Wiring ?

Xtreme Cartz · 07-13-2010, 10:35 PM

I'm wiring a pair of 12 volt off road lights to my 36 volt EZGO. I know typically you're not suppose to ground accessories to the frame on electric carts but these lights only have 1 wire and are grounded through their mounting bolt. I attached the light harness ground wire to this bolt which runs directly to battery neg. Is there any hazard with the light mounting bolt not being isolated from the chassis?

rabbitreborn · 07-13-2010, 10:50 PM

that's gonna depend on where you mounted them and what battery you are pulling ground from. Can you post up some pics for us?

scottyb · 07-13-2010, 10:51 PM

Yes, there is potentially a problem if you have a big short there are expensive electrical components that are bolted to the frame which are not protected from this type of current ..... you just should not risk it, now that you are a pro

e-z-go1988 · 07-13-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtreme Cartz

I'm wiring a pair of 12 volt off road lights to my 36 volt EZGO. I know typically you're not suppose to ground accessories to the frame on electric carts but these lights only have 1 wire and are grounded through their mounting bolt. I attached the light harness ground wire to this bolt which runs directly to battery neg. Is there any hazard with the light mounting bolt not being isolated from the chassis?

Enlarge the mounting holes to accommodate rubber grommets (the kind used to protect wiring when routed through metal chassis) that will isolate the off road light mounting bolt and the frame.

scottyb · 07-13-2010, 11:08 PM

Open the light up ...... somewhere inside there is a negative wire going to ground, this is the problem remove the ground and wire it back to your voltage reducer

Xtreme Cartz · 07-13-2010, 11:12 PM

Yeah I will insert rubber washers/and a grommet to isolate the lights from chassis just to be extra safe. Thanks for the help!

Scotty that sounds good I'm going to give it a try also. Haven't looked too closely at these lights yet but they seem pretty well sealed(solid rubber casing).

arcitech · 07-14-2010, 05:27 AM

You can safely use the lights as designed if you go with a separate source of power like a motorcycle 12v battery. It is light and easier to mount. I use a 5watt solar charger to keep mine charged (it sits outside 100% so no problems with charging), and before the solar, I used a small maintenance charger that strapped right onto the battery. If you are totally against the aux battery idea, then it would probably be worth it in the long run to get a higher quality set of lights that have an isolated ground wire already installed. The chances of a wire rubbing through and causing trouble with the main battery pack just isn't worth the potential headache in my life. My OPINION is that the main battery pack should be used to make the cart go, everything else should be isolated from the main. I've seen the damage that a small 12-14 gauge wire can do to a cart and it usually happens when you really don't need the hassle.

essness · 07-14-2010, 06:21 AM

X, I like the isolator idea. You get twice the bang for the buck. I've used neoprene washers of the appropriate dia. and a "solder sealed" ring terminal.

That is if you dont want to open the light

07-13-2010, 10:35 PM	#1
Xtreme Cartz The Fabricator Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,016	Wiring ? I'm wiring a pair of 12 volt off road lights to my 36 volt EZGO. I know typically you're not suppose to ground accessories to the frame on electric carts but these lights only have 1 wire and are grounded through their mounting bolt. I attached the light harness ground wire to this bolt which runs directly to battery neg. Is there any hazard with the light mounting bolt not being isolated from the chassis?

07-13-2010, 10:50 PM	#2
rabbitreborn Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,757	Re: Wiring ? that's gonna depend on where you mounted them and what battery you are pulling ground from. Can you post up some pics for us?

07-13-2010, 10:51 PM	#3
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Wiring ? Yes, there is potentially a problem if you have a big short there are expensive electrical components that are bolted to the frame which are not protected from this type of current ..... you just should not risk it, now that you are a pro

07-13-2010, 11:08 PM	#5
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Wiring ? Open the light up ...... somewhere inside there is a negative wire going to ground, this is the problem remove the ground and wire it back to your voltage reducer

07-13-2010, 11:12 PM	#6
Xtreme Cartz The Fabricator Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,016	Re: Wiring ? Yeah I will insert rubber washers/and a grommet to isolate the lights from chassis just to be extra safe. Thanks for the help! Scotty that sounds good I'm going to give it a try also. Haven't looked too closely at these lights yet but they seem pretty well sealed(solid rubber casing).

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07-14-2010, 05:27 AM	#7
arcitech Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 503	Re: Wiring ? You can safely use the lights as designed if you go with a separate source of power like a motorcycle 12v battery. It is light and easier to mount. I use a 5watt solar charger to keep mine charged (it sits outside 100% so no problems with charging), and before the solar, I used a small maintenance charger that strapped right onto the battery. If you are totally against the aux battery idea, then it would probably be worth it in the long run to get a higher quality set of lights that have an isolated ground wire already installed. The chances of a wire rubbing through and causing trouble with the main battery pack just isn't worth the potential headache in my life. My OPINION is that the main battery pack should be used to make the cart go, everything else should be isolated from the main. I've seen the damage that a small 12-14 gauge wire can do to a cart and it usually happens when you really don't need the hassle.

07-14-2010, 06:21 AM	#8
essness Not your usual outlaw Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Near Lake Geneva, WI Posts: 20,054	Re: Wiring ? X, I like the isolator idea. You get twice the bang for the buck. I've used neoprene washers of the appropriate dia. and a "solder sealed" ring terminal. That is if you dont want to open the light

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