EcoRider - riding lawn mower electric conversion - Page 2

Daox · 11-17-08, 09:14 AM

Nothing yet, I've been spending most of the time on the house still. I'm finally getting close to being done with the attic.

As for whats been happening with the mower, not a ton. I'm still searching out parts and thinking up how everything is gonna get done. I'm pretty sure I have a motor and wiring for it. I'm still debating on weather to go with a controller, or not too. I've seen a few on evalbum that don't, but I'm not sure how I'd set it up yet.

Thanks Terry. Yes, I do own the white building on the end of the cul-de-sac. Thats my garage.

toyobug · 11-19-08, 10:56 AM

guess you'll have a good winter project once you get the insulation finished up

bennelson · 12-17-08, 08:40 PM

I have three different motors out of a forklift at my house. I also have plenty of welding cable and a few contactors and fuses.

If we dig up a golf cart controller, the only other thing we would need is the batteries.

I think a two-motor approach might be best. Have one motor run the wheels of the mower (controlled by a golf cart controller) and another that powers the blades (turned on and off with a contactor).

This is similar to how an Electrak works, except that it had a motor for each individual blade.

Alternatively, we could hook up a couple of reel mowers behind my Citicar....

jwxr7 · 12-18-08, 12:24 PM

that 728 you are going to convert looks identical to mine. Although I think mine is a 738 simplicity. Something must be different, but mine is also an 8hp. It has a three blade deck that cuts about a 36" path. It's interesting how they articulate back near the seat, instead of the front axle. I've had it for around 10 yrs and it's been a workhorse. I actually plow my driveway with it. It has a 42 or 46" snow blade I put on in the winter along with tire chains.

good luck with the conversion.

Daox · 02-01-09, 10:28 PM

It finally got tropically warm (35 degrees) this weekend, and with my insulation project behind me I took some time to do some work on the EcoRider. The first step? Rip out the engine! The previous owner is still patiently waiting for me to return it thankfully.

I also got a chance to talk with an elec-trak owner at an EV meet. He said the Elec-traks can do about 2 acres of mowing before they need to be recharged. So, with my less than an acre to mow, I'm not going to worry at all about not having enough battery capacity.

Now pics!

Pulled the top cover off.

Front cover off.

Yay, the happy moment of draining the last bit of gas this mower will ever see.

Engine GONE!

jwxr7 · 02-02-09, 07:47 AM

Cool!

That tractor looks like it's in way better shape than mine.

gascort · 02-17-09, 03:24 PM

Neat project - I look forward to seeing how it goes!
Ben - the CitiMower is a great idea!!!

Daox · 02-19-09, 09:53 AM

Got a great update here. This past weekend I was at a build day for EVs that goes on in Milwaukee. The host runs a recycling business and got me 24 7Ah 12V deep cycle batteries for the mower. This will allow me to run almost any combination of voltage I want. Then, last night I met him at his warehouse. We dug through some stuff and we found a 1.6hp 24V motor that I think will be pretty ideal for my setup. I was hoping for a 2hp, but this will probably be fine. In addition to the motor I also got a few contactors, some nice heavy gauge wire, and even a forklift motor controller if I end up needing it. This is nearly everything that I'll need to complete the mower!!! I'll post pictures of it all tonight.

jwxr7 · 02-19-09, 10:25 AM

That is awesome

. Nice to have a contact like him.

Daox · 02-19-09, 10:59 AM

Yeah, he is a great guy to have around. However, it also makes me realize, you could probably do the same with your local recycling place. Give them a call once a week and see if they have any electric parts if you are looking. Chances are that you can probably pick up parts for next to nothing. All they're going to do is rip stuff apart and sell it as scrap metal.

11-17-08, 09:14 AM	#11
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Nothing yet, I've been spending most of the time on the house still. I'm finally getting close to being done with the attic. As for whats been happening with the mower, not a ton. I'm still searching out parts and thinking up how everything is gonna get done. I'm pretty sure I have a motor and wiring for it. I'm still debating on weather to go with a controller, or not too. I've seen a few on evalbum that don't, but I'm not sure how I'd set it up yet. Thanks Terry. Yes, I do own the white building on the end of the cul-de-sac. Thats my garage. __________________ 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; 11-17-08 at 09:18 AM..

12-17-08, 08:40 PM	#13
bennelson Home-Wrecker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 546 Thanks: 3 Thanked 165 Times in 96 Posts	I have three different motors out of a forklift at my house. I also have plenty of welding cable and a few contactors and fuses. If we dig up a golf cart controller, the only other thing we would need is the batteries. I think a two-motor approach might be best. Have one motor run the wheels of the mower (controlled by a golf cart controller) and another that powers the blades (turned on and off with a contactor). This is similar to how an Electrak works, except that it had a motor for each individual blade. Alternatively, we could hook up a couple of reel mowers behind my Citicar.... __________________ 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.

02-19-09, 09:53 AM	#18
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Got a great update here. This past weekend I was at a build day for EVs that goes on in Milwaukee. The host runs a recycling business and got me 24 7Ah 12V deep cycle batteries for the mower. This will allow me to run almost any combination of voltage I want. Then, last night I met him at his warehouse. We dug through some stuff and we found a 1.6hp 24V motor that I think will be pretty ideal for my setup. I was hoping for a 2hp, but this will probably be fine. In addition to the motor I also got a few contactors, some nice heavy gauge wire, and even a forklift motor controller if I end up needing it. This is nearly everything that I'll need to complete the mower!!! I'll post pictures of it all tonight. Last edited by Daox; 02-19-09 at 10:30 AM.. Reason: typos galore

11-19-08, 10:56 AM	#12
toyobug avid DIY'r Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MS. Gulf Coast Posts: 154 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	guess you'll have a good winter project once you get the insulation finished up

12-18-08, 12:24 PM	#14
jwxr7 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: mid michigan Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	that 728 you are going to convert looks identical to mine. Although I think mine is a 738 simplicity. Something must be different, but mine is also an 8hp. It has a three blade deck that cuts about a 36" path. It's interesting how they articulate back near the seat, instead of the front axle. I've had it for around 10 yrs and it's been a workhorse. I actually plow my driveway with it. It has a 42 or 46" snow blade I put on in the winter along with tire chains. good luck with the conversion.

02-01-09, 10:28 PM	#15
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	It finally got tropically warm (35 degrees) this weekend, and with my insulation project behind me I took some time to do some work on the EcoRider. The first step? Rip out the engine! The previous owner is still patiently waiting for me to return it thankfully. I also got a chance to talk with an elec-trak owner at an EV meet. He said the Elec-traks can do about 2 acres of mowing before they need to be recharged. So, with my less than an acre to mow, I'm not going to worry at all about not having enough battery capacity. Now pics! Pulled the top cover off. Front cover off. Yay, the happy moment of draining the last bit of gas this mower will ever see. Engine GONE!

02-02-09, 07:47 AM	#16
jwxr7 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: mid michigan Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cool! That tractor looks like it's in way better shape than mine.

02-17-09, 03:24 PM	#17
gascort Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Neat project - I look forward to seeing how it goes! Ben - the CitiMower is a great idea!!!

02-19-09, 10:25 AM	#19
jwxr7 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: mid michigan Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That is awesome . Nice to have a contact like him.

02-19-09, 10:59 AM	#20
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Yeah, he is a great guy to have around. However, it also makes me realize, you could probably do the same with your local recycling place. Give them a call once a week and see if they have any electric parts if you are looking. Chances are that you can probably pick up parts for next to nothing. All they're going to do is rip stuff apart and sell it as scrap metal.