How far to run down before charging?

[fldoghunter]

Got the kids cart going again with new trojan batteries. I also added an on board volt meter on the dash. They drive it a lot and I know it's not good to let them run it all the way dead. How far should I let them run it down before I tell them to stop rambling and hook up the charger. Cart is a 48v DS. Thanks.

[Kashmir]

I tell my daughter that when the pack gets to 48.6, it's time for a charge.
Thats right between 60% - 70%.
I'm running brand new Crowns

Sh'e been getting 2.5- 3 hours out of it, most driving the whole time.

[fldoghunter]

2.5-3 hours was better than I was thinking. I think I will.make a sticker to remind them. Thanks.

[Kashmir]

I keep a state of charge chart (laminated) on the inside door of the glove box and I have
48.6 on the steering wheel in vinyl numbers
Out of the time she's out, I would say the cart is moving for at least 2 hours.
All flat at the campground, gravel roads, lifted cart on 23's

When she wears it out, she comes back and gets my carryall to take out while the Precedent is charging!

[Golferdave]

After a 15 minute ride or 3 - 5 min rides
Plug it in

[Golferdave]

They saying here is:

"If you ain't riding, it should be plugged in"

[Kashmir]

Oh, mine are ALWAYS plugged in when at the camper.
But the daughter hits the gravel and we don't see her for two to three hours.
But yes, even if I ride up to the store for something and come right back 10 minutes later, the cart is plugged in.

She WANTS an on board charger, that way she can charge it if she stops at the pool for 15 minutes to a half hour.
I don't let her take the charger with her, because if she happens to go to the trails, she might lose it while off roading.

[fldoghunter]

Your kid sounds like mine. Ride, ride, ride. I do pug it in after all rides, even short ones. Summer vacation is coming up, if I let them they'd ride it all day. I got the cart last year and the batteries were 6 years old. They'd ride until it quit. Several times they'd have to push it home. I knew it was bad on the batteries, but planned on replacing them anyway. At $700, I want this set to last as long as they can.

[Kashmir]

^^Yep, I went with Crown CR190's, a little more ah than the standard T875's from Trojan (and a littler bit more $$$'s), but they will be well taken care of and hopefully last 4-6 years.

Of course, I have been researching lithium packs and that may very well be in the near future and I will put the Crowns in the Carryall.....we'll see what happens.

[scottyb]

Here are some easy to follow guidelines