48 volt charger not charging batteries

headbangerone

It has been awhile since I have been on here. Now we are having an issue with the charger not charging the batteries or the batteries running out of juice faster than normal. I did something stupid - the charger was plugged in to the cart and wall and I pulled the charger apart by pulling the cart out of the garage while all was still attached - had charger fixed and it buzzes when charging but does not shut off. Added battery acid and distilled water to batteries but they still run out quickly. Are the batteries dead or is the charger shot? Please help - my husband is ready to chuck the cart.

BGW

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jlmurphy

chunk it to me I would take a volt meter and check all batteries. Take a hydrometer and check all the cells. Post voltages on the sight. This could be a charger problem or batterie problem.

Colbyntx

Sounds like you need new batteries. Get the volt reading 1 hour after a charge. Let the charger run until it turns off. Even if it takes 12-14 hours(you should do this everytime you charge). Also get the volt reading of the entire pack 1 hour after a charge. How old are the batteries? What charger are you using and how many amps does it show while charging? Is this a series or regen cart?

headbangerone

The charger we are using is a 48v lestronic charger. I pulled it apart when I took it with the golf cart. It has been repaired and does work however I am not sure how well. As for the cart, it is a series cart. It was upgraded from a 36v to a 48v. We have trojan batteries in the cart. Not sure how old they are. Put acid in them towards the end of the camping season and always checked the water levels. Is there a way to see how old the batteries are?

scottyb

Trojan batteries have a date code stamped in the base of the Negative post like B9 for Feb 2009 or D6 for April 2006

headbangerone

Thank you for the tip on the age of the batteries. Will check them and then go from there.

OLD MEC

How long ago was conversion from 36 volt to 48 volt done and was charger working OK before being pulled apart? To start with you must have a problem with wiring or something as when charger is plugged in cart it shouldnt be able to move ( charger lock out with OBC )? Second what model number is Lestronic charger and does it have amp meter on front to show how much is going into batterys, and is it a automatic unit or do you have a OBC ( On Board Computer ) wired into charger circuit? So often with conversions from 36 to 48 volts wiring does not get set up correctly and this may be reason that cart could be moved with charger plugged in?

headbangerone

The cart was changed over before we bought it about three years ago. I believe the cart is a 1992. As for the meter, there is one on the front but since it got pulled apart it no longer works (?). The charger buzzes when plugged in. We have to go out to our campground to get the other info. As soon as I do, I will post it. For a point of reference - the motor is a 36 volt motor and we kept burning up v-glides 2 in less than 6 months. We got the Alltrax controller and changed to a 48v solenoid.

sonicj

some humming/buzzing of the transformer is normal. this can be amplified by surrounding metal if something inside was bent, loosened, moved, etc during the incident. i would do as Colbyntx suggests and let the charge cycle complete. even if it takes 15 or 16 hours, etc.... subsequent charges may also take long periods as the OBC attempts to condition your batteries. this often can take a few charge / discharge cycles.

the hydrometer and voltage readings will reveal batteries that past their prime.
-sj

scottyb

Sounds like you have an partial upgrade. The V-glide will not provide good service in the conversion cart. You should convert to a Potentiometer. You will continue to burn through the old V-glides.