36v to 48v conversion

fleetbob50

have looked thru the forum here and just want to be sure I have gotten the right impression about converting 36 to 48 volt. First off I bought a 85 model club cart that needs battery's. The previous owner was using a charger that shows 42 to 48 volt lights on it so I have to assume its a 48 volt charger but my cart per the charts on the forum is a 36 volt model. Since charger are expensive I can either go to 48 know or stay 36 and have to buy the lower charger. From what I've seen on here can I do the following, go to 48 volt batteries, put #4 cables on the cart and continue as many say the motor will take the extra volts or do I need to change selnoids and other items as well.
Whats your best approach if you were going to do it. It will be driven short distances daily , no heavy use but whats the best bang for my bucks. Also where do you get the best prices on battery's please

thanks ahead of time
fleetbob50

BGW

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scottyb

Welcome to BGW Fleetbob50

Your 1985 Club Car can not handle 48v in its present condition. The entire speed control must be changed over to solid state electronics for 48v.

What makes you think the charger is for 42-48 volts?

fleetbob50

no where on the thing does it say 36v except where its describing input output etc and there it says 36VDC but then why would there be a light bar on the side indicated 42,43,44 etc to 48 volts or is it that the whole pack itself is higher than 36 volt at full charge. Although I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade I know nothing about golf carts.
So if it is then I just need to stick with 6V batterys and put new heavier cables on it. Old ones are pretty ragged and if I'm going to drop 600 plus for batteries I want them to last 4 or 5 years if possible. Do you need to replace all the large cables and not just those connecting the batterys

scottyb

You are correct on all counts. 36v is the system designed voltage. In reality each cell is above 2 volts. 6.37 volts fully charged to be exact. Your cart fully charged will read 38.4v. In order to get it to take and hold 38.4v the charger will bring the pack up to 42-44v when recharging.... the pack will then settle to what it can hold ~ hopefully 38.4

In order to get 4-5 years out of a battery pack you will have to do everything right. doing everything wrong can result in the pack lasting as little as12 - 18 months.
There is tons of good info here on this site and around the internet on lead acid wet cell batteries... the more you learn the longer your batteries will last, period....

if you are changing cables learn why you should use welding cable and what size.....
if you are getting new batteries read about proper break in procedures
Also learn proper use and charging habits
dos and don'ts of lead acid batteries.

It's all here, and all of it will help you get the most from your battery dollar

fleetbob50

thanks ScottyB, will dive in this weekend