Understanding RXV Braking

oldnavycdr

My question is how much of the braking on my 2013 RXV is done by regen vs the motor brake when you only release the accelerator without applying the brake pedal? All regen? Some regen, some motor brake? Since tweaking my controller -- now top end is 28 MPH -- I hope not to burn out the motor brake when I occasionally use the new top end. I understand that brake pedal engages the motor brake so I am careful not to use it as a matter of routine. I assumed that all the deceleration when I take my foot of the "gas" is due to regen but is that really the case?

BGW

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BobBoyce

What you are feeling is all regen... The motor brake will not be applied until a few seconds after you stop, or if you stomp the brake pedal hard enough to reach 100% braking (about 60% of brake pedal travel).

When I step up the performance, I typically set the coast regen rate from 30 seconds to 20 seconds. This means that instead of taking 30 seconds to stop from pedal release, it only takes 20 seconds. This essentially allows 1 pedal driving, where you hardly ever have to touch the brake pedal. If you want to coast longer term, you just slowly ease back on the throttle pedal. Most people seem to like it that way.

I took my RXV down to the local cart shop yesterday to let him try driving it. One stomp of the throttle and it jumped, he then took his foot off of the throttle pedal and almost did a faceplant into the windshield. My accell is a bit more aggressive than yours, due to the lighter weight of the lithium pack vs lead/acid. My regen is set for 10 seconds from pedal off to full stop as well. I told him to lightly touch the pedal to start off easy. He got the hang of it in a matter of seconds. Once he was used to it, he liked it better. He was used to stomping the pedal to go with the RXVs on his lot.

sunking

The Motor Brake is a Parking Brake. Unless you do hard braking, a N0-NO, is 100% Regen. Last thing you ever want to happen is to have the Motor Brake engaged while in motion.

oldnavycdr

Thanks, all! Just wanted to double check. Bob, you reset my coast regen rate to 20 so I think that is what I was noticing and it caused me to ask the question. Hot little buggy!

BobBoyce

Yuppirs! With the speed, you need the better braking. It helps put power back into your batteries when you regen. When you're ready for new batteries next time, you might want to go lithium to put your neighbors to shame!

oldnavycdr

I'll probably do that in another 3-4 years when this pack is done.

bigsby

I am a new owner of a 2014 RXV and am confused/paranoid about the brake pedal. After reading through several forum posts, I'm afraid to even touch the brake pedal in fear of locking up the motor brake. My cart is setup to run 19.5 mph, is it safe to use the brake pedal when coming to a stop? I have a lot of experience with a TXT, but this is my first go around with an RXV. I'm sure in time I will get more used to the coasting distances, but as of now it's somewhat confusing.

rngilliland

Just use the brake normally and you won't have any problem. At some point if you press the brake pedal far enough you can activate the parking brake. But I have never had it happen, even with some very hard braking.

cgtech

The way i use the rxv brake for average use is like this- I noticed I need to slow down, I lightly tap and release the brake pedal, the cart responds by starting regen braking. If the cart is not slowing as quickly as I would like, I tap and release it again a little more into the pedal. If it still isn't stopping fast enough, or a panic situation is coming, only then do I press and hold the pedal at a point that makes the regen braking more aggressive or press further into the nasty reality of a possible motor brake lockup intervention. Just tapping and letting the regen do it's thing will do 90% of braking needs on the first or second tap.

kernal

I went from 18 years of driving a "series" type of TXT with absolutely no regen braking to the RXV. Just takes a little practice as it is noticeably different. Just drive the cart like normal and the cart will "teach" you to drive it like the EV it is. It takes an effort to engage the motor (parking brake) while moving. I've had to due it twice in two+ years during a panic stop. I could feel the difference in the brake pedal and the rear wheels both immediately lock. I was at speed both times and on pavement. Not violent at all. No noticeable damage to the brake but it isn't designed to do this repeatedly.
I have learned to love the autobrake. Just step off the cart and it stays where it is no matter what. Just step in it and press the go pedal to move on. My TXT seems clunky by comparison.