Help with Electric Plow Rig


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Posted by Joe S on Monday, January 15, 2001 at 9:27PM :

"SnowWay Electric Plow - Truck is now DEAD AS A DOORNAIL"
First, sorry for the long post! I need help bad!
Well, some folks suggested that I should not have this new electric plow wired up to one battery, but the dealer recommended it. My options were little or nothing. Could not found an electrical shop that could rewire the electric motor to 24v, could not find a 24v to 12v reducer that would support the 150amp plow motor, so this was my only option.

Well now, the 5th storm of the winter hit today in NH and the truck would not start. Major disappointment! After charging her for about 10 minutes, with my military 24v charger through the truck's receptical, I was able to get her started. BTW, love this charger.

Well I thought I was all set, but no go, the plow would not operate with the engine running. Pulled the battery box cover and found the battery (not connected to the plow's motor) frozen solid!

Disconnected the plow cabling from the "unfrozen" battery assuming the plow's motor solinoid might be stuck open and tried starting the truck again. Nothing!

Put the charger back on for about 15 minutes and again she started right up. Let the old 230 run for about 15 minutes and shut her off. Again dead as door nail.

Call the plow dealer and he wants to go with "Plan B". That is to install a toggle switch which alternate the draw from one battery to the other.

In addition, I was planning to install my new 24v Alternator this coming weekend!

In any case, any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. Two more storms are in the offing this week!

Do you think one of batteries is "cooked"? Just bought the pair back in August!
Also, any other thoughts on how the hell I can hook this plow up with any future problems?

If I had to do it over again, I would have went with an hydrolic operated unit!






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