Charging system question

scootsk

I have a 2003 EZGO ST480. My battery is continually going dead. I checked the regulator at the black and red wires and it reads 14.53 volt at wide open throttle. If the voltage there is correct, shouldn't the battery be charging normally? Am I missing something?

BGW

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cart around

What's the voltage at the battery when it is running?

scootsk

Voltage before starting is 12.6 drops to 12.5 at wide open throttle

jeffrun

Take your meter and test the voltage at the battery terminals with headlights on, rpm around 2000 or more. If you still get around 14V,your charge system is working normal.

If charge checks out you probably have a bad battery or extreme low on water.
also, with motor off and ign. off, and all electrical tuned off,lift one battery cable,and touch it to posts off and on to see if you have a short drawing your battery down when off, the cable should not arc when connected back.

cart around

The older EZGOs have a 3 wire voltage regulator. To test those we disconnect the green wire in the middle, ground it out, run at speed, and check the voltage at the battery.

It usually dances around up to 19 volts. That determines a bad voltage regulator.

Yours may, or may not be the same.

jeffrun

Take a voltage reading on each side of the start solenoid large terminals when cart is running, if you get 14v on one side ,12.5 on other side,then solenoid is opening or you have bad contacts. the voltage regulator is connected to the starter side of solenoid,where you were reading 14.5v.

scootsk

Well, while tracing all the wire to make sure they were where they were supposed to be, I am now getting 14.47 at the battery, I must have disturbed a short or poor connection. Might be time to rewire the charging system if this gremlin returns.

scootsk

ThNk you guys for your expertise and quick replies.