Lester Summit 2 - convert to alligator clips?

[Sergio]

I don't think it is charging but floating.

What battery profile are You using in the Summit II?

The AGM profile would float the pack at 54.5v and GEL at 54v, neither profile is good for FLA batteries.

[Wakko47]

I set it to the exact model of Crown batteries in the cart. I can verify that it saved that way when I get home, but I'm pretty sure it's correct.

[Sergio]

If You have the proper setting for Flooded Lead Acid then your batteries are at end of life.

After that much time charging you should be at a much higher voltage if the cells were working properly.

[Wakko47]

Ugh. 26 month old Crowns shouldn't be bad...I wonder if the cart sat dead for a long while before I got it and it killed the batteries (I know the PO passed away) It's just weird that they worked fine and then the yellow battery light came on dimly, and all the problems started. I have a six year old set of I-875 Trojans that are good, I'm thinking of putting them in the Precedent and seeing if the problem continues. Any negatives to that, Sergio?

[Sergio]

Age is not necessarily a good indication of how much live is left in the batteries.

Just like how many driving days you get from your car's gas tank is not an indication of your brand having better fuel economy than someone else brand they have to refill more often, it is all about how many miles you both drive in those days (and obviously the size of the tank).

Batteries have a finite amount of energy they can deliver over their lifetime and many usage factors and environment variables that can limit that amount.

As You said, not knowing exactly how that battery was used prior to your possession makes anything a guess.

As a rule of thumb I tell my friends to assume $0 value for batteries when they buy a used cart.

You are better getting a discount and a cart with junk/core batteries than take a chance since the batteries are a huge factor on how much enjoyment you will get out of the cart.

You can try your older batteries to see if they have more live left in them.

[Wakko47]

Wanted to give a final update to this thread, as I just did with the original thread: forgive the cut and paste:
The alligator clips did work just fine with the charger, and ultimately Sergio was spot on: bad batteries. Despite being only 26 months old, the Crowns I had were junk. When I bought the cart, the dealer told me that the previous owner had passed away and that his wife was dumping the cart. In hindsight I question if eiher a) the cart wasn't plugged in and the batteries were dead or b) the dealer slapped in some "good used". The cart worked perfectly until it didn't. Charging the batteries made them scalding hot and super stinky, and in my other thread, Sergio suggested that they were no good. I put in a good used set of Trojans and it alleviated the problem. I called the dealer and while I had hoped he would warranty the batteries out, he at least sold me a set of new batteries stupid cheap. They're only Crown 150s, but for the price I paid ($550) I'm ok with it. I redid the battery and motor cables with some 2 gauge while I was in there, and so far so good. Drove it all around last night, including all out 27mph runs, and everything was cool and good.

I'm not sure how well the 150s will hold up, especially when I swap controllers out on this and the DS (got two sets of the batteries).

[Spoolx]

Yea, my Brute Force batteries only lasted 17 months and I had nothing but charging issues. Moral of the story? Buy good batteries and a good charger

[Wakko47]

Truth. I thought I already had good batteries, but clearly that wasn't the case. It's made me not have much faith in the Crowns, which isn't really fair, I know.

[ThreeCW]

Originally Posted by Wakko47

Truth. I thought I already had good batteries, but clearly that wasn't the case. It's made me not have much faith in the Crowns, which isn't really fair, I know.

Truth be told, the same failure would have happened to Trojan, US Battery, Crowns or any other brand ... this happens with all lead acid batteries when they are not properly cared for.

Most lead acid batteries do not die a natural death ... they are killed by excessive depth of discharge, poor charging practices and / or lack of maintenance.

[Wakko47]

I’m sure you’re right. Wish there was a way to tell how much life is left in batteries. Oddly, my Trojans were used by a elderly couple that let them run down til the light came on in the DS, then they charged. It worked.