Battery Box StandBatteriesSide ViewDashboard ViewHood Up
OwnerWayne Riske
LocationBismarck, North Dakota United States map
Email email image
VehicleSears Craftsman 4000 DYT
Craftsman DYT 4000 Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP Intek OHV, 42in mower deck, 6 speed electric conversion
All components have been mounted under the hood.
MotorMars Mars ME0709 electric motor Permanent Magnet DC
The ME0709 is a Brush-type Permanent Magnet DC motor. Light weight, high efficiency design. Designed for 24-72 VDC battery operated equipment. Capable of 300 amps peak and 125 amps continuous. Totally open, fan cooled motor. Motor weight of 36 pounds. Similar in performance to the Perm-132 and the Lemco LEM-200 motors.
DrivetrainStock belt drive transaxle. Had engine pulley shaft on gas engine machined to Mars motor specification.
ControllerKelly KD 48400
The system is connected to a Alltrax main contactor with resistors. On/off switch and rotory Curtis Pot Element, 0-5 k Ohm in dash.
Batteries4, 48.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
4 Everstart, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded with 250amp fuse.
All 4 mounted in engine compartment.
System Voltage48 Volts
ChargerGuest 01-9523 GUEST 8 AMP BATTERY CHARGER
Two Guest marine chargers each charger has 2 banks; one for each 12 volt battery.
DC/DC Converter Thunderstruck 48v-12v dc-dc converter
48v-12v dc-dc converter
Top Speed3360 RPMs at 48VDC
Approximately same as with stock gas engine.
RangeMowed approximately 3/4 of an acre with mulching blades, one battery was not fully charged.
EV Miles
Start:57 Miles (91 Kilometers)
 
    As of 8/19/2009
Seating Capacity1 wife
TiresStock
Conversion TimeThis conversion happened over approximately 3 months.
Conversion CostStill counting
Additional FeaturesI have a separate power switch for the controller and motor. The blade clutch and lights are controlled by the original contactor and blade clutch switch.

The electronic blade clutch is currently powered by one of the batteries in the 4 pack. I will be adding the DC to DC converter to control the clutch and lights. I hope this will give me more run time by spreading the amp draw from all batteries.

I will be mounting the chargers permanently under the hood if I can find any room.
I would have preferred a hydrostatic transmission to smooth out mowing down ditches.
My current ICE hydrostatic drive mowers are much more convenient to mow with due to the smooth and quick response of the hydro transmission.

code by jerry