Converting gas to electric; Need some advice

mtpolarbear · 10-29-2012, 10:21 PM

Hello All, New to the site but need some help. I bought a 1984 EZ-GO cart that was gas(has no engine when I bought it). I want to convert it to electric. I have a 36 volt motor that was given to me with the axle complete. I need some help with what parts I will need to make it work, controllers, solenoids, etc. This is a winter project with my 10 year old son and I don't want to buy unnecessary parts. Any help is appreciated.

Nate · 10-29-2012, 11:10 PM

Mtpolarbear, you might not like my recommendation but it is the most practical in my opinion. Forget the conversion, it's a lot of work and you will take value away from the cart. Put it back together with the gas engine, modify the gas power train if you want. If you are set on electric then sell the gas cart and buy an electric cart or trade with someone. Gas carts have a higher resale value than electric carts which is why I recommend this. If you are dead set on a conversion it can be done, look at an electric EZ-GO of similar vintage and see what needs to be cut and welded to fit the electric drive-train and batteries. lot of work there though.

scottyb · 10-30-2012, 08:22 AM

This is rare but I disagree with Nate. Electric carts are more popular now than ever, maybe the green thinking or the silent hunter use but there it is... This may not be the cheapest project what with the cost of Batteries and Electronics. You have a good start with the motor and differential. Hopefully that is a series wound motor. You will need to build battery trays and acquire the solid state speed controller and solenoid. Also needed is a throttle input device and some type of mechanical throttle modification to operate it. We have done many resistor coil to solid state conversions over the years . Once you install the rear end and build trays this won't be much more than a conversion installation.
Great father and son project

rollsteam · 10-30-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtpolarbear

Hello All, New to the site but need some help. I bought a 1984 EZ-GO cart that was gas(has no engine when I bought it). I want to convert it to electric. I have a 36 volt motor that was given to me with the axle complete. I need some help with what parts I will need to make it work, controllers, solenoids, etc. This is a winter project with my 10 year old son and I don't want to buy unnecessary parts. Any help is appreciated.

My son and I have done the same thing, the cart was givin to me because the engine block was busted and after I let it set for two years I found a donar to rob parts from. I found the frames to be the same but you will need a rear end, battery tray, batteries, and ITS sensor if your motor is a series motor along with the controller and F&R switch. I can say No amount of money will ever replace the time my son and I shared together building our little cart and his face the day he got to drive to his buddies house to show it off. Tomorrow we use it to pull family around for Halloween and my Son can not wait to show it off again! I have learn to give him time he needed because he did not know anything about tools or how to use them and he has learned what pride is. I do have some new stock parts that I would sell if you decide to go though with your project. F&R switch, Solenoid and ITS sensor.

mtpolarbear · 10-31-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

This is rare but I disagree with Nate. Electric carts are more popular now than ever, maybe the green thinking or the silent hunter use but there it is... This may not be the cheapest project what with the cost of Batteries and Electronics. You have a good start with the motor and differential. Hopefully that is a series wound motor. You will need to build battery trays and acquire the solid state speed controller and solenoid. Also needed is a throttle input device and some type of mechanical throttle modification to operate it. We have done many resistor coil to solid state conversions over the years . Once you install the rear end and build trays this won't be much more than a conversion installation.
Great father and son project

I bought the cart for $150 and the spare axle and motor were donated so I have very little invested. I am very good at fabrication and have all the tools and experience to do the project. I have been reading the thread that LostHusker has been doing on his cart and this is exactly what I want to do. The money isn't the issue (not that I have a money tree) but the bonding and teaching my son some values etc.. Having read some threads I believe we will be talking a lot about my cart and giving you my kids inheritance very soon.

Thanks for the advice. Having a clean slate to me is easier that trying to do major retrofitting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollsteam

My son and I have done the same thing, the cart was givin to me because the engine block was busted and after I let it set for two years I found a donar to rob parts from. I found the frames to be the same but you will need a rear end, battery tray, batteries, and ITS sensor if your motor is a series motor along with the controller and F&R switch. I can say No amount of money will ever replace the time my son and I shared together building our little cart and his face the day he got to drive to his buddies house to show it off. Tomorrow we use it to pull family around for Halloween and my Son can not wait to show it off again! I have learn to give him time he needed because he did not know anything about tools or how to use them and he has learned what pride is. I do have some new stock parts that I would sell if you decide to go though with your project. F&R switch, Solenoid and ITS sensor.

