EZGO 36v Electric motor question for use on hills

RCAddict

I am thinking I may need a new motor or want a new motor. I have a 1997 EZGO TXT DCS (non lfited) and the motor gets very hot. We have the back seat upgrade and a lot of hills (mountains in PA 10ft to 1500ft in almost as much distance). I would like to eventually upgrade to a 48v system and new controller and the whole deal (thank you everyone for the great info on this site).

My question is, can I just do a new motor for now and see a hill climb increase (currently we push it up some hills)? And if so which is the best one? Or should I just bite the bullet and spend the $1000 to upgrade everything?

BGW

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scottyb

Here's the deal. A higher performance motor (one that will make more torque) will need access to more amperage. More amperage delivery is a result of controller, solenoid, and cable upgrade. Upgrade the delivery system with the future motor in mind. For a DCS cart that will require re programming the control for the new motor when it is installed.

PS: what RCs are u addicted to?

RCAddict

Kind of what I was afraid of. hahaha

Pretty much anything Radio Control. My company is http://RCAddict.us although I no longer race, I now mostly run scale truck competitions. Think Top Truck Challenge in 1/10 scale.

So I am very familiar with electric motors and speed controls and things like that.

I know general for hill climb, volt up, gear down.

The cart did seem to climb better today. I made up some heavy gauge battery wires from stuff in the garage, and when I went to install them, I found a loose wire on the controller. It was coming from the solenoid to the left top side of the controller. So it seems a smidge better after fixing all that, but the motor is still getting really hot.

JohnnieB

The motor getting hot while hauling heavy loads and/or climbing hills is normal.

So the question is how hot is "really hot"?
(The max recommended case temperature for a motor with Class-H insulation is 239°F.)

Heat damage is cumulative, so a motor that is routinely taken to the upper limits won't last as long as one that isn't, but it'll still last for many years if the windings don't get hot enough to burn off the insulation of the wires they are made from, or melt a connection.

Cart motors tend to run cooler at higher voltages because the same energy delivered to the motor at 36V can be delivered at 48V with 2/3 the amps and heat is generated by Amps squared. (W= I²R)

As Scotty suggested, upgrade the amp delivery system to 48V and then upgrade the motor if needed. (You'll probably need to - I have similar hills)

Also, you mentioned the cart isn't lifted, which means the tires are no taller the 20". Changing tire height, changes the final drive ratio, so stay with as small of diameter tire as possible and practical for the best performance on hills. (I have 17" tall tires and I typically run out of traction before I run out of torque.)

Also, SepEx motors like a DCS, don't like to run at low RPM and get mighty hot mighty fast when creeping along at walking speeds.

DCrevenge

I have the same problem with hills on a 36v TXT DCS cart. My wires are getting real hot, they are a hodgepodge of 4 and 6 amp. Should these type of carts run 2 or 4 gauge wires. Currently waiting to get a 400 dcx but there out of stock.

scottyb

4g welding lead for 400 amp control, 2g is better

HiTechRedNeck

Guys you might try finding a good used RXV.
RXV's have an AC motor and are great on hills with no upgrades required.
Yamaha also offers an AC cart but not available in quantity in used market yet.

JohnnieB

I prefer to modify my cart in accordance to what I deem acceptable based on well established engineering protocols rather than what accountants and lawyers with little, if any, engineering knowledge begrudgingly allow.

If and when AC drive systems become as versatile and as user maintainable as DC drive systems, I might consider accepting a cart with an AC drive system, if it was given to me.

scottyb

LOL

cartattach

I deal with those issues every day. People running cables that cant handle the work load for what they do with their cart. That and cheapo automotive battery cables (which don't really work, by the way) With an upgraded controller and/or motor new bigger gauge wires are a must. The cables are the foundation for a solid cart build, and using poorly made or underrated cables will be like that dude in that story they tell kids about the man who builds his house on the sand. If you are going to pony up to the bigger boys toys, start out with a good solid foundation of cables. And if you are having difficulty finding that 400DCW you can contact me at Executivegolfcarts@yahoo.com and I'll get you hooked up with someone who can get you one in a couple days.