Performace Tips for a SLOW E-Z Go

John

Thank you all for a great forum, was hoping to get some help with a slow medalist. I recently recieved a 1994.5 medalist that is completely stock except for a rear seat. It has Hurricane batteries that are dated May of 2005. Cart runs great except for top speed of around 13mph. I am hoping to get between 20 and 25 if possible. I do have some small hills in our neighborhood, that makes the cart in its present form slow to 9-10mph. I was hoping to get some advice on a motor, and what amp controller I may need to help pull those hills a little better. Or if i'm replacing the motor and controller would it be better to upgrade to 48 volts, and if so besides 8 volt batteries, what else am I forgetting. I'm just trying to get the most bang for the buck, and would be very happy to just be in the 20 to 25 mph range with a little better torque. Thank you again. John

BGW

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roady89

Stock replacement upgrade: Based on 36 volt golf carts
Upgrading the cables to 4 gauge will help pull those hills a little better. If you keep the stock motor a 400 AMP controller is about all the stock motors can use. There is a point where the stock motors just can't "Use" any more available amps and 400 seems to be it. If you opt for cables and a 400 amp controller and keep the stock motor you could "possibly" keep your 13 mph top speed but you wont "gain" any TOP speed. If its a very steep grade then it may not matter, a full blown swap will be in order to go faster.

Performance Upgrade:
1. 48 volts
2. 400 amp controller
3. 4 gauge golf cart battery cables
4. 48 volt HD solenoid

This will get you a 20-25% increase in power and torque.

Note:6-8 volt golf cart batteries will have LESS run time than 8-6 volt golf cart batteries. The drawback to 8-6 volts is weight and battery placement. Most people place the 2 extra 6 volt batteries in the bagwell area.

High performance upgrade:

1. 48 volts
2. 500 amp controller
3. 4 gauge golfcart battery cables
4. 48 volt HD solenoid
5. Aftermarket motor
New motor
D&D
Re-work your Motor
EMP Simply the best bang for the buck. Low prices and great power.


Extreme performance upgrade:

1. 48 volts or more
2. 650+ amp controller
3. 4 gauge golfcart battery cables or larger
4. 48 volt HD solenoid
5. HD F/R switch
6. Rear axle gear swap
5. Aftermarket motor
New motor
D&D
Re-work your Motor
EMP Simply the best bang for the buck. Low prices and great power.


And dont forget the Battery Charger

John

Roady, thank you for the reply. You are right, I did forget I would need a new charger if upgrading to 48 volts. Do you feel I could get to my 20- 25mph goal with a new motor, 400 amp controler, 4 gauge cables and hd solenoid while remaining at 36 volts? I have spoke with EMP already, and they said they have a motor for me in the $325 range plus shipping.

roady89

IMO that combo would lean towards the low 20's. If you want more speed than that you will need a higher RPM motor but in order to keep the torque you will need a higher amp controller.

gamer1

Roady...when you said the upgrade to 4 gauge wire will help pulling hills did you mean without any other upgrade? Other words will I notice a difference in pulling hills with my 2000 pds (with speed chip) by just replacing the cables? Thanks

roady89

Yes larger battery cables will help pull hills better. You won't gain any more power than what is already available...you just need to help it

I will try and explain it the best way I can.

Small cables are like trying to feed a 1000 Horse power drag car with a 1/8 fuel line...its just not a big enough fuel line.
.
Give that car a 1/2 fuel line and the motor gets all the fuel it needs. If the motor doesn't need the "fuel" it won't use it. I hope that made sense. If not..just ask.

It will only help to a certain point...If you need more power then you need a larger controller, motor....etc....etc.

gamer1

Thanks Roady....any improvement at all should be worth the cost of cables. I will report back to you after the change.

phasetim

EZ GO's OEM wires are especially crappy at being a weakening point..

buckmanmike

4g and an extra 12 volts in the bagwell will give you big jump in speed and torque. You will need a 48v controller/ solenoid.

buckmanmike

Gamer1 you can add 12 volts and keep your same 36v charger. Get a wally world 12v charger. Just wire in new 12v at tail end of batteries and 36v charger won't "see it", then use new 12v charger on new 2 6v batteries.
If you search here and BU you will find a wiring diagram. Good luck . You will need a 48v controller/ solenoid.