Resistor, Controller, Series, PDS, DCS, AC, Medalist, Marathon, TXT...

virtualy

...my head just exploded.

You know what would be great for a newb like myself? An explanation of the various types of EZGO carts and their motors, broken out by year of manufacture. Include a list of strengths and weaknesses. Pics would also be nice. Make it a sticky and stick it at the top of the forum.

I know there is the E-Z-GO Model & Year Look Up page. There is the EZGO Models List, given me by JohnnieB in this thread. Both are helpful but neither is easy to find by a newb.

I've read that a series motor is better for high torque applications. It appears series motors are found in some Medalists and TXTs, but not all. So, how does one determine which is which? And what is a series motor? How is it different from a sepex and an AC motor? All of that would be great additions to our Newb Sticky.

Now I read that Marathons have neither torque nor speed. And they are either resistor or controller types. So, what's a resistor cart? What's a controller cart? How does one determine which is which? More fodder for the Newb Sticky.

I've been searching through this site for almost two months now. I've learned lots and lots of things from posters that are golden sources of carty knowledge. But I still get stuck on the stupidest, most basic stuff. And it's been two months!

A wiki, that's what we (newbs) need. An E-Z Wiki. Distill some of the basic stuff that's so obvious to all you savvy veterans that you don't even think about it. Put it all in one easy-to-find post. Right there on top.

Okay, rant over.

But my head still hurts.

BGW

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JohnnieB

This forum is the "E-Z Wiki" of which you speak.

It is the collective knowledge, experience and skills of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals from all walks in life that share a common bond.

Just collecting and documenting the information would be a daunting task and then at what level would the resulting tome be written at since the cognitive abilities of the readers may range from Forrest Gump to Albert Einstein.

By asking specific questions, and followup questions if need be, you'll get specific answers that are tailored to your level of understanding. The same cannot be said by reading a collection of documented facts and suppositions.

I believe the interactive process is better.

fishb8

the cognitive abilities of the readers may range from Forrest Gump to Albert Einstein

This is exactly what it is like between me and JohnnieB...Hint, I'm the Forrest Gump

JohnnieB

Run! Forrest, Run!

chloe

I asked a very similar list of questions and suggested a similar list as you have. The problem with that is, you don't learn anything. You simply "check the list" and move on. Everything you ask for and more is available here. Check the manuals listed in the stickies to get the basics. It's like Ragu, "it's in there".
I'll help with one that may be hard to find. Resistor versus controller. Resistor motivated carts are the older variety. The resistor is a coil of wire with a contact running through it. As the contact goes deeper into the coil, the power, (voltage) transferred to the motor increases. In other words, a basic rheostat. The controller is an electronic replacement for the resistor coil. Much more efficient and reliable.
Please don't take my bluntness as sarcasm. It wasn't intended that way. but rather, having been there about a year ago, I think I understand your position and I think my experience can be helpful to you. If you don't know a lot about electrical circuits, especially DC voltage, find a book or two on the basics. And one little caution, treat the electrical system like it was an arc welder or even an electric chair. Because it is.

virtualy

Heck, I didn't even take it as blunt. But I think we'll have to agree to disagree. If I'm reading your post correctly, you feel folks don't learn from facts clearly presented in a concise and readily available manner. I think folks are busy enough with their day-to-day and any way that helps them absorb knowledge and move along quickly is great. Wikipedia, for instance.

But I'm lazy like that. All the things I included in my rant are bits I've picked up by perusing this site. I had to read a lot of posts and threads to get to where I am (pitiably ignorant). I'd much rather have had the basics immediately available at the start so I could have better understood many of those posts - and climbed higher and faster up the learning curve.

Perhaps I'll take it upon myself to create a newbie post. Not sure how to title it to make it pop up on a search. Maybe..."Newbie Knowledge". Maybe..."Simple Answers". Seems kind of pretentious though; me, a noob, posting a compilation of cart knowledge. It'd be better coming from a vet(s).

JohnnieB says this forum is the Wiki and it most certainly is that. I just want to make it (new) user friendly. Or friendlier...

Central Delaware, huh? I lived in Dover for a couple years. Hope you aren't getting hit by all the bad weather swirling around there.

Gonkulor

Here is my attempt http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...ty-tighty.html

I know what you mean though about needing a simple break down of info for the common guy.

Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to lower everything to a lowest common denominator. We all have to make a slight assumption that folks who find this site also have googled a few things they needed.

This site is made up of a great number of people who are willing to help with questions.

What your suggesting is we have repository of info for everyone who would ever ask a question. That is just darn hard to do. Your also asking that this repository of info be available so folks don't have to ask questions. I applaud the thought but what makes a community great is the interaction of all involved. What you or other folks may think of as a bother to ask might just be what makes friends and citizens of a common bond.

Though I appreciate your requests, I welcome you to help us be what you desire

virtualy

Lefty-loosey is generally what I had in mind, though I hadn't thought along the lines of lubricants. My desire is (was) for something specific to golf carts. OTOH, I didn't know the proper tension for a battery wing nut - or the definition of foot-pound. I do now and I love that I do. I promise I'll work both into a conversation within the week.

I'm not asking for a repository of all things. I'm not asking that folks not ask questions or make connections with others. I'm not asking to lower everything to the lowest common denominator. I'm just saying I'm a newbie, coming to this new pursuit without any knowledge. I don't, or didn't, even have a vocabulary. Arriving in a foreign country without a map or a phrasebook makes it very difficult just finding the bathroom.

Maybe that's not a great analogy but you get the idea.

Anyway thanks, Gonkulor. You've given me an idea.

Gonkulor

That is a pretty good way to put it.

I hope we can speak on par to you and other folks who ask questions.

I'm pretty sure we all have the same intentions in mind.

yurtle

I'm not volunteering, but basic electrical knowledge would probably also help folks.

A list of abbreviations and acronyms could help, but mainly, knowing the terminology. Folks use terms like "current" incorrectly, and it sometimes confuses the responses.

Even if one were to create this, how often do we have to point folks to the stickies, when the answers are often there?

Besides, if folks could always find the answers for themselves, I wouldn't get the satisfaction of telling them what a "widget" is:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=widget