To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question

dgcurtis · 02-13-2011, 05:08 PM

So I've been working on a project cart that I bought a few months ago. It has an OBC but whomever had the cart before me was bypassing it. They were using a Powerdrive charger (model 17930) but it doesn't have the normal round connector with three contacts. It has a two contact connector that connects under the seat to a connector that is hooked up between the positive and negative of the battery pack.

I am not sure what (if anything) is turning off the charger since I didn't think this powerdrive charge would stop without the OBC.

I want to make this a 8 x 6 volt battery cart. I've read a couple of other posts that were saying to get rid of the OBC and just get a smart charger. I believe the OBC is bad anyway so I am trying to decide which way to go.

Thanks,

Doug

OLD MEC · 02-13-2011, 05:48 PM

The 17930 Power Drive charger requires the OBC to be connected through the gray wire at receptical unlesss some adaptions have been performed internally? IF its been bypassed at receptical to pack ground its running full voltage with no control. I have added a timer unit to a few of these chargers but to be safe you need to baby sit the pack on a hourly basis, and even at that it does not give an good equilizing charge nor a tappering amp charge. When hooking up you are guessing how long it takes for a full charge, BUT NOT OVER CHARGE.
I personally like the OBC and Power Drive charger much better than any one after market charger for battery life and less battery boiling of distilled water. YES the OBC's do give some problems but more on the early models 1995-1999.
You either need to get a automatic charger or replace your OBC ( cheaper than a new charger ) so your charger functions correctly?

dgcurtis · 02-13-2011, 07:42 PM

Ah, cool. I like the sound of not having to babysit the charging every time I want to charge it.

Looks like I'll be on the lookout for a cheap OBC.

Thanks for the info!

Doug

OLD MEC · 02-14-2011, 03:53 PM

Beware of after market OBC's as I have seen several that only lasted few weeks to months and then warentee is up so your out another amount for another OBC?
The slight difference in costs is not worth the chance in my opinion? Used OBC's are seldom taken off while working correctly?, but you might find one almost new that some one took off because of voltage changes or unknown good reasons.

navara20030 · 02-17-2011, 05:07 PM

I have 2 x Precedents with failed OBC's, I wasn't aware you could run the Precedent without the OBC. I would like to fit Delta Q chargers to each car and to do this I would need to remove the OBC.

Can anyone help with the re-wire so I can remove the OBC.

Many Thanks in advance

dgcurtis · 02-17-2011, 10:15 PM

I should have noted that while my main cart is a precedent, the project cart is a DS.

Doug

ATV-RVr · 02-18-2011, 11:20 AM

I wasted my money on a used OBC via ebay...it took me a while to get to get it installed...It didnt work. My advice is to get new parts.

02-13-2011, 05:08 PM	#1
dgcurtis Getting Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Peachtree City, GA Posts: 141	To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question So I've been working on a project cart that I bought a few months ago. It has an OBC but whomever had the cart before me was bypassing it. They were using a Powerdrive charger (model 17930) but it doesn't have the normal round connector with three contacts. It has a two contact connector that connects under the seat to a connector that is hooked up between the positive and negative of the battery pack. I am not sure what (if anything) is turning off the charger since I didn't think this powerdrive charge would stop without the OBC. I want to make this a 8 x 6 volt battery cart. I've read a couple of other posts that were saying to get rid of the OBC and just get a smart charger. I believe the OBC is bad anyway so I am trying to decide which way to go. Thanks, Doug

02-13-2011, 05:48 PM	#2
OLD MEC Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,391	Re: To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question The 17930 Power Drive charger requires the OBC to be connected through the gray wire at receptical unlesss some adaptions have been performed internally? IF its been bypassed at receptical to pack ground its running full voltage with no control. I have added a timer unit to a few of these chargers but to be safe you need to baby sit the pack on a hourly basis, and even at that it does not give an good equilizing charge nor a tappering amp charge. When hooking up you are guessing how long it takes for a full charge, BUT NOT OVER CHARGE. I personally like the OBC and Power Drive charger much better than any one after market charger for battery life and less battery boiling of distilled water. YES the OBC's do give some problems but more on the early models 1995-1999. You either need to get a automatic charger or replace your OBC ( cheaper than a new charger ) so your charger functions correctly?

02-13-2011, 07:42 PM	#3
dgcurtis Getting Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Peachtree City, GA Posts: 141	Re: To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question Ah, cool. I like the sound of not having to babysit the charging every time I want to charge it. Looks like I'll be on the lookout for a cheap OBC. Thanks for the info! Doug

02-14-2011, 03:53 PM	#4
OLD MEC Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,391	Re: To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question Beware of after market OBC's as I have seen several that only lasted few weeks to months and then warentee is up so your out another amount for another OBC? The slight difference in costs is not worth the chance in my opinion? Used OBC's are seldom taken off while working correctly?, but you might find one almost new that some one took off because of voltage changes or unknown good reasons.

02-17-2011, 05:07 PM	#5
navara20030 Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 116	Re: To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question I have 2 x Precedents with failed OBC's, I wasn't aware you could run the Precedent without the OBC. I would like to fit Delta Q chargers to each car and to do this I would need to remove the OBC. Can anyone help with the re-wire so I can remove the OBC. Many Thanks in advance

Today
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02-17-2011, 10:15 PM	#6
dgcurtis Getting Wild Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Peachtree City, GA Posts: 141	Re: To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question I should have noted that while my main cart is a precedent, the project cart is a DS. Doug

02-18-2011, 11:20 AM	#7
ATV-RVr Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34	Re: To OBC or not to OBC. That is the question I wasted my money on a used OBC via ebay...it took me a while to get to get it installed...It didnt work. My advice is to get new parts.
ATV-RVr Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34

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