Increase speed on 1998 EZGO TXT (Freedom)

[CedzGo]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

A 1998 would be a Series drive or a DCS (which also has the shift lever by the knee)

If there is a Run/Tow switch on the controller cover, it is a DCS.

If it is a DCS, an Alltrax DCX400 will up the speed to over 20 MPH on stock height tires.

If it is a series drive, up the pack voltage, install taller tires, change differential gear ratio, change to high speed motor is about all you can do. Changing controller will get you more torque, but not speed.

Originally Posted by bxlt

With a DCS cart your best options are larger controller or taller tires, if you go with taller tires you will get speed but give up torque, if you go with a 400amp controller you will get the 20mph and increase torque. Also if you go with taller tires on a stock controller you will eventually be replacing the controller anyway.

Can't go wrong with this advice. I was at 22mph, and spinning the tires at take-off on stock wheels and tires with only the controller upgrade...

I'm now turning 21" tires on 14" wheels with no problem at all. I haven't GPS'ed the speed with the larger wheels yet, but I'm sure it's faster than the 22mph with the stock wheels and tires. She slows a little going up hills, but nothing to complain about.

[jchcart]

If you upgrade the controller, you still have to do the solenoid don't you? Or can you get more power with just the controller?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by jchcart

If you upgrade the controller, you still have to do the solenoid don't you? Or can you get more power with just the controller?

Even with a stock controller (275A) the stock solenoid (85A) is too small for doing anything except playing golf.

[yurtle]

That's true. I killed two stock solenoids with stock tires and a stock controller. They aren't adequate for heavy use. I bought a HD solenoid, and never had any more problems before my upgrade, when my batteries needed replacing.

[jchcart]

Originally Posted by yurtle

That's true. I killed two stock solenoids with stock tires and a stock controller. They aren't adequate for heavy use. I bought a HD solenoid, and never had any more problems before my upgrade, when my batteries needed replacing.

Ok so I've got another dumb question, can you replace just the stock solenoid and get more performance out of your cart or controller? Or is it already doing pretty much all it can do?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by jchcart

Ok so I've got another dumb question, can you replace just the stock solenoid and get more performance out of your cart or controller? Or is it already doing pretty much all it can do?

If the stock solenoid is in perfect electrical condition, the answer is little if any.
If the stock solenoid is in poor health, replacing it with a new solenoid will return the cart's reduced performance back to stock.

A solenoid (the device is actually a relay or contactor - the solenoid is only the electromagnet and the mechanism that actuates the electrical contacts.) is simply an electromechanical switch. It's function is roughly the same as the switch on the wall that turns on you ceiling lights. If the ceiling light draw 30A and the switch is only rated for 10A, it's going to get hot and not last very long (and might start a fire), and the lights might be slightly dim. Installing a 30A switch will return the lights to their normal brightness, but installing a 50A switch won't increase there brightness any further than the correct ampacity switch.