Hot smell from coil? Why?

[Tj4orange]

Just ran my 91 ezgo for the first time. Bought it unassembled and just finished assembly last night. I put it on the charger for a few then ran it for about five minutes just to verify it ran. When I pulled back to the house it had a hot smell. I lifted the seat and the only thing that seemed to be warm was the boxish looking thing around the coil. Is this a normall thing or something to be concerned with? Any suggestions or responses greatly appreciated!

[rib33024]

Yes this is normal for the coils to heat up at low speeds, the only time the coils will not get hot, is when you have the go pedal to the floor, then the coils are not in the circuit

[JohnnieB]

Sounds like you've got a 1991 Marathon Resistor cart.
Does it look like this under the seat ? (Marathon Resistor photo courtesy of fellow BWG member "Kernal")

If so:
The box with coils inside getting hot is normal.
It is a four-speed cart and in the first three speeds, three, two or one resistor coil is in series with the motor.
The energy not getting to motor is converted to heat, so the coils get hot.
In the top speed, battery is connected straight to motor, and no heat is generated in the coils.

If Not:
You might have a problem that need further investigation.