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Electric EZGO Electric EZ GO Marathon, Medalist, TXT and RXV.



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Old 03-23-2018, 06:34 AM   #1
420ma
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Default 36v vs. 48v

I am considering upgrading my Marathon to a 24v cart when I order a new controller, but as I shopped for batteries I noticed that the amp hours are different. The 36V said 220Ah and the 48V said 168 Ah....how does that figure as far as run time.

Secondly, how much extra torque am I getting by upgrading. On flat ground I am happy with the speed, but it turns into a dog uphills. I'm going upgrade to a 500A controller. Are the extra volts worth it?
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Old 03-23-2018, 10:04 AM   #2
scottyb
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

Increasing the operating voltage from 36 to 48v will increase torque and speed by 33%. In a SERIES cart this is the biggest bang for the buck you can get. This will make a marked improvement in hill climb speed too.
You are correct to be suspect of a 168 AH battery. When the operating voltage is increased the amperage used decreases for an equal amount of work. However, you should be looking for an 8v with much higher capacity like the Crown CR190 (190ah) or Trojan T890 for the best run times.
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Old 03-23-2018, 12:01 PM   #3
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

To compare run times, multiply pack voltage by AH to get watt hours, which determines run-time.

36 x 220 = 7920
48 x 168 = 8064
So the 48V pack will have 1.8% longer run-time.
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Old 03-23-2018, 12:31 PM   #4
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnieB View Post
To compare run times, multiply pack voltage by AH to get watt hours, which determines run-time.

36 x 220 = 7920
48 x 168 = 8064
So the 48V pack will have 1.8% longer run-time.
Technically correct but, still ...more is best in my experience if for no other reason than a potentially longer useful lifespan due to a higher low discharge percentage
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Old 03-23-2018, 01:25 PM   #5
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyb View Post


Technically correct but, still ...more is best in my experience if for no other reason than a potentially longer useful lifespan due to a higher low discharge percentage
I agree.

The higher the AH rating, the longer the run-time due to greater storage capacity and the longer the lifespan due to the batteries not being discharged as much for the same distance traveled, raising the lifetime average SoC, which is a major factor determining the cradle to grave life of the batteries.

Unfortunately, the price difference between a 170AH 8V battery and 190AH or a 204AH may exceed the cost savings of a longer lifespan. However, how much not having to R&R 500 pounds of batteries quite as often is worth, comes into play also.

Personally, I'll spend more up front to push the back breaking task of swapping out the batteries down the road several months or more.
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Old 03-23-2018, 01:53 PM   #6
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

A few yrs into my battery swapping career I bought a handtruck and a cheap 12v winch. It was easy to make a 4 wheel boom truck with a small tractor battery - I still use this for motor and battery swaps in the R&D shop
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Old 03-25-2018, 08:42 PM   #7
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

So let's look at this another way. I've already made the decision to upgrade the controller to 500A to get better torque. How much better can I expect it to be staying at 36v. Because cost is an issue.
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Old 03-25-2018, 10:22 PM   #8
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

If you already have a 500a controller that is capable of 48v, you should definitely make the jump to 48v. This is a "no brainier" to me. You will enjoy the power increase, and the range should be comparable (if we we're comparing to a good set of 36v batteries). This comparison is assuming you had good 36v batteries before, and assuming you don't do 100% pedal to the floor. Treat your batteries right if you want them to last, that goes for 36 or 48 batteries. You might find that you use less 100% throttle with a more powerful and faster system. (Or might not, then a 8x 6v battery system could actually be better for you, bigger "gas tank")
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Old 03-26-2018, 07:44 AM   #9
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

420,
I have done the 36 to 48v conversion in a TXT. In my experience the jump to 48v is far and away the thing to do especially if the goal is to hold or even increase speed on inclines. A higher amp controller in a series cart will likely increase reliability and tolerance to things that affect final drive ratio like larger diameter tires but will have little to no increase in performance once cart is at speed. (after acceleration phase).

In regards to range per charge. This is very important to me. JohnnieB's math indicates 225AH batteries at 36v have about the same capacity as 170AH batteries at 48v. I have proven to myself that his math is correct in actual use.
I was worried about this so I went with 190AH batteries but over time I have found that I'm getting about 12% more range than I did with 225AH batteries at 36v. So 170AH would have been sufficient for my use and I will probably go that way when replacement is necessary. (Crown batteries currently in their 4th year with no measurable decrease in performance yet)

If you want to have a performance increase you can actually feel (seat of the pants) 48v is necessary in series carts.

Your mileage may vary.
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Old 03-26-2018, 11:36 AM   #10
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Default Re: 36v vs. 48v

I've been advocating this upgrade for 10 years on the internet. Not one person has said they wished they HAD NOT made the upgrade. For a series cart 36 to 48 volts is the biggest bang for the buck you will get.

Let me put it one more way. You cannot buy a new 36v cart. Nobody makes them.
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