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Old 12-14-2014, 04:02 PM   #4
JohnnieB
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Virginia
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Default Re: Point me in the right direction for troubleshooting

Quote:
Originally Posted by kpauley View Post
Some good questions that I'll probably need to answer with some of my own :-)

1. What is the AH capacity of the new batteries? (225AH is the standard)
How do I tell? These are Costco 2-GCS Golf Cart Batteries. Something I can measure?


2. What is the temperature? (Batteries don't have as much oomph in colder weather)
It has been in the 40-50's when she is using it. Hasn't changed a ton I think, but maybe could be a factor I suppose.


3. Were the batteries broken in properly? (Fully charged before first use and not discharged below 75% SoC for the first 20 or so charge cycles.)
I'm guessing not properly by choice. They were installed and I put a full charge on the pack with the pack charger before she used it. The way she uses it is she has some stop and go to pick up manure for about 100 yards or so. Then she'll go out to the pasture and drive it to spread it. That's probably about 500 yards more of driving, so really not a ton of driving. Then she parks it until the next day. She probably puts it on the charger every two days or so.


4. Are any cables or connections getting hot?
Are any components other then the motor getting hot?
Have not checked any of this. I'll need to go down there and check it after she does her run sometime this week.


5. What is the pack voltage about 12 hours after charger shuts off?
What is pack voltage after cart has been drive several miles. (Wait 15 minutes after cart stops before measuring voltage)
Have not checked, will need to check. The cart does not have a voltage meter on it so I'll need to manual check it with my meter.


6. How tall are the tires? (18" is stock - tires taller than that cost you torque, aka oomph, on hills)
Not stock tires, we have tractor/paddle tires on the rear for snow / mud times of year. These tires have been on for a few years though, so that's not a change that would have impacted this I think. They are just around 18" though as this has a stock suspension, not lifted or anything.


7. What controller? (stock series is 275A)
How do I tell? I have a picture of it that I can see if I can post correctly here.
1. Should be some information on the label.

2. Just something to keep in mind. Like humans, batteries don't work as well in cold weather.

3. That sounds consistent with breaking in properly, except for only charging every two days or so. Cart batteries need to be put on charge after each use. The longer they sit is a partially discharged state, the faster they age.

4. Anything other the the motor getting hot is wasted power.

5. This will tell us if the charger is charging batteries fully, and if there is a weak battery. (New doesn't always mean good)

6. if the cart isn't lifted, the tires are 20" or less, so it shouldn't be an issue.

7. Stock Curtis 1206 (275A), a stock solenoid (85A) and OEM cables (6Ga) The way you are using the cart makes it a contender for a 400A controller, a 200A solenoid and 4Ga cables.
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