Building my first Cart... Need advice!

JakeJohnson

Hi I'm brand new to the forum and golf carts and I have a few questions. I have a 2001 ezgo pds that is in pretty good shape, in my opinion. The batteries are brand new and it has new tires. I changed all wires to 4g. As far as I know, everything is stock... And it was free! (Best part!) it already seems to run faster than another cart of the same hear model though (non pds). My plan is to eventually lift it, add tires and wheels, rear flip seat, and I want it to speed up (I'm assuming changing the solonoid and controller? and be able to carry people if all seats were filled. What is the best way to go about this? Any particular order? I'm sure the more responses I get, I will come up with a few more questions. So much to learn and get right and possibly purchase... As a paramedic with a newborn, funds are a smudge tight lol. I want to stay as budget friendly as possible. Thank you all in advance!

BGW

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yurtle

http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Custom_Options.html

Here's a good place to learn about options. Also good info you need to read about proper battery maintenance.

ScottyB is an active member here, and offers most anything you'll need, with great customer service.

JohnnieB

A completely stock PDS with good batteries and cables will do about 18-19 MPH in freedom mode, which is 4 or 5 MPH faster than the same cart with a series drive system.

The stock PDS motor will actually propel the cart at about 24 MPH on stock height tires (18") with a 36V battery pack, but the PDS controller limits the motor to about 4,400 RPM. Aftermarket controllers that don't limit motor RPM, or allows the RPM limiting to be set to a higher value will up your speed to about 24 MPH.

Installing tires taller than 18" changes the final drive ratio and will theoretically increase the cart's top speed, but also reduces the torque where the rubber meets the road. If low pressure type tires are installed, the speed may be decreased instead of increased and the effective torque reduced even further.

Lifting the cart's body off the axles raises the center of gravity and reduces lateral stability, but if you stay below about 20" in tires height, lifting may not be needed. A 20" road tire will up the cart speed to about 26.7 MPH.

Also, if you want to carry four people and want good acceleration from a standstill and not to slow down excessively going up hills, as well as staying under a limited budget, don't get too carried away with tire height.

Sounds like your are on the right track, asking questions before buying stuff.

JakeJohnson

Thank yall. I'm thinking about purchasing the alltrax400pds controller. I've heard that the 500 will eventually wear on the motor. The first things I want to to is lift it and speed it up. But I don't want to lose too much torque. I think with the rear seat, the upgraded controller would be necessary wouldn't it? 26mph isn't bad at all! Ordering the freedom chip now!

JakeJohnson

Also, would I not have to lift it with people on the back? I'm assuming it's just a body lift and not a suspension lift right? Wouldn't want the tires to rub! Lol

JohnnieB

Alltrax has at least two flavors of SepEx (PDS type) controllers, DCX and XCT. The XCT is the latest and greatest and the most versatile.

It is true that 500A is a bit much for a stock PDS motor, but max amp output of the 500A versions of the two controllers mentioned can be turned down as needed to accommodate the max amps the motor can tolerate a steady diet of, but a the 400A version cannot be turned up to get the maximum performance of a more robust motor should the stock PDS motor be replaced at some future date.

The good news is that the XCT400PDS has the optional ability to put out 460A for short periods of time and that is enough for just about everything except the highest of the high-torque aftermarket motors, but not too much for a stock PDS motor unless it is turning tall tires and/or hauling a lot of weight. (If you go much taller than 20", think about installing a more robust motor)

Also, the controller does not force amps through the motor, it limits the amps the motor can draw and the faster the motor is spinning, the fewer amps it is capable of drawing. So the performance difference between a 400A and a 500A controller is in the lower RPM range.

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I'm not all that familiar with all the different lift kits out there, but I pretty sure the ones for the front lift the suspension off the axles while some one the ones for the read lift the rear springs off the axle and others lift the body off the springs.

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Heavier rear springs are available to compensate for the added weight of rear seat and passengers.

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The speed chip will only get you in the 18-19 MPH range, you have to change the controller and go to 20" tires to get 26+ MPH.

If your batteries aren't more than a few months old, you can add a seventh battery (along with controller and solenoid upgrades) to get 42V, which will increase both speed and torque by about 17%. (But will require a 42V battery charger)

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The PDS is a very versatile platform and you more or less have a blank canvas to work with, so figure out what you want the cart to be first and then work towards that goal, while keeping your options open since you'll probable change your mind a few times along the way.

keobloss

Wow! , this thread answers almost all of the things I ever wanted to know! And in one place! Thanks Johnny B!

JakeJohnson

I'm wanting it to be more of a hunting buggy. It doesn't necessarily have to be a drag cart lol. decent speed and pretty good torque would suit me just fine!

JohnnieB

That's just brushing the surface lightly.

If you have anything you want explained in detail, post it in a new thread and you'll get some specific answers.

JohnnieB

Hunting cart needs tend to lean more toward the torque side of the equation, and increasing the tire height reduces torque, so staying as small as possible or practical, will reduce the need to do things to offset the torque loss. High pressure (>20PSI) tires with aggressive treads come in small sizes and will give you decent speeds on hard surfaces.

Of course, a hunting cart with tall, low pressure, tires can be built from a PDS, but it'll need a high-torque motor.