recommendations for upgrading torque

aviationMX

we live in the mountains in VA and several friends have asked me if I can build electric carts that have enough torque to handle steep hills. I think many are looking for greener options to the gas carts they have now.

From my searches, it appears that chipping a PDS cart will not add torque-so I'm assuming that I'll have to upgrade batteries/motor/wiring/components to add torque.

if this is correct, is there a specific model cart that I can purchase and upgrade? I've kind of decided that EZGO would be the best OEM to start with...no salt up here and I can weld the steel frame.

I'm hoping to pick a certain model (2002 + PDS?) that i can get cheap and add the costs of the upgrade and have some margin on the sale.

any advice is appreciated and thanks in advance

BGW

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scottyb

PDS is a sepex drive system designed for & best suited for NEV operation where lighter loads and faster speed is the main duty.
Today's controllers and aftermarket motors can make the PDS off road worthy if matched and programmed properly. This was not the case a few years ago.

For strictly mountain use where torque is more important than speed most will suggest you look at a series drive system. The series motor produces more torque over a wider rpm range and produces less unwanted heat making it able to survive the abuse associated with hill country use.
Hi-Torque controllers and motors are readily available and the carts are simple to work on. Select a TXT from 1995-2005 (or so)

I have recently acquired a 2010 TXT48. This PDS drive cart produces great torque with the new XCT control from alltrax and hi-torque motors are available. I'm sure that it would provide great service in the hands of somebody with a little knowledge of electric cart operation....

Electric cart education is going to be critical to the success of your project. Not only for you in setup but more importantly for the end users who must understand the needs and limits of electric vehicle use and maintenance. The best built cart can fail from abuse.

BobBoyce

I suggest you go with a series drive. PDS motors have lower torque than series motors.

aviationMX

thank you both for the quick responses.

so I'll settle for 95-2004 TXT , I found this post from Stratogeezer

"I ordered an upgraded motor (through D&D), 4GA cables, 700amp controller and heavy duty solinoid - so I should be set for parts.." [/I][/I]

should I plan to up grade the cart to 48v?

at this point (36 v) i think I'm into the cart for $1500 for the upgrade and the purchase of the cart ( $2.5 k?) add another $1k for a 48v upgrade...

so it's a $5 K investment?

Sir Nuke

well one thing FOR SURE....if you are going to be running a 700A controller/drive system, you should upgrade the cables to 2 ga.

the after market controllers/solenoids will operate on either 36v or 48v. the advantage of upgrading from 36v to 48v would be roughly a 33% gain of both speed and torque with the same drive system (the system you described above)

so if you are going to upgrade to 48v....and are having to buy a new set of batteries anyway (regardless whether you are going to upgrade or not)....the only difference in the upgrade would be the difference of the price of the batteries, whether you get 6-8v (48v) or 8-6v's. so you can forget the $1000 you stated above.

DaveTM

FWIW, I live in SW Pa. and use my 2000 TXT cart 99% for hunting the hills and mountains of Pa. I've had my cart for 8 years now and anyone who has been with me on a ride is impressed that it not only goes up the hills that it does, but it does so with ease. (The only place that has "more real mountains" than we do is W. Virginia) Now, there are limits to everything of course, but the primary reason my cart will not climb a hill is the turf it's on. If I can't get traction, I can't climb. And don't forget.....what goes up......must come down. You also have to STOP when coming down those steep hills. ScottyB sells a rear disc brake. I can't comment on the stopping power of those. I have the factory drum on the rear and I will tell you those are no where near enough when the hills are long and steep. You just won't stop....in fact, bring your brown pants 'cause they will match what will surely be staining them if you control your cart down a long steep "hill." I have a set of Jakes front disc along with the factory drums and I can stop anywhere on the down hill. Again....if you go up....you gotta come down.

scottyb

Do research and more research. There is more to this equation than first meets the eye.

aviationMX

just started to dig into it, this forum has been the best at providing data/ advice. but yep, there is allot to consider.

HiTechRedNeck

Might look into RXV's

EzGo RXV's AC motor can handle most hills.

With a unlifted cart, RXV's with 14" rims and LoPro tires run @22mph and climb most hills effortlessly.

No drive/power upgrades needed.

In the rare instance where more torqu req... or in lifted carts...
EzGo has a upgraded controller available... a bit costly.. but about the same as motor/controller ect. upgrade for other carts.