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Electric EZGO Electric EZ GO Marathon, Medalist, TXT and RXV.



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Old 01-01-2012, 12:27 PM   #1
Canine_Rescue_Pilot
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Default Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

I have a 1991 EZ-Go Marathon, Solid-State controlled, 36V Cart. Nothing modified (all factory) with brand new batteries. Factory 36Volt series wound motor, 2800 rpm. Everything is as it was when Textron made it.

The cart is in exceptional shape, well-maintained, and working perfectly with great range. We use this as a neighborhood "fun car". (In our city, we bought the $10 permit, a little insurance, and we have limited "street legal" capability).

The cart will do about 12 MPH - solid.
The problem: I wish it just went a little faster. 17 MPH would be perfect.
I was told by a local cart shop guy, whom I have come to trust, that upgrade gear sets are not available to fit this cart.

What are my options? A faster motor? (e.g. 3300 rpm)
If yes, will the controller also need to be replaced?
Was the shop guy wrong? Are there gears sets available for this?

I don't want a speed demon. But a goose up from 12 MPH would be nice.
I'm willing to put some money into it, because the cart is in such good shape and the batteries are less than 2 weeks old. But my budget tolerance has limits. Thanks for any advice.
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Old 01-01-2012, 12:28 PM   #2
Coltf1991
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

48v.....................
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Old 01-01-2012, 12:41 PM   #3
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

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48v.....................
Certainly.
But, no. I've seen stock 36V carts do 17mph - without heavy mods.
I believe there's something that can be done here.
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Old 01-01-2012, 12:43 PM   #4
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

Okay, new motor, new controller, hd solenoid, resistor and diode, minimum 4ga cables. ALL OF THEM.

But if your batteries are only 2 weeks old, I would add 2 more 6 volts to make it 48v. Good luck
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Old 01-01-2012, 02:00 PM   #5
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

I have a '91 same as yours but a resistor cart. With tires at 20psi it would run 14 mph with one adult aboard. I put the motor from my '00 TXT shuttle in it. That is a 2.5 HP 3400 or 3600 rpm motor and the cart will now run 17mph and climbs the hills better. This motor is common and available from site sponsors probably around $400-500. Another way to go is a PlumQuick motor rebuild to get the same or even a little better performance for about $275 plus shipping. I would have gone this way if I didn't have the other motor already.

[U]However this will stress the other components specifically the solenoid, heavy current wires, F/R switch and controller. To do this right consider replacing the cables with 4ga wires, getting a heavier duty solenoid, and a heavy duty F/R switch cam and then the motor.

I can't advise on the controller but I suspect it would be alright. Wait for an expert on that or contact PlumQuick.
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Old 01-01-2012, 08:55 PM   #6
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

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Okay, new motor, new controller, hd solenoid, resistor and diode, minimum 4ga cables. ALL OF THEM.

But if your batteries are only 2 weeks old, I would add 2 more 6 volts to make it 48v. Good luck
I do appreciate your input.
But... new motor + controller + solenoid = (just go buy a used 48V cart... it's cheaper!) (at least here in Florida, where they are a dime a dozen)

Two more batteries + controller that can operate on 48V + replacing the charger to charge a 48V pack = (Just go buy a used 48V cart).

I think I will look further into KERNAL's advice. I've rebuilt alternators and pool pump motors, so rebuilding a cart motor can't be too much different. Plus about $300 is the range I'm willing to play in. I've already got 4ga cables on it. I replaced the cables when I replaced the batteries.

I browsed the Plum Quick site, but didn't easily find a "rebuild kit". Is it a kit, or is it that you send your motor to them and they rebuild it?
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Old 01-01-2012, 11:13 PM   #7
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

Nope, not a kit. PlumQuick is a custom motor builder among other things. They have a good reputation here. Basically you send them your motor and they rebuild/rewind it according to your desires and can advise on compatibility with the rest of your system. There are others also.

For me the bump from a 2hp 2800 rpm motor to this 2.5hp motor made a noticeable difference and an honest 3mph (GPS) increase, but it is heating up the F/R switch which will have to be changed before long. I think this is about all you can do without getting into real money and then you still have a 20 year old cart.
Ya know there might be a local dealer/repair facility that might do rebuilds and save you the shipping.
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Old 01-02-2012, 01:04 AM   #8
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

Good Luck
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Old 01-02-2012, 09:30 AM   #9
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

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I think this is about all you can do without getting into real money and then you still have a 20 year old cart. .
This is real money quote... and exactly where I'm coming from. I'm not really looking to trick the thing out, just want to pick up the pace a bit. Because the cart is in such unusually good, well maintained shape... a few hundred is worth it. But a few thousand? Nah. I have no doubt that with cubic money you can make any cart the Mack Daddy. But it's like tricking out a Chevy Vega... when all I really want to do it put sleeves in the piston bores. :lmao:

Colt, Kernal... Thanks for the advice.
I'll post here when I end up making changes.
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Old 01-02-2012, 10:27 AM   #10
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Default Re: Stock '91 - Just a little faster?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canine_Rescue_Pilot View Post
This is real money quote... and exactly where I'm coming from. I'm not really looking to trick the thing out, just want to pick up the pace a bit. Because the cart is in such unusually good, well maintained shape... a few hundred is worth it. But a few thousand? Nah. I have no doubt that with cubic money you can make any cart the Mack Daddy. But it's like tricking out a Chevy Vega... when all I really want to do it put sleeves in the piston bores. :lmao:

Colt, Kernal... Thanks for the advice.
I'll post here when I end up making changes.
Like Colt and Kernal alluded to, there's only two ways to increase the speed of a series cart (Series wound motor). Increase the voltage or change the final drive ratio.

Going to taller tires will effectively change the final drive ratio, but you are limited to about 20" without installing a lift kit.

If you have 18" tires now, 20" tires will get you a 10% increase in speed, but will cost you about 10% in torque and put more stress on controller, solenoid and F/R switch, so they will fail sooner.

I'm fairly satisfied with my cart's stock performance, so I'm only replacing the stock parts with upgraded parts when they fail. A similar plan might work well for you also.
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