Something a little different - Electric zero turn mower

[AmpEater]

Here is a fossil fuel powered mower that has been converted to run on electricity instead.

"Upstate Electric" blog

Enerdel lithium batteries configured in a 100-lb swappable pack
ME-1004 motor has the same shaft size as original engine
Soliton Jr. controller keeps the motor voltage at optimal 48 volts

But I think it would make even more sense to use an open revolt controller instead. That would shave over $1,000 off the build by itself, plus no longer needing water cooling.

Could the P&S controller do 200 amps continuous for hours?

[Daox]

You dont even need a controller if you're trying to keep costs down. Ask me how I know.

Tim Fulton's Simplicity Broadmoor 728

EcoRider - riding lawn mower electric conversion - EcoRenovator

Just used it last night...




And it also doubles as my snowblower.

[AmpEater]

Very cool. I really like the snowblower attachment.

This isn't my first electric mower, I've done something very similar in the past too.



But I don't like how the speed sags lower and lower as you go. I designed this mower so you get 100% power until the batteries are totally drained. And with lithium you need to be very careful to not over-discharge, with a controller it's idiot-proof. Just set your minimum voltage in the controller and drive it till the power starts cutting back, time to go swap the pack and do it again.

[Daox]

Very nice! Yeah lithium would be great... maybe someday.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by AmpEater

But I don't like how the speed sags lower and lower as you go. I designed this mower so you get 100% power until the batteries are totally drained. And with lithium you need to be very careful to not over-discharge, with a controller it's idiot-proof. Just set your minimum voltage in the controller and drive it till the power starts cutting back, time to go swap the pack and do it again.

Pack swapping. That sounds like a better idea than mowing half of the lawn and explaining to the wife why you are drinking beer and watching television!

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by AmpEater

But I think it would make even more sense to use an open revolt controller instead. That would shave over $1,000 off the build by itself, plus no longer needing water cooling.

Could the P&S controller do 200 amps continuous for hours?

A 450 amp alltrax AXE 7245 controller can handle 200 amps continuously and would cost about the same as the parts to build an Open Revolt controller... or for just over $300 you can get an Alltrax SPM 300amp controller that can handle 210amps for an hour+

I have a $20 battery cut off that works with lithium batteries that has two outputs a timed and a non timed trigger, so you could have the first trigger give you half speed "limp home mode" and the 2nd trigger cuts all power to save the battery pack from over discharge.

I like speed controllers over just an on off switch, the smoother start is easier on the motor and batteries and you can have the motor more directly power the wheels instead of needing a transmission.