96 TXT slow, or normal speed?

ibanender

I just bought a 96 TXT and going through everything I found the batteries needed some help. So, I got all that squared away. However, it still seems slow. Maybe in my limited experience I've been lucky enough to have nice newer ones that were much faster, but mine just drags. I can't tell you an exact speed, but on a gradual incline road it's steady speed just slow. Going up my driveway is pretty bad too.

So my question is, is that cart known to only go 5 MPH when it's completely stock, or should I be closer to 10+ MPH? I intended on upgrading wiring to 4 ga or 1/0 and I'm trying to get the most out of it without spending much money at the moment.

BGW

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madoc1

it should go between 10 and 14 mph. with good batts and 4 ga. cables , (all 13) . what is your pack voltage? should be about 38+.
also, welcome to BGW.

ibanender

Well, I added a gallon of water between all 6 of them and recharged and it was resting 37.9. Prior to that it was resting 37.2. I got a hydrometer and checked all the cells and added acid as necessary so it fixed that problem but it's still resting 37.2 when I checked. I do have an automatic charger as well.

Ya think that's solely my problem or could it be something else? I'd like to not have to replace the batteries right away.

madoc1

i would charge it again and then let it sit for about 12 hrs. and get a voltage reading off each battery. you may only have one bad. post up the results and someone will help. when you charge it, let the charger run till it turns itself off. did you check your cables? they and the posts have to be clean and tight.

ibanender

I put it back on the charger yesterday and haven't touched it since. I am leaving it on till it turns off every time and I have cleaned up the cables that had corrosion but I haven't checked every battery post for tightness.

I'll post my individual battery findings later today. I'm waiting on my battery bank gauge to show up, that should give me a pretty good idea of what I'm working with if the gauge drops way down when I press the accelerator.

madoc1

check out this handy chart.

Attached Images

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ibanender

SO, some new findings. The controller has been replaced and appears to be a 350 amp. The solenoid contacts are welded internally and it's always passing current regardless of when the solenoid is triggered. There is 0.8v drop across the defective solenoid. That may in itself be the whole problem. That could also be the bank voltage problem since it's staying energized using power.

When I go to the bank today it was 37.2. I put it on the charger for a few hours and sure enough it was 37.9v. So it only drops if I let it sit, also pointing to the solenoid. Individually speaking, before this last charge they were mostly 6.2v with 1 reading 6.5 and 1 reading 6.0. The 6.0 was the one I had to add a lot of water to before. Now after the charge they are reading more uniform. So, I've got it on the charger 1 last time and we'll see how that goes. I've got the solenoid disconnected to ensure there is no draw while charging.

I'll get a solenoid tomorrow and see how that goes.

scottyb

All controller carts should have a resistor installed accross the 2 large main contacts of the solenoid..... This is a pre-charge resistor and it will allow you to see voltage in the range you reported. so the solenoid is not suspect until you remove one end of the resistor and retest the solenoid for continuity at the large posts... I suspect those poor batts. keep us posted.

ibanender

I didn't see a resistor, perhaps it's running under it. I'll check that out tomorrow, thanks for the heads up. It would be nice to not have to buy a solenoid right off the bat, but it would also be nice to be able to recover these batteries since I found other carts much cheaper needing batteries.

Oh, another thing I did today but haven't tested yet is the forward/reverse switch had a very healthy coating of dust and dirt on it so I cleaned that up.

littlebob

Have you tested the batteries with a load? Most batteries will show a good reading with no load.