1991 No Power

[nalley1952]

I've got a 91 club car V-Glide. Just replaced the batteries have charged them and car will only go about 100' on flat ground. I've charged them several times and still only get the same performance. I can jack the rear up and it will run fine but under load nothing. I understand that there is a break in period for the batteries but I should be able to go more than a 100 feet before they totally run out of torque. I have taken each cable off and cleaned both ends on all the wires and put them right back on so I don't have any bad connections. Any ideas as to what might be wrong?

[ForBruce]

you need to test each battery's cell with a HYDROMETER. available at most auto stores for about $5.

even with new batteries (and you did not mention what voltage or type..or where you got them from ) it is possible to have a defective battery which is pulling down the whole group

[shadowman]

this sounds like a battery problem, could be 1 battery dragging it down................even new 1 could be bad............................

[scottyb]

It is possible to get a bad new battery, but It's very rare. Here's my guess:

Originally Posted by nalley1952

I've got a 91 club car V-Glide. Just replaced the batteries have charged them and car will only go about 100' on flat ground. I've charged them several times and still only get the same performance. I can jack the rear up and it will run fine but under load nothing. I understand that there is a break in period for the batteries but I should be able to go more than a 100 feet before they totally run out of torque. I have taken each cable off and cleaned both ends on all the wires and put them right back on so I don't have any bad connections. Any ideas as to what might be wrong?

My guess is something didn't get wired up correctly when you replaced the batteries. Several things can go wrong and produce the results you posted...
1. the batteries are not all installed in series. check to see that all the batts are connected positive to negative through the pack. Having one in backwards is like having 5 batteries.
2. Main power leads on the wrong battery. Check with a voltmeter. Verify that the cart is getting 36+ volts.
3. Charger not connected to all 6 batteries. Check the voltage at the charger receptacle to verify the charger is charging all 6 and not just 5 of the batteries.
Let us know what you find.

[TahoeDawgZ71]

It's also very easy to install a 6Volt battery backwards if you're not paying attention. Make sure they're wired properly.

[shadowman]

i have lost count at the # of carts i have seen with a battery or 2 put in backwards.................................

[nalley1952]

ok update. I've been on midnights so sorry it took this long to get back.

all batteries are good. I've got 36v all the way across. Still no power! It will barely creep along. I can put one foot down and stop it from moving.

Any ideas as what to check next?

[scottyb]

If the batteries are good and the connections and cables are good then it could be a throttle input problem.

Open the V-glide and with the key off, cart in neutral see that the wiper goes all the way to the top terminal and is making good clean contact all the way up.

V-glide = resistor coils. When cool, physically check all the resistor coils for breakage.

[nalley1952]

I checked it's got full range across all the contacts in there. The contacts are clean. The V Glide coils are all fine.

[shadowman]

Originally Posted by nalley1952

ok update. I've been on midnights so sorry it took this long to get back.

all batteries are good. I've got 36v all the way across. Still no power! It will barely creep along. I can put one foot down and stop it from moving.

Any ideas as what to check next?

if they are new batteries and you only have 36 volts that indicates to me something with the batteries.......new fully charged batteries should give you a reading closer to 39 volts.........have you load tested each battery? if not i would......have you checked each cell with a hydrometer? i would.......all things considered if everything was done right and cart ran ok before changing them you have a battery problem........theres nothing else there.........................