Re: (ET) Elec-trak Digest, Vol 14, Issue 109

[Jim Coate <lists freerangeelectric com>]

Yes, but... with the electronic controller, reversing is not 
"instantly", and is done by changing polarity on the field winding. The 
controller has a ramp down & ramp up process. While not instant, it is 
still pretty quick and with a little practice, one learns to hit the 
reverse switch just enough ahead of the approaching bush or obstacle to 
change direction just in time without using the brakes (assuming not a 
steep incline).

On 8/27/16 9:18 PM, Briggs, Michael wrote:
> David,
>
> Since the Elec-Trak reverses direction by reversing the direction of the 
> current in the primary coils of the motor, wouldn't instantly reversing 
> direction while under load cause a significant back EMF spike that could 
> fry some electronics? Doesn't the Elec-Trak have a time-delay circuit to 
> prevent that from happening (and as the capacitor in the circuit fails 
> over time, it allows instant reversing, which leads to frying the reverse 
> relay)?
>
> Mike