How can I test my txt's charging system?

BLUE72CAMARO · 06-10-2010, 07:25 AM

My cart has been running flawless for months until Sunday. When you hit the petal the starter would hesitate and then finally kick the motor over. So thinking the battery is dead for some reason I put it on the charger for an hour and then all is well for the rest of Sunday and Monday. Tuesday evening I get on it and it has the same hesitation again, I run it down the driveway (1/4 mile long) to capture a snapping turtle and come back and all is well again. Last night I get on it and it hesitates again, I run it around some and then it starts good for a few times and then it starts hesitating again.

So either I have a bad battery or my starter/generator isnt charging for some reason. Being unfamiliar with the electrical system on these is there anything else than could cause this? Also what should I do to check if the starter generator is charging?

scottyb · 06-10-2010, 07:54 AM

Simple test = Remove the seat, cart in neutral, key off, check battery voltage, key on start the engine, rev to mid range and recheck voltage while running..... voltage should increase.

BLUE72CAMARO · 06-10-2010, 02:57 PM

Yeah that was what I had planned to do tonight when I get home. I guess what I really need to know is if I am not charging when the motor is running are there any other components to check before buying a new starter/generator?

divot61 · 06-10-2010, 04:08 PM

is your starter/ gen. belt tight?

BLUE72CAMARO · 06-10-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divot61

is your starter/ gen. belt tight?

It is tight enough it never slips when starting the cart but I will check that as well.

scottyb · 06-10-2010, 04:57 PM

With a jumper wire connect a ground to where the little green wire connects and the generator should put out full power 14-16v. If it does the VR is bad if not the GEN is bad.

BLUE72CAMARO · 06-11-2010, 07:59 AM

Alright well my battery was cooked! I hadnt checked the water level since I bought the cart and it bit me! Battery was low on water and ate itself alive!

Scotty I am glad you pointed out the 14-16V. I was checking things with the multimeter last night and with the engine at high rpm on the cart it was putting out 18V. Is that normal?

scottyb · 06-11-2010, 08:04 AM

That's okay in that situation...... see post below about retesting.

BLUE72CAMARO · 06-11-2010, 08:08 AM

Alright thanks for the help!

scottyb · 06-11-2010, 08:10 AM

Re test the output after the new fully charged battery has been installed. If battery is setting near 13v and the generator is putting out max voltage then you have a VR problem or something.

That maybe what happened to your old battery ~ why your battery cooked off all the water and died?

06-10-2010, 07:25 AM	#1
BLUE72CAMARO Gone Wild Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 171	How can I test my txt's charging system? My cart has been running flawless for months until Sunday. When you hit the petal the starter would hesitate and then finally kick the motor over. So thinking the battery is dead for some reason I put it on the charger for an hour and then all is well for the rest of Sunday and Monday. Tuesday evening I get on it and it has the same hesitation again, I run it down the driveway (1/4 mile long) to capture a snapping turtle and come back and all is well again. Last night I get on it and it hesitates again, I run it around some and then it starts good for a few times and then it starts hesitating again. So either I have a bad battery or my starter/generator isnt charging for some reason. Being unfamiliar with the electrical system on these is there anything else than could cause this? Also what should I do to check if the starter generator is charging?

06-10-2010, 07:54 AM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? Simple test = Remove the seat, cart in neutral, key off, check battery voltage, key on start the engine, rev to mid range and recheck voltage while running..... voltage should increase.

06-10-2010, 02:57 PM	#3
BLUE72CAMARO Gone Wild Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 171	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? Yeah that was what I had planned to do tonight when I get home. I guess what I really need to know is if I am not charging when the motor is running are there any other components to check before buying a new starter/generator?

06-10-2010, 04:08 PM	#4
divot61 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: indiana Posts: 274	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? is your starter/ gen. belt tight?

06-10-2010, 04:57 PM	#6
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? With a jumper wire connect a ground to where the little green wire connects and the generator should put out full power 14-16v. If it does the VR is bad if not the GEN is bad.

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06-11-2010, 07:59 AM	#7
BLUE72CAMARO Gone Wild Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 171	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? Alright well my battery was cooked! I hadnt checked the water level since I bought the cart and it bit me! Battery was low on water and ate itself alive! Scotty I am glad you pointed out the 14-16V. I was checking things with the multimeter last night and with the engine at high rpm on the cart it was putting out 18V. Is that normal?

06-11-2010, 08:04 AM	#8
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? That's okay in that situation...... see post below about retesting.

06-11-2010, 08:08 AM	#9
BLUE72CAMARO Gone Wild Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 171	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? Alright thanks for the help!

06-11-2010, 08:10 AM	#10
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: How can I test my txt's charging system? Re test the output after the new fully charged battery has been installed. If battery is setting near 13v and the generator is putting out max voltage then you have a VR problem or something. That maybe what happened to your old battery ~ why your battery cooked off all the water and died?

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