no go in cold weather, something not right?

[gornoman]

Originally Posted by bill-e-boy

charged up to 48.2 volts..took it for a spin, died out to 41 volts after about 6 or 7 min drive around the neighborhood, I think I need warmer weather before I can go farther.

Seems my batteries are weaker this year than last...we were riding in snow last year for a couple of hours....didn't seem affected by the cold that much.

maybe that's the difference in a year for 2006 batteries.

temp is 38 outside..btw.

you guys think all this seems normal????

48.2v is under 50% charged for a 48v pack. Take individual battery readings and post them.

[bill-e-boy]

my individual battery readings were 12.1, 12.2, 12.1 & 12.1 - that was earlier this afternoon after I tried re-charging for 45 minutes.

that was after I plugged in the charger and let it charge last night, when I took the reading earlier today it was 43 volts across the pack (4 12v). so I "re-charged" for about 45 minutes and it read 48.3 or so.

????

[bdmonist]

48.3 is only about 50% charged, which matches with your individual readings - all indicating about 50% charge. Your total reading should be closer to 51V. If you charged them all night, then either your OBC, charger, or batteries are not right because you are not getting a full charge. Do you know how long your charger ran before it cut off last night?

[bill-e-boy]

OK - charged up around lunchtime from about 12:00 I started. It charged for at least the hour I was home and when I got home 5 the charger was off.

the reading across the pack is 48.2. it's about 44 degrees outside.


batteries shot? or should I get a closer reading on how long the charger is running.

keep in mind I ran the cart yesterday but it died out in about 10 minutes.

[gornoman]

Originally Posted by gornoman

48.2v is under 50% charged for a 48v pack. Take individual battery readings and post them.

Without this info we cannot advise CORRECTLY.

[bill-e-boy]

12.0, 12.1, 12.0, 11.9 total now is 48.1

sorry

from what I've read I've got dead batteries - yall agree???

[gornoman]

Agreed. But the question remains, WHY?

Age?
Charger?
Wiring?
Specific gravity?

I for one don't want to see you throw money at a pack unless you are sure it is needed. If you were to install 6 new batteries and have the same problem in a month, we sure would look stupid now, wouldn't we?

[bill-e-boy]

yep....and thanks for all the help...that's why I like this site...I've learned alot from you guys.

age - 2006 cc iq ds with original trojan batteries
charger - club car power drive 2 mod#22110
wiring - I upgraded to 4 ga. in april/may 2009 all wires to motor, batts, etc.
specific gravity - ????? how do I figure that????

btw..the cart ran fine about a month ago when we had warmer weather...I bought the cart in aug 2008, it came from a myrtle beach golf course. I maintain the batteries as good as I can keeping them topped off and clean. The cart is used regularly.

the charger has never given any trouble, it comes on when I plug it in, meter goes to 15 then it trickles down to 0 over time, although I've never watched it I have noticed that much. I've never timed it..I just always charge it overnight.

[gornoman]

One last thing. Can you borrow a similar charger and try it? I hope you understand where I am going with this.......

[gornoman]

Specific Gravity is measured with a hydrometer. You would test the acid in EACH cell with the hydrometer and report the readings back to us. Each battery has 3 cells. A hydrometer can be purchased at any auto parts store. Do NOT purchase one with the little floating balls, they are useless.

If your specific gravity is OK and the voltage is down, I would look at the charger itself as the problem. Gut reaction at this point is new batteries.