96 DS no speed limit/automatic braking

CranbrookGolf

Here's another one for everyone. I recently replaced the OBC for a member whose '96 DS cart wouldn't charge. I ordered a new one from Club Car, installed it today and got the cart to charge. But when I took it for a test drive before plugging it in for the night, the thing wouldn't slow down when going down hill. Going down to our driving range was a fun but interesting experience and I'm glad the cart has pretty good brakes. I don't think an older lady would enjoy that too much. I've driven some older carts our members own and there are some that have the same problem.

Now, I haven't actually spent too much time driving this particular cart around so I have no idea if this problem was already there or if I caused it with my OBC swap-out (one good reason I don't like working on others' carts; sometimes you can open up a can of worms with carts you have no idea about the repair/maintenance history). I put every wire to the solenoid and speed controller back exactly where they came from so I'm hoping the problem was already there. I haven't yet talked to her to tell her her cart is finished but I thought I'd get some advice before I do.

I'm wondering if there was anything I could've done to disable the automatic braking. I assume the speed controller is responsible but if there's anyone who could enlighten me further, that would be much appreciated.

BGW

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scotter

I don't think the 96 DS carts had Regen braking, yet. Believe that came in 1997 with the 48 volt DS Powerdrive shunt motor model. I could be incorrect, though. Does motor have a pigtail of small wires coming out of motor end?

crash test dummy

scooter you are correct !!!

scotter

Woohooooo!

jakesnake27

Yeah my first cart was a 96 and there was no regen; just a good old 48v series cart...

joesam

Well...not quite right....I have a '96 Regen I (maybe manufactured in late '96?). Easy to tell Regen I - it has no run/tow switch and the GE Tee shaped controller. But my guess is that you were driving a '96 series cart, with no Regen braking.

CranbrookGolf

I figured it might be a little old for automatic braking but there should still be a speed limit. The controller has to be limiting the speed when going downhill and I'm wondering what's gone wrong on hers. Anyways, thanks for the replies so far.

joesam

Hey, that brings up a good question (I have Regen so I just have no idea) - I'm sure on a series cart that the controller is kinda out-of-the-loop when you lift off the pedal - BUT - I'm also sure the motor doesn't have a clutch between the armature and gear train either. So does that mean if you go flying down a very huge/very steep hill in a series cart, that you could spin the dickens out of the armature (potentially way past it's design tolerances) and turn it into shrapnel?

jakesnake27

Hey joesam, does your cart have a rocker switch or a lever for a shifter? Don't all regens have a rocker? This would tell for sure if Cranbrook's is a regen or not...

joesam

Yep! The same rocker switch as all "modern" Regen's! AND I understand his concern. Cranbrook is in the Canadian Rockies and some of those mountain course paths would feel freaky-steep without Regen!