1987 Resistor Cart

coppolac

Very new to this entire subject matter, bought a project cart. It was suggested that I put 3 12vlt in for the 36vlt, seems to be fine, not looking to do anything great. I understand the resistor function, but what I don't know is how warm/hot does it get? Hotter at slower speed, peddle to the floor less resistor being used? I did try searching for help, just so many posts coming back with very little about this topic of heat. I just don't know if everything is OK or not. Drove it around for a few minutes and I can just feel the heat coming from the metal box the resistor is mounted in. It is just sitting on floor near batteries. Thanks in advance.

BGW

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scottyb

Welcome to BGW
Your understanding is correct. Heat is a byproduct of the resistor coils burning off unused amperage. And yes, the coils are bypassed at full throttle. (no waste & no heat)
These resistors can get hot enough after long low speed operation to start a fire in tall grass.
Here is how the system works. > http://www.cartsunlimited.net/why-co...-drive---.html
read the part that describes 'early cart' operation

coppolac

Thanks for the information, I may consider an upgrade at some point. What is your opinion of the 3 12volt vs the 6 6volt? Did I make a terrible mistake? The guy I bought it from said they would work. I got good Marine grade batteries.

Volt_Ampere

No you do not want marine 12V batteries for a golf cart application! You want batteries designed for a golf cart! 6x6 will be much better than 3x12v.

JohnnieB

36V is 36V, so the top speed, acceleration and how much the cart slows down going uphill will be about the same, but the cart will not travel as far on a single charge and the batteries won't last as long before they have to be replaced.

Also, deep cycle batteries are needed and marine batteries tend to fall between the SLI (Start, Light and Ignition) batteries used in cars and deep cycle batteries since they are serve a dual purpose, starting the boat's engine(s) and powering stuff while the engine(s) are not running and the boat isn't connected to shore power.

The standard 36V battery pack used in golf carts has about a 225AH capacity and 150AH is about the largest 12V deep cycle battery available, so at best you have about 2/3 the range and lifespan of a standard 36V battery pack.

Clemsoncartguy

Not all marine batteries are dual purpose. They have those type but they also have deep cycle batteries. There used for trolling motors. Usually several per boat. My 25 year old fish and ski boat has 3 batteries. 2 of the huge marine 12v deep cyl batteries and one of the smaller dual purpose starting /deep cycle battery.

JohnnieB

That is why I used the ambiguous qualifier "tend to" in my statement.

Being a Troglodyte for the most part, I tend to use car batteries in cars, marine batteries in boats, golf cart batteries in golf carts and RE batteries for Solar & Wind applications, but I re-purpose stuff also and when I do my homework with due diligence, it usually turns out okay.

Clemsoncartguy

Oh ok. I didn't want people to think all boat batteries were not true deep cycle batteries.

That said it did not cross my mind to put boat batteries in a cart. Logic would tell you it would work..same voltage. But just sheer battery mass is less so you can't posibly store as much energy in them. But you also get out of it cheaper too .

Helirich

What about the 12V batteries they put in 48V carts? Would seem like you could use them in a 36V. Of course the range would suck.

Volt_Ampere

You can use 3 12V cart batteries but your range will suffer if they have less AH. It works better in a 48V cart because the overall stored energy is higher with 4 batteries. I would go with 6 x 6V and get good batteries with a good AH rating.