48 volt cart slow going uphill

headbangerone

We have a converted 48 volt cart. The trojan batteries are ok and fully charged according to golf cart shop where it is at. However we are having difficulty making it uphill. It used to go up hill before with out problem. I am not sure if the right motor is on it. We also got rid of our v-glide and the shop told us the alltrax controller is 500 amp(?). What size motor should be there? My husband is at his wits end!!! PLEASE HELP!

BGW

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OLD MEC

Lets get your husband back into action and happy, not good to have a unhappy spouse. I am proud that you would step up and ask for help as you must be a great wife. What year and model is your cart as this helps with forum diagnostic? GIVE complete serial number under passenger glove box on frame member and is it a #1 series motor ( F&R lever under right leg ) OR #2 shunt ( F&R rocker type switch under right leg )? Was conversion only to 48 volts from 36 volts with addition of Alltrax controller with another type of pedal control? Were any changes made in cable guage, F&R updating, what type of pedal speed control is used, etc? Did the change start after the conversion? If not sure pictures of items in question would help alot in finding out what has been changed. If so there may be some changes needed in wiring or controls? It could be as simple as F&R wired incorrectly or a combination of several things.
Was the conversion done by hubby or from a cart shop, or others?
SORRY TO ASK SO MUCH BUT INFO IMPORTANT. Waiting for your replys to above questions.

headbangerone

Hello Old Mec,

The serial number is A9024210921. The cart is a series cart ( has lever), the cart was originally 36V and is now 48. The cables for batteries were upgraded to 4 gauge and there is a Pot box on it now along with the alltrax controller. Someone who owns a golf cart business did it and it originally had the vglide with resistors. We kept burning out the vglide. (twice). I just found out from the shop it is at now that one of the batteries registers 0 volts and the others are at 47 volts. Could this be the problem? Also how hard is it to change the brakes and the shocks on the cart? He says the cart rides too rough to. One more thing the cart jerks when you hit the gas pedal - any advice? Could it be the bushings on the linkage?

shadowman

if you have a battery reading 0 yes thats a problem..................

scottyb

1 bad battery could cause the performance problem you described. a mis-adjusted (mal-functioning) potentiometer could cause the other problem

headbangerone

Thank you for the input. What do you suggest to adjusting the pot box? How difficult is it to change brakes and springs or shocks or whatever is under there for suspension? Want to make the ride a little better. Is there an adjustment on the frame?

scottyb

No adjustment on stock suspension.... Good suspension isn't cheap. It will always ride like a golf cart unless you totally replace the front and rear suspension and that costs $$$.
The potentiometer should be tested for smooth output. If it functions properly the mount and linkage need to be reworked or repaired depending upon the actual problem?

GLEEMO

Replace the bad battery first , then see what happens ,
DO not make any other adjustments until U do the battery "."

OLD MEC

A bad battery will cause the hill climbing problem and I am surprised that it will run on flat ground very far at a time? What voltage batterys do you have ( 6 volt has 3 fill holes, 8 volt has 4 fill holes, 12 volt has 6 fill holes )? The pot can be tested with a digital meter for proper smooth speed changes. As to shocks they are replaceable but on golf carts at normal speeds dont really do much good. Shocks only help hold tires on ground as you go over rough surfaces. Rough ride can be caused by multi leaf HD . springs on front and rear. ( STOCK springs are a single leaf for front and rear ) so by looking you can see if this is your problem there.
Brakes can be replaced and in many cases can have cables sticking? Cables run from pedal area to rear end and are inside a flex housing and if not lubricated properly at least once a year will hang up causing brakes to drag and or not apply properly. Sudden jurking when taking off can be caused by park brake linkage being set wrong and on release throttle is far enough down to make sudden jump?

headbangerone

Thank you for your input. I will check the springs when we get it back. We just got our new charger and the shop charged the batteries and they discharged within six minutes. Can 8 volt commercial batteries be used or do we have to use deep cycle. Are commercial batteries rechargeable?
I am now losing my patience not just my husband! Any advice would be helpful. Does anyone know where to get inexpensive batteries in the Chicago area??