OwnerDave Brandt
Owner's Other EVs1986 Ford Escort
Kartco 675ST Go-Kart
1986 Pontiac Fiero
LocationSavannah, Georgia United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1970 General Electric E-15
1970-72 GE Elec-Trak Riding mower/Lawn Tractor brought back from the brink.
MotorGeneral Electric The label is too faded to read... Shunt Wound DC
original 36V shunt wound motor
Drivetrain36V GE shunt wound motor with 4 speed Peerless 2318 transaxle from a later version of the same tractor.
ControllerCurtis 1204
36-48V PWM for armature only. Dial throttle pot on dash. Multiple safeties to ensure field is powered before engaging armature.
Batteries6, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
rebadged US1800's
System Voltage36 Volts
Charger Harbor Freight
3 automatic 12V chargers from Harbor Freight currently being tested.
HeaterThe sun in the summer in Savannah
DC/DC Converter
None!
Instrumentationammeter, voltmeter (an improvement over the original)
Top Speed10 MPH (16 KPH)
I haven't used the field weakening in earnest yet, but there is some serious potential there (pardon the pun...)
Accelerationpretty good for a 700 lb. tractor. Limited top speed until you activate the field weakening, then it's off to the races....
Range3 Miles ( 4 Kilometers)
typically these can do 2 acres per charge. I have a lot less than that to do.
Watt Hours/Mile30-50 amps while mowing, about 20 if just driving it.
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight700 Pounds (318 Kilograms)
It's sometimes hard to tell if the mower deck is cutting since the wheels mash the grass flat for a while after they go over it.
Tires4
Conversion Timeabout a year of weekends and evenings
Conversion CostSlightly more than a new ZTR, but a lot more fun, too.
Additional Features2000 lb. winch in lieu of factory lift.
1800W inverter to power standard 120VAC accessories (not yet mounted)
Bright yellow paint job (I always hated the original elec-trak "putrid mustard" color).
The only thing that takes getting used to is the front mounting of the deck. The shunt motor brings you right to a stop when you turn down the throttle - haven't needed to use the brake yet!

Full restoration diary at WebPage

code by jerry