I agree with you about the experience with your son. I'll let you know on the parts. Thanks for the offer. Seems like the forum and you guys are just what I need to complete my project. Thanks

mtpolarbear · 10-31-2012, 10:31 AM

Project Beginning.jpg

Here is what I'm starting with. Very rough but should make for great start to finish pics.

scottyb · 10-31-2012, 11:20 AM

Looks Good, Ezgo Marathon. My conversion kit will go along way toward making this project work. On the rear end you have is the motor mount parallel or perpendicular to the axles?
Start with the serial# and manufacture code on the tag visible in the picture... The last 2 digits of the Manufacture code is the year it was made.

mtpolarbear · 10-31-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

Looks Good, Ezgo Marathon. My conversion kit will go along way toward making this project work. On the rear end you have is the motor mount parallel or perpendicular to the axles?
Start with the serial# and manufacture code on the tag visible in the picture... The last 2 digits of the Manufacture code is the year it was made.

The spare rear end the motor is perpendicular to the axle. It came out of a three wheel cart. Not sure if it will even work for mine. It was working when it was taken out.

The manufacture code is F0684 so based on that it is an '84. So it is a Marathon?

I will get together with you via phone here in the next few days and we'll talk equipment options. Thanks for the help!!

scottyb · 10-31-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtpolarbear

The spare rear end the motor is perpendicular to the axle. It came out of a three wheel cart. Not sure if it will even work for mine. It was working when it was taken out.

The manufacture code is F0684 so based on that it is an '84. So it is a Marathon?

I will get together with you via phone here in the next few days and we'll talk equipment options. Thanks for the help!!

It sounds like the electric diff you got is about the same era as the cart. You may want to make a 12v test on the motor to see if it works. A replacement motor for that age differential is about $700.
Secure the differential (remove wheels).
Apply 12v per diagram, motor should turn.

mtpolarbear · 10-31-2012, 04:09 PM

scottyb, will I need 6-6 volt batteries to test or can I use 3-12 volts to do it?

10-29-2012, 10:21 PM	#1
mtpolarbear Polar Bear wild to you... Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Helena, Montana Posts: 322	Converting gas to electric; Need some advice Hello All, New to the site but need some help. I bought a 1984 EZ-GO cart that was gas(has no engine when I bought it). I want to convert it to electric. I have a 36 volt motor that was given to me with the axle complete. I need some help with what parts I will need to make it work, controllers, solenoids, etc. This is a winter project with my 10 year old son and I don't want to buy unnecessary parts. Any help is appreciated.

10-29-2012, 11:10 PM	#2
Nate Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 679	Re: Converting gas to electric; Need some advice Mtpolarbear, you might not like my recommendation but it is the most practical in my opinion. Forget the conversion, it's a lot of work and you will take value away from the cart. Put it back together with the gas engine, modify the gas power train if you want. If you are set on electric then sell the gas cart and buy an electric cart or trade with someone. Gas carts have a higher resale value than electric carts which is why I recommend this. If you are dead set on a conversion it can be done, look at an electric EZ-GO of similar vintage and see what needs to be cut and welded to fit the electric drive-train and batteries. lot of work there though.
Nate Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 679

10-30-2012, 08:22 AM	#3
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,401	Re: Converting gas to electric; Need some advice This is rare but I disagree with Nate. Electric carts are more popular now than ever, maybe the green thinking or the silent hunter use but there it is... This may not be the cheapest project what with the cost of Batteries and Electronics. You have a good start with the motor and differential. Hopefully that is a series wound motor. You will need to build battery trays and acquire the solid state speed controller and solenoid. Also needed is a throttle input device and some type of mechanical throttle modification to operate it. We have done many resistor coil to solid state conversions over the years . Once you install the rear end and build trays this won't be much more than a conversion installation. Great father and son project

10-31-2012, 10:31 AM	#6
mtpolarbear Polar Bear wild to you... Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Helena, Montana Posts: 322	Re: Converting gas to electric; Need some advice Project Beginning.jpg Here is what I'm starting with. Very rough but should make for great start to finish pics.

10-31-2012, 11:20 AM	#7
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,401	Re: Converting gas to electric; Need some advice Looks Good, Ezgo Marathon. My conversion kit will go along way toward making this project work. On the rear end you have is the motor mount parallel or perpendicular to the axles? Start with the serial# and manufacture code on the tag visible in the picture... The last 2 digits of the Manufacture code is the year it was made.

Today
BGW	Sponsored Links __________________ 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

10-31-2012, 04:09 PM	#10
mtpolarbear Polar Bear wild to you... Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Helena, Montana Posts: 322	Re: Converting gas to electric; Need some advice scottyb, will I need 6-6 volt batteries to test or can I use 3-12 volts to do it?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Forum
'79 Electric HD converting to gas	Gas Harley Davidson
Converting an Electric Cushman to Gas	Gas golf carts
Converting an electric cart?	Electric Yamaha
Converting electric to gas?	Gas Club Car
converting ezgo axle from electric to gas use	Gas EZGO