1996 ez-go sluggish

modocrose

Hi. I have a 1996 ez go and I just put 6 new batteries in the cart. However, when I get on a slight uphill incline it looses power. It creeps to a crawl. But on level or of course down hill its fine. What could be wrong and where do I start in repairs. I just bought this cart and don't want to put alot of money into it if its not worth it.

BGW

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cwayaustx

New batts do have tobreak in before you will see their full capability. Is the cart lifted? A higher amperage controller will help you with torque and is the best starting point for upgrades. What size and condition are your cables? I would consider good cables, upgraded f/r cam from Carts Unlmited(series cart) and a aftermarket controller.

libertybellcdr

Go to http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Batter...n_Methods.html and read about the battery break-in methods.

thewskrs

Sounds like cable or contact troubles to me.

nobody in particular

I also have a 1996 EZGO cart that is sluggish up hills but fine everywhere else. It has an AXE4855ITS controller. I bought the cart from a guy who needed the money, so I don't know much about carts in general. I had the batteries checked out recently and everything was fine. Anyone have any ideas on how to improve the uphill performance of my cart?

scottyb

A series cart with a 500 amp controller should not be having trouble up hills.... What size cables and solenoid do you have? F&R upgraded? Sounds like you may have a bottleneck somewhere in the amp delivery.... check the cables for heat to help find the source..

nobody in particular

I have a White-Rodgers 568-117111 solenoid. Internet research says its a "heavy duty 36 volt 4 terminal solenoid with silver contacts." Site also says it is "200 amp continuous, 600 amp inrush, coil resistance 189 ohms @ 25 degrees C." I know enough about electronics to be dangerous, but I wouldn't think a 200 amp solenoid would allow a 400 amp controller to reach its full potential. I have included pics of the battery cables and the cables coming from the solenoid. I'm not sure of the gauge, but they seem to be about the same size as what is on my truck. Also, I've done the general service stuff like cleaning and insuring tightness of terminals and contacts and checking water level in batteries. What do you think?

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scottyb

You are right about the 586 what model is the controller 4845? Are the cable 4g all they way through, meaning every battery cable in the cart. And is the F&R beefed up to handle the additional amperage that controller should be allowing the motor to draw?
My guess would be the mix n match batteries are weak..... but a hydrometer would tell the tale.

nobody in particular

I'll check the controller model# when I get home from work today. The cables all look the same to me, both on the battery bank and the solenoid. I have checked some of the batteries with a hydrometer. The cells I checked were fine, but I didn't check all as that turned out to be a fairly tedious process for me. I'll check the rest soon. What solenoid and F&R upgrades would you recommend? I'm not looking to go crazy with the cart - just want it to run properly.

scottyb

This may sound crazy but the drive system in the cart is one big happy or unhappy chain of events..... like a chain, it is only as strong as the weakest link.

Checking battery cells is tedious, but one cell off by more than 30 points on the hydrometer scale is cause for concern. The battery cables in the cart run to the F&R control (series cart) and the motor they should all be upgraded (switch 2) when making improvements like the big controller I see there.