Newbie purchased Club Car and now I have a lot of questions

Enthdegree

Hi everyone, I just purchased my first golf cart but being new to this I have a few questions.

First the history on it. I was told by the prevoius owner that it was a 1999 Club Car that was used as a shuttle inside the airport for passengers. When he purchased it 3 years ago he removed the rear seat; got rid of the step which included a baggage ledge and used it only on race weekends towing his 8 year old grand kids mini dragster. He has kept it in his garage and would plug in the charger every other day, check the water levels once a month. These batteries are 2 years old.


Now the questions:

1) he said it was a 99 but when I check the serial # and compare it to the sticky at the top of this page I have a 2001 that was built on the 8th week AC= DS Electric Golf Car, 48 Volt Regen Club Car. Am I correct or was he?




2) He said that a 12 volt reducer was installed for a strobe light (airport requirement) Can someone give me an idea where the reducer might be located and what it could look like? I would like to install front and rear lights and from what I have read you need this reducer.

3) Would there be any issues if the battery's are charged without letting them drain down?


4) He removed the rear seat and tossed the step. I want to reinstall the seat and fabricate a step. Can anyone give me any suggestions or take a close up picture of theirs? I assume this is a factory seat? I would like to fabricate the step as close as possible to the original.



I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time here learning from all of you and spending a lot of $$$$$$$$$

shh.............. don't tell the wife she thinks it will be used to just get around the campground.

BGW

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jeggers

I'm a myself so cant realy help. someone will be along shortly to assist you.

kneddor

1) You are right that it is a 2001.
2) Voltage reducers come in many shapes and sizes. Look for a box that has a red and black wire that connects to the battery pack and has a red and black wire (out - this should measure ~12 V).
3) Not sure I understand the question but the batteries should be charged after each use and once/month or so if not in use.
4) Can't help with this one but I'm sure others will help.

Welcome!

Enthdegree

Where I work we have electric fork lifts, we were told by the manufacturer to only charge the batteries when there is one light left. If we charge the batteries on a frequent basis they will begin to not hold a full charge. I don't know if this is the same case with golf cart batteries.

scottyb

That is not the same with GC lead acid batteries..... The less you draw them down between charges the better..... within reason. If he was needlessly recharging then he was using up cycles needlessly. Time will tell. Use the 50% draw down limit rule and this chart here, Guess you are gonna need a voltmeter? To go with that 01 CC

Attached Images

StateofChargeChart.jpg (53.8 KB, 23 views)

kneddor

I'm no expert so wait til others chime in but what I've always understood is golf cart batteries should not be left partially discharged. If I take the cart for a quick spin (10 minutes or so) I will not recharge the batteries. Anything more than this, I recharge. I've always thought that leaving the batteries even partially discharged for any significant time was more damaging that charging them to frequently.

I suspect the difference on the forklift batteries has more to do with repeated industrial use and maybe there are differences in the batteries themselves. I suspect in industrial use, the batteries are not going to stay in a discharged state for an extended period.

I look forward to others chiming in to set us both straight.

kneddor

Man, this forum is not like the others I'm used to. In the time it takes to construct a post the experts answer the question and move on. The forums I'm used to wait a long time for a response.

Thanks scottyb!

jeggers

kneddor, Shouldent that be 12vDC?

kneddor

You are correct!

Another comment, if all you plan to run off a converter is lights, simply converting to 48V (dc) bulbs is easier and waaaayyyy cheaper!

K-DAWG

Yes, you should always keep your Batteries charged.