Slow Melex

[ezgobob60]

I have a 1990 Melex electric with a controller, model 262 serial #184978
also has a high /low speed switch. how can I get more speed from cart?
present speed about 12mph. Would changing the controller help or do I need to change motor. Cart is 36 volts.

[SP-Electronics]

The answer I got to this question was to convert to 48 volts (add 2 6v batteries in series in the pack), which may require replacing the 36v solenoid with a 48v solenoid. I haven't converted mine yet, and in fact mine is currently running only 30 volts (still short one battery in the pack). I hope to convert mine later this month. I'm taking the dead battery back for replacement, and will buy two more at the same time, so I can upgrade.

It's that or I might get 8 12v batteries, and run 2 sets of 4 in series (48v with two parallel banks for longer run time). The only reason for the 12v batteries is I can get some very cheap (free actually).

If you convert yours, let me know how you like it. :)

[scottyb]

If you are going to run 12v batts you best be getting them for free....they won't last long - they hate the routine.

[SP-Electronics]

Yeah, we get batteries for free quite regularly, some new, some not, but they're usually fine. I figure for free I won't complain, and if I run two banks of 48v it shouldn't be quite as bad/rough. I won't let them get drained too far before I charge. I don't drive that far usually, so I'd probably just top things off every so often, and not "deep cycle" them if I can help it. We do get deep cycle batteries often enough though, that it shouldn't be too bad. Not as nice as running the 8 6v's, but 4 12v's will do me just fine for the use it'll get.

Who knows, I might end up just selling the electric cart so I can start building my 600cc gasser. I kind of enjoy the electric though. It's quiet, and keeps me away from the gas station. I haven't driven my van more than once in the past week and a half, and that one drive was only 2 blocks to get my daughter because my son fell asleep so I had to put him in the car seat instead of taking the cart. lol

[tcarter]

Got a question. If you add extra batteries, what else do you need to do? Sounds like a solenoid to match the volts. maybe an extra battery or two nothing real crazy. I have some extra Trojans that dont fit into the regular battery compartment. I could place them in the compartments under the bed or just in the bed. dont want to destroy my cart.