Gas to Electric conversion

[WellsTC 1]

Has anyone converted their WH lawn tractor to electric power ? For example (with a John Deere); http://www.motorcycleelectrickit.com/gpage4.html

I have a spare 416-8 that I bought for parts and to help me put back together the 416-8 that came with the homestead. The frame busted on the first 416-8 last year so I had to take it all apart. (The gear box tore of the frame.) Having another 416-8 on hand was very helpful when I had some time (months later after winter had passed) to put it back together after having the frame professionally welded.

Turns out that the spare 416-8 is in pretty poor condition. (I knew that it was an oil burner when I bought it but the rest is poor too.) Instead of trying to restore it, I'm thinking that it is a great candidate for an electrical conversion.

Getting the PTO to work with an electrical motor would probably be difficult and expensive but mounting an electric motor in the right place with the right size pully appears easy enough. For mowing, the mowing deck could have its own electric motors like this; http://www.evalbum.com/527

I'm afraid that I'll have time to do the conversion because I only work part time and next year is looking worse then the last two years. (I'm a civil engineer who does not work for the government.)

Tom (Union Mills, IN)

[Kelly 1,031]

I'm sure it can be done I met a guy the converted a Chevy Vega to elect. he used a fork truck motor hooked to the 4 speed, with a bunch of big batteries, his problem was the speed control was not heavy enough, and welded itself together and gained speed till about 110mph, before he could disconnect stuff to shut it down, he said it was a scary ride the brakes did nothing to help even slow it down, unless you can find and get cheap batteries that will be the draw back. keep us posted if you go through with this.

[WellsTC 1]

Here's an interesting gas to electric conversion:

WORLDS FASTEST street legal ELECTRIC CAR

I'll let you-all know if I actually convert the old 416-8. Talk is cheap !

[WH nut 553]

You are going to have to becarefull not to mow over the extension cord :)

[Save Old Iron 1,568]

Tom,

great idea and great Zombie video. I have to admit tho, when I listen to the folks praise the virtues of "emission-less electric, they somehow forget where the electricity comes from. - fuel fired generating plants. I wish they would remember that when they try to convert the whole world to electric. And then there is the cost of recycling / purchasing batteries.

Have you ever done a cost comparison of gas versus electric - excluding the "green factor"? I would be curious on what the comparisons show.

I saw my first electric wheel horse when I went to pick up a D200 a few weeks back. The gentleman I bought it from gave me a demo and it was definitely something that puts a smile on your face. Very quiet, and very powerful - full torque right at the first click of the controller switch.

[wh500special 2,249]

The idea has crossed my mind too more than one time. I don't have a complete appreciation for the amount of effort it would take to accomplish, but it looks like used (or new) golf cart motors and speed controllers are readily available on eBay.

Here is a thread from a while back where a member converted a vertical shaft 200 series LT to an electric machine.

Click this and look about half way down the page

The E141 tractor would be analogous to what you're contemplating. WH still used the clutched belt back to the transaxle and replaced the spindles on the 42" RD mower with small electric motors.

Maintained properly and used regularly, you can expect many years out of the deep cycle batteries. The 6-volt units seem to be more robust than the 12-volters.

Good luck!

Steve

[marvairplanes 34]

Here's a little Lawn Ranger 700, converted...

Even had the "correct" decal.

I can get about 2 hours of run time...then need to re-charge.

Marv

[multihobbyguy 35]

Here is one that belongs to friend of my father. I don't know that it is for anything other than the novelty of building one.

[dryrun 0]

TOM, was just wondering how conversion is going? If I could offer a few thoughts:older golf carts used 36 volt systems(good on power and range, but heavy on batteries). Later models up to 48 volt, still heavy on batteries, not to mention the room for 4-12s or 6-8s. Heres a suggestion, check salvage yards, industrial equipment companies etc for old industrial ride on floor sweepers. these had smaller drive motors which would fit your application better, since you dont need that much top speed. They also have a brush drive motor that might turn a small mower deck. You also could fit 2 or 3 batteries to a small tractor a lot easier. I am certainly not an expert in electric vehicles, but I own 3 old electric golf carts, and have worked on floor sweepers and other small powered factory equipment. Cost should should not be too bad, considering that you would get all parts, controller,motors, wiring etc from one machine. which means MATCHED COMPONENTS. Would like to hear how you are doing, and where is UNION MILLS? I live near ENGLISH IN. GEORGE

[MaineDad 86]

Here's a guy in Maine that turned his Farmall Cub into a solar/electric tractor...

[WellsTC 1]

I am still in Duluth, MN at a superfund site. We are still not finished and the weather is starting to get cold up here.... I have not been home since I left in late June. Consequently, I haven't touched either WH 416-8 since then.

The project will begin with my taking apart the old 416-8 and deciding if and where I can arrange eight 6-volt batteries for 48 volts total. I am not concerned about looks but I don't want a top heavy tractor and I don't want it to collapse under the substantial wieght of the batteries. (Roughly 500 lbs !) Come to think of it, I've seen 8 volt batteries for sale and then I would only need 6. Good idea !!

Here's an expensive list of new compatible parts:

http://www.evamerica.com/website48vtractor.pdf

There are some golf cart repair shops in the area who I was thinking of talking to.

The tractor may never be used for mowing but if I can find an appropriate mowing deck and the right electric motors....

I was thinking of converting a Chevy S-10 pickup to electric but the practial range that gives long battery life is too short and the required cost and effort is too high; http://www.evhelp.com/

Union Mills is located in LaPorte county whose northern border is ~20% Lake Michigan and 80% Michigan. Union Mills is in the southern half of the county (not far from English Lake, IN where the Yellow River joins the Kankakee River.) Golf carts are popular in our small unincorporated village but I usually walk everywhere.

[W9JAB 156]

Some links I use everydayhttp://www.bugev.net/

http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com...d-your-own.html

http://www.cloudelectric.com/

http://labshelf.com/electric-car-conversion.html

http://e-volks.com/

http://www.electroauto.com/index.html

http://www.evparts.com/

[KC9KAS 4,744]

The biggest problem is the size & quantity of batteries needed for any given amount of time that you plan on running between charges.

One fellow said he gets 2 hours of run time then has to recharge.....how long does that take?

Sounds like I am skeptical............