Stripped DownConroller an contactor location.Battery FrameBattery FrameMotor and Fuse Shot.Hood Mod and LetteringClose up of Lettering
OwnerDavid Eshbach
LocationDouglassville, Pennsylvania United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle Craftsman
All Wheel Steering, 42" Deck.
MotorBriggs and Stratton Etek/Mars 3001 PMSM/BLDC Motor Brushless DC
Designed for long life. Do not need brush maintenance. The motor is 90% efficiency at voltages between 24 to 48VDC. Continuous current is 100 amps at 48 VDC. Max current is 300A. This is a 3-phase, Y-connected Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with an axial air gap.
DrivetrainTransaxle
ControllerKelly KBL48301
KBL48301,24V-48V,300A,BLDC Controller/With Regen
Batteries4, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
75Ah. I live near a Deka production plant. Got these at there plant store. They were the best deal for what I need. They are 2nd's. This means they could not sell as new because of blemishes or some other cosmetic reason, but they work fine and are technically new batteries.
System Voltage48 Volts
Charger Pulsetech Xtreme 4-Station QuadLink Battery Charge
I had a kelly 10 amp charger but changed since I noticed my batteries were charging to different levels. Some were overcharging and some under charging.

To try to keep the batteries as equal as possible I switched to a different charger(Pulsetech Xtreme 4-Station QuadLink Battery Charger Kit). It will charge one battery with a pulse for 10 minuets then automatically go to the next battery. When charged will continue to maintain the batteries. This takes much longer to charge but is a much better charge.
Top SpeedSame as with 12.5hp gas motor
AccelerationQuicker than 12.5hp gas motor
RangeWith really good batteries about 2 hours but most times a little over an hour (Draining to a little under 50%). Takes me 45 minutes to do the yard.
Conversion Time3 months on and off. Most of this time was me changing my mind on things and waiting for other parts to arrive.
Conversion CostI had done a overkill on some things*. Motor ($450), Controller* ($400). Aluminum Extrusion* ($200). Main Contactor ($70)
Additional FeaturesAll Wheel Steering.
Controller was a overkill but it is awesome. Programming capabilities make it nice and safer.
Currently do not have 4th battery mounted. I was going to mount it in front of other batteries and lower. It would still fit under hood (which is not on yet). I decided I would like to mount on back to distribute the weight a little better.

I cut the lawn 3 times in high wet grass all 3 times. I ran each time about 45 minutes and ran the batteries down to about 45%.

I am really happy with it. No more oil changes, tune ups, fouled plugs, carburetor problems, starter problems. So far just mow and plug in and it's reading to go again when ready.

10-27-09: finally installed the hood. I also used to do vinyl lettering, so I did a little lettering on the hood. Check out the "No Gas" sticker I made on the lower corner of the hood.

I am going to get power cheq modules to maintain batteries better.

I have added the 4th batteries and using for about 7 years now. I had to replace the batteries once. I was not able to get power cheq modules as they are not available any more. To try to keep the batteries as equal as possible I switched to a different charger. It will charge one battery with a pulse for 10 minuets then automatically go to the next battery. When charged will continue to maintain the batteries. This takes much longer to charge but is a much better charge.

code by jerry