Will a 48V cart run on 38-42 volts?

[rebel1086]

Received 2010 Precedent 48V. Currently individually charging each battery with trickle charger. The charger that came with it would not turn on but from what I've read if the voltage is super low the charger wont turn on. I've charged 3 of the 8v batteries but I've only gotten up to 21V. If the other batteries only get to 6 or 7 volts will the cart even run. I would like to determine if I need new batteries or a new charger. Previous shop wrote in sharpie under the seat that the batteries were changed in September of 2015 so theyre only about 3 and 1/2 years old. I changed the rectifier, relay and fuse on the charger to eliminate those as problems. Not sure where to go next.

[meimk]

If you only end up at 42 volts or less, I wouldn't try to drive the cart. Solenoid may or may not work that low, but if it does you could damage the controller trying to pull a bunch of amps at that low a voltage. You could lift the wheels off the ground and try turning the motor - no load, and only for a few seconds - as a test of the motor. On the plus side anything over around 40 volts might allow your charger to turn on - see if the proper cart charger can bring the batteries back further. Regardless of how old the batteries are, having been that severely discharged wil have done some damage.

[rebel1086]

Ok I'll try that. Most of the batteries were pretty dry inside and around 3 volts when I got it home. It was my grandpa cart and he passed away. It's just been sitting at his shop for about the last year. If I get it above 40v and the charger still doesnt turn on would it be safe to say that the charger is toast? I dont have anybody else around that has a cart to try the charger on, but there is a repair shop up the road that was going to be my next step to see if they could plug in the charger to a known good cart and see if it comes on.

[meimk]

If you get it to about 40 and the cart charger still won't kick on, try one more thing. Hook your 12 volt charger to the lowest of your 8 volt batteries. Goosing that one to 12 volts (just a trickle / low amps) should bring it up enough to turn on the charger. If not, then it's probably time to think about batteries first, then maybe a charger.

[rebel1086]

Thanks alot for the help. I'm sure you here this alot but this is my first cart and my first post. Just needed a direction to start troubleshooting with so many things not working. If it does need batteries have you had any luck with 8V Duracell batteries from Sam's? They're only $106 a piece.

[rebel1086]

Hey thanks for all the advice. I individually charged all the batteries and replaced a few pieces in the charger and viola! The charger clicked on and it charged to 49.5 volts. My little girl and I have driven it every day for about a week. Should I let the batteries drain all the way and then charge it or plug it in every night when we're done?

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[Mooncarter]

Charge it every night. Don't let them run down. Put distilled water in them 3/8 to 1/2" above the plates.