Lester Summit 2 - convert to alligator clips?

[Wakko47]

I still haven't figured out what's wrong with my Precedent, and it's still losing about half a volt a day from some sort of short. If I attempt to charge the pack the usual way, the batteries get super hot and I get a fault, so I've disconnected the batteries from the cart. The batteries still need to be recharged, as do the batteries in my DS, so I'd like to add 'gator clips to direct wire. I do not want to remove the 3 prong plug from the Lester. I have a spare 3 pin recepticle, but it only came with a red 10 gauge wire and the rest of the terminals are empty.

Is there any reason why I cannot add a black 10 gauge to the appropriate pin, add some quality battery clamps, and simply clip onto the pack? Do I need to do anything with the third pin?

https://smile.amazon.com/Schumacher-...2503575&sr=8-3

[kernal]

What is the fault the charger gives? Lester summit right?

What do you know about the batteries. Age? All the same brand?

[Wakko47]

2018 Crowns, yes, Summit 2. The ERIC before hand also faulted, but I'm not sure what fault it is. Batteries get crazy hot during the charge cycle. I downloaded the Summit catalog so I can narrow down the faults, but there's definitely something wrong with the cart itself.

[Sergio]

Sounds like the issue is with the batteries.

A single cell in one battery going bad would cause excessive charging current that would heat up all batteries.

Did You check the cells with a hydrometer?

To charge the pack all you need is the positive and negative leads from the Summit II, the sense wire does not need to be connected.

[Wakko47]

Hydrometer said all cells were good, just a little lower on voltage on some of them. This was prior to refilling them, which took about a gallon for the 6 pack. Charge after that and the batteries were cookin' again.

[Sergio]

Next time the batteries are "cooking" while still charging, measure the voltage in each battery to see how the pack voltage is being distributed between the six batteries.

You should also measure the voltage again 12 hours after the disconnected pack has finished charging to see if just a single battery is dropping in voltage.

[Wakko47]

Ok, I can try that when I get home from work. The only time I tested the batteries individually they were 8.3 volts each. Pack loses half a volt a day or so, batteries stay warm always. It’s in tow mode, just to be safe

[kernal]

If the charger is showing a solid red and slow blinking yellow and green lights, this means the charger has timed out. This can happen if the charger can't get the pack to the target voltage, probably around 65v for a 48v pack. This and the batteries getting hot and gassing is a sign of sulfated batteries at or nearing end of life depending on your definition of what EOL is. The cart should operate fairly normally but range would be reduced and voltage would drop under load lower than what would be expected for a healthy pack. Also, in my experience, if the pack seems to drop voltage quicker than it used to while sitting between uses is another hint of failing battery or batteries.

edit: and what Sergio said

[Wakko47]

Ugh, I hope it’s not batteries. My DS needs them too, and we bought the Precedent partially because of the 2 year old Crowns. And yes, the garage stinks like eggs when the batteries are charging.

[Wakko47]

Originally Posted by Sergio

Next time the batteries are "cooking" while still charging, measure the voltage in each battery to see how the pack voltage is being distributed between the six batteries.

You should also measure the voltage again 12 hours after the disconnected pack has finished charging to see if just a single battery is dropping in voltage.

Ok, phase 1 complete. Plugged 'em in at 6pm, checked 'em at 4am. Stinky garage, super hot batteries, 53.5 charging voltage, 8.8 on three batteries, 8.9 on three. Dashboard for the charger said full charge,53.6v, 1 minute left. Came back out 5 or 6 minutes later, said the same thing. I unplugged and replugged it in so it wouldn't time out, and the initial scan stated 53.6 volts, 89%, 236 minutes left.