Delta-Q / 36 Volt Charging Question

jolsem725

First of all, I apologize if this is covered somewhere else, but I have searched to no avail. I am a newbie to the electric cart world having just upgraded to an electric 2007 TXT PDS from a 2 stroke 1985 Marathon. My questions are:

1.) How warm are the batteries supposed to get when charging?
2.) Are the batteries even supposed to get warm/hot when charging?
3.) Should you hear the sould of air bubbles circulating through the cells?

I have plugged the cart in to charge twice since I have owned it over the last month. Both times the Delta-Q charger will charge for about 12-14 hours, then flash the "Red" fault light. The flash count (3 flashes) indicates that the battery charger has timed out prior to the battery pack reaching a full charge.

Today I reset the charger by unplugging and restarting the charge, but now the batteries seem to be getting pretty warm (all the while the charger is still flashing a green LED.) Solid green should indicate a full charge, but I have never had a solid green light illuminate. This has me concerned for the possibility of doing damage to the batteries or the controller (which has been set to "Tow/maintenance") when charging. Also at the time these batteries are very warm, the voltage for the pack is reading 40 volts. Is any of this normal? Is the charger set wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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

COURTESYCART

Sounds to me you may have a weak battery in your pack. Load test every battery or use a hydrometer to check your batteries.

Also whats the condition of your battery cables. if they are 6 ga, I suggest you upgrade to 4ga.

You may hear some bubbling sounds form your batteries. this is normal. I have seen some batteries get warm during charge, but not hot to where you can't touch them.

jolsem725

Battery cables are brand new #4 gauge just installed which were purchased direct from EZGO. I plan on testing each cell tonight with hydrometer. Thanks.

Marathon Man

If the charger does not achieve 42 volts it will not shut off. It will just run and run till it times out flashing red indicating a fault. by then the batts will smell like rotten eggs and be extremly hot. i have seen 16o degrees. Never had good luck with hott batts. and because they boil over so much every time you charge its not good on frames and cables it will eat them up.

Dave Box

First off I was sorry to see that you had to downgrade from a nice 2 stroke to a sparky cart. I think that if I ever became invalided and had to ride an electric <s> wheelchair </s> cart I would get myself a load tester.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CCEQ8wIwAA#

It's not that expensive and it will tell you so much about your batteries

ezgokid

Use a multimeter to check each battery separately. Set it to 20VDC for one battery or 200VDC for the whole pack. You want each battery at 6 volts or higher when they have been used. After a full charge, they should be AROUND 7 volts.

Use a load tester as Dave and Courtesy have recommended as well.

Dave Box

Kid, look I supported you in your earlier spat with rabbit et. al. but you have let me down. Even the most worthless of batteries will read 6 volts or 8 volts or 12 volts you must use a load tester not a voltmeter. Now go to your room.

ezgokid

And if you have a bad battery it CAN read a lower voltage among other things, correct?

Dave Box

Well it can but it will not tell you anything of value. You must perform a load test. You are a cool kid and I really like you. Your arrogance is a badge that you should wear with pride. Don't let anyone ever tell you what to think however in this case listen to uncle Dave

ezgokid

Okay.