Assault and Batteries

KM Parrish

Hi again:
Looking over the Battery stack led me to a couple questions.

1. Would it hurt to Add a 7th battery in series for 42 volts ?

2. Rather than 6 6 volt batteries in series, wouldn't you get better performance with 2 sets of 3x12 volt deep cycle batteries in parallel? You still have 36 volts, but twice the amount of current in reserve. Or, is the series string of batteries a method of current limiting for this cart?

Inquiring minds and all that.

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

Electric motors eat AMPS So the more lead you can get the more amperage storage capacity you will have = the longer run times

KM Parrish

Right on Scottyb !

Makes sense to me..

Thanks!

outback

Will adding an additional 6v (which would be 7x6v=42v) cause problems for the stock solenoid/controller?

So you get longer run times..., would this mean that you'd get a little more speed as well from a single 6v addition?

gornoman

Keith,
If we are talking about a resistor cart a seventh (or eighth) battery can be added without issue AS LONG AS the cables are in excellent shape, as well as the speed board and batteries.
On a controller cart adding batteries USUALLY requires a controller update as most of the factory controllers are rated at 36v. Some guys have gotten away with 42v on a 36v controller, but it is NOT RECOMMENDED. And, 48v will fry the 36v box in a flash.
Higher voltage means higher RPM AND HP from the 36v motor, which will handle 48v no problem.

roady89

I have done the 42 volt deal on 36 volt carts. Unless you have a 6 volt charger to charge the extra 6 volts IMO it's not worth the hassle and there is also the risk you take in smoking a controller. (some will take it in stride, while others will let the magic smoke out of the little black box.) The 36 volt charger doesn't like to charge 42 volts....even though it puts out around 42 volts. (mine did, not sure about everyone elses) I don't think my charger ever shut off and the needle on the charger was always low. I also tried 48 volts after the 42.....well lets just say it didn't work.

mikesmotortoys

7 batteries wired in series would never come to full charge if you continue to use the stock 36 volt charger. The charger will shut off when the bank reaches it's maximum charge - whether you have six batteries, or seven. I guess the only performance gain would be the first day you add the battery, past that point you are only carrying around extra weight. An additional charger would work, as Roady says, but you will also have to charge your original 6 in series, without the 7th battery in the loop.

My 2 cents...

outback

Mike, thanks for the input, and thanks for the lift kit as well.

KM Parrish

Thanks guys

I'm going to can the idea. I don't have a way to charge it now that you mention it.

outback

I do have a way to charge everything, and I'm going to give it a try. Adding another 6v/12v battery, series or parallel, should provide some additional juice. Where it goes, and what it does when it gets there, is the big question.

My only concern is the limiting factor of the controller. If the controller limits current to the motor, you can/should never exceed this rated limit..., unless you have an extra one lying around to replace the one you just damaged. Then again, you may be able to get away with exceeding the current/amp rating of the controller by ~10-15%, but not for an extended period of time without consequences. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Hey, just because we are trying to live/operate on the proverbial edge does not mean the only direction we can expect to go is down. Two scenarios here..., we can either fall or we can fly. I choose to fly, or fall trying.