56 volt cart?

cyclebender

Several weeks ago I posted a question in the EZGO electric forum. I was inquiring about different solenoids, and their purposed use. To recap, I have a TXT 36 volt series cart, upgraded to 48 volts using all the normal upgrade components including a Alltrax AXE 400 amp controller. The cart is used on a golf course with many hills, but the hill on the 17 th hole is the steepest. All the electric cart can't climb the hill with two people aboard, mine included. I was considering adding a seventh battery for added torgue. I was going to use two solenoids, one to disconnect the power from the third battery to the fourth battery. Second solenoid to connect the extra batter (7th) in series, thus producing 56 volts. I have read several posts here about adding a boost battery, (or several batteries) but most designs added the extra battery by bypassing the controller, and that's not what I want to accomplish. JohnnieB was quite helpful, and suggested I use a pair of SPDT contactors, one NO and the other NC. Both activated by a single momentary switch. Sounded complicated and expensive, so I almost gave up, but I continued to research the idea. I purchase a White Rodgers double pole solenoid (contactor) rated at 200 amps that I found on Ebay. The bottom pair of lugs are NC and the top pair NO. When activated, they reverse, very simple. A few feet of battery cable and a toggle switch was all in took, less than $80.00 investment. The system works great, even though the seventh battery is old and not able to hold a charge for over a day, I can activate the solenoid on the fly, and climb that **** hill with no trouble. The system works so great, that I am considering installing a 12 volt battery in place of the sick 8 volt. Talked to a rep with Alltrax, he stated that the controller would handle 60 volts, but I would need to reprogram the controller to do so. I may have to upgrade my 48 volt 200 amp solenoid. I intend on using a auto style battery instead of a deep cycle battery. The battery would only be used occasionally, not continuous, and can be charged up after every use with my auto battery charger. Much lighter too. Any suggestions. I want to thank all who have offered advice, greatly appreciated.

BGW

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scottyb

I know guys like you hate guys like me telling you to be careful - but pulling high rates out of a cranking battery may result in a bang. Check with the battery manufacture to be sure the car battery can sustain the draw you are pulling without a meltdown.

Have fun and be safe

cyclebender

Thanks for your advice Scotty, but not sure I comprehend exactly what your saying. If a car battery is not suitable for my situation, would a deep cycle battery be preferable?

scottyb

Actually, neither battery is designed for the kind of deep fast discharge if you're going to subject it to.
Only a golf cart battery is capable of withstanding the loads that we put on them. The worst-case scenario is that exceeding the batteries limits will cause a catastrophic failure. Check with the battery manufacturers to be safe.