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Old 09-04-2017, 11:56 AM   #1
PLee83
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Default EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Hey guys

I have a 2012 RXV AC that I believe has regen.

I'm ordering some 12v LIfepo4 modules to replace some older 155ah FLA batteries that just won't provide any run time anymore.

I have a Curtis 1206AC-5201 motor controller (photo attached) currently programmed with speed upgrade.
I have a Lombetta 684-3641-012-26 torque solenoid (photo attached)

Questions:
1. Is it okay to direct swap to a Lifepo4 battery setup with this controller?
2. What about direct swap of battery with this the torque solenoid?
3. Will controller need reprogrammed once Lifepo4 battery is installed?
4. Battery manufacturer is asking me what Current and Peak Discharge of the battery I'd like. Can someone tell me what it should be for this cart? I'd imagine 250 peak and 40 continuous?
5. Is it worth upgrading controllers and getting a higher peak discharge battery pack/BMS system? Recco's?

Thanks so much from this newbie. I'm having fun. Please excuse me if I've typo'd or misunderstood the Lombetta part.
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Old 09-04-2017, 01:29 PM   #2
cgtech
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

The Trombetta solenoid has nothing to do with torque, it's the main "on/off" switch. The controller extensively uses Regen (that is all it has to slow you down under normal operation). The cart electrical system will be just fine with a direct swap. The charger for the cart probably won't. If your intended cells don't employ a BMS, I suggest you get one. One concern you didn't address (and probably didn't know about) is your intended cells ability to reabsorb energy. They should be able to absorb energy (recharge) at peak rates up to 150a, because during heavy braking, I have seen Regen power briefly spike that high. 250a peak draw sounds good enough, as long as those size cells can handle brief charge rates as high as described above. I have built several lithium RXVs with Lithium packs of 80ah and 100ah capacity with no problems. The factory energy meter will not read correctly with lithium, so finding a BMS with a energy meter is a good idea. I have never "had to" do any controller reprogramming, but have opted to use it's "energy burning" capabilities to limit peak pack voltages within lithium tolerances (that limit will vary by the cells you choose). This built in capability only functions while driving, and cannot prevent an overcharge while charging.
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Old 09-04-2017, 01:42 PM   #3
BobBoyce
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Quote:
Originally Posted by PLee83 View Post
Hey guys

I have a 2012 RXV AC that I believe has regen.

I'm ordering some 12v LIfepo4 modules to replace some older 155ah FLA batteries that just won't provide any run time anymore.

I have a Curtis 1206AC-5201 motor controller (photo attached) currently programmed with speed upgrade.
I have a Lombetta 684-3641-012-26 torque solenoid (photo attached)

Questions:
1. Is it okay to direct swap to a Lifepo4 battery setup with this controller?
2. What about direct swap of battery with this the torque solenoid?
3. Will controller need reprogrammed once Lifepo4 battery is installed?
4. Battery manufacturer is asking me what Current and Peak Discharge of the battery I'd like. Can someone tell me what it should be for this cart? I'd imagine 250 peak and 40 continuous?
5. Is it worth upgrading controllers and getting a higher peak discharge battery pack/BMS system? Recco's?

Thanks so much from this newbie. I'm having fun. Please excuse me if I've typo'd or misunderstood the Lombetta part.
Welcome to the cart obsession and to BGW!

You might want to add where you are located into your profile. This helps others know where you are in case you need help.

The solenoid is not an issue. That is the solenoid that the later RXVs went to.

The speed upgrade that you mentioned, was it just set for the maximum speed, or was Freedom Mode enabled, then set for maximum speed. It makes a difference in the way the controller limits current.

The Curtis controller in your cart will work fine with a LiFePO4 pack, but depending on which pack you choose, there are some parameters that you may need to tweak. The default setting is 67 VDC maximum before the resistor is activated to burn off excess power. That is adjustable of course, with an OEM level programmer or handset.

The 1206AC-5201 controller is rated for 235 Amps maximum of 3 Phase AC drive, which is a lot more power than a DC drive of the same current. The E-Z-GO VCL limits controller current based upon whether or not Freedom Mode is enabled, and what your top speed is programmed for. Those values will need to be known before you can calculate what your average and maximum DC current values can be determined.

