Low voltage blows DCS Controllers

Golfdog · 09-14-2011, 10:42 AM

I have read a number of instances where low battery voltages have been identified as being the cause of controller failures in Curtis stock DCS controllers. Any idea of what would be considered to be a low battery voltage

dougmcp · 09-14-2011, 01:32 PM

It's not really low voltage that is the problem, it is high amperage.
The demand from the motor is in watts, as the voltage sags, the amperage increases to deliver the same wattage. The added heat from the amperage load on the diodes are what takes the controller out and DCS controllers are famous for overheat/failure.

rib33024 · 09-14-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfdog

I have read a number of instances where low battery voltages have been identified as being the cause of controller failures in Curtis stock DCS controllers. Any idea of what would be considered to be a low battery voltage

A low battery voltages is 36 volts

dougmcp · 09-14-2011, 01:59 PM

Good post rib33024.
Nice to see Scotty is using my chart with some good explanations as well.

scottyb · 09-14-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougmcp

Good post rib33024.
Nice to see Scotty is using my chart with some good explanations as well.

Was that your Chart? I didn't see your name on it?

scottyb · 09-14-2011, 03:08 PM

To answer the original question without muddying the water with 'I know more than you and he's got my chart'.....

Anything below 26v would be considered dangerously low. That is under load. So you must have a DVM connected to see that. If you have 34v at rest the cart could easily dip into the danger zone under load. Also in the event of one bad battery or cell the voltage drop could be more pronounced.

Every DCS cart should have a DVM or a calibrated battery meter of some sort in the dash. The operator should pay attention to it to avoid controller (and battery) damage.

Happy carting

dougmcp · 09-14-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

Was that your Chart? I didn't see your name on it?

Yes, I created the chart over 2 years ago because the only one available was from Trojan and it wasn't complete.
I had a 42v Western cart and the Trojan chart only covered 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48v. I noticed that more people were starting to run voltages over 48v and I thought others could use the information.
Here's one of my earlier posts from July 09: http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...-too-fast.html

I only post for the benefit and betterment of the forum. If you want to use it for your commercial endeavor, be my guest.

simple man · 09-14-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

To answer the original question without muddying the water with 'I know more than you and he's got my chart'.....

Anything below 26v would be considered dangerously low. That is under load. So you must have a DVM connected to see that. If you have 34v at rest the cart could easily dip into the danger zone under load. Also in the event of one bad battery or cell the voltage drop could be more pronounced.

Every DCS cart should have a DVM or a calibrated battery meter of some sort in the dash. The operator should pay attention to it to avoid controller (and battery) damage.

Happy carting

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but this may help everyone! When you notice a drop in performance, have you already gone to far down in voltage? I know this has happened to all of us!

scottyb · 09-14-2011, 06:46 PM

The answer to that is yes but. Yes but, you could still be well in the safe zone. I can tell the difference between 100 and 85% charge in a cart I know. When I get in a customers cart I can usually tell what percentage of charge they are by driving them.
This is why you need a voltmeter or some type of SOC meter on the cart. Every cart is a little different.
I dunno if this helps?

simple man · 09-14-2011, 07:22 PM

Thanks, Scott! Yes that helps for sure! Something I never knew is not to run the batteries below 50%. I can't think of the number of times they were so low, I had to use reverse to get back!

09-14-2011, 10:42 AM	#1
Golfdog Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 488	Low voltage blows DCS Controllers I have read a number of instances where low battery voltages have been identified as being the cause of controller failures in Curtis stock DCS controllers. Any idea of what would be considered to be a low battery voltage
Golfdog Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 488

09-14-2011, 01:32 PM	#2
dougmcp Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,757	Re: Low voltage blows DCS Controllers It's not really low voltage that is the problem, it is high amperage. The demand from the motor is in watts, as the voltage sags, the amperage increases to deliver the same wattage. The added heat from the amperage load on the diodes are what takes the controller out and DCS controllers are famous for overheat/failure.

09-14-2011, 01:59 PM	#4
dougmcp Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,757	Re: Low voltage blows DCS Controllers Good post rib33024. Nice to see Scotty is using my chart with some good explanations as well.

09-14-2011, 03:08 PM	#6
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,408	Re: Low voltage blows DCS Controllers To answer the original question without muddying the water with 'I know more than you and he's got my chart'..... Anything below 26v would be considered dangerously low. That is under load. So you must have a DVM connected to see that. If you have 34v at rest the cart could easily dip into the danger zone under load. Also in the event of one bad battery or cell the voltage drop could be more pronounced. Every DCS cart should have a DVM or a calibrated battery meter of some sort in the dash. The operator should pay attention to it to avoid controller (and battery) damage. Happy carting

09-14-2011, 06:46 PM	#9
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,408	Re: Low voltage blows DCS Controllers The answer to that is yes but. Yes but, you could still be well in the safe zone. I can tell the difference between 100 and 85% charge in a cart I know. When I get in a customers cart I can usually tell what percentage of charge they are by driving them. This is why you need a voltmeter or some type of SOC meter on the cart. Every cart is a little different. I dunno if this helps?

Today
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09-14-2011, 07:22 PM	#10
simple man Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bunnell, Florida Posts: 2,408	Re: Low voltage blows DCS Controllers Thanks, Scott! Yes that helps for sure! Something I never knew is not to run the batteries below 50%. I can't think of the number of times they were so low, I had to use reverse to get back!

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