Basic tools for a newbie

Tatonka Chips

So I just bought my first cart. Ezgo Txt 2002 I believe. I'm a trim carpenter not an electrician. I'm reading lots of threads and slowly gaining some knowledge. I've got plenty of wrenches but what tools should I be acquiring to work with electricity and batteries? Thanks

BGW

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vartz04

Mulrimeter. Best you can afford.

Mooncarter

Wrenches, sockets, Voltage Meter, screwdrivers, wire strippers, etc., are a must.

You will want to stock up on wire, connectors, shrink tubing, tape and that sort of thing. All in what you plan on doing. You will probably get some use out of your tape measure, square, level and coping saw at some point, I know I have. lol.

Also, cordless drill and bits. You probably already have those.

scottyb

Welcome to BGW
This little video will help.
http://www.cartsunlimited.net/troubleshooting-tips.html

cgtech

Taking a extra wrench that fits your battery terminals, then wrapping the whole other end with electrical tape (to prevent accidental shorts) might be a good idea for the inexperienced might be good too. If you short your wrench across battery terminals, you will get a instant, and very nasty burn. My buddy got a blister within minutes that doubled the size of his finger. When the safety "suggestions" say take off rings and bracelets, it's because "this stuff" has happened before. Be careful, the amount of energy that can discharge across a tool (or rings/jewelry) can easily be HUNDREDS OF AMPS in just a second. Not trying to scare you off, but anyone who has done this for years has wrenches with scars on them, and the scar can be on you if you aren't careful. As far as tools go, 1/2" & 9/16" wrenches, open end and box end, 7/16" wrenches, sockets of same sizes. 3/4", 15/16" sockets, #2 & #3 Phillips screwdriver. A rivet gun (even cheap harbor freight will do). 5/16, 3/8 and 11/32 sockets in 1/4" drive rachet could be handy too. As far as tools go, it's pretty basic. And there are probably a couple I am forgetting, but it's pretty basic hand tools stuff. Don't forget the unofficial tool, hammer, might be handy from time to time.

Mooncarter

cgtech

Oops, forgot about typical pliers and dykes (wire cutters), for the other dumb stuff like dealing with cotter pins and the like. This doesn't include much electrical type repairs, just frame/body/drivetrain type suff. For electrical stuff, a good multimeter (and knowing how to use it), Klein wire crimpers and wire strippers. The cheapo wire crimpers and wire strippers are a joke and waste of money. Hopefully you won't need much of that.

cgtech

I'm going to add a couple of electrical tools. If you buy the good ones once, you will never regret the purchase in the future. Klein is the brand to get for "will not meet NASA standards" but "will serve us non-astronauts for a lifetime without hassles". The wire strippers is easy. The wire crimpers is just a little more picky for me, they suit our type of stuff really well. Please excuse that the crimper pictures were screen captures from a popular buying place. I use these exclusively at work and at home too. I'm not affiliated , Im just telling you what I spent my own money on. After using these, I feel dirty using anything less. And I can't tell you how mad I was when someone decided to "sharpen" a pair on the grinder at the shop, Soo mad...

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yurtle

If you ever need to work on your brakes, you'll need the appropriate sized socket, and a torque wrench. If you have a friend who could lend you these, it's pretty infrequent that you'd need these.

cgtech

Yep,true, 15/16 socket listed above, and borrow a torque wrench. True. Some stuff might be better borrowed for the occasion if you don't have. Average torque wrenches quit at 100 pounds too.