My New EV

[bennelson]

I just bought a new EV.

Got it cheap at the auto salvage yard. It even has an AC motor!

Now before you get too excited, here it is:

http://web.mac.com/benhdvideoguy/iWeb/Site/EVmower.html

OK, so if it were a riding mower would you consider it an EV?
I got this more to save on maintenance than to save on gas. I always have trouble with small gas engines, especially 2-cycle.

It runs, but I should probably pull the motor out and take a look at it, see if there are any brushes left, etc.

I would love a G.E. Electrak, but you have to pry those from the owners' cold dead fingers....

[SVOboy]

Time to find some electrak owners to murder...

Nice find! Gonna add some batteries?

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Gonna add some batteries?

Nah, just going to use it for trimming around the house. Just needs an extension cord.

[Nerys]

I got sooo lucky I got a B&D cordless (batteries) mower for nothing on craigslist!! its got a cracked motor magnet but it still works and a whole new motor is only $130 (the mower is worth over $500 new so a deal) its got one new battery too (damn there $111 a pop!!!) Once the batts die I will try a NIMH conversion but I think these batts will last a few years at least. I LOVE it. More than enough power for all the grass at work and enough for the grass at home as long as its not wet. Damp grass drains it at about the 3/4 mark :-) I am so pleased! NO more fraking oil to cut the lawn! and its insanely quite :-)

[LostCause]

Originally Posted by bennelson

It runs, but I should probably pull the motor out and take a look at it, see if there are any brushes left, etc.

I may be misinterpreting you, but if you mean commutator brushes, AC motors don't have any.

I remember back in the day mowing the lawn with an electric mower. The one I used was corded. If yours isn't, I'm jealous.

- LostCause

[bennelson]

Doh! You're right. It might not have any brushes! Depends on the exact type of motor inside. I believe it could be a "universal" motor as well.

It doesn't always spin up when I hit the switch. That's an AC motor thing right?
It is a corded mower. I'm fine with that! No batteries to maintain or replace!

[WaxyChicken]

I had an electric mower before.
I ran over the cord twice before i sold it at a yard sale.

[Nerys]

Hehehe yeah I could see that getting annoying right quick. Thats why I got a cordless battery powered one. problem solved :-) no more money to exxon and the other ilk at least to cut my lawn. I also have one of those manual reel to reel mowers. They work surprisingly well and are not all that hard to push the problem is ANY stick even a twig stops then dead in there tracks :-)

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by WaxyChicken

I had an electric mower before.
I ran over the cord twice before i sold it at a yard sale.

Yeah, I think whether I actually use the corded electric mower will all depend on "cable-management".

I calculated how much money it costs to mow my lawn. Too much.

Maybe I should do some "prarie restoration".

[Nerys]

I wonder. 1500watt inverter and a good deep cycle battery. How long would that thing run? How big is your lawn?