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



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Old 09-30-2014, 02:20 PM   #1
88Marathon
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Join Date: Sep 2014
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Default E-Z-GO Marathon renovation

Hi. This is my first post in this forum. I have recently picked up a 1988 E-Z-Go Marathon that belonged to my grandfather many years ago. It does not contain any batteries, but I was told that until about 5 or 6 years ago, it ran fine.

I apologize in advance if what I'm asking below has already been answered. This is my first time on this site and I intend to work my way through the postings over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I thought I'd introduce myself and let you know what I'm trying to do.

I was hoping I could ask you guys for some advice on what to do to get this cart running again. If you don't mind, I have a few requests:
1. Does anybody know where I can download a free manual? the model number on the side of the passenger compartment is J1288 (electric).
2. Does anybody know what batteries this cart needs? Since they are missing, I don't know what type to put in there and most of the online information I have found goes back to the TXT, but not as far back as the Marathon
3. The top is also missing (plastic roof came off when it was being brought to me). Anybody know a good source to find a new one?
4. I'd like to replace the golf club rack with a seat/cargo area for the back. Anybody know of a good source for one of these?

Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to share with me.

Ernie
Winston-Salem, NC
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Old 09-30-2014, 03:44 PM   #2
rlw
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Southeast Ohio -- "The Toenails of the Foothills of Appalachia"
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Default Re: E-Z-GO Marathon renovation

Ernie,

Welcome to BGW!

To answer all your questions, we'll need some more information.

I've got an '84 Marathon. At some point in the 80's-90's, EZ-GO went from using a resistor setup ("resistor cart") to an electronic controller setup ("controller cart"). A photo of the area under the seat will help clear that up. They also made changes in the layout of the resistor carts - my '84 has the motor protruding into the battery area (perpendicular to the rear axle) and its resistor between the driver side rear wheel and the motor. Later resistor carts had the motor parallel to the rear axle and the resistor in a box between the batteries. The resistor is basically a set of 4 steel coils with heavy gauge wires tapped between them.

You can also tell the difference between a resistor and controller cart by looking at the mechanical setup of the accelerator. A resistor cart will have a "wiper" board that moves a contact arm when the accelerator is pressed. The wiper board will have 4 large wires heading back to the resistor.

A controller cart will have either a "pot box" containing a small variable resistor (a potentiometer) connected by relatively thin wires to the control box, or an inductive sensor under the driver side floorboard connected to the control box. A controller cart will also have a control box - it's about 10"x4"x2" and has a heat sink (fins). I'm pretty sure that all the controller style Marathons had them in the center between the batteries.

As far as I know, ALL the stock Marathons were 36 volt machines (I could be wrong about that, there are smarter folks here than me that will feel free to correct me). That means they used 6 6 volt deep-cycle golf cart batteries - different animals from car starting batteries or marine batteries. Generally, a new set of batteries costs around $600-$800 with core exchange of the old batteries. Prices vary in different parts of the country. You can pay more for beefier batteries (longer run time, longer lifetime) or less for cheaper batteries - you gets what you pays for. That being said, there are some folks who regularly contribute to BGW who are doing very interesting experiments with electric vehicle lithium batteries. It won't be long now before the initial cost, longer life, lighter weight, and larger range come together and make lithium batteries a good choice.

You didn't mention if you got a charger with the cart. That's an important part of the equation. If you can't charge the cart, you can't drive it!

As far as getting a top - you can buy one from some of the sponsors on this site, or you can dig around craigslist (like I did) and pick one up. Same goes for the back seat.

Before you worry about those things, though, you'll want to get your cart running (and STOPPING - BRAKES ARE IMPORTANT! ;^). You've come to the right place for help.

There are a set of "stickies" at the top of the Electric EZGO forum. Go through them and you can learn quite a bit.

Again, welcome to BGW, and we're looking forward to some photos of your cart.

RLW
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Old 10-11-2014, 08:52 PM   #3
88Marathon
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Default Re: E-Z-GO Marathon renovation

great news! I got my golf cart running today. I bought 6 new batteries and installed them...didn't run. Then I replaced a few of the battery cables and one going to the motor... didn't run. Then I ordered a new set of cables and a solenoid. Unfortunately, I ordered the 12 volt instead of the 36 volt so I had to order the right one and wait for it to arrive. Today, I replaced the solenoid and it ran great! I didn't even bother replacing the rest of the battery cables, since it is now working.

Now on to the next few things (and I'd appreciate any advice).
1. the brakes are not so great. I think they need some work. With all of the hills around my neighborhood, I definitely need to look into this.
2. I need a new roof.
3. the steering is sloppy. I'll need to work on this.

Thanks for all the advice (on the missing pages that were deleted a few days ago).
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Old 10-11-2014, 10:25 PM   #4
beach cart
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Default

Change all your cables to new. That's your delivery system.
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Old 10-14-2014, 04:13 PM   #5
88Marathon
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Default Re: E-Z-GO Marathon renovation

Quote:
Originally Posted by beach cart View Post
Change all your cables to new. That's your delivery system.
I went ahead and replaced all of the battery cables.

I have the original windshield and it appears to be in good shape. However, the bracket on the passenger side is broken so I have to hold on the windshield with a bungee cord. Can anyone point me to where I might find a bracket? I have looked and have found complete windshield kits- but I just need the set fo brackets. Thanks for your help with this.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:35 PM   #6
rlw
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Location: Southeast Ohio -- "The Toenails of the Foothills of Appalachia"
Posts: 232
Default Re: E-Z-GO Marathon renovation

88,

I can't answer your question about the windshield brackets, but I'm curious about what kind of drive system you have. Resistor or controller? Some pictures would go a long way towards answering that...

RLW
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