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Old 01-13-2014, 03:18 PM   #1
Rammer
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Default Is it my charger or batteries?

I've got a 2002 CC Electric I.Q., 48 Volt Regen. Here's my situation, if the cart has been on charge for a while (week or so) without any interruption, it has very little power once I take it off charge and try to use it. However, if I plug it right back in and let it charge anywhere from a few hours to overnight (just one night), it has plenty of power and seems to run fine.

I initially thought I had a bad connection somewhere and wasn't getting a good charge. So, I've changed all the terminal connections and made sure each battery has the required amount of water....and still the same result.

The charger seems to operate normally; whereas, I plug it in and the meter (which is 0 to 15) goes to about 12-13 for a second and then back to 0 briefly and then back 10-12. Everything I've read on here seems to say that is normal charger operation. No?

After reading one of the other threads, I should add that my orange "battery light" comes on at random times (when driving, charging, parked, etc.) it doesn't seem to come on during the shorter charging periods described above, only after the longer charging periods. for example, after leaving the cart plugged up for a week or so, I'll find the light on when I go to unplug it.

With what little info i'm able to give, do you all think I have a battery problem or charger problem?
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Old 01-13-2014, 04:35 PM   #2
joesam
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Given you've looked for bad connections (although its possible you missed something)
Quote:
I initially thought I had a bad connection somewhere and wasn't getting a good charge. So, I've changed all the terminal connections and made sure each battery has the required amount of water....and still the same result.
then I would look at your batteries.

Check total pack voltage after they've sat for a week - and then again after a "refresh" charge, and after sitting for only 1 day. If there's a large variation, then there is either a parasitic drain on your system (48-12v converter which is not switched off) - or sagging batteries. See if you can find a date code on your batteries.

Also charging the cart in TOW should (but not always) eliminate a constant-on converter - providing you even have one.
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Old 01-13-2014, 04:51 PM   #3
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Test your battery pack voltage while driving. Your orange light coming on while driving indicates very low voltage.
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Old 01-13-2014, 05:06 PM   #4
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Joesam - thanks, will do and report the pack voltage from each of the three readings.

Scottyb - I understand that, but what would make the orange light come one while it's plugged in? Although, I only find it on after it's been plugged in for the longer period charges and by the time I go to unplug it, the charger had already cut off and I have no idea how long it's been off.
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Old 01-13-2014, 05:41 PM   #5
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

The orange light will come on if the charge cycle is interrupted.
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Old 01-20-2014, 12:11 PM   #6
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Update after getting pack voltage after the three periods below:

After a week on charge - 47.2 pack voltage
After overnight on charge - 50.6 pack voltage
After about 3 hours on charge - 53.9 pack voltage

So, it's apparent batteries are losing charge somehow. My question about the charger, is it designed to kick on and off as the pack voltage drops a certain point if left plugged in for an extended period time? Or is it designed to simply charge the pack one time and the batteries are expected to hold that one charge until the cart is used?

Also, May or may not be related, but when this all started, my winch just all of sudden quit working. Just thought I'd add that. :-).

Any thoughts?
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Old 01-20-2014, 12:13 PM   #7
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyb View Post
Test your battery pack voltage while driving. Your orange light coming on while driving indicates very low voltage.
Scotty, did you mean test it while actually underway? If so, how exactly do you do that? :-)
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Old 01-20-2014, 01:30 PM   #8
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Quote:
My question about the charger, is it designed to kick on and off as the pack voltage drops a certain point if left plugged in for an extended period time? Or is it designed to simply charge the pack one time and the batteries are expected to hold that one charge until the cart is used?
1) Answer- Yes, the charger is really designed to replace the amount of current that was used (eg. the OBC) and then just let the batteries sit. BUT after 7-10 days <I can never remember which> the charger is supposed to monitor the voltage, and if low enough - start-up and re-charge (this is a unique feature of CC's Powerdrive model chargers). Can't say I've ever seen that feature happen though...who's gonna sit for 10 days waiting & watching?

2) Clearly something is draining your batteries - do you have a 48v-12v converter? You mentioned a winch - its probably not 48v is it? Some troubleshooting of your converter and its method of activation is called for. (eg. simple test is disconnecting it and see if the problem magically goes away)

Also - Now is a good time to check the individual battery voltages after sitting roughly two days after charging - are they pretty equal, or do you have a "stinker" in the pack? If they are roughly equal - then I'm thinking #2 - its likely you have a parasite draining the entire pack.
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Old 01-20-2014, 02:12 PM   #9
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

Joe - thanks for the reply!!

I don't have a converter, the winch and headlights are just pulling off one battery (I know that's a no-no ).

I did check each batteries voltage, sorry forgot to mention that! If I remember right, 3 or 4 were 8.2-8.4 and 1 or 2 were 7.something and one battery (the one the winch and lights are pulling off of) was 6.0. Could that be it? I'll have to go back and confirm those numbers, but if that one battery is that much lower, can I replace just that one?
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Old 01-20-2014, 02:22 PM   #10
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Default Re: Is it my charger or batteries?

the 3-4 at 8.02 is only 45% charged, and the others at 7 - 6 volts are done,



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