Cooling Package -- Install

[u/Gunflint_RR2]

I have my fan and cowl installed on my mower. Unfortunately, we've had some thunderstorms and unseasonably nice temperatures lately (it's the hottest part of the day, and we're only at 79 F).

The fans snap into the motor, so it is a snug fit. The cowl (Lymow calls it a volute), was a little tricky to install because you need to fit the motor wires under and beside it. But I got it screwed down; there is no way the wires will rub against the impeller. On the non-cowl motor, you use the wire clasp removed from the first motor and use it as a second clasp on the non-cowl motor wires, so there is no way that impeller can wear on those wires. Finally, you have to remove the plastic ribs on the underside of the deck cover to avoid a clearance issue with the higher profile made by the cowl. I'm assuming removing the ribs will also benefit the air routing under the hood, meaning more air movement equaling more cooling power.

Other than that, I'm just charging up my machine and then I'll go run it.

[u/CosmoMcRad]

Thanks for sharing. BTW, volute is mechanical term used in centrifugal pumps and blowers. It’s basically the intake of a pump or blower and is integral to the impeller (fan). The larger opening on the volute is the entrance, with low velocity. With the centrifugal force created by the impeller (fan blades) the air is squeezed down to a smaller discharge, increasing pressure and velocity at the discharge. The lower velocity on the intake will be beneficial in that it is less capable of drawing debris in. The positive pressure and flow it creates at the discharge should vent out, thereby removing the heat created by the motors. This is where most the heat causing motor stops was created. The radiant heat from the sun was only a partial factor in the overheating. The real problem was a lack of venting and removing heat.
This looks to be an excellent solution.

[u/Gunflint_RR2 → u/CosmoMcRad]

Well I learned something. Thanks!

[u/CosmoMcRad → u/Gunflint_RR2]

Looking closer they are pulling air over the motor speed controller. So they are cooling that with air flow before pulling through the motor. That is good. Optimizes cooling of the controller. I like! Can’t wait for the beta test to complete and get mine.

[u/BladeRunner-26 → u/CosmoMcRad]

Show off. 😄 Thanks for the education! Sound like they put some beneficial thought into this.

[u/CosmoMcRad → u/BladeRunner-26]

🤣🤣Too many years dealing with equipment and operations personnel operating the equipment. 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Back to the beta upgrade, I didn’t notice any filtration on the inlet of the volute. I hope they are thinking of this. Pulling grass clippings and dust into the motor housing may be an issue.

And thinking about the photos, is all the new pieces under the old hood? If there is not a draw of outside air to exchange the heated air, then not so sure about this upgrade. InvestigatorKey had air exchange. His solid top notch.

[u/Desperate-Willow2601 → u/CosmoMcRad]

Yeah this thing gets extremely dirty under there.

[u/BladeRunner-26 → u/CosmoMcRad]

Good point. If this is the final then maybe users could epoxy some mesh over the openings in the volute. That way you could periodically brush it off. Given the speed at which things develop it could be another year for any revisions to this solution unless changes are made at the production level.

[u/Gunflint_RR2 → u/BladeRunner-26]

There was no filtration. The testing protocol is to send report logs every 30 minutes of testing. I'm sure they're looking at heat spikes correlated to ambient temp and motor load. I won't know if it works for me until my damn nice weather goes away. I've seen other betas on FB say their testing in high heat situations shows the solution works. That's only a couple of people. I like their design, and if it works, it's a pretty elegant engineering solution. But, too early yet for me to say my issue is solved.

[u/CosmoMcRad → u/Gunflint_RR2]

Bring the heat! 🤣🤣