1993 marathon letting the smoke out of the controller

montr433

New here and can use some help, I picked up a 1993 marathon that has set for two years. The story I got was the cart was bought and driven for two days and slowly went dead and wouldn't recharge, so new batteries were installed and it never moved again, so I pick it up today batteries have zero charge, hook up charger and nothing so I open it up and can't see anything obvious so I hook the two wires on the relay together and it fires up and starts charging, I think great let it charge for several hours and decided to try it. I unhook the charger step on the pedal and solenoid clicks and I can see wisps of smoke coming out of what I think is the controller (large black box) and it doesn't even try to move. I have another controller that came in a parts box and don't know if its any good but I thought I might try it tomorrow but my question is what else to check that would cause a controller to let the smoke out before I ruin another one.

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

scottyb

Low voltage can smoke a controller!

montr433

Should have mentioned voltage was 36v measured across the pack I didn't measure the individual batteries,, I figured I was going to need new batteries but was hoping to see if it was going to move first, the thing is when I pushed the pedal the smoke happened instantly like it was already bad not like if you would stand on it and make it overheat I let the batteries settle for an hour or so before I measured voltage so I don't think I checked a surface charge, I know 36v isn't fully charged but could that do it.

montr433

Ok batteries are shot controller is shot spare controller in parts box is shot based on the smell of it what else should I check before I smoke some new and expensive parts

Clemsoncartguy

Make sure your wires are hooked up correctly.

montr433

Thanks that's one of the first things I checked It keeps getting better it's been years since I have messed with an electric cart and I kept looking at the batteries thinking something isn't right and sure enough they replaced the batteries with automotive batteries, I'm slipping I should have noticed that right away

Clemsoncartguy

Would this burn up a controlled? I wouldn't think so, maybe wrong

Volt_Ampere

Yes it will. Weak batteries are the main reason for controller failure.

montr433

it was suggested that low voltage smoked it and with the wrong batteries that have been dead for close to two years its the most plausible explanation right now because nothing obvious is jumping out at me right now I think I will wait until I have the charger working correctly and new batteries and use the time to completely check the wiring again

montr433

thanks guys I will get the voltage end taken care of and then source a new controller from or site sponsors