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Old 04-21-2012, 08:50 PM   #1
btyanke
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Default is it ok to coast down a hill?

Maybee dumb question but is it ok to coast down a hill with foot off gas on a pds cart. I know your supose to put run/ tow switch to tow for towing. Wouldnt that be similiar?
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Old 04-23-2012, 12:44 PM   #2
madoc1
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

don't think there would be a problem unless you go too fast and over rev the motor.
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Old 04-23-2012, 01:16 PM   #3
JohnnieB
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

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Originally Posted by btyanke View Post
Maybee dumb question but is it ok to coast down a hill with foot off gas on a pds cart. I know your supose to put run/ tow switch to tow for towing. Wouldnt that be similiar?
Similar maybe, but not the same.

If the cart has been sitting still for more than a second and it starts to move faster than about 2MPH without the throttle being pressed, it applies 100% Regen Braking. Towing the cart in that condition can damage the motor, controller and batteries. Because gravity is the only external force applied in rolling down a hill in that condition, it would have to be a very long and very steep high to hurt anything, if at all.

Coasting down a hill is different because the cart is moving to begin with and doesn't go into the "Walk Away" safety mode.

Depending on which PDS mode you are running in, the cart will use Regen Braking to limit the speed downhill to about the max speed for that mode.

Also, in two of the four PDS modes, Regen Braking occurs when you lift your foot off the throttle, but not at 100%.

Unlike other drive systems, the PDS measures the motor RPM and limits it to about 4400 in Freedom mode, or less in the other modes.

BTW - I coast down hills at about 20MPH in Freedom mode and get 18.2 on level ground.
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Old 04-23-2012, 06:53 PM   #4
btyanke
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

Great explaination johnnie
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Old 04-23-2012, 07:45 PM   #5
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

coasting down a hill in a pds cart will/can destroy the motor and controller. I have seen it more than once. dont let it coast more than 20mph. anymore will over rev and destroy things.
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Old 04-24-2012, 05:50 AM   #6
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

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coasting down a hill in a pds cart will/can destroy the motor and controller. I have seen it more than once. dont let it coast more than 20mph. anymore will over rev and destroy things.
Just curious, but have the ruined PDS motors you've seen actually failed from over revving, or were they destroyed due to the heat generated by Regen Braking?

The reason I ask is because the ads for aftermarket controllers that don't use the motor speed sensor or Regen Braking, claim speeds of up to 24MPH with a stock PDS motor and tires.

With stock 18" diameter tires and 12.44:1 differential, 24 MPH is 5,575 RPM while 20 MPH is only 4,646 RPM.

When pack voltage is increased to 48V in conjunction with controller that doesn't limit motor rpm, a stock PDS motor's RPM could be exceeding 6,500 RPM or about 28 MPH.

Of course, if I was going to routinely spin my PDS motor over about 4.5K, I'd have it rebuilt by Plum Quick and install a temperature sensor on it.
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Old 04-24-2012, 12:51 PM   #7
btyanke
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

Now the debate would be do you want speed chip in and have no regen braking so heat doesnt build up or the hill chip in so you dont get coasting to fast.
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Old 04-24-2012, 01:19 PM   #8
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Default Re: is it ok to coast down a hill?

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Originally Posted by btyanke View Post
Now the debate would be do you want speed chip in and have no regen braking so heat doesnt build up or the hill chip in so you dont get coasting to fast.
Regen braking occurs when the speed limit for the mode you are in is exceeded.
Regen Braking when you take your foot off the throttle only occurs in the Steep and Mild Hill modes.

I'm not sure which generates more heat, going down a hill in Freedom mode with Regen Barking limiting the coasting speed to about 20MPH or in the Mild Hill mode with Regen Braking limiting the coasting speed to about 16MPH.

Fortunately, the terrain I usually drive on is more or less a series of plateaus rather than a roller coaster, so I don't often climb a hill and immediately coast down one.

A stock PDS isn't an off road vehicle, but with the proper upgrades, they do okay in the boonies.
I've got a fairly good idea of what my cart's limitations are and try not to exceed them. It is as simple as that.
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