motor brushes failing?

marwol26

Can any one tell me any tell tail signs of the motor brushes wearing out in my electric motor?
Starts out fast like 15 mph then after 200 yards it drops suddenly to 5 MPH farward if that, and turtle slow in reverse.

Pretty bad when my 4 year old will get off while were going super slow and tell me " this thing is junk"
LOL I need you help guys please

Mark

BGW

__________________
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

LostHusker

What type of CC cart do you have, this will help to maybe figure out what is going on.

delagem

When this happens, does the speed then stay slow until recharge? Or if you stop briefly, will it go 15 again?

If it goes fast again after a brief rest, check your cable connections. Possibly corrosion causing increased resistance, which goes up much higher when the wires get hot. Don't just check battery cables, there's a TON of wiring on a cart. F/R switch, controller, motor, batteries, etc.

If it stays low until recharge, how about batteries? How old are they? Usually the month/year is stamped either into the battery terminal itself, or into the plastic case.

Next, what's your pack voltage? Test this by charging it completely, until the charger shuts off. Then, wait several hours before putting a voltmeter across the entire pack. What does it read?

Then, keep the meter hooked up, and drive the cart on level ground. What was the meter reading at rest, and again once up to speed?

Repeat this test, driving up a small hill. We are looking for the voltage drop going up the hill. How many volts did it drop?

EDIT: Oh, and teach that little dickens some respect!

Ronniek

I hope you get your answer cause I'm thinking my brushes might be worn. This is what I'm thinking, my cart is very slow on startoff & goes to top speed quickly & is good until I stop. But it seems very weak from a dead start. This opposite from you I know but seems logical. At work we have dc motors & when the brushes wear they sometime are slow to start or slow after full speed. The springs that hold the brushes against the altimeter (SP) get weak & loose contact/pressure therefore drop in speed. Here's what I think I might do. My local CC shop has used motors that people have removed to install hi-powered motors, these used motors are good & at a reduced price. I think I might give that a try.

marwol26

Hey guys thanks for all the detailed responses. Losthusker, I have a 96 Club car DS I believe.

marwol26

Delagem, OK I have the cart on recharge now
When it is completely charged I will drive it and have more in-depth explanation of what's happening. I think you are on to what the problem is.

Mark

lmswest

Mark, I have my stock motor I pulled out when I upgraded. If you need one ill make you a good deal. Then you'll have my old motor and controller lol.. shipping on mine was 40 bucks from new York to Texas

delagem

Great, let us know what you find out. One more thing to try, when it suddenly slows, pop the seat and feel around on your wires, F/R switch, solenoid, motor, etc. See if you note anything unusual.

Check each battery's voltage immediately upon failure, too. An intermittent internal short or high resistance could cause similar symptoms to what you're seeing. Then the battery cools, and the cart runs fine again.

Not saying it can't be brushes, but a LOT more batteries, solenoids, F/R switches, and wires go bad, than motors...

When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras...

simple man

Careful when you do this. They can get very hot!!! If something is hot, that means a poor connection!

marwol26

Delagem, OK just took it out of the garage off a full charge. Stared to back out and it was hardly crawling. Put it in farward to drive and it maybe hit 8mph and after about 200 yards down to maybe 3 MPH. If I take my foot off the petal for 30 seconds or so it will hit 8 or 9 MPH then down to 3 MPH or to complete stop after 40 yards or so. I will now go out and try touching around all the wires and other things for really hot temperatures. Batteries tested and are all perfect. Got to be the wiring. I will let you know the results soon.

Thanks

Mark