Lack of power on Beach in sand?

LIVIN

This is the first time I tried our electric cart out on the beach and was very disapointed.
It is a 1998 CC 48v DS w/ new Trojan T-875 batteries(I have been using for 6-7 days and have charged each time before beach trip), and 22x10.5x12 Desert Duro tires each filled w/ 28oz tire slime.
We left the cabin and headed for the beach on our maiden voyage w/ 2 adults under 200lbs. Driving on the street it had normal torque and topped out at at 19mph which is normal as well.
As we started to hit the soft sand it bogged down and just stopped. I had to get out and push it until we found some packed sand which cart would only run 13-15mph.
I noticed that all the carts around me were gas and they would just cruise around like nothing was wrong.
I always thought that electric carts had more tourque and would be as good or even better than gas carts in this situation.
We spent the whole weekend avoiding the soft sand and cart would bog down any time it would even hit the edge of un-packed sand.
Any ideas if this is normal or do I have an issue that needs to be looked at?
Thanks

BGW

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cheapjeep2

The soft sand is creating significant drag on the cart. You need more amps to power through it. If you have a stock controller you should look at getting a 400 amp or higher controller to give you the power. Plus it also takes times like 40 to 50 charges for new batteries to break in and hold a decent charge.

cwayaustx

It sounds like your cart is setup for speed, 19mph with 22inch tires, is your cart a series or shunt cart? If it is a series cart, I would assume that it possibly has a factory high speed motor with a stock controller, thus causing up to a %50 or better loss in torque. If it is shunt cart maybe someone else can chime in... It could also be possible that you have a loose connection or bad cable, that would usually cause a burning smell or signs of an overheated connection. I would suspect yoiu have a stock low amperage controller though, stay on the beach and you will be replacing it soon enough.. then consider an upgrade...

LIVIN

My cart is a series cart w/ stock controlller and 3.75hp mtr.
The battery cables are original but I have new 6 gauge set in my hand and will change tonight.
Is there a trick to change the main negative cable that goes through frame?
Thanks and if anyone else has any ideas please let me know....Thanks

cwayaustx

The only trick I know of is to make sure that you go through the onboard computer in same direction you removed, if youre not rerouting anything you shouldnt have to worry about this.

One thing that I've done when running larger cables is take a 10gauge wire and run it through the obc because of the diameter in the obc.

LIVIN

When new wire is ran through obc hole is there anything that is wired into obc or is it just a hole too route wire through?

cwayaustx

This only routes through the computer, to what is some type of voltage transformer (just a guess) sensing voltage to stop the powerdrive chargeat full charge. But no it doesnt connect to anything inside the obc.

LIVIN

Ok....tired of sparky and putting up for sale...
the first $4,500. gets it all....charger, GPS, custom t-top, new t-875 batteries etc...
if you are interested PM me....
thanks

buckmanmike

If you install an Alltrax 500amp controller and 4ga or heavier wires you'll have fun in the sand. c
Call Alltrax and they will guide you in the right direction. You just have the wrong combo for what you want to do.
You are right, set up the right way, electric carts chase monkeys out of banana trees.

gaston

I am sorry LIVIN, don't take this personal, but I have heard this type of statements before and I am reluctant of people not getting all they need to know and just getting tired and attack the sparky for nothing. There's a lot of discussion on which is better, but both worlds have their pros and cons.
Electric have a better torque CURVE than gas carts for sure, but you cannot compare a stock 9hp noise-smelly with a 3hp 6awg stock controller sparky like yours.

First of all you are totally wrong about cables size. Probably you haven't been well advised. You need AT LEAST 4awg wiring all around. You can run it trough the OBC no problems.
Secondly, read what people had posted: YOU NEED A HIGHER AMPERAGE CONTROLLER, the stock controller is designed for stock 18" tires. I would like to know what's the point of comparison you made with "all the gas car around" (most gas carts needs upgrades on the stock parts to be able to reach higher torque, speed, etc, and modifications that can put in risk some components and I bet you haven't look under their seats, did you?).
Right now for the type of usage you want, and the actual configuration of your cart, the stock controller is not enough.
Thirdly, the gas golf cars have a lot more stress on their motors for running on the beach, maybe you don't notice now but as well as you do with a sparky, you decrease life of motor exponentially when running the cart in stress conditions like this; none golf car unless it's specifically sand designed is intended to be used on the beach. Any kind of vehicle will loose speed on loose ground like this. I live on the beach and have seen powerful 4x4 stuck in places I can easily sort with the golf cart. This has nothing to see with the sparky. Loose ground is loose ground.
Fourthly, how's your tire pressure? I find that many users have their pressure really high all the time, the recommended range is always under 15psi and normal condition in the order of 7-10 psi, instead of pushing the cart, did you tried to lower the tire pressure?

Anyway, if you're still want to sell your cart maybe you might want to try the for sale section of the forum. Pictures are recommended.