is a resistor cart worth the trouble?

cartnewb

So I found a great deal on what I believe to be a "resistor" cart (90 modle batteries are supposed to be split). My question is are these good carts? I plan to do the usual lift, tires, wires, etc...... so is it worth moding? Can you contvert these to a speed control cart and if so is this the way to go? sry if someone has already asked these questions couldn't find any good threads. Thanks for any info!!!!!

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

scottyb

If you get the cart for a song it is worth converting to solid state. You are correct in understanding that you can not enjoy the benefits of big tires and performance improvements with the old resistor coil system. I am converting a mid 80s ezgo to solid state today. It is not that hard to do. But you will need to buy a speed controller, potentiometer, and solenoid. Fab a peddle linkage extension and make a box or such to mount everything & some new cables....

IF you can get it cheap and you like the cart and enjoy a project I say go for it..... otherwise hold out for something newer

cartnewb

So this cart is going for 500$ running with a lester charger and claims the batteries are 8 months old( have not seen the cart first hand yet to verify). I am pretty handy so I'm not affraid of the work...... So i'm lookin at 5-700$ more to get it to be like a standard series type cart,correct? and just wiring up and a little fab work???? sounds almost to easy as far as work goes:) And how much abuse can that sytem take before it fries?

cartnewb

Btw I have tons of #2 wire and connectors..... and I was refering to the res. sytem as far as abuse goes.

scottyb

Depends

cartnewb

yea guess so! so are my number about right and do you think that sounds like a deal? btw Thanks for the answers to all the ?'s

scottyb

If you get a good set of batteries it looks okay. Basically you are buying the batteries

SP-Electronics

The resistor setup could run forever, or could burn up in a week.

I have friends running old resistor carts, with lifts, and have had them for 2-3 years with no major issues at all, other than faster battery drain, and somewhat less power.

I have however also seen carts with melted cables, swollen or burst batteries, and even a couple that have physically caught fire. In fact I have an electric ez-go here that used to belong to a high school, and it caught fire and burned up ALL the wiring, a couple of the batteries, and the underside of the seat, and smoke stained some of the paint, before they put it out. I bought it for $50 from a guy that bought it and several others at a school auction. The cart is in pretty reasonable shape other than needing all new wiring, batteries, tires, and some paint touch-up, and for $50 it is well worth it.

$500 might be "ok" if the one you're looking at is in really decent shape, has good batteries, and a charger. Drive it til it croaks, and then do the upgrades to solid state and add a lift, etc.. :)

BRS

Having both series and resistor, I would decide exactly what the end result would be...that's your answer. I would not dump more than $1k on top of what you paid in a resistor cart if I was looking to lift, speed, torque, etc. It would be great street cruiser just getting all the parts working and maintaining them and spend the money on paint job and street rims/tires.
If your wanting to make a monster start off with series and upgrade accordingly....and there is no end in sight...at least I haven't found it yet. Motors, controllers, pot.boxes, solenoids,cables, big tires, etc.,....go 95 or up CCDS and I don't think you can go wrong. Someone else will have to chime in on ez go's...not my cart.

cartnewb

Well my original plan was to get it drive it till it dies and then replace controler, wires, solenoid,etc. like you would with almost any project in the long run( correct me if im wrong). I'm just starting off with a running driving cart with a lift for 500$. please dont be shy If these are pos's then let me know. found some decent 02-07 carts for 1100-1400 ( batteries 2-5 years)bone stock of course!. whats a better deal? body style dosen't really matter to me just a hunting/ fun cart.