2016 TXT 48 Yellow Wire Solenoid Post and Voltage Reducer

[RanchBuggy]

Happy New Year everyone! I recently purchased the 2016 TXT 48 and wanted to add some LED lights and a 12V USB port. I purchased a 30amp Voltage Reducer a seaport fuse panel and ran all of my wires. I hooked everything up and they all work. Initially I installed the negative side of the reducer to the negative terminal on the last battery and the positive side of the reducer to the large solenoid terminal going to the controller. I discovered that I had constant power even with the switch off. I decided to test the other two smaller terminals with a meter and found that the yellow wire on one of the small terminals on the solenoid became hot when i turned on the key.

I have researched this question to death and have come up with a few vague answers and some responses that have given me pause. Can I use the small yellow wire solenoid post to power the reducer? I've seen where some people have put a switch inline to the reducer to turn the reducer off when not being used but I really don't want to do that.

Thank you for any guidance.

John

[Cobra,1]

I had same problem,converter always draws power even with accessories off.
I used a 48 volt relay to only turn on convertor when cart is in run position.
I connected the 48 volt power to relay witch in turn turns on convertor from yellow post on seloniod that will only have 48 voltage present when run/tow switch in run.
This way 12 volt accessory’s only work when when cart is in run position.


You will need to use a 48 volt relay between solenoid 48 volt source and 12 volt convertor.

You can also use a toggle switch connected to 48 volts to supply 48 volt power to relay instead of solenoid 48 volt powering relay to turn on convertor.
Both methods work. Both require use of relay to keep from burning up switch or solenoid.

Either way I would use a voltage relay between convertor and 48 volt supply.

Did a post awhile back on how to wire relay into curciut.😊

[RanchBuggy]

Thanks for the response Cobra! I'm still a little confused as to how the reducer can draw the power from that small post on the solenoid with the yellow wire as it has no voltage when the key is off.

[RanchBuggy]

But you did connect to that post that has the yellow wire to supply your power to the relay? I was concerned that using that post might harm the solenoid or controller.

[cgtech]

Are we talking TXT, or Rxv? Huge difference in how it gets done.

[RanchBuggy]

2016 txt 48

[RanchBuggy]

My main concern I have is whether or not I can hook the voltage reducer power lead to the small solenoid terminal with the small yellow wire to use it as a keyed switch power source. My voltage reducer just has four wires, one power, one neutral from the golf cart power and then the power and neutral to the blue sea fuse box.

[cgtech]

I would say it "might be ok", since it comes from B+ through the tow/run switch. Since all the power for dc converter comes through tow/run, it might shorten the life of that switch, and the key switch too, keyswitch is not known for best life. I would really prefer a dc converter with an "activate" wire, like a DPI converter (which is now what ezgo & yamaha uses. Cost isn't crazy, and USA made).

[RanchBuggy]

It sounds like I ought to just hook the positive end to the battery pack and put an inline cutoff switch on the 48 volt power side of the reducer and be done with it.

Thanks everyone for you your input and ideas.

John

[Cobra,1]

FWIW for my own curiosity, Today I measured the amp draw on run/tow switch in run position and 12 volt convertor on and headlights on. Measured at wire coming off solenoid to relay that supplied 48 volts that turned on 12 reducer.

I did’nt measure amp draw with wire disconnected so can’t really say if there is a difference. I can if anyone interested for sake of discussion.
Less then 1/2 amp draw. Compared to switch in tow position. ( no voltage/ amp draw thru switch)

Reguardless of source I believe 48 volt relay should be used imo.
Not a believer of sending high amps thru toggle switch when inexpensive relays are an option.

Good discussion on how/ where to connect non switched convertor power source too😊

Agree if uncertain ,uncomfortable,ect. Just use toggle switch in line to energize relay to turn on convertor opposed to using power from solenoid.