900. It was a good exercise and learning experience that i am very satisfied with and i learned a lot about controllers and the ET's.The Alltrax DCX-300 is a replacement for the Curtis with the addition of a field controlling ckt. 4QD controller will also work (must add field control ckt) and give you the benefit of regen. A few people have complained that the Alltrax cannot be rebuilt. This is BC the alltrax encases their ckts in epoxy for durability (think golf carts). The curtis is rebuild-able by most golf cart shops for a few hundred. On the other hand i hear that the alltrax warranty is fantastic and they often do courtesy replacements long after the warranty is up.Here is what it comes down to for me. Do you have a curtis lying around that is not being used? If so you are looking at around $50 in parts to build the field ckt. The cost of the ET specific alltrax is $450. I would not go out any buy a new curtis, or used one, unless it could be had for under $200. If not then give Jim or Harold a call and buy the Alltrax. The ET specific alltrax controls the field natively, and will reducing the wiring down to almost nothing. I would also gut and rewire the tractor, rather than retrofitting the controller. I never saw the point of putting a new controller in with original wiring all over. I have heard from 6 or so people who have installed the curtis using the ckt i put out and they are all happy. These are just my thoughts, your mileage may vary._______________________________________________Elec-trak mailing listElec-trak cosmos phy.tufts.eduhttps://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak |