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Old 10-17-2014, 09:20 PM   #1
rlw
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Default A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

I'm cheap. You can tell that from the threads I've started over the past 3 years (has it been that long?). It'd be nice if I could increase the speed of my '84 resistor Marathon buggly a bit.

I've seen lots of posts here from folks who've installed a heavy-duty 48V solenoid, HD FNR, 500A controller, etc. That costs more than I'm willing to spend on my clunker.

I'm wondering if my old resistor cart could be fitted with an additional 6V battery (or two) and a relatively minor change to the stock 36V solenoid to let the whole shebang run at 42 or 48V. This could give me an improvement in speed.

The coil in my 36V solenoid probably doesn't require much current to energize it, otherwise, the 14 gauge wires that feed it would melt. What if I was to insert a 2A 36V zener diode in series with one leg of the solenoid? That would limit the voltage to something the solenoid could handle, and still switch the 42 (or 48 ) volts on the heavy side of the device. I'd probably need another zener on one leg of the reverse warning beeper (or I could just disconnect it - it's kind of annoying anyway!).

As far as worrying about increased current and needing a beefier FNR, solenoid, and wiper board, it seems to me that running at a higher voltage would result in reduced current going through all the components of the cart. The existing contacts in the FNR and wiper, along with my 4 gauge cabling should be able to handle the lower current.

Of course, I could just have my head firmly planted and be missing something fundamental, so I'd be interested in other folks' take on this idea.

If it works, I could bump the speed in my cart for the price of a zener diode and a 6V battery or two.

Thanks,

RLW
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Old 10-18-2014, 01:16 AM   #2
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

Increasing voltage will result in higher current in your cart components and wiring. You better leave well enough alone. You may wind up with a burnt out cart component. I suggest you not modify this old cart. You may wind up with zero speed if not careful.
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Old 10-18-2014, 06:49 AM   #3
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

Resister carts don't last long at 48v from what I've read here.
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Old 10-18-2014, 07:35 AM   #4
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

These guys are right about resistor carts on increased voltage but if you are going to do it anyway, keep the solenoid activation circuit on 36v
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Old 10-18-2014, 07:02 PM   #5
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

Thanks for the responses. The question was just a result of some el-cheapo-daydreaming.

What do I have wrong in my thinking that if I increase the voltage, I decrease the current flowing through the high current circuits?

RLW
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Old 10-18-2014, 10:27 PM   #6
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

If you increase the voltage in a DC golf cart it will push more current through the wiring and motor. Increasing voltage in a DC golf cart will not decrease current. I don't know where you got the idea that increased voltage will decrease current in a golf cart by adding another battery.
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Old 10-18-2014, 10:55 PM   #7
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Default

In AC Current a 240 motor will pull a lot less current than a 120 will, but I don't think that applies with golf carts.
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Old 10-19-2014, 06:29 AM   #8
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

The higher you increase the voltage 48v - 72v, the less the amp draw will be


Quote:
Originally Posted by rlw View Post
Thanks for the responses. The question was just a result of some el-cheapo-daydreaming.

What do I have wrong in my thinking that if I increase the voltage, I decrease the current flowing through the high current circuits?

RLW
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Old 10-19-2014, 07:39 AM   #9
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

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Originally Posted by rib33024 View Post
The higher you increase the voltage 48v - 72v, the less the amp draw will be
This is true when something burns out from the high current from the increased voltage.You can't increase the voltage in a 36 volt DC cart by simply adding another battery in series with the existing golf cart battery without increasing the current draw at the same amount of pedal.
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Old 10-19-2014, 09:29 AM   #10
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Default Re: A question about 36V vs 48V solenoid

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Originally Posted by radioman View Post
If you increase the voltage in a DC golf cart it will push more current through the wiring and motor. Increasing voltage in a DC golf cart will not decrease current. I don't know where you got the idea that increased voltage will decrease current in a golf cart by adding another battery.
I got the idea from Ohm's Law. It could be that I'm confusing an inductive load with a resistive load, however.

My thinking was that the resistance of the coils in the motor is a fixed value, therefore, increasing the voltage to said coils decreases the current flowing through the system.

Does a DC motor act as an inductive load rather than a resistive load? Maybe that's why current increases with voltage.

An explanation of what I'm missing here would be great.

Thanks,

RLW
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