36V to 48V EZ GO Marathon on a budget

[TheBucks]

Hi, kinda new here. Posted this in the EZ GO forum & nobody touched it with a 10 foot pole. Hopefully someone here is willing.

I have an '86 marathon. I'd like to up the voltage to 48V on a VERY low budget. Mine being has the stock resistor set up so...what must I change to be able to jump to 48V & does anybody have a helpful wiring diagram for me to do this ? I'm aware of how to connect the batteries, but should the solenoid be wired different, etc...The cart is not here right now so I don't have my motor info available but I do remember it is a 2HP motor if that helps(I've read something about 86 having 2 possible motor/rear axle possibilities). As far as a budget, the batteries & cables would take up most of it. So what do you think ? Can it be done cheap ? Thanks for any advise. Steve.

[scottyb]

You can NOT run 48v through the speed wiper or the resistor coils. THere is some kind of stupid after burner set up Mr Magoo is running with 60 volts at WOT (wide open throttle) only but it doesn't sound good to me but what do I know?

[72volt_ezgo]

TheBucks-Steve-
Did you see the thread right under this one? There is one way of doing it cheap,explained in detail. Although this concept meets some opposition

scottyb- "afterburner" LMAO You're funny!

[buckmanmike]

I ran 48v for a short while on my old ezgo resistor cart. I had trouble with the wiper board shorting and had to continously grind board smooth. My cart eventually went down when I ran through a stream and the cold water instantly broke the resistors. For a reliable cart you need to go to a new controller, solenoid, etc. You can buy these parts used and wiil be much better than sticking with the resistor set up. I went all new parts and stepped up to 72v but the front end was unstable at those speeds and eventually settled at 48v. Plenty of torque and speed for hunting cart. Good luck.

[sak00]

Originally Posted by buckmanmike

I ran 48v for a short while on my old ezgo resistor cart. I had trouble with the wiper board shorting and had to continously grind board smooth. My cart eventually went down when I ran through a stream and the cold water instantly broke the resistors. For a reliable cart you need to go to a new controller, solenoid, etc. You can buy these parts used and wiil be much better than sticking with the resistor set up. I went all new parts and stepped up to 72v but the front end was unstable at those speeds and eventually settled at 48v. Plenty of torque and speed for hunting cart. Good luck.

I did it also. I got tired of running WOT and then off, WOT then off. I did more putting around and finally upgraded to Solid State. It can be done, but you will burn up the resistors or the wiper board assembly sooner or later.

[TheBucks]

Alright well you've got me hunting for an inexpensive controller...coils is obviously not the ideal way to go...can be done, but not advised. When & if I find the controller I need, will my motor handle the added voltage...& is this the dreaded oddball axle I've read about ?

[buckmanmike]

You and your motor will like 48volts.

[MrMoo]

:shrug: My setup is working flawlessly. Anyone that doesn't know how to turn the boost system on gets a regular 36v resistor cart. If you do know you get a regular 36v resistor cart or at full throttle a push of a button you get 60v of fun that bypasses the f/r switch and resistor coils. Built in safety system that won't allow it to run away as it will automatically blow a fuse if the boost system is energized without the button being held. Me thinks "Extreme DC" ain't so extreme with all the critics. :)

[phnguyk]

Been running 48volts on my '87 for two years now, upgraded cables, f/r switch is still the same, only other uprgrade I made was to a 48v solenoid. I did replace the resistors, not do to running 48v just as a preventive, now I don't run through streams or anything, rain yes. Best thing I did, your motor should handle the 48v no problem. I don't know if it's the fact most of us paid so little for our carts or that they're old or what, but go for it.

[88Marathoning]

Where do you put the batteries with transverse motor?