Sluggish up & down hills

UpstateNYDS · 10-03-2011, 05:46 AM

Hi folks, new to the boards here. What a great site. I just picked up an '06 DS 48v cart. It was a country club queen and for the $ couldn't pass it up. My last cart was a mid nineties DS 48v but haven't had one since about '05. So first impression driving it, its fine from a full start. Going up a very small hill with my two kids seemed to slow it right down, like you could walk along side of it. My plans are a lift kit with 10-12" wheeels and my fear is that will only multiply the problem. It also seems to have an engine brake wheen going down hills???
I've charged the batteries and the charger works as it should. 13v+ on each battery after charging.
Any ideas on how to best test the batteries? What to look for?
If it needs batteries can you use 12v deep cycle marine batteries?
I'll try to attach pic's, this the way it was when I got it.

UpstateNYDS · 10-03-2011, 05:48 AM

Pics...

UpstateNYDS · 10-03-2011, 05:51 AM

one more.....

roady89 · 10-03-2011, 06:32 AM

The "engine brake" is called REGEN. It uses the motor as a generator to put some juice back into the pack. (not a lot) The result is a motor braking effect.

Most likely the batteries are gone. You might try load testing them. As far as 12 volt deep cycle batteries.....they will "work" but you wont get the capacity of real golf cart deep cycles and you'll replace them more often. In the long run it will cost more to use 12 volt marine batts because your replacing them more often.

UpstateNYDS · 10-03-2011, 06:44 AM

Ok thanks, if the REGEN is minimal, is there a way to disable it?

Stevegrmich · 10-03-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpstateNYDS

Ok thanks, if the REGEN is minimal, is there a way to disable it?

The Regen braking on an IQ car is programmable, ie, mild, medium and aggressive modes . . . as for disabling, someone will have that answer . .

ZackMan · 10-03-2011, 06:59 AM

Since your golf cart is going sluggish up and down hills (already explained by a previous poster) and you plan on adding a lift kit and larger tires, I am wondering if just batteries will do the trick. If you do invest in "new" batteries, may I suggest, as the previous poster, select batteries specifically designed for golf carts. You posted that each battery charged at 13+ volts which is quite high. You did not mention anything about adding a rear seat.

Anyway, you may want to conduct some further research here on BGW in regard to other electrics such as a controller or motor with a little more horsepower. These are not recommendations, but just suggestions. Did your previous cart exhibit similar symptoms?

ZackMan

shadowman · 10-03-2011, 07:29 AM

please don,t put deep cycle batteries in it.........yes they are half the cost but at 3 or 4 year lifespan if your lucky and diminished runtime your not gonna be happy.............if you have to save money save it elsewhere on the cart..........like if your not gonna offroad you won,t need top of line lift or the most expensive tires/wheels..........................

UpstateNYDS · 10-03-2011, 08:26 AM

Ok, point taken on the batts. No off roading planned, I have a 4 wheeler for that. It will be used mostly for camping, and yes a rear seat is at the top of the list. Guess I will try to get my hands on a load tester. 13 volts didn't seem like it was too high as automotive 12v batts are usually around 13.5v on a full charge.
I just don't want to run out and get new batteries and have the same results!

Colbyntx · 10-03-2011, 09:29 AM

Charge the batteries fully. Test the pack voltage near the end of the cycle. Should be around 60v's. Let the cart sit for a couple of hours then check it again, should be around 51v's. Do this with a multimeter. Red on + #1 and black on last -. Be sure it is set on DCV and a setting over 50. Usually on general DMM's, it would be set on 200 for the entire pack. Post your results. Also, the cart is more than likely set on speed code 2. It will go up to 4 which will get you up to 19.6mph. While they are reprogramming, you can have them set the regen so the braking is not as aggressive. Speed code 4 will cost you about $150.00. Call a shop that services CC's and ask if they can do it and the cost. They will need your serial# and the number off your controller.

