Electric auger
An electric auger including an auger assembly with a coupling assembly at a proximal end, a cutting assembly having at least one cutting blade located at a distal end, and a helical flight located between the proximal end and the distal end. The electric power head includes an A/C motor with a drive shaft configured to mechanically couple with the proximal end of the auger assembly. An on-board 36-volt DC battery pack powers the A/C motor. A controller includes an inverter that converts DC power to A/C power for the A/C motor. The ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the electric auger is at least about 900 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
1. An electric auger comprising:
an auger assembly comprising a coupling assembly at a proximal end, a cutting assembly having at least one cutting blade located at a distal end, and a helical flight located between the proximal end and the distal end;
a power head comprising;
an A/C motor with a drive shaft configured to mechanically couple with the proximal end of the auger assembly;
an on-board 36-volt DC battery pack;
a thermal cut-out switch that terminates power flow to the A/C motor if battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
a controller including an inverter that converts DC power to A/C power for the A/C motor,
wherein a ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the electric auger is at least about 1200 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
2. The electric ice auger of claim 1 wherein the power head and battery pack weighs about 12 pounds.
3. The electric auger of claim 1 comprising a weight of about 14 pounds.
4. The electric auger of claim 1 wherein the battery pack is removable.
5. The electric auger of claim 1 comprising a direct drive system coupling the A/C motor to the auger assembly.
6. The electric auger of claim 5 wherein the direct drive system comprises a planetary gear transmission.
7. The electric auger of claim 1 comprising a program configured to stop the A/C motor if torque, current, or temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds.
8. The electric auger of claim 1 comprising a program configured to create a delay between activation of a power switch and activation of the A/C motor.
9. The electric auger of claim 1 wherein the controller regulates operation of the A/C motor to provide a maximum torque and an operating torque.
10. The electric auger of claim 1 wherein the ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the electric auger is at least about 1000 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
11. The electric auger of claim 1 wherein the ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the power head is at least about 900 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
12. An electric power head for rotating an auger assembly of an ice auger, the electric power head comprising:
an A/C motor with a drive shaft configured to mechanically couple with the auger assembly;
an on-board 36-volt DC battery pack;
a thermal cut-out switch that terminates power flow to the A/C motor if battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
a controller including an inverter that converts DC power to A/C power for the A/C motor,
wherein a ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the electric power head is at least about 900 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
13. The electric auger of claim 12 wherein the ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the power head is at least about 1200 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
14. A method of operating an electric auger, the method comprising the steps of:
attaching an auger assembly to a drive shaft of an A/C motor located in a power head;
converting power from a 36-volt, on-board DC battery pack to 36 volt, 120 Hz alternating current;
powering the A/C motor in the power head with the 36 volt, 120 Hz alternating current;
terminating power flow to the A/C motor if battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
engaging at least one rotating cutting blade located at a distal end of the auger assembly with ice, wherein a ratio of cubic inches of ice cut per battery ampere-hour per weight in pounds of the electric auger is at least about 900 (inches 3 /ampere-hour/pounds).
15. The method of claim 14 comprising directly coupling the A/C motor to the auger assembly.
16. The method of claim 14 comprising stopping the A/C motor if torque, current, or temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds.
17. The method of claim 14 comprising creating a delay between activation of a power switch and activation of the A/C motor.
18. The method of claim 14 comprising regulating operation of the A/C motor to provide a maximum torque and an operating torque.