DIY - 4 x 12v to 6 x 8V Conversion (Part 1)

[Canine_Rescue_Pilot]

Congrats on making the move... and good luck.

Yeah - thats what I did (and wrote about)... cut a piece (in this case the top section) first, before cutting the entire space for the battery. That allows you too move harnesses out of the way. Glad you picked up on that.

Best wishes. You won't regret it!

[Speedchaser]

Just an up date: put batteries in. Did not have access to a torch so I just took the hold downs and put them on concrete and mashed them straight with a sledge. Then I went underneith the cart and slid them up between the batteries. Perfect. Easy and took about 5 minutes.

Why is that armature curved anyway?

[Speedchaser]

So now i have about 1.5 hours into this modification and I have batteries in one side, just waiting for controller and motor til I finish the other side, but it is all grinded out and ready for bats.

[Speedchaser]

Here is my build so far

[Canine_Rescue_Pilot]

Looks Awesome!
Looks like you're using Trojan Batteries.
I hope you went with the T-890 's. (rated at 190AH at the 20hr rate)

You have to be cautious, Trojan sells a T-860 that will end up not being significantly different than the 12V packs because they both have a 150AH current rating at the 20hr rate, and only marginal difference in their overall capacity. The T-875 is better, but not by a whole lot.

They all look identical on the outside and even have the same case dimensions. The difference is in their plate design. They slightly modify a waffle-like pattern on the plates that yields a high surface area of lead composite. The general rule of thumb I've seen printed often is "more lead is better". This is true, but less important than surface area is. More surface area = higher capacity.

[Speedchaser]

They are 875's they did not have 890's or I probably would have got them.

The rating is the same as the US Batteries I have in my other cart and they perform great. The 12's I had were junk, my bat light would come in at about 18 holes.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Speedchaser

They are 875's they did not have 890's or I probably would have got them.

The rating is the same as the US Batteries I have in my other cart and they perform great. The 12's I had were junk, my bat light would come in at about 18 holes.

Which brand of 12's? Also how old were they?

[Speedchaser]

They were Trojans, but I do not know how old, I never looked at a date code on them.

[erict]

Originally Posted by Speedchaser

They were Trojans, but I do not know how old, I never looked at a date code on them.

If you were only getting 18 holes then I would say they were at the end of there life.

[Canine_Rescue_Pilot]

Originally Posted by erict

If you were only getting 18 holes then I would say they were at the end of there life.

Age is a factor, for sure, but not the only factor. A previous owner can improperly use and maintain a 2-year old set of batteries and render them all but useless in that amount of time. Especially by continually taking them to 80% or more depth of discharge.

I agree with erict, you should definitely get more than 18 holes on even a decent set of 12v's... unless your course is on the side of the Alps, I suppose.