10-03-2011, 06:32 AM	#4
roady89 nimda Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13,022	Re: Sluggish up & down hills The "engine brake" is called REGEN. It uses the motor as a generator to put some juice back into the pack. (not a lot) The result is a motor braking effect. Most likely the batteries are gone. You might try load testing them. As far as 12 volt deep cycle batteries.....they will "work" but you wont get the capacity of real golf cart deep cycles and you'll replace them more often. In the long run it will cost more to use 12 volt marine batts because your replacing them more often.
roady89 nimda Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13,022

10-03-2011, 06:44 AM	#5
UpstateNYDS Getting Wild Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Averill Park NY Posts: 111	Re: Sluggish up & down hills Ok thanks, if the REGEN is minimal, is there a way to disable it?

10-03-2011, 06:59 AM	#7
ZackMan Getting Wild Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 149	Re: Sluggish up & down hills Since your golf cart is going sluggish up and down hills (already explained by a previous poster) and you plan on adding a lift kit and larger tires, I am wondering if just batteries will do the trick. If you do invest in "new" batteries, may I suggest, as the previous poster, select batteries specifically designed for golf carts. You posted that each battery charged at 13+ volts which is quite high. You did not mention anything about adding a rear seat. Anyway, you may want to conduct some further research here on BGW in regard to other electrics such as a controller or motor with a little more horsepower. These are not recommendations, but just suggestions. Did your previous cart exhibit similar symptoms? ZackMan

10-03-2011, 07:29 AM	#8
shadowman The Last Moja Morani Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: jumping from cart to cart Posts: 8,975	Re: Sluggish up & down hills please don,t put deep cycle batteries in it.........yes they are half the cost but at 3 or 4 year lifespan if your lucky and diminished runtime your not gonna be happy.............if you have to save money save it elsewhere on the cart..........like if your not gonna offroad you won,t need top of line lift or the most expensive tires/wheels..........................

10-03-2011, 08:26 AM	#9
UpstateNYDS Getting Wild Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Averill Park NY Posts: 111	Re: Sluggish up & down hills Ok, point taken on the batts. No off roading planned, I have a 4 wheeler for that. It will be used mostly for camping, and yes a rear seat is at the top of the list. Guess I will try to get my hands on a load tester. 13 volts didn't seem like it was too high as automotive 12v batts are usually around 13.5v on a full charge. I just don't want to run out and get new batteries and have the same results!

10-03-2011, 05:46 AM	#1
UpstateNYDS Getting Wild Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Averill Park NY Posts: 111	Sluggish up & down hills Hi folks, new to the boards here. What a great site. I just picked up an '06 DS 48v cart. It was a country club queen and for the $ couldn't pass it up. My last cart was a mid nineties DS 48v but haven't had one since about '05. So first impression driving it, its fine from a full start. Going up a very small hill with my two kids seemed to slow it right down, like you could walk along side of it. My plans are a lift kit with 10-12" wheeels and my fear is that will only multiply the problem. It also seems to have an engine brake wheen going down hills??? I've charged the batteries and the charger works as it should. 13v+ on each battery after charging. Any ideas on how to best test the batteries? What to look for? If it needs batteries can you use 12v deep cycle marine batteries? I'll try to attach pic's, this the way it was when I got it.

Today
BGW	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

10-03-2011, 09:29 AM	#10
Colbyntx Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: East Texas Posts: 602	Re: Sluggish up & down hills Charge the batteries fully. Test the pack voltage near the end of the cycle. Should be around 60v's. Let the cart sit for a couple of hours then check it again, should be around 51v's. Do this with a multimeter. Red on + #1 and black on last -. Be sure it is set on DCV and a setting over 50. Usually on general DMM's, it would be set on 200 for the entire pack. Post your results. Also, the cart is more than likely set on speed code 2. It will go up to 4 which will get you up to 19.6mph. While they are reprogramming, you can have them set the regen so the braking is not as aggressive. Speed code 4 will cost you about $150.00. Call a shop that services CC's and ask if they can do it and the cost. They will need your serial# and the number off your controller.

Similar Threads
Thread	Forum
Help......cart is sluggish going up hills	Electric Club Car
Help...new batteries and still sluggish going up hills	Lifted Golf Carts
Rebuild....needs to climb hills...LOTS OF HILLS!	Electric Club Car
EZ-GO Golf Cart Sluggish on Hills	Gas EZGO
Sluggish Starts and Stalls On Hills / G1	Gas Yamaha