Last updated April 4, 2009

It seems I've neglected this section, so hopefully, this should be it.

To sum it up again here, it is a Logisystems controller, rated at 550A, 120-144VDC. It is adjustable with 2 tiny dials behind some screws to keep them protected. Right now I have it set to medium-low to conserve batteries. I can set it up higher for more performance when I feel it is safe to do so.

The controller has finally been installed (see old news below for whole story). I had a tough time deciding on where to put it. Other people often have some sort of shelf above the motor... I've even heard of one person putting the controller sideways against the grill to allow more air cooling while driving... All of these ideas are good in merit only. The people who have done this didn't know that you must keep the cable(s) going from the controller to the motor as short as possible. Having too long of a cable can actually damage your controller. (because of inductance in the wire)

Anyways, I decided to risk using the frame as a mounting location, the risk comes from not being able to use that spot on the frame for other things such as mounting a battery rack.

Here are the pictures of the installation process.

The black shelf is actually steel that has been coated in rubberised undercoating to prevent rusting, it is pretty thin, so it doesn't weigh much. It is also supported at the rear with some left over aluminum bar that I had.

You can see in the last photo the controller and fans are still accessable to rain and crap from the wheel well. I'll add some plastic to this to block any splashing.

-------------- (below is old news, but part of the story)

So I finally got my controller, the correct one this time, and should be fully functional, too bad the truck is frozen solid and under 3feet of snow... anyone have a garage I could use?

The controller was sent back to Logisystems in Texas after a casual "recall"and took about a month (expected) to get repaired and upgraded... btw I usually don't speak badly of businesses, but I'll never to back to grassrootsEV again. sheesh. If you want to know more, ask me.

Below this line is old news, but it helps explain the trouble I had to go through
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Had some complications getting my controller... I ordered a 120-144V 550A logisystems controller from GrassrootsEV.
after about 2 months of waiting, I got the wrong one (120V). I must admit though, I had originally ordered a 72-120V system, but that was before I got a truck, knowing it would take a while to order, I thought it would be ok to make an additional payment to upgrade the controller to 144V... now I'm regretting it.

I'm not sure if I should stick with the 120V one, (and demand a refund of my upgrade) or somehow work a way to get the one I actually paid for.

*Update: Dec 12, 2008.

I've been sitting on my 120V controller for a couple months - trying to get the truck to the point where it is ready for testing. But with delays because of my job and the weather, this summer project is getting pretty cold.
Grassroots had asked me to test the controller before returning it as there has been rash of defective units from Logisystems.
Last week I had emailed GrassrootsEV to ensure they still remembered me, and he told me that I now didn't have to test my controller as it is extremely likely that it is defective. ... I wish they told me that months ago.

I returned the controller to Logisystems yesterday, they will fix the defect, and upgrade it to 144V for me. As for the shipping cost to get that thing back to Texas, I think I'm going to have to eat it. I did some research and I managed to get the thing shipped (11lbs) for under 20USD with FedEX ground. (US domestic)

As of this writing, I'm still not ready to use a controller anyways. I was almost there though. I may still have a trick or two up my sleeve for getting this truck moved 3 blocks on its own power. (without maxing out current/torque)