New project... Ideas where to go. Full rebuild.

chvybeatsford

Ok.. so picked up a flooded cart from a buddy. 04 pds. As of now I pulled it all apart and all is good minus any electrical.. haven't tested any of it.

So time to descide. Will have 14" wheels and wife wants it fast . No plum quick crazy but anything over 20. So do I stay 36 and get the parts from another buddy cheap or just do the 48 conversion. .. I already have the 2017 72v so she would rather faster than that(24mph)..

Really need pointers on best set ups bang for buck.

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BGW

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JohnnieB

It is tire height rather than rim diameter that alters performance. 14" is a rim size and the tire heights that fit on 14" rims can vary anywhere from <18" up to 25" and beyond.

24 MPH is fairly easy with a PDS cart. Stock motor, gears and tire height (18") with an Alltrax XCT controller will do about 24MPH at 36V, about 28MPH at 42V and about 32MPH at 48V (but that has the motor spinning over 7400RPM)

kernal

So I keyed on this....."wife wants it fast" and this...."I already have the 2017 72v".
So your/her frame of reference is a 72v cart. So I'm thinking half the voltage is out of the question. The big OEMs don't even build 36v carts any more.
You don't ever want to see the look of disappointment on a woman's face if you don't give her enough..... ya know speed.

I say 48v at least.

Go big or go home

My opinion since you asked.

chvybeatsford

Thanks.. yea. What sucks is the 72 only does 24. What I should have clarified was she is fine as long as it does 21. My last pds that I just sold my brother does that on 36v ..

My main goal was if I have to replace all then would it be best to do 48v..

Pic of our 72. And the 36.

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kernal

Well if you have to replace all the electrics and batteries anyway, seems to me the way to go is 48v. What would be the reasons to stay 36? In my area maybe a $8-10 per battery savings. The controller, solenoid, charger etc are all the same price either way basically. You mentioned your buddy giving you a deal on 36v electronics. So if he gave all that stuff to you including a charger, then maybe we're talking $1000 bucks cheaper than going 48v. I don't know your situation but I can see were that would be a consideration.

I converted to 48v a few years ago. I know that I would never consider going back and have regretted not doing it sooner. But my situation is not your situation. My point I guess is: if you have to replace (purchase) all the electronics/ batteries anyway, the cost is nearly the same whether 36 or 48v.

Again, just an opinion.

BTW, nice looking carts!

JohnnieB

If you install a stock 36V PDS (Curtis 1206MX) controller in that cart, it will limit the motor to 4400RPM, which is about 18.9MPH on 18" tires and about 21.0MPH on 20" tall tires.

kgsc

I would say minimum 48 as kernal said but I'm still wondering why the 72 volt tops out at 24? Stock ezgo?

chvybeatsford

Thanks..

Yes stock..

chvybeatsford

Hey JohnnieB so u are saying i can go to 48volt with the stock motor. I have no issues wit that and will buy a better motor after a lil bit if i can. Just need a start point on if i should 48 volt it or stay 36? Cart is used for street use and will have some random high speed hits..

JohnnieB

1. Yes. The DC Traction motors used in carts can be operated over a wide range of voltages and the voltage rating for a motor is the minimum voltage it should be operated at. With the same mechanical load, a 36V motor operated at 24V will run hotter and not last as long as it would if operated at 36V. The opposite is true if operated at voltages above 36V, as long as the voltage is less than about 75% higher (~64V). Doubling the rated voltage (72V) is okay with some, but not all, 36V motors.

2. A stock PDS motor is a good starting point, and may be all that is needed. Once the rest of the cart is in its final form, the best motor for that specific setup can be determined.

3. 42V is also an option. That voltage won't over-rev a stock PDS motor, or standard speed aftermarket 36V sepex motor. On the other hand, if you install an Alltrax XCT controller, you can RPM limit the motor to the manufacturer's max recommended RPM so 48V won't over-rev it on level ground. For max acceleration and minimum slowing on inclines, go with 48V.

4. A PDS is a good cart for street use.