Charging Question - RXV

[grassflatsfisher]

I Bought my RXV in early January as a hunting cart. It has been running great. I've traveled close to 20 miles with gear and people and the ScottyB meter showing greater than 50% capacity at the end of the day. Hunting season eneded Feb 10th and the cart has been used in the yard and neighborhood a little. Less than 1 mile, maybe 1-2 times a week. I have been charging as soon as we are done playing. Yesterday we kicked off youth turkey and the cart went maybe 7-8 miles on what I thought was a full charge before petering out on me.

Here's something I've recognized. Back during hunting season when I would plug it in to charge the ScottyB's meter would read anywhere from 56-59.x. Once done it would settle around 50.8-51 which would indicate a 100% range. Since I've had it home the last few weeks and not running it as much, during the charging cycle the meter would maybe read 50.8-52.x. It has been settling in the 50.3-50.6 range. I've kind of blown it off as I haven't completely learned what is normal for this cart yet.

When stopped yesterday because the cart was starting to struggle the meter was dipping to 36.x volts under load and the meter was settling at 46.x within a few mins of stopping. By the time I made the 3+ mile walk back to camp and got the truck and trailer the meter was back over 48 and when we got back to the house a few hours later it had settled at 48.4. I plugged it in immediately after getting back to the house and when I checked the charger a bit later it was reading 58.x on the scottyb meter. This morning after a full charge the meter is bouncing between 50.8/50.9 which is back to what it was originally doing during hunting season.

The charger is the standard ezgo charger with the green indicator light. The cart has 3 2013 US batts and 1 2013 Trojan.

Thoughts on what is going on? Bad battery? Bad charger? Why is it not charging completely when the cart hasn't been run down significantly?

Also, I might add that I checked for heat yesterday once we stopped and there was a little heat (very mild) in the controller area but everything else was cool to the touch.

[HiTechRedNeck]

Slightly warm controller area-- NORMAL

What you are describing is battery failure.

If cart has "gas " gauge, It would probably start at full then quickly drop to 3/4 .

Most likely the trojan has failed.

Previous owner probably replaced trojans with US batts for a reason.

run cart a short distance or until "gas " gauge drops.

Then check each battery voltage.

The one that is at 10 to 11 volts is bad.( I bet 1 beer is Trojan )


Double or nothing bad battery is in #4 position(back)

[grassflatsfisher]

10-4. Will put a meter on it today. The trojan is located in the center position when looking under the seat.

[beau]

I'm curious why you think the Trojan right off the bat?

" Last edited by HiTechRedNeck; Today at 08:43 AM.. Reason: Give address to mail beer. "

I've always thought there should be a service in which I could by you a drink at your favorite watering hole. Kind of like FTD but with bars and booze (bud in Co.) instead of flowers! Wire you a beer!

[HiTechRedNeck]

Center of the front 3?

When we have bad batt, it is always in the center back.

Lots of problems with Trojan 12v batts (google Ez-Go vs Trojan)

[cgtech]

Even without watering system, "murphys law" says it will Always be the back battery.

[grassflatsfisher]

Water is good in all the batts. If I had to say, the trojan is the one with least amount of water. The plates are all cover though.

Yes, center front.

Got my dads meter. Havent had time to take it for a spin yet.

Will a short drive work or do I need to run the batteries down a little?

[HiTechRedNeck]

You may not even need to drive it.

Look for one batt about 1v lower than others.

Hydrometer will also find bad batt.

[grassflatsfisher]

Just checked them. All read 12.6 or better. ScottyB meter is at 50.9. Will make a neighborhood outing tomorrow and remeasure.

[grassflatsfisher]

Took the cart for a spin last night. Only strolled around for 15 mins or so and its flat as a board where I live. Got it back in the garage and let it settle for a few mins. All batts were reading in the 12.58-12.6 range. Out of all the batts the trojan has been .01-.02 better than the others.

I'm starting to think this is a charging issue. Maybe the charger wasn't reading something correctly when it was kicking on and was under charging the batteries...????

I plugged it back in last night and it kicked up to 54+ on the scottyb meter withing a few seconds. It wasn't doing last week. It would maybe go to 51-52. I forgot to check the reading this AM. I'll look at it when I get home and see but I'm betting 50.9-51.