48v lifepo4 in a 36v dcs

[D@L Customs]

Hey guys new to electric carts I would like some help/advice on the topic of 48v lithium. I acquired a 48v (technically a 52v)lifepo4 106ah Golfcart battery from a friend that didn’t know how to operate it…….long story short but in shopping for a 48v cart I wound up with a good working 36v 97txt dcs cart with new batteries. My question is do I hold onto the 48v until something breaks then convert? Or Convert as soon as monetarily possible? And with that what would be required. I did read here that the motor is good with 48v and controller and solenoid would have to be changed? Am I on the right track? Or just sell off the lithium battery and roll with the good working cart as is?

[kgsc]

You would need a controller and solenoid to switch over to a 48v cart. You could get a Navitas or Alltrax to plug and play. Motor should be okay but it doesn’t have a speed sensor.

[D@L Customs]

Thanks for the response that’s kinda what I thought as far as what was needed for the upgrade. I’m thinking of holding onto the battery waiting till the stock controller dies or batteries then upgrade. Unless the payoff is with it to go ahead and do the upgrade. Advice wise should I keep the 48v in my back pocket for a rainy day or utilize it asap

[Volt_Ampere]

I would convert and sell your Lead batteries. You could finance a new 48V controller with the $$ from the batteries. Your motor should be fine as is.

[Capt. Lenny]

While I’m a proponent of converting any cart to 48 volts or more, I have read that a DCS motor will NOT have a long life. Do your research first.

[coosa]

Originally Posted by Capt. Lenny

While I’m a proponent of converting any cart to 48 volts or more, I have read that a DCS motor will NOT have a long life. Do your research first.

I don't know the difference between the DCS motor used in 97 and the PDS they were using by 2002, but I think they are similar. Everyone said that my PDS would not last long on 48, but would be ok at 42. What I found was that even at 42, when I used it as an off-road cart on my mountainous hunting club the motor got way too hot. After adding another battery and running it on 42 volts, it was common to see a motor temp of over 250 degrees. It would have a noticeable burnt smell, and I don't think it would have lasted very long. I put in an Admiral motor before destroying it.

Others converted regular PDS carts to 42 volts without a problem, so maybe it's an issue only when you are asking a lot of your cart. And maybe it's not as much of an issue with a DCS motor. Good luck with it!

[Capt. Lenny]

This topic has been going on for quite awhile and some people say the motor will live and others say it won’t. If you read through enough of the threads on this subject you’ll be able to make an informed decision. Or, you could just roll the dice and take a chance. If you smoke the motor you’ll know.