Stray Ground

[Grinch]

No problem. I'm ok with basic circuits but once it gets beyond that I've got to revert to " the red thing" and " the black thing" or I'm lost.

[LJ12530]

One other question. Does your voltage reducer have the +/- from the entire battery pack as an input and one wire as an output?

[Grinch]

The reducer has four wires. Positive to battery pack, control to key switch( I have a toggle since I have an older cart with negative to key), positive 12v out and a common negative. The voltage reading from thr frame occurs without any wires from the reducer connected.

[carguy]

Grinch - Do you have ANY accesseries on the car? Radio, turn signals, tape player, MP3 player, horn? Anything that can be traced back to, or in contact with, the frame? NOT the negative of the battery pack, but in contact with the frame?

Is it possible the motor is the problem? (shot in the dark here)

I had the same problem with my Precedent, and it turned out to be the turn signal handle/switch that is mounted on the steering column. I insulated the switch and voltage went away.

LJ12530 is correct, the frame of a club car is for the suspension (springs, steering, etc) only. The frame has no electrical function.

Good luck, let us know what ya find.

[gornoman]

The stray voltage you are measuring is common on sparky carts. Some carts have it, some don't. That being said, unless the voltage is capable of supporting current it is inconsequential. Easy way to test is use a 12v auto test probe with the light in the handle. Hook it between any battery terminal and the frame. If it lights up, you have a real issue. No light, no issue.

[LJ12530]

I just checked my 48V Precedent. When I measure + pack to frame I get +12 V and > 2 M ohms resistance. When I measure - battery pack to frame I get - 36V and > 2 M ohms.

So the stray paths, with high resistance, is the answer. The R in my diagram is the resistance in the battery, and is negligible for this situation.

Looks like Volt_Ampere nailed it.

[scubabud]

Do you have lights and turn signal mounted to steering column?

[Grinch]

Yes but they are not powered. All 4 wires from my voltage reducer are disconnected. I did the light test. I used a tester and the bulb lit (dimly).

[scubabud]

Originally Posted by Grinch

Yes but they are not powered. All 4 wires from my voltage reducer are disconnected. I did the light test. I used a tester and the bulb lit (dimly).

Do you have a turn signal mounted to your steering column? Is it in direct contact with the metal column or is there rubber completely around the shaft where it might attach? Just curious.

[Grinch]

it's mounted to the shaft with a rubber seal it could have easily worn through. but again it's not electrically connected to anything on the cart. the wires from the turn signals, lights and horn all lead to both positive and negative terminal blocks that are isolated electrically from vehicle. Both positive and negative power sources to the terminal blocks have been disconnected.