reversing contactor questions

[mfinnegan]

Hey Guys. So i am VERY tired of both this dumb stiff F/R switch on my PC954 AND the million feet of cable needed for it.

searching for something easier for my kids and wife to turn and i came across something called a reversing contactor on scottybs website.

How does this work? can anyone show me some pics or vids on how it gets put in and works?

[JohnnieB]

A mechanical F/R switch is effectively a DPDT switch designed to pass a lot of amps. A reversing contactor is typically a pair of SPDT solenoids connected together to get a DPDT operation.

One of the solenoid coils is energized for forward and the other is energized for reverse. A SPDT/center off (on-off-on) switch is used to selectively send voltage to the solenoid coils.

The reversing contactor assembly can be mounted close to the motor to minimize the length of the high current cables. Relatively small gauge wires (16Ga or so) connect the direction selector switch to the reversing contactor assembly.

Here's a picture of one installed in a series cart, but it can be mounted anyplace there is room for it.

[Sergio]

That is something strange about that reversing contactor in the picture, did you notice the + magnetic blowout indicator is on opposite sides in each half of the assembly?

It is almost like someone took the top cap OFF and put it back reversed.

If those halfs indeed have magnetic blowouts then it is not wired properly as the B+ should be going to the two top studs connected by the bus-bar.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Sergio

That is something strange about that reversing contactor in the picture, did you notice the + magnetic blowout indicator is on opposite sides in each half of the assembly?

It is almost like someone took the top cap OFF and put it back reversed.

If those halfs indeed have magnetic blowouts then it is not wired properly as the B+ should be going to the two top studs connected by the bus-bar.

Strange indeed, most of the caps have an alignment pin which prohibits reversing the position of the cap as shown?

[Sergio]

I think the SW202 caps can go either way, here is a picture of one without the magnets installed in the slots, notice how the slots are keyed for the magnets to maintain the proper polarity:

Sorry about the size but it is a direct link to the parts site....

Edit: I see the keyhole now, maybe the cap is not flush with the body

[ThreeCW]

Originally Posted by mfinnegan

can anyone show me some pics or vids on how it gets put in and works?

Find attached an "example" Alltrax wiring diagram of how a SW202 Forward - Reverse Contactor is wired in. Note that this for a Series cart.

I have also attached some Curtis Albright specifications for the SW202 Contactors.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Sergio

That is something strange about that reversing contactor in the picture, did you notice the + magnetic blowout indicator is on opposite sides in each half of the assembly?

It is almost like someone took the top cap OFF and put it back reversed.

If those halfs indeed have magnetic blowouts then it is not wired properly as the B+ should be going to the two top studs connected by the bus-bar.

Ooops. I'm not all that familiar with reversing contactors and wasn't aware there was anything strange about the one in the picture. Don't have any idea who posted it originally.

[scottyb]

I've taken enough of these apart to know ours had a single pin which mandates the cap position. You simply can't put it on wrong without braking something. It may be the unit pictured does not have magnetic blowouts... just + marks ?

[mfinnegan]

Great info guys! Thanks a lot.

So in a nutshell, remove the F/R switch and cables, put this new reversing contactor in the back with the electronics, hook up the 4 cables to it, run a thinner pair of like 16 gauge wires up to the front, which will now have a simple switch?

Makes sense to me!

[Special K]

What is the longevity on a contactor used for F/R on a golf cart.