Is my motor shot? Strange smell, reduced power

[mattadata]

I fear my motor got too hot. I was cruising around the hilly part of town, which I normally don't do. I was loaded with 5 people. I noticed a strange smell and the power was drastically reduced.

The smell wasn't exactly like burning plastic, but similar. It smelled a little more like chemicals. Speed was probably 30% of normal. The outside temp was just under 100. The motor was very hot to the touch. Out of caution, I got a tow back home.

It is a stock motor turned down to 80% output on an Alltrax XCT48500.

Any ideas to what happened? What are my options from here?

Thanks!

[Volt_Ampere]

Sounds like you may have overloaded and fried that motor. Once you notice a performance change it is cooked.

[JohnnieB]

At this point, give the cart a test drive and see if it works normally.

The XCT may have gone into a reduced power mode due to controller overheating.

Hopefully, you flipped the Run/Tow switch to Tow before towing home.
If not, the motor is probably toast and maybe the controller also.

The max recommended case temperature for the motor is 239°F, so if it was cool enough that you dared touch it, it may have not been overheated.

[scottyb]

I think your assessment is correct. You are describing burnt motor smell.
The motor is designed for 2 people, 4 is loaded enough but, 5 people and hills may have been too much for it.

[mattadata]

Thanks all. JohnnieB - Yes, I had the Row / Tow switch in Tow mode.

I drove it this morning after it cooled down and batteries are fully recharged. It sounds a bit different than normal. My butt Dyno can feel that it is slower. My GPS says max speed is now 18 MPH. Previously max speed was 25 MPH.

I am open to hearing opinions about how to fix it. Have PlumQuick rebuild it? Should I get D&D motor?

In the meantime, will I do any further harm to the motor....or more importantly, will I harm the controller or batteries if I drive around with bad motor?

[JohnnieB]

Tall tires, rear seat and hills - Go with the appropriate D&D motor and make full use of your 500A controller.

The XCT is supposed to have shorted output protection, but I wouldn't push my luck by driving it any more than I had to.

[scottyb]

We are good results with the Admiral motors too. Cost is less.
Use motor B2 or D2

[Volt_Ampere]

Replace the motor before it kills your controller!

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Volt_Ampere

Replace the motor before it kills your controller!

That used to be gospel truth but, todays Alltrax XCT and SR controls have reverse polarity protection on input and output ends
Another question you may want to ask is where are you going to be and how fast are you going to be going ....... when the motor comes apart and locks the differential. I understands Mrs B had to throw Johnnie's underware out when he got home from his downhill motor failure...

[ncrr]

Originally Posted by scottyb

I understands Mrs B had to throw Johnnie's underware out when he got home from his downhill motor failure...

Too bad we do not have a video of his downhill run......