PowerWise QE charger won't recognize voltage

[KAbney44]

I have a 2004 ezgo golf cart. Has run great for 7+ years. Put 6 new interstate batteries in it a month ago. Cables are less than 6 months old. Every battery reads 6 Volts on a meter. 1&2 read 12. 1-3 read 18. 1-4 reads 19.6. Thought it might be a bad cable between 3 & 4, but 3 & 4 together read 12. 3 - 5 reads 18. But anytime, in any combination 1 hook 4 batteries or more in a series on a voltage meter I get 19.6.

The charger - power wise QE that has been great for over 7 years - shows 2 flashing reds = not enough ( or too much ) voltage to charge.

Any help with wiring, batteries or charger would be greatly appreciated.

[bigstik40]

I think you may have to change to a higher scale on your meter to measure four through six batteries. The QE is a terrible charger, but you apparently have had good luck with it up to now. Double check all connections. Make sure you have the charging leads in the cart connected. Hope that helps. - RAY

[rabbitreborn]

Double check that the batteries are in correctly. I had a long standing customer that decided to install his batteries himself because his trailer was broke down. Long story short he installed 1 battery backwards and about a month later, his charger quit charging the batteries. When he brought the cart to me to diagnose, I recognized the problem immediately and we installed a new battery to replace the one that was installed backwards. If a battery is in backwards, whatever you do, DO NOT tell that to the battery dealer as you will not get it replaced under warranty.

[mgray70]

Also take a little piece of fine sandpaper and shine up the outer edge of the radsock in the charge port. The one closest to the center of the cart. They tend to get a film of corrosion that will make the charger not sense the voltage. I've seen that happen many times.