pds loosing run time

hooknup

Batteries are about 1.5 year old. The cart has been doing great as far as speed and run time. Recently I noticed run time has gone to crap. Can someone tell me what and how to test the batteries. I tested the full pak last night and it was 38.2 but it was not fully charged. I individually checked batteries in series with out unhooking them from the pack. All seemed normal except for two and they were alittle low. Is it possible to have two bad batteries. Thanks

BGW

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Gonkulor

Ack! That sucks.

Please go to ScottyB's website and read every link with the word "Battery" in it.http://www.cartsunlimited.net/. That is the start.

Yes it is possible to have 2 batteries that are failing but you can not know it without loading your batteries and testing them. JohnnieB can explain more on the how to do it but the basics is to use a DMM, Digital multimeter, hooked up to individual batteries and drive around. It has to be done to every battery, well at least for the ones in question.

scottyb

Connect the DVM to the pack mains so you you can drive and read the meter.
Start with a fully charged pack that has had 12 hours rest to settle after the charge has ended.
Post the pack voltage before driving. (38.2?)
Then with the meter attached to the batteries, drive a short distance to see what the pack voltage drops to under load. Drive up Hill if you can. Push the accelerator to the floor. The idea is to put a load for strain on the batteries.
Do not put the cart up against an immovable object for a load test !!!
Move the test leads to each individual battery and repeat the load test. Write down all your results as you test and then post them here.
There is no need to disconnect any of the batteries for testing.

hooknup

Thank you. Where can I pick up a DVM? Is this something Auto Zone would have?

JohnnieB

This is the meter I usually grab when I work on my cart.


I've got better ones, but it does the job and didn't cost much.
Can't remember if I got it at Auto Zone, NAPA or Wal-Mart, but I think it cost about $15 two or three years ago and it came in a blister pack.

scottyb

You can find a 7 function multi meter at walmart or homedepot.
I got a Sperry 4200 many years ago. It has been durable and as accurate as my Fluke brand meters.

hooknup

Thank you. I thought a DVM was something other than a Multimeter. I have a good fluke meter with gator clips that should work. I will post results later this evening after the testing you suggested. Thanks again.

hooknup

Ok I just ran the test.
Pack before test 38.8
1. 6.3
Ul 5.8
2. 6.4
Ul 6.3
3. 6.3
Ul 5.8
4. 6.3
Ul 5.8
5. 6.2
Ul 5.7
6. 6.2
Ul 5.7

Pack after test 37.9
Ul means under load and all test were on the same hill. The hill was not very big more like a 150 long incline. Thanks guys

scottyb

Nothing terrible looking there. Looks like #5&6 had the lights connected to them for some time? But everything is within a 10th of a volt. That's real even which is good. How long can the cart run?
What is the age of the pack?
I could be that they don't have the healthy plates they once had and can't store as much amperage anymore?

hooknup

I don't know the exact run time but I know it is much lower than it was. The batteries are about 1.5 years old.