Run time questions

[TCarson]

I know there are many factors to run time so I thought I would pose some questions to the experts here.
Cart: 2006 EZ GO pds stock
One month old batteries with proper break in checked after one month with good specicific gravity and voltage 38.3 plus after charge and one hour rest time. Lets use 115 minutes pedal down time for a control (T-105 spec). Try to assign a number to each if possible I know its just an educated guess.

1. how much will a speed chip reduce run time
2. how much will a lift kit and 22" tires reduce run time
3. new 400a controller better or worse
4. new wires better or worse
5. hills vs flat ground

Thanks

[Gale Hawkins]

We have a stock 2007 PDS with 2006 batteries that is new to us and have the same questions. Speed chips/jumper plugs from the best I can tell has nothing to do with range in a direct sense.

They seem to do nothing to increase power but only control the amount of regen braking/top speed. With the steep hill 'chip' we go up the hills at the speed as no chip. With the petal to the metal we do down at 13 MPH (due to re gen battery charging feature) and with the foot off of the pedal we go down at 10 MPH with heavier charging of the battery bank. We can add more juice to the battery but we loose a few moments arriving and who knows maybe we gain a few feet of range because it may off set the extra battery drain when we climbed the hill. :)

Others say if the battery cables are not warming up then they are not wasting and energy. While bigger tires reduces your torque (demands more current) they will increase your speed so it seems range will stay close to the same.

In a general sense they are like a gas car MPG factors.

[dougmcp]

The Guesstimate:

1. how much will a speed chip reduce run time
If you drive at the same speed as you do now, none. If you keep it floored, lots.
2. how much will a lift kit and 22" tires reduce run time
It the same as using a higher gear, the more you demand from it the less the run time.
3. new 400a controller better or worse
Good choice for the cart but it allows more current to flow than the 275-300amp stock controller. Once again the more you push it the less the run time.
4. new wires better or worse
Generally no difference in run time unless you upgrade to a larger size that allows more current to flow and reducing your run time.
5. hills vs flat ground
Flat ground should give you the most run time.

As a rule of thumb, a cart uses about 300 amps when the peddle is mashed and about 75 amps while cruising on flat ground at less than maximum throttle. Anything you do to demand more performance will reduce your run time but not necessarily your miles driven. You may have reduced run time but with the increased speed you cover more miles and if it's not extreme the mileage should be similar to what you have now.