I have got an RC lawnmower that I built running and working now. I have used four wheelchair motors and the Sabretooth 2x60. This thing will climb a tree but I am still working out some bugs, One of them is to get an alternator charging system implemented. In pursuing this I have seen others do this and they have used 24 volt alternators that are rated at around 60 amps. However, for mounting purposes I have found a 24 volt alternator that is rated at 20 amps. I am told this will do the job for me. Currently I only get about 45 minutes of good use with the batteries charged.
If anyone has feedback on whether the 20 amp rated alternator would work for me I would appreciate it. It will take a decent amount of modification to get all this working so I want to get the right alternator to start with and not have to redo this modification later just because I need a different alternator.
I plan to post here pix and video once I get the bugs worked out.
I’m guessing that you have a gas engine for the blades and are using electric for the motors? And what are you currently using for batteries? A 24V lead acid?
A 20A alternator should be enough. If the current output of the alternator is higher than the average current consumption of the motors, then the battery should be always charging and the gas will run out before anything else. I would expect that your motors consume at most 2-5A, at 24V, on average.
Yes I have a gas motor for the blades. However, I do have four motors so I would assume that changes the picture. I went ahead and bought a 70 amp alternator just to be safe. The the fabrication that will have to be done to get the alternator installed in the setup, I did not want to have to redo this effort.
hello dear all I can ask for information forum Sabertooth 2x60 but I want to know as I have there 24 volt 70 amp alternator delco sabertooth but knows not burned?
I’m very excited to see how this works for you! I have been collecting parts to build something very similar. My lawn has a steep hill on the back side of the property. I was planning on using 4 wheelchair motors also and I’m still a little worried it won’t have enough torque to travel the hill. What size mower did you use?
Hi ….I hope I can help some. First of all …it is working and it will climb a tree. However …it has been quite a project due to the electrical requirements. I ended up having to use two Dimension Engineering 2x60 motor controllers. And because i wanted ( and believe me you will need on steep hills) the brakes to stay on the motors the wiring became fairly complex with diodes in the wiring. Four motors draw a lot of current and make sure you use hefty wire for as much of the project as you can. This can be tedious because the wiring blocks on the 2x60 are not made to take that heavy gauge of wire. Anyways, I have just put up a video which shows the mower in action. It is part of a music video I put up ( I am musician and write, perform etc.) I will probably put one up later that really just features the mower. But at least you can get the idea with this one. I used an old Lawnboy RE8 riding mower. It is a very stout mower and served the purpose as opposed to building a whole new frame etc. If you are going to drive an alternator ( which you will need with four motors) and the mower blade you will need at least a 14 HP or more motor. At least that is what I found. I hope this has helped. RH
Thanks for the video! Really you had to use 2 2x60’s? how much does that thing weight roughly? I am planning on running much smaller tires and only having a top speed of about 4mph. Ill have to do the math but i really hope i don’t need two also, they are rated for 1000lbs max and 120amp peak per channel.
I tried one 2x60, it just could not handle the current draw. I don’t think the tires are the issue (the ones I used IMO are not that big). It is what the motors demand on steep hills and doing skid steer turning etc. I would suggest to you to try and find some snowblower tracks and idler cogs etc. Then use two motors. The next one I do that is what I am going to do. This mower is built really stout ……including the axels I built. I don’t know really what it weighs but it is heavy ….I bet at least 500 lbs or more. But that also makes it a workhorse …and helps it stay on steep ground.
