36v charger???

cronek28

Hey guys question for you. I was recently reminded I have not spent much time on battery maintenance. I plugged the cart in and walked away, entered my garage about 15 min. later and my charger was smoking ( the think it original lester ) I unplugged it and looked at the batterys. The terminals were all very dirty and one post melted off.

I'm assuming the dirty terminals are the suspect and charger is old. I cleaned all the battery's and posts yeasterday , threaded a lag bolt in the lead on the melted battery and have power the cart worked normal so I tried charging it and within. 15 min it was smoking again. A new charger that resembles my old charger is 350-400 dollars but there are smaller (look like a amp) chargers on eBay for around $100 dose any one have any experience with these eBay chargers? They look way more convenient and much cheaper.

I really value everyone thoughts have any of you used them or heard good or bad things?

Thanks guys!!!

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

cronek28

any ideas guys?

has anyone melted terminal posts before? do you think the batterys need or can be checked before using a new charger?

any thoughts?

Thanks again

moesdeals

Yep, get a good charger. Don't mess w/ the cheapos on eBay as they can do more damage than good. I have a Good Lester 36 Volt charger that I will sell for $195 + shipping to you. Let me know if you want it.

Moe

Epb

Melting a post is pretty bad and could be from arcing a short or bad wiring. Make sure you have + to - as for charger buy a rebuild kit and fix it. I have read the cheapies can work but why spend a 100 when a rebuild is 60 and it will work.

cronek28

Thanks guys, now I have some thinking to do. I was really hoping to get away with the 100 dollar charger. I want to get away as economic as possible because I plan on selling the car to start a new one. Moe thanks for the offer I might take you up on it. As for a rebuild kit not sure but I'm going to look into it right now. Its the big coils that are smoking those seem not cheap. I can't believe how expensive these are

Thanks guys

scottyb

The cheap micro-processor type chargers are not durable. Your best option is to repair the old transformer type charger you have. make sure your batteries have water in them and good clean connections before trying to charge again.

Test all batteries with a multimeter, you may have a bad one?

simple man

If the transformer in your charger is smoking, it will cost more than this charger http://www.cartsunlimited.net/48v_Battery_Charger.html "scottyb" sells, to buy just the transformer! You may luck out and find a used charger, but they are few and far between for $100! You may also consider selling the cart minus a charger and letting the buyer deal with it.

cronek28

Thanks Scotty, the terminals are "now" all clean they were not horrible but defiantly dirty before the metal battery hold downs were really full of stuff. The water level is good in them.

Is there a good easy way to test them? I feel like I'm reading a different language trying to read some of this stuff. No voltage =bad? Or below a certain reading?

Should I charge them two at a time in series with a 12v charger right now yo give them a charge until I figure out my charger issue or replacement?

Sorry if I have dumb questions, now I'm a little concerned about spending a couple hundred on another charged and don't want it to do it again

As always Thanks for the Help!!!!

scottyb

Start by posting 6 readings for the individual batteries and the collective total as shown on your handheld DMM. Then post the reading when carefully testing in the charge receptacle..... careful not to short out one post to the other in the receptacle or you will be replacing something!

cronek28

Okay, (individual batteries) (all 6 together, first + to the last - ) And (a reading in the charging port where I plug the charger in. And DONT touch the prongs to the multi meter together when they are in the charging port). I will do this asap!!!!

Thanks