Add one battery for 36 to 12v?

[fstatum]

Kojo. Now you given me something else to think about! Mmmm....

[kogieblack]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

Mathematically - Yes
Operationally - No

36V + 12V = 48V, but the battery pack will be so imbalanced, it'll barely run the cart and if you recharge with a 48V charger, it will soon destroy the batteries.

The AH rating of all the batteries in the pack needs to be the same and at best, the AH rating of a 12V battery is only about 1/2 of a 6V battery.

However, adding a seventh 6V battery for 42V works out pretty well.

By "adding a seventh 6V battery for 42V", will there be a need to replace the solenoid? Also, will the 36V controller be able to "handle" the higher voltage?

[720Deere]

Actually the using 8 batteries for 48v is overrated. The extra 2 batteries weigh a lot more than 6-8v batteries which hurts both your performance and range. 6-8v batteries fit nice and clean in the original battery rack and most people find that their range is more than acceptable especially if you use high end 8v batteries.

One down side is that you can't jump 2 batteries together to get 12v for accessories, but you should really be using a converter to power accessories off the full pack to keep all the batteries balanced.

[yurtle]

Also harder to find an 8 volt charger if batteries get too low to initiate a charge, but you can always "jump" it with another 48 volt buggy. 6-8 volt batteries have got to be a lot cheaper too.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by kogieblack

By "adding a seventh 6V battery for 42V", will there be a need to replace the solenoid? Also, will the 36V controller be able to "handle" the higher voltage?

A solenoid coil rated for 36V won't handle 42V or 48V very long, however some 48V solenoids (like the one I use) work at 42V and 36V.

Some will, some won't. The voltage specs I've seen on Curtis 1206, 1206MX and 1206SX (EZGO Series - PDS - DCS) controllers is a single voltage (36V) while others list a range of voltages. Check the voltage specs for your controller to be sure.