EcoRider - riding lawn mower electric conversion - Page 36

jeff5may · 08-01-18, 11:59 PM

Rig up a couple of trailer light plugs. Easy, not expensive and super durable.

u3b3rg33k · 08-02-18, 12:43 AM

why not install a smart bank charger on the mower? then you have one weatherproof charger that does each battery individually. They're meant for permanent install.

bennelson · 08-02-18, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u3b3rg33k

why not install a smart bank charger on the mower?

That would also be additional cost instead of using what a person already has. It also skips the fun/interesting creative problem solving of designing a custom multi-prong charging connector!

Daox · 10-07-19, 04:33 PM

It has been 10 years now that my battery electric lawn mower has been used to cut my lawn, haul brush, and do other miscellaneous tasks. Woohoo!

Lately, I've been contemplating going over the mower and doing some updates. The biggest one I've been contemplating lately is battery related. Yes, I am thinking about upgrading to lithium ion batteries. The prices have come down plenty now and for not much more than the price of lead, I can get gently used lithium ion. This also means that I can increase the battery capacity and run time. The lead acid does the job, but a little more would be a nice benefit. Also, it would be even easier on the batteries to have more capacity.

The cells I'm currently thinking of getting are theses:

These are a used 10.95V 26.5AH 3S5P lithium ion battery. 4 of these in series would give me a 44V nominal battery. Pretty close to the 48V nominal from the lead acid pack. But, I was also thinking I'd put 4 in parallel as well. This would give me a pack capacity of 4.6 kWh vs the current 3.8 kWh. If you take into account the usable capacity boost of going from 50% to 80% with lithium you're now looking at a usable capacity increase of nearly 200%!

So, what is the cost of this battery? I'm looking at $480 plus shipping. The lead acid pack costs $320. Not much more to go for lithium plus 20% pack capacity (not to mention usable capacity of going from 50% DOD to 80%).

I highly recommend any of you guys messing around with batteries check out the place I am looking at. Its called Battery Hookup. They buy used cells, capacity test them, and then resell them for a fraction of retail prices. They don't have a gigantic selection, but their prices are really great.

Note: These are affiliate links. I haven't used Battery Hookup yet, but the feedback I've seen online is pretty good.

pinballlooking · 10-07-19, 05:17 PM

That would be a pretty nice upgrade.
10 years is a great run with it.

Daox · 06-15-20, 03:24 PM

Had a bit of a mishap with the mower. One of the blade mounts on the mowing deck snapped at the transition of the shaft to the mounting plate. I should be able to weld it back together. It appears this has been a process that has been going on for some time as there is rust in that broken metal area.

So, I had to take apart the entire mowing deck to do this. Found out that the bottom bearing on the spindle is completely shot. The new bearing is on they way.

oil pan 4 · 06-15-20, 09:35 PM

Make sure the new one has actual grease and not corrosion preventative compound.

Daox · 06-16-20, 12:26 PM

In the bearing? It was a sealed bearing.

philb · 06-16-20, 09:29 PM

I would suggest you go with LiFePO4 batteries. They don't have a bad temper. I've had my batteries for several months now and they are excellent. I want to get a bit more time on the batteries before a story.
3.2Volts/200Amp/64 batteries for my new off grid house.

oil pan 4 · 06-16-20, 09:37 PM

Sealed is a relative term. I pry them open and add 2 drops of gear oil and a smear of grease just about every year.

10-07-19, 04:33 PM	#354
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	It has been 10 years now that my battery electric lawn mower has been used to cut my lawn, haul brush, and do other miscellaneous tasks. Woohoo! Lately, I've been contemplating going over the mower and doing some updates. The biggest one I've been contemplating lately is battery related. Yes, I am thinking about upgrading to lithium ion batteries. The prices have come down plenty now and for not much more than the price of lead, I can get gently used lithium ion. This also means that I can increase the battery capacity and run time. The lead acid does the job, but a little more would be a nice benefit. Also, it would be even easier on the batteries to have more capacity. The cells I'm currently thinking of getting are theses: These are a used 10.95V 26.5AH 3S5P lithium ion battery. 4 of these in series would give me a 44V nominal battery. Pretty close to the 48V nominal from the lead acid pack. But, I was also thinking I'd put 4 in parallel as well. This would give me a pack capacity of 4.6 kWh vs the current 3.8 kWh. If you take into account the usable capacity boost of going from 50% to 80% with lithium you're now looking at a usable capacity increase of nearly 200%! So, what is the cost of this battery? I'm looking at $480 plus shipping. The lead acid pack costs $320. Not much more to go for lithium plus 20% pack capacity (not to mention usable capacity of going from 50% DOD to 80%). I highly recommend any of you guys messing around with batteries check out the place I am looking at. Its called Battery Hookup. They buy used cells, capacity test them, and then resell them for a fraction of retail prices. They don't have a gigantic selection, but their prices are really great. Note: These are affiliate links. I haven't used Battery Hookup yet, but the feedback I've seen online is pretty good. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 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; 10-08-19 at 12:55 PM..

10-07-19, 05:17 PM	#355
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	That would be a pretty nice upgrade. 10 years is a great run with it. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-15-20, 03:24 PM	#356
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Had a bit of a mishap with the mower. One of the blade mounts on the mowing deck snapped at the transition of the shaft to the mounting plate. I should be able to weld it back together. It appears this has been a process that has been going on for some time as there is rust in that broken metal area. So, I had to take apart the entire mowing deck to do this. Found out that the bottom bearing on the spindle is completely shot. The new bearing is on they way. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 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.

06-16-20, 12:26 PM	#358
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	In the bearing? It was a sealed bearing. __________________ 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.

08-01-18, 11:59 PM	#351
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Rig up a couple of trailer light plugs. Easy, not expensive and super durable.

08-02-18, 12:43 AM	#352
u3b3rg33k Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Rustbelt, USA Posts: 114 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	why not install a smart bank charger on the mower? then you have one weatherproof charger that does each battery individually. They're meant for permanent install.

06-15-20, 09:35 PM	#357
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	Make sure the new one has actual grease and not corrosion preventative compound.

06-16-20, 09:29 PM	#359
philb Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 155 Thanks: 58 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	I would suggest you go with LiFePO4 batteries. They don't have a bad temper. I've had my batteries for several months now and they are excellent. I want to get a bit more time on the batteries before a story. 3.2Volts/200Amp/64 batteries for my new off grid house.

06-16-20, 09:37 PM	#360
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	Sealed is a relative term. I pry them open and add 2 drops of gear oil and a smear of grease just about every year.