So what you want to do is able to be done. How far you want to take it is up to how much you want to spend of course. I also have a build in progress where I started with an RXV chassis, and am building it into a LiFePO4 powered Bandolero road car. I'm using the 1206AC-5350 upgrade 350 Amp controller in my build.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/road-...-road-car.html

Let us know where you are located. Others here are into Lithium pack conversions, and I have the ability to do custom programming on the Curtis controllers used in the RXVs.

Bob
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Old 09-04-2017, 09:53 PM   #4
PLee83
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Hey guys, I'm in the PNW (Seattle area).

Thanks so much for the great info.

I'll definitely make sure that it can take recharge rates at that 250 discharge rate. Great point.

Questions again:
1. If I swap the controller do I also need to be able to program it? That's just another hurdle, but I'm always up for a challenge.
2. Assuming I don't want to go as far as motor swapping, does a new controller bring additional speed and/or efficiency?
3. Any idea on how to determine if freedom mode is enabled or top speed my Curtis is programmed for with a multi meter?
4. Above you guys mentioned the type of cells. I assume 18650 with 3.7 volt output. Does the concern of cell type just boil down to whether it can handle the recharge spikes and how much voltage burn off there would be?
5. Would you do the controller swap? I love speed, but my other four family members should NOT be speeding. Mom already freaks out when I go full juice.
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Old 09-04-2017, 11:10 PM   #5
cgtech
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

The stock controller actually gets a great performance boost just from the conversion. The weight loss, slightly increased voltage, and more steady voltage under load will give you a nice performance boost. I would not do a controller upgrade, at least until your sure the stock Controller won't meet your needs. There is generally only one plug-n-play Controller upgrade, and it's over $1k. The stock controller can provide 19mph on stock 8" rims with standard tires, larger street tires will give you a little speed boost. And, the stock controller can provide much faster acceleration with a little tuning . No motor upgrades I know of are available for Rxv with stock controller, or factory upgrade controller. Stock controller & motor have provided plenty of performance on all conversions I have done. I suggest staying away from high speed gears, it hurts braking performance, and adds other quirks that no one likes (especially true on 2012.5 and newer "Curtis" rxvs).
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Old 09-06-2017, 12:39 AM   #6
PLee83
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Much appreciated cgtech!!
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Old 09-06-2017, 07:35 AM   #7
BobBoyce
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Quote:
Originally Posted by cgtech View Post
The stock controller actually gets a great performance boost just from the conversion. The weight loss, slightly increased voltage, and more steady voltage under load will give you a nice performance boost. I would not do a controller upgrade, at least until your sure the stock Controller won't meet your needs. There is generally only one plug-n-play Controller upgrade, and it's over $1k. The stock controller can provide 19mph on stock 8" rims with standard tires, larger street tires will give you a little speed boost. And, the stock controller can provide much faster acceleration with a little tuning . No motor upgrades I know of are available for Rxv with stock controller, or factory upgrade controller. Stock controller & motor have provided plenty of performance on all conversions I have done. I suggest staying away from high speed gears, it hurts braking performance, and adds other quirks that no one likes (especially true on 2012.5 and newer "Curtis" rxvs).
I agree... I went back to a stock controller on my RXV, just enhanced the performance a bit by tweaking parameters that require Factory 2 or higher access level. I kept my stock speed however, even though I enabled Freedom Mode. The 350 Amp controller I am using on my Bandolero build.

Bob
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Old 09-13-2017, 09:55 AM   #8
Graygoose
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Hello BobBoyce, do you know where I can get the parmeters for My RXV 's curtis controller? I have the handheld programer and want to spped my cart up, I know it wont unlock the freedom setting but will increase the speed up to 19.5mph, I just dont want to mess anything up and I am a newbie lol.
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Old 09-13-2017, 10:08 AM   #9
cgtech
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

Without "freedom mode" unlocked, setting speed to 19.5 doesn't work.
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Old 09-13-2017, 11:27 AM   #10
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Default Re: EZGo RXV 2012 and Curtis 1206AC direct swap to Lifepo4

It should be unlocked this week, but I have no idea what to set the parameters to with the Curtis 1313 programmer. I want to get the most out of it but also don't want to damage anything. I just wish there was a cheat sheet with the parameter information. Any clue?
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