Starter/Generator

WyattG1

I just purchased a Workhorse ST480 Ezgo cart. Not sure of the year but it has the 16HP Vanguard twin in it.

I have several questions?

Does the starter stay engaged all the time when the gas pedal is pushed? If not, what disengages it?

Is it normal for the vehicle to start in gear as mine does or does this indicate the neutral safety switch has been bypassed?

Should the engine stay running when the gas pedal is released and just idle or is it suppose to shut of as mine does?

Any help would be appreciated since I have never owned any type of cart before and know very little about how the are suppose to operate.

BGW

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COURTESYCART

the starter turns into a generator after a certain RPM. this is what keeps the battery charged

Yes it will start in gear, Normal operation

No it wont stay running. No golf cart/untility cart is designed to idle. the enge will actuatly run hot if idling for an extended period of time.

JcXtreme72

Actually some Club cars do start and stay running from the factory. I have had 3 of them that did. 2 were villager 6's one was a 2004 DS.

WyattG1

Thanks for the response guys, I appreciate it.

Dave Box

You raise a good point and I am sure you have a valid concern. The standard golf cart has a starter / generator. Just like any motor when you wind it up it generates electricity and so there is no need to disconnect the starter.

The Vanguard has a starter AND an alternator and is designed for a key start just like an automobile so if you just wire it up like a golf car with a pedal start you will have an issue with the starter motor spinning all the time the accelerator is depressed. I have a six wheeler with the Vanguard 23hp twin and a key start. I has to idle and to accomplish this it has a clutch that closes at a higher rpm. It also has a cooling fan to ensure that it does not overheat when idling (in fact the engine is so deep in the machine that it has no natural air flow).

I am prepared to be proved wrong but I hypothesize that if you transplant a Vanguard you must eliminate the throttle microswitch and fit a new (or modified) drive clutch.

Dave

simple man

Wyatt, does your cart have the original starter - generator driven by a belt to the engine, or does it have the small starter that drives a gear into the flywheel? If you have the starter that is mounted to the engine and has the gear, it must shut off after the engine starts! It should be set up with a key start like a mower with the same engine. The starter - generator can be hooked up as the cart originally was.

WyattG1

My cart has to original engine that came in an ST480 which is a 16hp B&S Vanguard with a belt drive to the starter/generator.

I am aware of the concern Dave Box alluded too and I understand and appreciate his post. However, as suggested it does not apply in my case but nevertheless it is good information to know if someone has something different as in a transplant engine.