Controller

420ma

I'd like some recommendations for a 500A controller. Something simple and easy to put in place of my stock controller ( 1993 Marathon). I'm just looking for better torque for hills with my 36v cart. I'm fine with my speed, i just want to maintain it uphill. I saw the alltrax but do I really need all the programming stuff?

BGW

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VanillaXtract

You gain more torque with an aftermarket controller because of the programming, not because it’s a 500A controller.


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420ma

I was under the impression that for better torque performance you needed more amperage. So if I were to get a controller of the same amperage as my existing controller I just need one I can program to generate better torque?

scottyb

Get a new Alltrax SR controller. Read 10 reasons why > http://www.cartsunlimited.net/about-...ntrollers.html

For help deciding what's needed for your application, go here > http://www.cartsunlimited.net/upgrade-suggestions.html

420ma

Can I run 48v without changing the controller? 1993 Marathon.

handtools

Not for very long! You will need a new controller, solenoid, H/D F/R switch, 2 ga. cables, batteries and a new charger. But you can do all this in stages by getting the Alltrax SR controller and a 400a solenoid and new cables, then run 36v until you need new batteries.

420ma

Thanks. I'm in a grey area were I need new batteries but I wanted to go 48v. but dont have funds for all the upgrades. I may just buy used batteries from a reliable source to keep me running till I get the cash. the set up you have for the 94 medalist looks like what i want to do for my 93 marathon...how is it on the hills. my cart bogs down alot on hills, i suspect new batteries will help but not get me where I want to be. Plus I'm not a small person. I currently have 20" tires.

JohnnieB

The top speed of all electric golf carts is lower going uphill than it is on level ground due to the increased mechanical load of lifting the cart's weight vertically as well as moving it horizontally. A Series drive, like your cart has, slows the most while SepEx drives and AC drives don't slow as much.

The top speed a cart can reach is determined by the motor RPM at which the torque being produced equals the mechanical load on the motor.

The amount of torque a DC motor produces is determined by the amps flowing through it, which in turn is determined by the volts being applied to it (Unit of work is Watts and Watts = Volts X Amps)

The number of Amps a motor can draw for a given applied voltage, decreases as the motor's RPM increases. (Effect of back EMF)

Therefore, when the mechanical load is increased (IE: going up a hill), the motor slows to the RPM at which it can draw enough Amps to produce a torque value equal to the new mechanical load.

A controller with a higher Amp throughput allows the Motor to draw more amps at low RPM, but once the motor is spinning above an RPM at which it cannot draw more amps than the stock controller can pass, the torque gain is negligible.

The 20" tall tires increases the cart's top speed by about 11%, but reduces the torque where rubber meets road by 10%, which in turn causes the cart to slow more than a stock cart on inclines.

A good set of batteries will lessen the amount the cart slows on hills.

Replacing the high current cables (all 13 or 14 of them) with 4Ga (or thicker) cables will lessen the amount the cart slows on hills. Since you are planning to go to 48V, get cables for 8V batteries, the will work with 6V batteries but 6V battery cables don't work with 8V batteries.

420ma

Can I assume when I put the 500A controller in I will get a better uphill performance?

JohnnieB

It depends on how slow the cart slows down to going uphill.

If it slows to walking speed (~3.5MPH) or less, you might get some noticeable improvement.

However, if it is slowing to walking speed on hills, the problem is more likely to be bad batteries or bad high current cables or motor needing service (worn brushes, and carbon dust buildup), or a combination thereof.

Of course, you will need a different controller when you upgrade to 48V.