DCS Solenoid question

desigmon · 07-26-2011, 09:02 PM

I just bought an Alltrax 400a controller and solenoid to fix my '99 36V cart. My problem is the solenoid isn't marked with "+BAT" so I know which side to bolt the battery pack positve to. The OEM solenoid was marked.

Can a solenoid be connected in either direction as long as all the leads are reversed respectively? I don't have enough wire length to hook up the pin connector on top of the Alltrax and then have enough wire to connect the small wires on the front. But if I can turn the solenoid upside down I think the small wires would reach.

desigmon · 07-27-2011, 09:03 AM

OK, I think I found the answer. I talked with an electrical guy here at work. He said in a DC solenoid I should be able to hook positive lead to either side of the solenoid.

So I should be able to turn the solenoid upside down and I'll have enough wire length to hook everything up. I'll let you guys know how it goes. If I don't reply back then something has gone horribly wrong and I'm in the hospital w/ 3rd degree burns.

scottyb · 07-27-2011, 09:43 AM

Your guy is right a solenoid activation circuit has no polarity ... only the diode has polarity.

Turning the solenoid will work. It's just not ideal.

desigmon · 07-27-2011, 09:51 AM

Hey thanks Scotty. This is David, I just purchased the controller and stuff from you last week. BTW those cables I got from you look really nice. I just wish the one that goes to the negative side of the battery pack was a little longer.

scottyb · 07-27-2011, 09:54 AM

Return it with a note stating how long you want it .... I not sure how it could be short? Did you cut the cover in half? ...can you cut it shorter

desigmon · 07-27-2011, 10:20 AM

I don't think it'll be short. It's just not as long as the stock one. I haven't cut the cover yet. I'm thinking I won't have to. The thickness of the controller with the solenoid on it is about the same thickness as the stock one. I'm thinking if I can get all the cables to run all the way to the bottom of the controller I won't have to cut the cover. Why do some have to cut the cover? I may just end up fabricating some cover out of diamond plate aluminum.

BTW I don't currently have a fuse going from the battery pack to the controller or solenoid. Was there supposed to be one on my cart from the factory? Can I just go to Radio Shack and pick one up? I think I need a 250A one, is this correct?

desigmon · 07-27-2011, 11:49 PM

Disregard that comment on making a cover out of diamond plate. Metal contact around there could get expensive

scottyb · 07-28-2011, 12:00 AM

Dude, Cut the controller cover in half and toss the bottom. The controller you got needs the air trust me you are not alone thousands of controller covers have been cut with everything from scissors to chain saws

The cable is the correct length for a cut cover. CUT THE COVER.

scottyb · 07-28-2011, 12:20 AM

You will get a fuse with the controller.

desigmon · 07-28-2011, 07:55 AM

Well, I got the controller, solenoid and cables installed.

HOLY CRAP, what a difference. I think before the install the cart would top out at maybe 10mph before. I had some really bad cables that I think slowed the fleet speed even more. But now I'm doing 20-23. I really need to program that controller for 50-75% speed untill I can get some decent tires and tighten up the steering a little. The tires that are on it sat flat for years. So the sidewalls are wrinkled and the tread is flat-spotted.

I didn't see a fuse in the box. I"ll have to go through the trash tonight to see if I can find it.

Is there any way to limit speed with an external toggle switch? Maybe somehow limit the amps to the motor?

07-26-2011, 09:02 PM	#1
desigmon Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 53	DCS Solenoid question I just bought an Alltrax 400a controller and solenoid to fix my '99 36V cart. My problem is the solenoid isn't marked with "+BAT" so I know which side to bolt the battery pack positve to. The OEM solenoid was marked. Can a solenoid be connected in either direction as long as all the leads are reversed respectively? I don't have enough wire length to hook up the pin connector on top of the Alltrax and then have enough wire to connect the small wires on the front. But if I can turn the solenoid upside down I think the small wires would reach.

07-27-2011, 09:03 AM	#2
desigmon Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 53	Re: DCS Solenoid question OK, I think I found the answer. I talked with an electrical guy here at work. He said in a DC solenoid I should be able to hook positive lead to either side of the solenoid. So I should be able to turn the solenoid upside down and I'll have enough wire length to hook everything up. I'll let you guys know how it goes. If I don't reply back then something has gone horribly wrong and I'm in the hospital w/ 3rd degree burns.

07-27-2011, 09:43 AM	#3
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,418	Re: DCS Solenoid question Your guy is right a solenoid activation circuit has no polarity ... only the diode has polarity. Turning the solenoid will work. It's just not ideal.

07-27-2011, 09:51 AM	#4
desigmon Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 53	Re: DCS Solenoid question Hey thanks Scotty. This is David, I just purchased the controller and stuff from you last week. BTW those cables I got from you look really nice. I just wish the one that goes to the negative side of the battery pack was a little longer.

07-27-2011, 09:54 AM	#5
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,418	Re: DCS Solenoid question Return it with a note stating how long you want it .... I not sure how it could be short? Did you cut the cover in half? ...can you cut it shorter

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07-27-2011, 10:20 AM	#6
desigmon Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 53	Re: DCS Solenoid question I don't think it'll be short. It's just not as long as the stock one. I haven't cut the cover yet. I'm thinking I won't have to. The thickness of the controller with the solenoid on it is about the same thickness as the stock one. I'm thinking if I can get all the cables to run all the way to the bottom of the controller I won't have to cut the cover. Why do some have to cut the cover? I may just end up fabricating some cover out of diamond plate aluminum. BTW I don't currently have a fuse going from the battery pack to the controller or solenoid. Was there supposed to be one on my cart from the factory? Can I just go to Radio Shack and pick one up? I think I need a 250A one, is this correct?

07-27-2011, 11:49 PM	#7
desigmon Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 53	Re: DCS Solenoid question Disregard that comment on making a cover out of diamond plate. Metal contact around there could get expensive

07-28-2011, 12:00 AM	#8
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,418	Re: DCS Solenoid question Dude, Cut the controller cover in half and toss the bottom. The controller you got needs the air trust me you are not alone thousands of controller covers have been cut with everything from scissors to chain saws The cable is the correct length for a cut cover. CUT THE COVER.

07-28-2011, 12:20 AM	#9
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,418	Re: DCS Solenoid question You will get a fuse with the controller.

07-28-2011, 07:55 AM	#10
desigmon Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 53	Re: DCS Solenoid question Well, I got the controller, solenoid and cables installed. HOLY CRAP, what a difference. I think before the install the cart would top out at maybe 10mph before. I had some really bad cables that I think slowed the fleet speed even more. But now I'm doing 20-23. I really need to program that controller for 50-75% speed untill I can get some decent tires and tighten up the steering a little. The tires that are on it sat flat for years. So the sidewalls are wrinkled and the tread is flat-spotted. I didn't see a fuse in the box. I"ll have to go through the trash tonight to see if I can find it. Is there any way to limit speed with an external toggle switch? Maybe somehow limit the amps to the motor?

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