Bought my first EZGO and have some questions

DannyA · 06-16-2019, 05:06 PM

Hello All,

I purchased my first golf cart earlier this week and am looking to do some modifications to it. I have been reading other posts on this forum and I have went to cartsunlimited to checkout some upgrades.

However, I am stumped trying to find out which EZGO I have. I looked at the pictures and am confused on which drive I have.

The model I have is a 2005 EZGO 36v txte.

I have a F&R switch under the seat, which looks typical on both the septix and series. Under the seat I have a rod that goes to a solenoid I believe. However
The solenoid has a cover on it which appears to be not typical until the 2010 models. I have posted some pictures below of the inside of my cart. I would appreciate any help. Thanks

yurtle · 06-16-2019, 05:17 PM

Welcome. Looks like you have a series. The linkage goes to the forward neutral reverse switch, seen here abbreviated as FNR, F/R, F&R, maybe others?

Anyway, that will help you decide where you want to go. How old are your batteries? You'll definitely want to go to 48 volts, one day. Knowing when it's time to replace batteries will help. The cart in my sig can be built in phases, as everything can be used at 36 volts, then upgraded to 48 volts, with the charger being the only "disposable" part. CL is your best bet to sell your current one, as shipping is expensive.

Do you want speed? Back seat? Oversized tires? Four riders? Paved roads, golf courses, gravel, sand, mud... All of these affect performance. In general, you can have speed, torque, or somewhere in between. A stock motor will do just fine at 48 volts and 500 amps, unless you really push it, then it could overheat.

FYI, the FNR has four cables going to it. It also has two microswitches. The solenoid and controller are located just behind the FNR underneath the tilted cover. This also has cables and wires. The wires are for the "solenoid activation circuit". All of the following have to be "true" in order for the solenoid to click, which engages the large high current circuit that makes the motor run.

Reed switch needs charger to be unplugged from cart. FNR's microswitch 2 needs FNR to be in F or R. Key switch needs to be on. MS3 throttle microswitch needs to have pedal pressed.

Once solenoid clicks, the throttle Inductive Throttle Sensor - ITS - tells the controller how fast to go.

Owners Manual for some newer electric carts
http://products.jacobsen.com/img/man...645-g01-gb.pdf

Technician's service and repair manual electric carts
http://products.jacobsen.com/img/manuals/28646.pdf

Service Parts Manuals electric carts
http://products.jacobsen.com/img/manuals/28789-g01.pdf

DannyA · 06-16-2019, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the info yurtle. My city recently passed a golf cart ordinance which allows me to drive on the streets around town. I have 4 seats, I plan on mostly using the cart for street driving and around my small yard. I live two blocks from town ( Monroe GA ) and I want to do some upgrades as I am only getting around 4-5 mph up a few steep hills.

What should be my first project with a budget around $1200?

Oh and I posted a picture of my cart below.

cgtech · 06-16-2019, 05:34 PM

First project is to monitor battery voltage while going up that 4 mph hill. If the batteries are already about used up, that will be Very important to to know before any further plans are made. (never blindly trust battery claims from the seller- who's best interest does he serve?).

Also, look at the lead battery terminals for date stamps in the lead. For example "C4" would equal March, 2014.

yurtle · 06-16-2019, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyA

Thanks for the info yurtle. My city recently passed a golf cart ordinance which allows me to drive on the streets around town. I have 4 seats, I plan on mostly using the cart for street driving and around my small yard. I live two blocks from town ( Monroe GA ) and I want to do some upgrades as I am only getting around 4-5 mph up a few steep hills.

What should be my first project with a budget around $1200?

Oh and I posted a picture of my cart below.

Monroe city. Spent the night in jail there back in the 80s.

I added a lot to my original post so you may want to reread it. Added some FYI stuff. How old are your batteries? Look like Trojan T-105s.

For speed, only voltage will help. However, your speed sounds way too low. You should try hooking up a handheld digital volt meter to your battery pack, to see how low the voltage is dropping on your hills. Charge your batteries, wait 12 or more hours, then measure voltage. Go for a ride up a hill and measure voltage while driving. You can tape the meter's leads to the batteries, or the charger receptacle, which ever works best.
Report back. $1,200 sounds like a good budget, but spending $600 to $800 for batteries bites a chunk out of it.

FWIW, I got nine years out of my original batteries, so if you can stand some slowness, you may can tackle this over several years. There are three things that don't tolerate abuse. Anything beyond two fat people driving a few hundred yards on a well manicured golf course then resting, is abuse. The FNR can overheat. The solenoid will overheat. The motor may overheat. The first two will generally just cause you to tow your cart home. The motor can be monitored with an infrared temperature gun. I just licked my finger and touched the motor. Sizzle = too hot.

DannyA · 06-16-2019, 05:50 PM

The batteries are T105 Trojans 6v. The date code on terminal says E8. Seller said they were made in 2018 and have a 5 yr warranty.

Long term plan is to have 4 people on cart, travel into town, visit breweries that are opening in September and restaurants as well as sunset rides.

yurtle · 06-16-2019, 06:01 PM

Check battery electrolyte level. If low, fill with distilled water - not just bottled water - per Trojan's recommendation. Charge fully after every use, or at least at the end of the day.

