99 Ez-Go TXT Standard DCS battery condition

pchilson

Hi guys, new on the forum. I have been reading a lot to try to catch myself up on terminology, technology and such. I have not owned a golf cart before so trying to get my bearings on where I stand with this one.

As the thread title states this is, according to the ezgo website serial lookup, a 1999 TXT Standard DCS 36v. It has 6 Trojan T-105 batteries dated Aug 2015 so 3.5 years old. By appearances the previous owner took good care with the connections and water levels. I bought the cart about a week and a half ago and have used it about 6 times on the course. It has the 10 digit charge level meter in the dash, I understand from reading here these are not that accurate, but when I finish a round the meter stands at 7 on the gauge. I'm thinking this isn't bad. The cart is stored at the golf course in a cart shed and is plugged in every day after use. I also work part time at the course so on Monday when I arrived at work at 8:30 am I unplugged the charger and replugged it. The charger kicked on and at noon when I got off and went to get the cart the charger was still running. I unplugged and went out to play. On Tuesday I did the same routine but this time the charger had shut off before noon. Today, same routine and charger was off when I went to check at noon. Again from reading here I'm guessing that the charger was doing an "equalization" but I don't really know. The charger is a Power Wise 28115 G04.

After doing all this the cart seems to run to hold a charge longer into the course but is still at 7 when I'm done playing.

Am I helping, hurting or no change with the battery maintenance by what I'm doing? What should I do and what should I expect out of 3 and a half year old batteries on a 36v cart for a round of golf? I live in the Ozarks and our course is moderately hilly but not drastic. I seem to come to the same battery charge state whether I'm by myself or if I have a partner riding along with me.

Second question. I don't plan to modify the cart from stock but would be interested to know what benefits an Alltrax speed controller upgrade would do for the cart?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

BGW

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pchilson

Another question.

From reading on here I understand you shouldn't let the batteries run below 50% of charge. Is this 10 digit battery meter taking that into account?

In other words when the meter is at 5 bars is it indicating I'm at 50% of charge or 50% of the 50% of charge? That's sounds like a weird question...

scottyb

The bar graph meters are terrible. The picture below shows a full bar graph meter while the Digital Meter shows empty. The bar graph meters reset to 100% each time the charger is connected regardless of what the final result is or if the charger is disconnected before the charge completes. Basically a 36v pack should recharge before 36v and a 48v pack before it drops to 48v. Use this chart and a digital battery meter for actual #s. And welcome to the golf cart world

Attached Images

	SOC new.jpg (84.8 KB, 0 views)
	Digital meter vs bar graph.JPG (47.9 KB, 0 views)
	meter trim.jpg (71.5 KB, 0 views)

meimk

What you're doing is right. Your charger will shut itself off when it's "done", so the rule of thumb is - if you're not riding it, plug it in.
As to the battery meter, don't put much faith in it. Either get a digital V.O.M., get a real digital gauge for the dash (that gives an actual numeric voltage readout), or both.

pchilson

Thanks guys,

So I can't trust the installed bar meter. Got it.
Kind of disappointing that the factory meter would be so inaccurate as to be useless and a danger to your batteries.

Will look at getting a digital in there later.

For now I will hook up my meter and monitor it that way. I have clip on leads for the meter. Other than the charger port, where would be the best place to connect the leads to get an accurate "while I'm driving" reading? At the charger port I'd be kicking them loose getting in and out all the time.

pchilson

scottyb, does that digital meter fit the factory cutout that the bar meter is in now?

JohnnieB

The DCS was EZGO's first attempt at a SepEx (separately excited field and armature windings) drive system and 1999 was the last year it was produced. They went to the PDS in 2000.

It has a strong stock motor, but the stock DCS controller (Curtis 1206SX) has a high failure rate. (No under voltage protection) So when it fails, replace it with an Alltrax XCT controller. Since your golf course is hilly, go with a XCT48400-DCS (or larger),but if you are satisfied with the stock speed on the hills, a XCT48300-DCS will probably suffice.

The XCT controller will up the speed to a bit over 20MPH with a good 36V battery pack and stock height (18") tires.

scottyb

Not exactly. The meter is smaller, so grab the trim piece and a bit of silicone to keep it centered.

pchilson

So are those controllers a drop in the replacement or do you need other parts upgraded as well?

Thanks

scottyb

An aftermarket controller replaces a stock control...like 300 amps replaces 275 amps.
If you go bigger the solenoid needs to be upgraded like a 400a controller requires a 200a solenoid. (50-60 amps is stock)
And if you go real big = 500 amps you needs a 400amp solenoid and a 2g cable set. I hope this helps.