Hooked up new components and got 4th of July

[sowilliams]

Thanks Yurtle!

[scottyb]

Real men don't read instructions - but they sure crap their their pants when the sparks start flying.
Lucky for you you bought the latest technologically advanced speed control. It has reverse polarity protection on the input and output side.

There's a whole sheet in my controller instructions about the diode placement.

Customer one time, put main + on one side of the solenoid and main - on the other side, when he hit the gas....... There was a small explosion and fire consumed the solenoid..... that guy needed a clean set of drawers The controller survived.


Glad to hear everything is alright.

[sowilliams]

Thanks Scotty,

And by the way, this thing is awesome. Didn't get to drive it much last night but enough to tell it has great torque and speed. Very happy with this controller. I'll do testimonials for you if you need me to.

BTW, can I get the diode locally or do I need to order from you?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by yurtle

I'd replace the diode. It's shot. Probably blown in half internally. For short runs it won't hurt to run without, but it will make your solenoid contacts last longer.

The diode doesn't protect the solenoid's contacts, it protects whatever is de-energizing the solenoid's coil. That would typically be the pedal microswitch for the main solenoid or the F/R toggle switch for reversing contactors.

[sowilliams]

Johnny,

Can you tell me what each contact on the motor does? ie. A1, A2, S1, S2

Thanks, Steve

[yurtle]

I don't know about yours, but mine came with the diode type listed on the installation guide. Radio Shack may have them, but any "real" electronics parts store should have them. And I'm sure ScottyB has them as well.

I'm guessing ScottyB's may be cheaper if you have to go online. I've often had to pay more for shipping than for a single part from online stores like Mouser, Ack, Digikey, etc. may have a minimum charge for s/h.

[yurtle]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

The diode doesn't protect the solenoid's contacts, it protects whatever is de-energizing the solenoid's coil. That would typically be the pedal microswitch for the main solenoid or the F/R toggle switch for reversing contactors.

Oops, you're right. Brain fart. Stops the surge caused by the collapsing magnetic field of the solinoid's coil.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by sowilliams

Johnny,

Can you tell me what each contact on the motor does? ie. A1, A2, S1, S2

Thanks, Steve

The Armature windings are between A1 & A2 and the Stator windings are between S1 & S2.

Here is a very simplified diagram of a series wound motor and F/R switch.
The wiring is different than what is in your cart, but it works the same way.
The mechanical F/R switch shown, controls the direction the current flows through the Stator windings and the motor spins CW when the current flows though the Stator in one direction and CCW when it flows in the other.

The Reversing Contactor in your cart does the same thing as a mechanical F/R switch.

[scottyb]

I use an IN5404 3amp high voltage (400v) diode measuring about 2 3/8 inches with #10 stud ring terminals. I would think you can find one at radio shack.

[sowilliams]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

The Armature windings are between A1 & A2 and the Stator windings are between S1 & S2.

Here is a very simplified diagram of a series wound motor and F/R switch.
The wiring is different than what is in your cart, but it works the same way.
The mechanical F/R switch shown, controls the direction the current flows through the Stator windings and the motor spins CW when the current flows though the Stator in one direction and CCW when it flows in the other.

The Reversing Contactor in your cart does the same thing as a mechanical F/R switch.

Thank you, hopefully this will help me the next time I'm wiring one up. Of course I could do as Scotty said and follow directions but that's no fun.