looking for a charger for 36v electric ezgo, changed to three battery set up

[Ezwegoround]

Hi Team, we've been working on this one a while we changed it to work on three batteries iwenstead of six.
We have the original receptical but no charger. Been looking on eBay. Would any of the $80 odd dollar ones said to work on a TXT or marathon/ medalist golf cart work? We are in Australia so may need to use a transformer. Can upload pics on Tuesday if it helps.

Could we use a 48Examplev charger? Thenf we can upgrade later?
Example
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12417843...saAhCoEALw_wcB

[binder49]

Those chargers don't put out enough amps. You need a golf cart charger to charger the batteries so they boil. The weaker chargers will shorten the life of the batteries.

[bronsonj]

For lead acid, as binder49 said, you need more amps. The charger you linked to is 6 amps. I would look for a charger that does 15, 18 or more amps.

The three 12v batteries you're using are probably marine deep cycle and will work, just know they won't last as long or give you the range that you'd get from six 6V golf cart batteries. They are heavier duty than a regular car battery but not as heavy duty as a golf cart battery.

For the longest battery life charge it any day that you used it and if it sits for more than 2 weeks give it another charge cycle.

Here is a 20 amp charger used for $200 with free shipping. There are others, just click the 'used' check box when doing your searches to find something more appropriate for your needs. And be careful of Club Car chargers... The charger is half the configuration since on a Club Car the controller board is in the cart. So Club Car chargers won't work for you.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32479445441...Condition=3000

Good luck!

[Ezwegoround]

Thank you binder49 and bronsonj,
You're right they have been replaced with deep cycle batteries I think.
I need to digest that, makes sense. I will do more searching with that criteria

[Ezwegoround]

Yes they are deep cycle.
So bronsonj. The 5amp cheaper ones will work...? Just will shorten the batteries life and I'd be way better off getting higher amps like the link you gave?. Thanks so much for the link btw

[rib33024]

Charger info

Originally Posted by scottyb

The generally accepted rule of thumb is the bulk or initial rate of charge should be close to 10% of the battery's amperage capacity. So 20 amps for the typical 200 AH 6v battery.
We typically see 20a for 36v Golf Cart chargers and 18a for 48v GC chargers.
Many low amp chargers are offered for cheap on eBay. AVOID THESE The money you save on these chargers will cost you plenty in the loss of battery useful life.

Without the proper Bulk Rate charge the heavy elements in the battery water solution are not jolted into action. These elements stay at the bottom of the cells where the soon become fixed and unavailable.

[bronsonj]

Originally Posted by Ezwegoround

Yes they are deep cycle.
So bronsonj. The 5amp cheaper ones will work...? Just will shorten the batteries life and I'd be way better off getting higher amps like the link you gave?. Thanks so much for the link btw

So the issue is the 'boiling' of the battery is good. As Rib stated, the heavy elements need to be mixed during charging and 5 amps will not do that.

If you decide to use it anyway then the batteries will die much quicker, not run out of power, but die. A golf cart battery pack can last as much as 7 years if it is well cared for. The lead plates in a golf cart battery are very thick and capable of handling the abuse. The Marine deep cycle batteries you are using have thinner lead plates that can handle some abuse but not as much as a golf cart battery and a normal car battery is even thinner plates.

So the Marine deep cycle battery life will not be as long. Maybe 3 years??? Just a guess, but that's if it is well cared for. If you then use a charger that isn't capable of delivering the amps necessary to boil the electrolyte that will shorten the life dramatically. Maybe 18 months???

Now consider your range and the battery state of charge. You have three batteries doing the job of six. It will work but you have to be mindful to not over-stress the batteries. A 36v lead acid battery pack is considered dead when it gets to 50% state-of-charge which is darned near to 36.0V. I can't remember the exact V, but it's close. Since you have less range you are more likely to drop below 50% just driving it around than you would be with six batteries. The state-of-charge measurement should be taken when the golf cart hasn't been used or charged for a couple/several hours, so it isn't convenient to do while out and about with it.

You're already using a battery pack that will have a reduced lifespan. Spending $80 on a new cheap charger will make that dramatically worse when for just over twice that amount you can get a good used charger that'll do what you need.

[cartdoc1969]

Are the three 12 volt batteries marine or golf cart batteries?