New Controller... Not impressed?

7CLUB

So I'm a bit baffled. I bought a new 500amp Alltrax controller with upgraded Solenoid etc. from Scotty B.

Got it installed yesterday after 4 phone calls to Alltraxinc. for questions. Once it was all buttoned up I took it for a spin and can't say I'm pleased for the expense! What a downer!

I have 23" tires with a 6" lift on an 06 Precedent and with the stock controller I was doing 23 downhill and around 15 up hills around here. New controller gets me 25 mph downhill and 17 uphill? There's braking occuring when I let off the accelerator too which I didn't have before. New batteries, Original motor, New 4g cables...

One thing I did get clarity on but still question is the +small wire (energizer) to the solenoid. I read where the blue/white is the negative and the blue is the positive so the diode band goes with the blue side. But Alltraxinc. (Ron) told me that the blue/white is the positive and the blue is the negative. The solid blue DID have the smaller clip on the stock solenoid. Can this affect the gains that I feel like I'm missing? If that's backwards (Blue/white neg is bandside on the diode) has that damaged the diode or can I just switch those two wires?

Also, the cart jumps harshly when first touching the accelerator, like it's going to blast off like a rocket. But if I go with that and just floor it, it doesn't reach anywhere near exciting speeds at takeoff and then tops out around 18mph on flat ground. I just don't think I've gained what I'm supposed to. Prior to the conversion the cart was running fine for a stock cart.

ANY HELP would be greatly appreciated.

BGW

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Stevec3201

Hello, Sorry to hear about your frustration. I did lots of research before I upgraded, but it's never enough it seems. I don't have an Alltrax, but this is what I know. Alltrax and CCs appear to have some solvable issues. The harsh accel can be solved with updated software and/or fine tuning your settings. You may need to turn turbo(fast excel) off? Also, if you MCOR is wearing out, that will cause problems as well as the problem will manifest with a bigger controller. This exact problem has been discused here on numerous occasions. Just do a search for some of your issues and see what you can find out. The solenoid should not be your problem and the controller will not increase your top speed that much. The braking is adjustable and should be turned off for peak performance. Hope this helps.

7CLUB

Thanks for your reply Stevec3201. I appreciate your time. I just got back from a ride with the wife and kids and the opinion of everyone is that it's lost a little bit of performance overall. Pretty disappointing after spending $700 for improved performance. It tops out at 22mph loaded and climbs neighborhood hills at 12mph which it's basically what it was doing stock!

I'm sure my mcor is in far less than tip top shape. It did have a kind of flat spot showing up recently with the stock controller when taking off.

How do I adjust settings with my laptop? Can I buy a cable somewhere or is online my only option? Anyone have a part #?

Also wondering if the speed sensor on the motor MUST be unplugged or left as it was stock? Could that be limiting my gains?

Could a bad mcor cause me to have no gains as well?

I swear it has NO performance gains and that can't be right.

Where would I go for the right mcor or rebuild kit? Any help with part #s would be awesome!


My wife WAS cool with this but now she's looking at me like I just wasted $700... Help MGR save my Man Card! LOL

Thanks in advance

rib33024

tell us what cart you have?, and can you give us the pack volts, and each battery volts, the volt readings will only be true readings after the battery charger has been done charging, and the battery pack has rested for 12 hours, how old are the batteries, how many times have they been charged?, do you check the water levels often?,

rib33024

I went back a read it again and see that it is a 06 Precedent, need more info

7CLUB

Batteries are one year old, regularly checked for water levels, only filled with distilled water, broken in properly per Scotty b's method. I'm certain the batteries are not the problem. Pack voltage usually starts at 50.7 or so I believe after a recharge. Never discharged nbelow 49.0 volts ever.

I'm thinking the speed sensor might be limiting what it can do.
It definitely has engine braking when you let off the gas pedal.

Or Scotty B may have it tuned WAY WAY down because I have a stock motor.

Or as stated above, the mcor may be part of the problem but I don't know if that's plausible out not.

Thanks for your help.

Stevec3201

I don't have an Alltrax controller, so I can't tell you how to program it. I was giving you basic info. A new magnet is not gonna help you, as the new controller doesn't need to be tricked into giving you more speed. The MCOR may be your problem, but get the programming right, first. Yes, you will need to get a cable and hook it up to your laptop to program it. There are people here with that kind of knowledge to help you. Alltrax tech support should be helping you with all of this. If your motor is stock, them I'm afraid you are gonna need a better motor to make some real gains in speed performance. Your stock motor should show decent torque with that controller, though.

7CLUB

Yep, I agree with Alltrax helping. They're GREAT about answering the phone and speaking with a live human being. They give you all the time in the world to ask questions too and even treat you like you're not the biggest dummie in the world. That's nice. They're closed on weekends so speaking to them will have to wait. I was kind of hoping Scottyb would chime in at some point. But he isn't a CC specialist either. I think TahoeDawg is...

I wonder if you can buy the needed cable at a Radio shack or some place like that or if it must be ordered from Alltrax? I guess I'll figure that out at some point too.

I knew the mcor was starting to act up just recently and I agree that the problem becomes more obvious with a 500amp controller. But the pedal is giving no cart movement at all for about 2/3 throttle, then jumps in the last 1/3 of the range. So it lurches from a stop and then immmediately tops out at a non impressive speed of 18mph with kids onboard or 22mph alone. That's no better than with the 250amp curtis controller.

I had planned on a new motor from PlumQuick down the road. Maybe this spring. But I thought I'd at least NOTICE that I'd changed the controller.

Pretty disappointing. If there isn't something I've got to change or something wrong I can't see anyone spending that kind of money for a controller upgrade. There's no purpose. It doesn't do better on hills and it doesn't have a higher top speed. What then, is the purpose?

Crazy...

Thanks for you input!!! I appreciate any and all help, ideas and input!

Steve

URBANNGUERILLA

The new controller would not provide you with "much" more top speed, however, it would provide at least double the torque from a dead stop. For higher top speed you'll either need more voltage or a better motor. I will tell you that after about 25mph some golf carts might get a little "squirrely".
As for the controller I have an Alltrax SPM. It takes a standard usb to printer cable for communication with your laptop. You can buy those cables just about anywhere, walmart, office depot, etc..

CartTrader

I downloaded a program from alltrax for my controller from the alltrax web site. I had to use a serial cable to connect between the controller and my computer or laptop to set the controller parameters. Some controllers are programmable. Some are not.


CartTrader