Lights Dim before cart gets weak

SaltLifeCC · 08-23-2010, 10:17 AM

Installed a light kit on my precedent last Thursday. I don't believe my GC retiree has a 48v to 12v converter so I followed the instructions to wire the lights to the positive cable on battery #4. They looked and worked great. However, saturday night I was riding it and noticed that the front light was very dim and the back lights weren't on at all but the cart seemed to still be running plenty strong. Keep in mind I've only had it a week and this is our first electric cart. So, I put it on the charger last night and just went out and checked it this morning and, now that it has been fully charged, the lights are working great again. Does this scenario tell me anything? Do I have a weak battery #4 but the pack as a whole is doing okay? I guess my thinking is that the cart would get weak way before the lights wouldn't have enough juice to come on based on the power needed to run the cart vs. the lights.

OLD MEC · 08-23-2010, 10:50 AM

This is one of the many problems that come up with hooking 12 volt lights etc to a single battery in your total pack. Whenever you are DRIVING cart the amp draw pulls lights down to the point of almost going out? Yes you could have weak battery as the 12volt batterys seem to only last a couple of years and this is why Club Car went back to 8volt batterys to get better range, power and life? They have a conversion out to do a complete replacement of existing 12 volt battery set ups.
I would either install an extra 12 volt battery ( I use a handicap scooter battery UB 12350 that is sealed and can be mounted in any position ) or a 48 volt total pack to 12 volt reducer?

SaltLifeCC · 08-23-2010, 10:56 AM

How much is a reducer, where can I get one, and how hard is it to install?

I'm familiar with the 12v to 8v battery conversion and the reason for it. But I don't have that nor do I have the money for that right now. I have an 06 cart that has the 08 replacement 12v batteries in it right now.

SaltLifeCC · 08-23-2010, 11:02 AM

oops duplicate post. Are there any other advantages to having this reducer? Is the main function of one to allow accessories to pull from the pack as a whole vs. just one battery?

OLD MEC · 08-23-2010, 11:26 AM

A high amp reducer will cost more than the battery I use as 12 volt sourse. A 25 amp unit runs about $150. plus or minus and a 10 amp reducer runs about $70. I would check with forums sponsors on pricing and which one you want? Remember that most cart owners end up with high draws and so I dont recomend anything below 20 amps. They are simple to install when you follow enclosed instructions ( I am hearing that some suppliers on EBAY etc dont have any instructions with unit ).
You are correct the main function is to draw from the whole battery pack rather than just one or two batterys.
One of the disadvantages of reducer from pack is that Radio, Sterio, CB, CD players, etc have static when cart is in motion, while a seperate battery is almost static free if cables are run away from motor and cables etc.

08-23-2010, 10:17 AM	#1
SaltLifeCC Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 734	Lights Dim before cart gets weak Installed a light kit on my precedent last Thursday. I don't believe my GC retiree has a 48v to 12v converter so I followed the instructions to wire the lights to the positive cable on battery #4. They looked and worked great. However, saturday night I was riding it and noticed that the front light was very dim and the back lights weren't on at all but the cart seemed to still be running plenty strong. Keep in mind I've only had it a week and this is our first electric cart. So, I put it on the charger last night and just went out and checked it this morning and, now that it has been fully charged, the lights are working great again. Does this scenario tell me anything? Do I have a weak battery #4 but the pack as a whole is doing okay? I guess my thinking is that the cart would get weak way before the lights wouldn't have enough juice to come on based on the power needed to run the cart vs. the lights.
SaltLifeCC Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 734

08-23-2010, 10:50 AM	#2
OLD MEC Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,391	Re: Lights Dim before cart gets weak This is one of the many problems that come up with hooking 12 volt lights etc to a single battery in your total pack. Whenever you are DRIVING cart the amp draw pulls lights down to the point of almost going out? Yes you could have weak battery as the 12volt batterys seem to only last a couple of years and this is why Club Car went back to 8volt batterys to get better range, power and life? They have a conversion out to do a complete replacement of existing 12 volt battery set ups. I would either install an extra 12 volt battery ( I use a handicap scooter battery UB 12350 that is sealed and can be mounted in any position ) or a 48 volt total pack to 12 volt reducer?

08-23-2010, 10:56 AM	#3
SaltLifeCC Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 734	Re: Lights Dim before cart gets weak How much is a reducer, where can I get one, and how hard is it to install? I'm familiar with the 12v to 8v battery conversion and the reason for it. But I don't have that nor do I have the money for that right now. I have an 06 cart that has the 08 replacement 12v batteries in it right now.
SaltLifeCC Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 734

08-23-2010, 11:02 AM	#4
SaltLifeCC Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 734	Re: Lights Dim before cart gets weak oops duplicate post. Are there any other advantages to having this reducer? Is the main function of one to allow accessories to pull from the pack as a whole vs. just one battery?
SaltLifeCC Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 734

08-23-2010, 11:26 AM	#5
OLD MEC Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,391	Re: Lights Dim before cart gets weak A high amp reducer will cost more than the battery I use as 12 volt sourse. A 25 amp unit runs about $150. plus or minus and a 10 amp reducer runs about $70. I would check with forums sponsors on pricing and which one you want? Remember that most cart owners end up with high draws and so I dont recomend anything below 20 amps. They are simple to install when you follow enclosed instructions ( I am hearing that some suppliers on EBAY etc dont have any instructions with unit ). You are correct the main function is to draw from the whole battery pack rather than just one or two batterys. One of the disadvantages of reducer from pack is that Radio, Sterio, CB, CD players, etc have static when cart is in motion, while a seperate battery is almost static free if cables are run away from motor and cables etc.

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