What is this part?

[ManOnTheCouch]

I recently acquired a 1995 Carryall 1 48v as a project. It wasn’t running and needed batteries. I’ve started going through the wiring as some of it was questionable and replacing some and cleaning up connections. As I’ve done so, I’ve come across an electrical component that I can’t identify. It doesn’t show up on any of the wiring diagrams I’ve seen either.

It’s a yellow rectangular box attached to the rear frame that appears to be some kind of heat sink. On the top side of the box it says, “Warning - hot - May cause severe burns. Max watts 125 - max amps 28”. There’s a heavy gauge black wire going to the negative post on the controller. A single black wire exits the box and splits into two spade terminals that don’t connect to anything.

Any idea what it is, whether it’s needed and what it should connect to? Here’s a pic.

[Mooncarter]

That is a primitive voltage reducer from the factory. Remove it and get a 48 to 12 volt reducer.

To BGW!

[R&TBabich]

Originally Posted by ManOnTheCouch

.... It’s a yellow rectangular box attached to the rear frame that appears to be some kind of heat sink. On the top side of the box it says, “Warning - hot - May cause severe burns. Max watts 125 - max amps 28”. There’s a heavy gauge black wire going to the negative post on the controller. A single black wire exits the box and splits into two spade terminals that don’t connect to anything. ....

It is a 16v to 12v voltage reducer and the 2 spade terminals on our 2003 connected to a common strip for a couple of circuits.
The reducer was at the end of the circuits such that B+ would go to an accy and thru the reducer to ground.
I replaced it with a modern 48v to 12v reducer that doesn't get hot or drain 2 batteries a little more than the others.

[ManOnTheCouch]

Thanks. It’s coming off and being replaced.