new batteries/charger and my 48 cc is slowing down?

tinkerman

I bit the bullet and bought new Sams club 48 volt Energizer batteries a couple of months ago and also got a brand new charger from the dealer who sold me the cart, as the other charger was bad. Well....I was very pleased with the short 1 and 1/2 full cycle charging time I was getting up until about the last 4 to 5 times I've charged it, the charger is only going down to 5 and then not shutting off as it did before. I don't know if that is why...or not...but my 2002 club car has lost alot of its pep when taking off and seems to require full throttle to move at what is still a respectable speed, but not great. Just wondering is there some kind of fuse that are in these 2002 club cars I should be looking for or I have also read that people have their "Controllers" go out on them. What is it's function and where would I find it to try and test it? Thanks in advance for any Help anyone can give me on this. Tinkerman

BGW

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scottyb

New batteries take 10-12 hours to recharge. After proper break in the charge time will eventually reduce to 5-6 hours.

tinkerman

Thanks for the response, but what I don't understand is when we 1st installed the new batteries a couple of months ago, the charger would charge them for an Hour and 1/2 or maybe the longest 4 hours and it would drop below 5 and shut down, did well for the 1st "13" charges at fully charging and shutting off, now I leave it on at least 6 to 8 hours and the charger stops at 5 and doesn't shut down even after a couple more hours?!! Should I try leaving it on all night? I just assumed it was getting a full charge, but maybe not?

scottyb

Without voltage readings we have no hard data to analyze. It would seem you have an OBC problem which may have killed the old batteries and is working on the new batteries since I would doubt that your batteries have EVER gotten a full charge, based on the info you gave.

Your best bet would be to invest in a digital voltmeter and check....... and yes by all means let the charger run up to 16 hours if it needs to now.

tinkerman

Thanks, I kinda wondered about the OBC myself, I read on the stickies here how to reset it and I'm gonna try that tommorrow. I do have a digital voltmeter I had bought to check the old batteries, and I will use it and check out all the new batteries with it tomorrow as well. I'll post the readings I get with it too. Thanks again.

tinkerman

I found out I'm short on projects time today as we have a birthday party to attend so anyway I did reset the OBC as it said to do on the stickies, and have had it on the charger for about 2&1/2 Hrs is all, unfortunately, I'm not going to get to leave it on a full 12 to 16 Hrs. untill tomorrow as I'll be leaving today, As it stands right now, the charger started up and went down to 5 and is just sitting there running just like before, and is not shutting down, maybe when I have more time to give it a full 12 to 16 HRs. it will shut down, it always did the 1st... 10 charges or so before with these 2 month old batteries in about 3 HRs. but on this last 4 or 5 charges it just isn't shutting down. Just wanted to update you all, I didn't get a chance to use my voltage meter today and will probably do that tomorrow also. I did check and make sure the OBC is wired up the correct way according to the info I found on here. Thanks again, and hopefully I'll have better luck tomorrow. Tinkerman

scottyb

Interrupting the charger's on board computer is not helping the computer do it's job.

1.Take a pack voltage reading before charging. Post it here.
2. report the number of hours the charger runs.
3. post the highest recorded voltage during the charge.... This highest number is VERY important. I will often hang around and test every 20-30 minutes as the voltage approaches 58v. It cam go as high as 63v... If it does not you have a problem... the charger will time out and shut off at 16hrs..... if it does that you have a problem, record the shut off voltage.....
NOW when it is done charging ... LET IT SIT UNDISTURBED 12 HOURS and post he readings here after the 12 hour settling. This is the TRUE pack voltage...... If you follow these instructions and post the info I have asked we can help you determine what if any problems you have....

tinkerman

Update: I drove my 2002 club car around the block today, it has 2 month old, Sams club 8 volt energizer batteries in it, that had been working great until the last 4 or so charges, the cart seemed to be losing some zip on takeoff and hills. Well, I gave it a partial charge before I left the other day, which I know is a NO NO.... should charge fully, but it sure seemed to have its spunk back today, though I went ahead and did as "Scottyb" suggested and took these voltage readings: (1.) Pack after short ride and (before) charging read (51.9)
(2.) each individual battery test (8.73) (3.) Charger went down below 5 and shut off after 2&1/2 hours charge time. (4.) Highest recorded pack voltage while charging (65) (5.) After full charge and I let sit undisturbed for 12 hours I got a full pack reading of (51.9). Though it's not 58 or so like most I wonder if it is because they are the less expensive batteries I could afford at Sams Club, and have others had similar readings with their 8 volt energizers. Thanks for all the help and information. tinkerman

scottyb

50.9 is fully charged / fully settled ... so it appears your batteries are ready to run..... draw them down to 48.5 and recharge.

Attached Images

Batterytable1-1.jpg (88.7 KB, 8 views)

tinkerman

Scottyb. It's a relief to know that 50.9 is fully charged, I feel much more confident now knowing that my batteries are good. That was a good test to do and one I will keep in mind for the future. I will drive the cart then and recharge it. Thanks again for all your help. Tinkerman