Starting upgrades assistance

[scottyb]

25-30 amps is good. I have seen a lot of the less expensive 10-20a models self destruct when used with lights and stereo and something else...

[Pablob]

What's the advantage of a converter over and extra battery?

[tece50]

I've been looking at all of the converters and figured anything over 20amps would be good...however there are so many I found that were at least 20a but the price spread is unreal. If anyone with the electircal experience that I lack could send me a link to one they would recommend in the 70-90.00 price range I would be extremely grateful. Also do I need a fuse box also?? I was hoping to just have to buy the light kit and converter. My brain at this point is in spin zone

[yurtle]

Originally Posted by tece50

I've been looking at all of the converters and figured anything over 20amps would be good...however there are so many I found that were at least 20a but the price spread is unreal. If anyone with the electircal experience that I lack could send me a link to one they would recommend in the 70-90.00 price range I would be extremely grateful. Also do I need a fuse box also?? I was hoping to just have to buy the light kit and converter. My brain at this point is in spin zone

I'd plan on paying a little more. You might land one from eBay, but it might not last. Plan on paying around $150. I looked into alternatives, and an additional battery wasn't out of the question, but you'll need a separate charger to keep it up. For simplicity, I chose to go for a converter. As to a fuse box, that's your choice. You could simply use a single inline fuse, but I chose to buy a six circuit fuse block from West Marine. I stuck with old school glass fuses, since I have a bunch of them laying around, and it was just a tad cheaper.

[scottyb]

I have used a 5-7 fuse fuse-block found at the auto supply house. These little fuse blocks hold the standard two blade fuse found in every cart today. Cost is about $10-15

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by gornoman

My cart was fine with all that equipment on 36v. I could keep up with the DCS/PDS carts just fine. Then I went to 48v and left them behind.....

aheeem....

[tece50]

I'd plan on paying a little more. You might land one from eBay, but it might not last. Plan on paying around $150. I looked into alternatives, and an additional battery wasn't out of the question, but you'll need a separate charger to keep it up. For simplicity, I chose to go for a converter. As to a fuse box, that's your choice. You could simply use a single inline fuse, but I chose to buy a six circuit fuse block from West Marine. I stuck with old school glass fuses, since I have a bunch of them laying around, and it was just a tad cheaper.

I found a converter (25a) on ebay from Cartbarn for 89.00 I've been thinking about. I have considered the extra battery idea for two reasons...one is it seems easier for me to hook up, but the main reason is because I probaly would not use lights for more than an hour at a time ...but I have no idea how much running time I could get with each use using the extra battery. I do have a battery charger so that is already covered. I'm sure all this seems really simple to you guys but it's just all new to me.

[tece50]

Originally Posted by yurtle

I'd plan on paying a little more. You might land one from eBay, but it might not last. Plan on paying around $150. I looked into alternatives, and an additional battery wasn't out of the question, but you'll need a separate charger to keep it up. For simplicity, I chose to go for a converter. As to a fuse box, that's your choice. You could simply use a single inline fuse, but I chose to buy a six circuit fuse block from West Marine. I stuck with old school glass fuses, since I have a bunch of them laying around, and it was just a tad cheaper.

Sorry...try this again:
I found a converter (25a) on ebay from Cartbarn for 89.00 I've been thinking about. I have considered the extra battery idea for two reasons...one is it seems easier for me to hook up, but the main reason is because I probaly would not use lights for more than an hour at a time ...but I have no idea how much running time I could get with each use using the extra battery. I do have a battery charger so that is already covered. I'm sure all this seems really simple to you guys but it's just all new to me.

[scottyb]

Auxiliary batteries work okay. The key to their longevity is proper usage and maintenance. If you use a cranking battery deep discharges are going to shorten its useful life. Whatever battery you use remember that letting them sit discharged his battery them. I have even heard of some guys installing a small solar charger on the roof of the auxiliary battery alone. The sound like a good idea but I haven't seen it done.

You can even get one of my digital meters and a double pole toggle switch to select between the auxiliary and the main pack to keep track of your discharge voltages.