When people put 2 extra 6v's in the bag well, do they add support for the weight?

Jeffreynmandy

I wanted to go with 6, 8v. But it looks like I may have to do 8, 6v for a 48v upgrade.

It's a long story, but I bought six new Trojan t-105 6v, and a few days later found and bought a wrecked cart with all the 48v components.


I know you gain run time, but is it enough to offset the weight? Can I just put them in the back, or is it a good idea to ad support somehow?

BGW

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BDann

Following! I've got the same question, getting ready for a 36 to 48 upgrade.

gornoman

Eight years ago already, and never regretted it. Could run all weekend at our seasonal campsite in slightly hilly Rock County, WI., but I rarely let it get low.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/extre...uates-48v.html

Just one way to do it.

JohnnieB

The increase in range (run-time) using a 8 x 6v pack more than offsets the increased weight over a 6 x 8V pack, but the cart's performance is less.

The range (and weight) of a 48V pack using T-875 (8V 170AH) batteries is roughly the same as a 36v pack using T-105 (6V 225AH) batteries and the attached list compares the range of various 48V packs made up from assorted 6V and 8V batteries. The actual range increases over a 170AH pack is slightly less than theoretical due to the heavier weight of higher ASH capacity battery packs, but the increased rolling resistance due to the additional weight is slight because it is only a small fraction of total cart weight.

On the other hand, the roughly 120 pounds of weight difference between 6 T-870 batteries and 8 T-105 batteries is the same as carrying an extra 120 pound passenger on the cart all the time, so it won't accelerate as quickly and it will slow down more going up hills.

Attached Images

48V kWh Comparisons.JPG (105.4 KB, 0 views)

DaveTM

When I bot my cart it came with 6 8-V batteries. 4.5 years later I replaced those with 8 Trojan T-105 6-V batteries. It was a great move and no additional support was needed in the bag well.

My next replacement, hopefully will be lithium where the battery weight will go from 500-lbs to 150-lbs, and run distance from 12-miles to 50-miles.

JohnnieB

Unless you are making some other changes, just switching to lithium and lowering cart weight by 350 pounds isn't going to quadruple the range.

It'll be a significant gain in range though. The usable storage capacity of Li batteries is about 80% while FLA batteries is only 50%, so there is at least a 30% gain, and 350 pounds is probably about 30% of cart's weight. My guess is something more like 25 Miles unless you change the voltage or put tires on it that are easier to turn.

FWIW: As a stock PDS with 18 month old T-105 batteries and 2 Ga cables, my cart had an average range of 22.4 miles.

When I replace the Carlisle Links tires (18"?) and installed Carlisle Turf Master tires (17"), the average range went up to 26.9 miles.

When I installed a DCX400 controller (at 36V), it went to 29.3 miles.

When I replaced the 225AH-36V pack with a 245AH-42V pack, it went to 34.8 miles.

Then I exploded the stock PDS motor, which took the controller with it and I installed a DCX500 and D&D ES-76-51 motor (motor alone has 30% more torque and same speed as stock PDS) and the range dropped to 32.9 miles.

I haven't gotten the XCT tweaked the way I want it yet, but it looks like my average range is still over 30 miles.

My range requirements have decreased, and the XCT will limit max motor RPM to a value of my choosing, so I can go to 48V without worrying about over-revving my motor and I'll probably go to 6 x 8v when I have to replace my battery pack. Probably T-875 or similar, or maybe Lithium (if the price comes down enough by then).

DaveTM

JonnieB......Maybe I was going off of memory......or just dreaming. Perhaps it was a 30 mile distance I was thinking of. My current 12 mile range is in the summer when the temp's are mild. In winter, when I hunt and temps are below 30, the range drops to a max of about 8 miles. Which should be plenty......but then....."over there" looks to be a lot less distance than it really is. Plus I'm just north of you and we have real hills and real mountains. Well....not mountains like you do, but close enough.

In any event, I still hope to go with the lithium when my current set goes to toast. But the price will set the tone. If lithium's are to costly, then Trojans will likely be the replacement.....but not the T-105's. I have learned something here.

Jeffreynmandy

Well I went ahead and took a $100 hit and sold the batteries. I want to keep it neat and simple. I'm looking for speed mainly, so the extra 120lbs was the deciding factor.

I doubt I'd ride it more than 10-12 miles before as charge.