LA115 Lawn TractorBatteriesEtek Motor, Mars Controller and Deep CycEtck Motor and Deep Cycle BatteriesSolar Powered Trickle ChargerSolar Trickle ChargerEtek Motor Mounting PlateJohn Deere TY26877 4 Bank Battery ChargeEtek Motor Placement
OwnerJoe Lorenzi
Owner's Other EV Battery Powered 726E Snow Blower
LocationRaleigh, North Carolina United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle2010 John Deere Lawn Tractor
4 new AGM deep cycle batteries

I replaced the original wet cell batteries with four new John Deere TY27379A AGM Deep Cycle Batteries in May 2015.

19 Horsepower Lawn Tractor
Motor
Motenergy ME1004 Brush-Type DC Motor WebPage I used this motor due in large part to the fact that its shaft (2-3/4 inch by 1 inch) matched the shaft on the original gas motor exactly so I could reuse the old pulley without having to modify it. I even reused the bolt from the original gas engine. The length and thread size matched exactly.

Same physical mounting format as the brushed Etek
Weight: 22 lb.
Shipping weight: 26 lb.
WebPage
DrivetrainHydrostatic
Controller Mars Fixed Speed Control ME0501
I used this controller because of its low cost and relative simplicity. This is a simple on/off controller. You can vary the speed but not on the go. This works fine because I control the ground speed with the hydrostatic transmission and the mower deck blades should always be turning at a constant speed.

This Motor Control is designed for 36 VDC battery systems. Provides 90 amps continuous, 140 amps peak. Output is 3.5 HP continuous, with constant speed independent of load and battery voltage. This is a fixed speed control with settings from 1500 to 2500 rpm in 100 rpm increments. True sine wave excitation from 3 hall cell input. The control is similar to the ME0502B control except the motor must be stopped (not rotating) for the control to start-up.
Batteries4 Exide John Deere TY27379A , 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Replaced the original wet cell deep cycle batteries with four new John Deere TY27379A AGM Deep Cycle Batteries in 2015.
System Voltage48 Volts
Charger TY26877
John Deere 4 bank battery charger. Charges four 12v batteries at once.
HeaterNone
DC/DC Converter
None
InstrumentationHour Meter
Top Speed3 to 5 MPH
Range1/4 to 1/2 Acre
Watt Hours/MileNot sure
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight750 Pounds (340 Kilograms)
Tires4
Conversion TimeI started thinking about this in January 2009. It took about three months to locate and purchase the motor, controller, batteries, etc., a month to plan and test and about three full weekends to do the actual conversion. I have tweaked it a lot since then including getting all of the safety interlocks working. Replacing the motor and removing the controller.
Additional FeaturesSee it in motion on YouTube. WebPage
These pictures show the original 36v, three battery, controller setup. I have since changed this to a 48v, four battery, no controller setup.

I replaced the original wet cell deep cycle batteries with four new John Deere TY27379A AGM Deep Cycle Batteries in 2015.

It is quiet and smooth. It does not have the power or the runtime that the old gas version had but it cuts my yard. Many thanks to Carl and Gary for their input on the electrical system. See it in motion on YouTube. WebPage

I am not trying to sell anything or suggesting that you try this on your own. Electricity can cause serious injury or death. The same goes for lawn tractors. Never work on either without the proper expertise, tools and safety equipment.

code by jerry