EcoRider - riding lawn mower electric conversion - Page 13

Daox · 10-31-09, 06:32 PM

This morning I went out with a few guys in the local EV club to a salvage yard. One of the members knows the owner and got the call that he had just gotten in a few forklifts. So, we headed off to pull parts. We got a lot of stuff, but this nice voltmeter will be going on the mower. Its also has an hourmeter on it. I just need to get in contact with Curtis to get the pinout for the gage. Apparently it is capable metering 24, 36 or 48 volts which is very nice if I decide to bump up to 48V.

MetroMPG · 10-31-09, 06:57 PM

Lucky dog. That'll be perfect for the mower. Are you still/also planning a meter on each battery? Or at least a single LED?

Daox · 10-31-09, 09:03 PM

Yeah, the individual monitors are 'very close' according to Tom (the guy who is designing them). They'll likely replace this gauge. However, since I am using new batteries, balancing issues shouldn't really be a problem.

beem0 · 11-01-09, 08:53 AM

The Curtis website may have the info you need to wire it up. I found a manual for mine there.

Daox · 11-01-09, 08:59 AM

I tried. The gauge must be an old model and they don't have the manual online.

MetroMPG · 11-01-09, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

balancing issues shouldn't really be a problem.

Shouldn't be! But you won't know for sure unless you monitor them individually. Strongly recommended.

Daox · 11-02-09, 10:24 AM

I agree, and I definitely will be getting individual gauges.

In other news, Curtis already got back to my email that I sent this morning. So, I have the pinout for the gauge. Very impressive customer service.

Daox · 11-04-09, 06:46 AM

I started working on the battery racks last night. I'm planning on putting one up front (requires modification to the grill/top cover) and two right behind the seat. I'll get pics when I get some good progress.

Daox · 11-04-09, 09:33 PM

Battery rack work continues. Here are a few pictures of the progress.

Here is the rack that will hold the two rear batteries. I cut the pieces but haven't done any welding yet as I am clean out of gas for the welder. It is made out of .75x.125 angle iron.

Here are the support braces. They are bolted to the frame up front with two bolts on each side. They are 1.5x.125 angle iron.

Put the fenders back on to test fit.

Throw a battery on it. Everything looks like it lines up very well.

Here is a lower profile shot. I will be adding braces going to the far extents of the rack to steady it.

MetroMPG · 11-04-09, 09:39 PM

Wow! Now I get an idea of the size of those batteries. They're huge!

Your mower must be smaller than the Electrak.

10-31-09, 06:32 PM	#121
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	This morning I went out with a few guys in the local EV club to a salvage yard. One of the members knows the owner and got the call that he had just gotten in a few forklifts. So, we headed off to pull parts. We got a lot of stuff, but this nice voltmeter will be going on the mower. Its also has an hourmeter on it. I just need to get in contact with Curtis to get the pinout for the gage. Apparently it is capable metering 24, 36 or 48 volts which is very nice if I decide to bump up to 48V. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-31-09, 06:57 PM	#122
MetroMPG Infrequent noob Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 1000 Islands region, Ontario, Canada Posts: 402 Thanks: 37 Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts	Lucky dog. That'll be perfect for the mower. Are you still/also planning a meter on each battery? Or at least a single LED? __________________ . To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-31-09, 09:03 PM	#123
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Yeah, the individual monitors are 'very close' according to Tom (the guy who is designing them). They'll likely replace this gauge. However, since I am using new batteries, balancing issues shouldn't really be a problem. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-01-09, 08:59 AM	#125
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I tried. The gauge must be an old model and they don't have the manual online. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-02-09, 10:24 AM	#127
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I agree, and I definitely will be getting individual gauges. In other news, Curtis already got back to my email that I sent this morning. So, I have the pinout for the gauge. Very impressive customer service. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 11-04-09 at 09:33 AM..

11-01-09, 08:53 AM	#124
beem0 Lurking Renovator Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Curtis website may have the info you need to wire it up. I found a manual for mine there.

11-04-09, 06:46 AM	#128
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I started working on the battery racks last night. I'm planning on putting one up front (requires modification to the grill/top cover) and two right behind the seat. I'll get pics when I get some good progress. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-04-09, 09:33 PM	#129
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Battery rack work continues. Here are a few pictures of the progress. Here is the rack that will hold the two rear batteries. I cut the pieces but haven't done any welding yet as I am clean out of gas for the welder. It is made out of .75x.125 angle iron. Here are the support braces. They are bolted to the frame up front with two bolts on each side. They are 1.5x.125 angle iron. Put the fenders back on to test fit. Throw a battery on it. Everything looks like it lines up very well. Here is a lower profile shot. I will be adding braces going to the far extents of the rack to steady it. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-04-09, 09:39 PM	#130
MetroMPG Infrequent noob Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 1000 Islands region, Ontario, Canada Posts: 402 Thanks: 37 Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts	Wow! Now I get an idea of the size of those batteries. They're huge! Your mower must be smaller than the Electrak. __________________ . To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.