36 Volts running a 48 Volt motor

[GreggBromley]

I am a newbie and this is my first post on any site.
I have been told by two separate Golf Cart mechanics that a 48volt cart will not run on 36volts.
My son gave me a 2008 Club Car with a Mustang Body conversion for my birthday. It has serial number AQ 0827 920167 (which is a 48volt cart). It had 6 new 6 volt batteries and seemed to work good, climbing hills and running fine.
When you go to charge it, within 15 seconds it starts to smell like it is overcharged. The charger does not state the voltage output but I did notice that the output cord had been modified from a 2 prong to a 3 prong. The input plug on the cart states that it is a 48volt.
I then striped off the body and found that the motor is a 48volt motor
Part No. 102240104
Model No 5BC59JBS6390
Volts 48
Horsepower 3.2 Special Service
Date Code ABN N

I have been charging the batteries individually on a 6 volt charger for now.
The question – is it operating fine the way it is with 36volts running a 48volt motor, or is it possible that something has been adapted to make 36volts run a 48volt system. Or should I just buy 6 – 8volt batteries (or add 2 more 6 volt) and run the system on 48volts?

[simicrintz]

I am far from being an expert, but if it is setup as a 48v cart and motor I would get six 8v batteries and be done with it

Congrats on the cart and welcome to the page!!

[Wakko47]

The AQ carts are fantastic...don't short change it with 36v batteries. Get yourself some quality 48v and be done with it. Depending on how old the 36v batteries are that you have, maybe you can sell them for more than the required core charge on the new batteries and offset the cost. post up some pics!

[R&TBabich]

Originally Posted by GreggBromley

.... When you go to charge it, within 15 seconds it starts to smell like it is overcharged. The charger does not state the voltage output ....

Either way with the batteries, get a voltmeter and see what the charger is outputting.
If it's pushing 50+ volts that's why the smell.
Also, you will know if you need to buy a 48v charger along with 48v batteries.

[Golf cart guy]

Someone put the wrong batteries in it ( seen it). Just put a set of 8 volts in it and youll have a better cart.

[GreggBromley]

Thanks for the replies.
Its charging at 46 volts so I would assume it is a 36 volt charger.
Why someone would have gone through the trouble of changing to 6 volt batteries and then had to go out and buy a 36volt charger and adapt the cable to the 48 volt plug in is beyond me.
Don't know how to insert a photo from my computer. The insert photo button above wants a web address.

[Wakko47]

Click the attach files button.

[rockfordpi]

Originally Posted by GreggBromley

I am a newbie and this is my first post on any site.
I have been told by two separate Golf Cart mechanics that a 48volt cart will not run on 36volts.
My son gave me a 2008 Club Car with a Mustang Body conversion for my birthday. It has serial number AQ 0827 920167 (which is a 48volt cart). It had 6 new 6 volt batteries and seemed to work good, climbing hills and running fine.
When you go to charge it, within 15 seconds it starts to smell like it is overcharged. The charger does not state the voltage output but I did notice that the output cord had been modified from a 2 prong to a 3 prong. The input plug on the cart states that it is a 48volt.
I then striped off the body and found that the motor is a 48volt motor
Part No. 102240104
Model No 5BC59JBS6390
Volts 48
Horsepower 3.2 Special Service
Date Code ABN N

I have been charging the batteries individually on a 6 volt charger for now.
The question – is it operating fine the way it is with 36volts running a 48volt motor, or is it possible that something has been adapted to make 36volts run a 48volt system. Or should I just buy 6 – 8volt batteries (or add 2 more 6 volt) and run the system on 48volts?

36 volts will run a 48v motor, it happens every day when a 48v cart is going less than full speed. You will lose speed and torque, but I don't think it will hurt the motor.

The question is do you have a 36 or 48v controller? 36v on a 48v controller (and vice versa) will be a problem.

Funny, most people want to upgrade FROM 36v TO 48v, never heard of anyone wanting to go the other way.

[GreggBromley]

Thanks for the input. It does seem strange that the cart works as well as it does on 36 volts.
The Controller is 48volts as is the relay, the input charging plug and even the little battery gauge on the dash says 48volts on it.
As I said, why would someone go to 6 volt batteries (there not much cheaper than 8volt) and also buy a 36 volt charger and then adapt the cable to plug into a 48volt receptacle?
I have tried to upload pics through the above Attachments, I hope it worked

[simicrintz]

I am a Chevy guy but that thing looks cool!!!