Curtis 1206 controller not firing solenoid.

[Boilermaker57201]

I have a 36 volt txt ezgo. I have ran tests with the multi meter and everything seems to test out ok but the blue wire that is supposed to supply the negative to the solenoid. When turned on it gives out 36 volts positive. ...... really stumped here, anyone have any ideas.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Boilermaker57201

I have a 36 volt txt ezgo. I have ran tests with the multi meter and everything seems to test out ok but the blue wire that is supposed to supply the negative to the solenoid. When turned on it gives out 36 volts positive. ...... really stumped here, anyone have any ideas.

A Curtis 1206 is a series controller and does not control the solenoid nor does a series drive cart have a blue wire connected to the solenoid coil, so it sounds like you have either a DCS (Curtis 1206SX) or a PDS (Curtis 1206MX) with either a bad pedal switch or a bad controller.

Please identify which drive system you have and we can go from there.

FWIW: The B+ on the blue wire means B+ is being applied to the other side of the solenoid coil and that the coil is intact.

[Boilermaker57201]

Sorry, it's a dcs.

[JohnnieB]

Verify you have battery pack voltage on Pins 6, 9 & 10.

If you do have the voltage, verify you have battery pack voltage on Pin-5 when pedal is pressed.

If you do, the controller is bad.

If controller is bad, don't replace it with another 1206SX because it was a bad design. Instead, replace it with an Alltrax XCT48400-DCS (or larger).

[Boilermaker57201]

Yep controller.... if I place a jumper wire from negative if dices around, just wasn't energising the solenoid. The cart would only do 8mph this way.

[Boilermaker57201]

I see the Alltrax XCT48400-DCS is a 400 amp controller. Is that safe for a stock 36 volt motor. I took the motor apart and cleaned it all out. Brushes look good and all seems well there.

[JohnnieB]

An XCT400 actually puts out a Peak of 460A, but a stock 36V DCS motor can handle that and then some.

You want to replace the stock (85A) solenoid also. 200A minimum.

If there is a possibility you might go to a 42V or 48V battery pack, use the 400A Super-duty solenoid (MZJ400), it works at 36V, 42V and 48V.

Scottyb at Carts Unlimited sells controller/solenoid kits. http://www.cartsunlimited.net/alltra...-controls.html
Kits for a DCS are about 3/4 down the page.

[Boilermaker57201]

Thank you, you have been extremly helpful

[Boilermaker57201]

Does the controller limit speed or is it up to the motor

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Boilermaker57201

Does the controller limit speed or is it up to the motor

Simple question, very complex answer.

Voltage applied to the armature limits the top speed, along with the Field map loaded in the controller and several more factors.

A DCS motor does not have a speed sensor, nor does the DCS controller have a speed sensor input, so the controller does not RPM limit the motor.

Stock DCS cart speed is about 14 MPH and with an XCT controller it will do about 20 MPH (On stock height tires - 18") if the high current cables (4Ga minimum), solenoid contacts (200A minimum), motor and battery pack are in good health.

The speed gain is due to the field maps that can be loaded into the XCT allow more field weakening, which in turn produces more RPM for voltage applied to the armature.

The Stock DCS motor is wound to produce more torque, so it doesn't spin quite as fast as a PDS motor (carts with PDS drives replaced carts with DCS drive in model year 2000) with same armature voltage applied.

If you want speeds over about 20 MPH (on stock height tires) you have to up the battery pack to 42V or 48V.


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