Charge overnight. Check voltage 12 or more hours after charge completion. Check pack voltage per above. If it drops excessively, measure each battery going up a hill. It's possible to have a bad battery, even relatively new.

Batteries are May 2018.

scottyb · 06-16-2019, 06:42 PM

Hmm. I don't know anybody who gives a 5 yr warranty on Trojan Batteries. Factory is i believe 18-24 months

yurtle · 06-16-2019, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

Hmm. I don't know anybody who gives a 5 yr warranty on Trojan Batteries. Factory is i believe 18-24 months

"This warranty is non-transferable." so term is irrelevant.

AthensMarine · 06-17-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yurtle

Monroe city. Spent the night in jail there back in the 80s.

I added a lot to my original post so you may want to reread it. Added some FYI stuff. How old are your batteries? Look like Trojan T-105s.

For speed, only voltage will help. However, your speed sounds way too low. You should try hooking up a handheld digital volt meter to your battery pack, to see how low the voltage is dropping on your hills. Charge your batteries, wait 12 or more hours, then measure voltage. Go for a ride up a hill and measure voltage while driving. You can tape the meter's leads to the batteries, or the charger receptacle, which ever works best.
Report back. $1,200 sounds like a good budget, but spending $600 to $800 for batteries bites a chunk out of it.

FWIW, I got nine years out of my original batteries, so if you can stand some slowness, you may can tackle this over several years. There are three things that don't tolerate abuse. Anything beyond two fat people driving a few hundred yards on a well manicured golf course then resting, is abuse. The FNR can overheat. The solenoid will overheat. The motor may overheat. The first two will generally just cause you to tow your cart home. The motor can be monitored with an infrared temperature gun. I just licked my finger and touched the motor. Sizzle = too hot.

I'm in Watkinsville...Just bought my first cart this week. 2018 EZGO 72V. I'm hoping to have it modified to go above 20mph.

06-16-2019, 05:17 PM	#2
yurtle Gone Mad Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 8,988	Re: Bought my first EZGO and have some questions Welcome. Looks like you have a series. The linkage goes to the forward neutral reverse switch, seen here abbreviated as FNR, F/R, F&R, maybe others? Anyway, that will help you decide where you want to go. How old are your batteries? You'll definitely want to go to 48 volts, one day. Knowing when it's time to replace batteries will help. The cart in my sig can be built in phases, as everything can be used at 36 volts, then upgraded to 48 volts, with the charger being the only "disposable" part. CL is your best bet to sell your current one, as shipping is expensive. Do you want speed? Back seat? Oversized tires? Four riders? Paved roads, golf courses, gravel, sand, mud... All of these affect performance. In general, you can have speed, torque, or somewhere in between. A stock motor will do just fine at 48 volts and 500 amps, unless you really push it, then it could overheat. FYI, the FNR has four cables going to it. It also has two microswitches. The solenoid and controller are located just behind the FNR underneath the tilted cover. This also has cables and wires. The wires are for the "solenoid activation circuit". All of the following have to be "true" in order for the solenoid to click, which engages the large high current circuit that makes the motor run. Reed switch needs charger to be unplugged from cart. FNR's microswitch 2 needs FNR to be in F or R. Key switch needs to be on. MS3 throttle microswitch needs to have pedal pressed. Once solenoid clicks, the throttle Inductive Throttle Sensor - ITS - tells the controller how fast to go. Owners Manual for some newer electric carts http://products.jacobsen.com/img/man...645-g01-gb.pdf Technician's service and repair manual electric carts http://products.jacobsen.com/img/manuals/28646.pdf Service Parts Manuals electric carts http://products.jacobsen.com/img/manuals/28789-g01.pdf

06-16-2019, 05:34 PM	#4
cgtech Over This Interview Is... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AZ Posts: 17,449	Re: Bought my first EZGO and have some questions First project is to monitor battery voltage while going up that 4 mph hill. If the batteries are already about used up, that will be Very important to to know before any further plans are made. (never blindly trust battery claims from the seller- who's best interest does he serve?). Also, look at the lead battery terminals for date stamps in the lead. For example "C4" would equal March, 2014.

06-16-2019, 05:50 PM	#6
DannyA Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 3	Re: Bought my first EZGO and have some questions The batteries are T105 Trojans 6v. The date code on terminal says E8. Seller said they were made in 2018 and have a 5 yr warranty. Long term plan is to have 4 people on cart, travel into town, visit breweries that are opening in September and restaurants as well as sunset rides.
DannyA Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 3

06-16-2019, 06:01 PM	#7
yurtle Gone Mad Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 8,988	Re: Bought my first EZGO and have some questions Check battery electrolyte level. If low, fill with distilled water - not just bottled water - per Trojan's recommendation. Charge fully after every use, or at least at the end of the day. Charge overnight. Check voltage 12 or more hours after charge completion. Check pack voltage per above. If it drops excessively, measure each battery going up a hill. It's possible to have a bad battery, even relatively new. Batteries are May 2018.

06-16-2019, 06:42 PM	#8
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: Bought my first EZGO and have some questions Hmm. I don't know anybody who gives a 5 yr warranty on Trojan Batteries. Factory is i believe 18-24 months

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