GE Elec-Trak Electric Lawn Tractor

[br549]

You really need to go to http://www.elec-trak.com/. A bunch of great people with lots of infor about the elec-trak. I wouldn't recommend going to 48 volts on it. you are dealing with 40 year old parts that are setup for 36 volts. The traction motor can handle it but i don't think the deck motors can. As for making the lights work, they are run off of 2 batteries in the back box at 12 volts (there own light weight wires). you will also find a wires to run the front lift at 18 volts. Again go the http://www.elec-trak.com/. they have service manuals, wire diagrams, and at least 2 different dealer for parts.

Good advice. Actually searched it up a couple of times but didn't join. Did now.

 

[br549]

If you want to have something with good function, I would recomend bringing all those ancient 6v cells to a battery shop that will recycle them...

Recycled the batteries today. Below are the results after desulfating and charging for several weeks and then letting them set for several days. I probably should have checked the electrolyte level and possibly added some if it was low but enough was enough and they had to go.

Battery 1 - 1.084v
Battery 2 - 3.99v
Battery 3 - 0v
Battery 4 - 1.23v
Battery 5 - 3.98v
Battery 6 - 5.51v

 

[br549]

You really need to go to http://www.elec-trak.com/. A bunch of great people with lots of infor about the elec-trak. I wouldn't recommend going to 48 volts on it. you are dealing with 40 year old parts that are setup for 36 volts. The traction motor can handle it but i don't think the deck motors can. As for making the lights work, they are run off of 2 batteries in the back box at 12 volts (there own light weight wires). you will also find a wires to run the front lift at 18 volts. Again go the http://www.elec-trak.com/. they have service manuals, wire diagrams, and at least 2 different dealer for parts.

I just wanted to report back that I got it working this weekend with the help from the people on http://www.elec-trak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4261 forum.

It wasn't without incident. At one point I had 4 inch flames coming out from the front from an unfortunate short.

It was amazingly quiet! Accelerates very smoothly both in forward and reverse. I'm amazed after sitting in someone's basement, probably for decades, that I was able to get it up and going. The problem was a disconnected wire on the fuse block coming from CB-2. The electric motor seems strong. It was so cool hearing the relays clicking and marveling at what GE did with this tractor (no motor controller)! I wish GE would have stuck with it. Imagine the refinements they would have continued to make and what they could be producing today

 

[br549]

[youtube]8EQ3C1D4sr8[/youtube]

 

[TylerDurden]

Time for chains!

 

[br549]

Elec-Trak cuts through record snowfall (blizzard 2011)

[youtube]PxZUyBCXOGQ[/youtube]

 

[br549]

Forgot to add this of a nice short I had on the snowblower, no pain no gain! :lol:

[youtube]58NOpnNnYJs[/youtube]

 

[bigmoose]

The blower sure did a nice job on the snow!! Wish I had it here in Ohio! :wink:

I liked the "short" clip also.