Check status of Marathon with dead batts?

lizardman

Ok, I have posted about this free '93 Marathon given to me by the in-laws. Well, it has problems, plus a few more I found today.
Most importantly, I have a question about being able to check whether the unit is even an operable cart before I start sinking $ into it. The batts are dead as a hammer(only two even showed any voltage at all) because the cart sat for an extended period and the cells were dry. I tried to refill the cells and plugging up the charger, but nothing happened - no click, no hum, and no movement on the meter. Can I check the carts system to see if it will even work at all with new batteries? How about the charger? Stick my tongue on it, or is there a test for my voltmeter?

And man o man, the battery box is corroded. A couple of the batteries are only held in by the friction of leaning on the neighboring battery. Can I buy a new battery tray? Of course, that would only happen if I can check the unit for operation.

Are these issues a good sign for sending this unit to the scrap yard, or is there hope.

Thanks,
Rod

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

rabbitreborn

Can you take pictures? How does the rest of the frame look? The battery boxes can be purchased and welded in (or just custom fab some yourself). The fastest (and cheapest) way to test the cart and charger is to find a neighbor that has a 36v cart and run jumper cables between the 2 carts from main positive to main positive and from main negative to main negative (after jacking up the rear of the marathon of course). After hooking that up, turn on the key, switch to forward and push down the accelerator pedal and pray the wheels turn. Then, after doing that, plug in your charger (leave the jumper cables connected). Your charger should turn on. If so, unplug it immeadiately and get ready to open the wallet.........

lizardman

Did you have to make this a "bend over" thread!!! LOL
I wanted to hear some magic fairy-world, Obama will fix it type of resolution. Well, I guess that'll never happen.

My only real problem is that I do not know anyone with a 36v cart.

Rod

e-z-go1988

Charge 2 batteries at a time in series for 12v if you have a 12v car charger. Once you get them all reasonably charged you may find your 36v charger will work.

rabbitreborn

know anyone with a 48 Volt cart? If so, you can do the same thing using their cart, but you have to hook the jumper cables up a little differently on their cart. Instead of pulling power from all 6 batteries, you would only pull power from 4 of their batteries. Accomplishes the same end result.

scottyb

Or find three cars with metal bumpers. ezgo'88 has them
Just park them all so the bumpers are touching and connect the first and last battery pos and neg to the carts main cables, Wha La 36volts

lizardman

I will try this approach. Would it be best that I unhook the end batteries on the loaner cart batts before trying this, thereby limiting them to 36v(use batt 2 - 5).

Uh-oh. I just realized that dad's cart uses a 6-8v. Using 4 batts will only give me 32 volts. Is this a problem, or do I need to find a cart with a 8-6v batt system? Sorry, I'm tired and I really dont understand DC power that well.

Rod

lizardman

scottyb, has there been a vehicle made in the last 5-10 years with an actual metal front AND rear bumper? I dont see nothing but plastic anymore.

I guess I could use 3 linked car batts though, but that would be a little hassle as well.
I am sure I will find a way.

Rod

scottyb

Just kidding but yes 3 12v batteries will give the proper voltage to test....

rabbitreborn

your motor will turn at 32 volts if everything is working properly.... not very fast, but it will turn over. Also, your charger will turn on once it sees theose 32 volts..... this is a win win for you.