Does this make sense

rberg31

So I ordered a jakes spindle lift, 10" black steel rims, and 23" mudlite tires. According to UPS, the total weight for these items is 137lbs. Im sure some of that weight is packaging. So my question is if a cart is designed for 2 men and their golf clubs, shouldnt my cart be able to handle me(170lbs) and my additional weight from tires, wheels an lift without to much strain on the system?

BGW

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DOOmsman

The problems come from the loss of torque
do to the increase of circumference of the tires.

simple man

It's not a weight issue so much as larger diameter tires put a lot more drag on both the running components and the brakes. The motor will use more wattage and therefore the controller and all the associated electrical components will run hotter. if you are going to use the cart mostly on a hard surface with no hills, you should be Ok for awhile. An electrical upgrade will be in order eventually, though!
Same thing for the brakes. You may find them totally inadequate after the lift and tires!

rberg31

Well that makes sense, just trying to figure out how long I can put off those upgrades. I do want to address the over heating issue by upgrading the wires, controller and f/r switch, but I still dont get how ill get the torque back without changing the gearing.

rberg31

So if I were to somehow change the gears in the axle to something that would offset the larger tires, then the wiring and electrics could possibly be left stock for awhile right? I mean the weight is well under what the cart was designed for, so the taller gear would drop everything back to what the ratio was before the lift right?

scottyb

Lighter weight aluminum wheels are much easier to get started and stopped, they can weigh half what steel wheels weigh & every little bit does add up when you are talking about the old HP to weight ratio...( in my experience with golf carts, not nuclear science. )

simple man

Yes you can change the rear axle gear ratio. You'll have to wait for some help on that from others here. Many folks have done it and can get you headed in the right direction!

DOOmsman

$200.00 plus for gears would go a long way toward an upgrade
that would not over heat and let you have the speed the larger
tires will give you.

rberg31

I hear what your saying, just was doing math and new controller, cables, solenoid, hd f/r switch and cables is about 6-700 bucks. I already have paid for the up grade on tires, wheels and lift. From what ive been told on this forum is that I will loose performance due to increase in overall wheel/tire size. I get how going to 23" tires changes ratio. So if 200 bucks can do a gear swap, then cart doesnt know it has taller tires on it right? As others have said, the weight isnt an issue as its only 137 additional lbs, much less than another grown man riding around with me. Im confused?

Free Spirit

Don't forget to subtract the weight of the existing components you're upgrading. You will increase the weight overall, but there will be some "savings" from that 137 when you remove the old front spindles and the 4 stock tires/wheels.

The tire size increase from 18" diameter to 23" diameter will cause an approximate 22% reduction in torque, without taking into account the change in weight (load). If you change the gear set from the stock 12.77:1 to a 15:1 ratio (high torque), you'll gain back approximately 18% of the original torque, but this will come at a cost of the speed dropping back closer to stock.