Charger Breaker trips stop charging process

OldMarineKampKart

I have electric '98 Club Car 48V system. During attempt to charge batteries the 15Amp breaker on charger trips. According to what I can find this is after the charger read to OBC. I.e.: Amp meter pegs right (max amp reading) for a few moments, then returns to zero. Then a moment later pegs back to about 17 amps. Stay there for nearly a minute then breaker trips. Breaker is warm at this point. Must unplug AC and cart and wait for retry. I have checked each battery individually. Each reads 7.1 - 7.2 volts. These batteries are less than 6 months old. Any suggestions??

BGW

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shadowman

welcome to BGW was anything done to cart before this happened? did this just come about out of the blue? one thing is you,ll have to replace the breaker as its more than likely weak now and will trip.........you can try bringing the batteries up with a regular charger one at a time just keep an eye on them while doing so and no longer than 1/2 each......cables are all good, clean and tight right..........................................

gornoman

OMKK, Welcome to BGW!

What make and model is this charger?

OldMarineKampKart

Charger is a Powerdrive . Looks like first generation (i.e. does not say "Plus" or 2 or 3). I got it from the previous cart owner.

I replaced the batteries in Spring of 2011. Unit was charging then. I kept under my RV and plugged in. Supposed it would come on automatically to check and see if it needed to charge.

TahoeDawgZ71

Sounds like a heatsink failure in the charger. Part number 1015914

OldMarineKampKart

Thanks TahoeDawgZ71. I was suspicious about that. But didn't want to keep buying parts without having some backup for my thoughts.

OldMarineKampKart

Well TahoeDawg.. Thank You!! Your advice worked quite well. I ordered and replaced the heatsink. Also, the breaker since I had the order in. The old heatsink had a corroded material under it. Likely the same paste material I placed back after cleaning the surface per instructions that came with the new heat sink. Plugged in charger and the cart batteries were fully charged this morning. I have not actual checked the voltage yet, but the needle gauge was in the "Charged" white zone of the meter. Again- thank you.

TahoeDawgZ71