Advice on electric golf carts

[stump54]

Here is a pic of my cart with my trailer and 50 gallon tank to water my trees.

I hadn't thought about a larger trailer. I could use it to move fence posts around.

How hard was it to swap out the componets you mentioned in your earlier post?

 

[wickedinhere]

It was pretty easy to swap out the motor and controller the only problem you might have is with the motor being so heavy but thats it. I bought a kit from buggies unlimited it came with the motor, controller and cables and it has detailed instructions. It makes a big difference goin from 2hp to 8hp.

 

[stump54]

Do you recall the part number and price of this kit?

 

[wickedinhere]

Part Number: STQEZ92001K $849.99

 

[SPYDERLK]

Quote: Is 48 volt worth the extra price over 36 volt?
How old is too old for the batteries?
What type of charging systems are there?
What are the differences between the brands?

I was told by a company that sells both EzGo and Clubcar that the 36V EzGos were more reliable. Dont remember why. We have the EzGo, raised and w big tires. It will pull about a 20 degree slope with standard motor. We use it a lot carrying loads on lesser hills. One year - no problems. The charger is needed every few days of use. It does an automatic 15A hi charge then tapers off sharply and cycles off when battery pack reaches 45V. I wired in 3 cheap 15 V gauges to monitor 2 batteries each in the series string. Battery characteristics are stable and good. I havnt even had to add water yet. Im planning to wire an inverter in so we can have AC in the field. Also, the battery pack would be a good power supply for a Ready Welder.
Larry

 

[stump54]

Quote: Is 48 volt worth the extra price over 36 volt?
How old is too old for the batteries?
What type of charging systems are there?
What are the differences between the brands?

I was told by a company that sells both EzGo and Clubcar that the 36V EzGos were more reliable. Dont remember why. We have the EzGo, raised and w big tires. It will pull about a 20 degree slope with standard motor. We use it a lot carrying loads on lesser hills. One year - no problems. The charger is needed every few days of use. It does an automatic 15A hi charge then tapers off sharply and cycles off when battery pack reaches 45V. I wired in 3 cheap 15 V gauges to monitor 2 batteries each in the series string. Battery characteristics are stable and good. I havnt even had to add water yet. Im planning to wire an inverter in so we can have AC in the field. Also, the battery pack would be a good power supply for a Ready Welder.
Larry

I'm not sure I would attempt to add gauges but how hard would it be to add an idiot light that would show low charge? I believe I saw something like that when I was searching for my cart.
We bought ours two weeks ago and we've held off charging to see how long it would go and what indicators there were before it quit. Well we charged last night after having to tow it from the far pasture (10 days; no warning)... I think we'll try every five to six days. Does it hurt to plug it in every night?
We also have a 36V EZGO with lift and big tires. So far it's better than we expected.

Gary

 

[wickedinhere]

Buggies unlimited sales a 36volt guage for carts should be pretty easy to install.
I normally charge my cart once a week, just make sure to keep an eye on the water level in your batteries if not that will kill your batteries very fast.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm not sure I would attempt to add gauges but how hard would it be to add an idiot light that would show low charge? I believe I saw something like that when I was searching for my cart.
We bought ours two weeks ago and we've held off charging to see how long it would go and what indicators there were before it quit. Well we charged last night after having to tow it from the far pasture (10 days; no warning)... I think we'll try every five to six days. Does it hurt to plug it in every night?
We also have a 36V EZGO with lift and big tires. So far it's better than we expected.

Gary

Gary, a gauge or gauges will be better than a light. That way you will get an analog feel for the batterys discharge. I did the 3 because I wanted to see the batterys performance relative to one another in order to ID problems sooner. A single would give you fair warning tho. Once your voltage under load with a standard motor goes much below 30 it is time to charge.
Larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

Gary, a gauge or gauges will be better than a light. That way you will get an analog feel for the batterys discharge. I did the 3 because I wanted to see the batterys performance relative to one another in order to ID problems sooner. A single would give you fair warning tho. Once your voltage under load with a standard motor goes much below 30 it is time to charge.
Larry

Gary. Sorry for omitting this. Charging every nite is a little excessive but not bad. It is not necessary with the deep cycle cells, but the auto charger cycle doesnt overcharge them, .. unless, I guess, the batteries will not rise to the 45V cutoff voltage - - one weak battery can cause this. If the batteries are OK nightly charges will just use water a little faster. If not, nightly charges will use water a lot faster.
Larry

 

[stump54]

Do these gauges usually come with instructions or is it necessary to have some understanding of how things work; I'm good with instructions but DC power is way out of my area...