Bad voltage regulator for '83 gas EZGO?

[Nibeck]

Looks like my battery is getting too much juice (bulging after running for a few minutes). I'm assuming it's a bad regulator.

Any way to etst this?

ANy suggestions on getting a replacement?

_mike

[Dave Box]

Hello,
Here is your test procedure

Fully Charge your battery and note the battery voltage

1 Check for loose, broken wiring.
2 Raise rear of cart and attach a volt meter between the regulator's red and black wires. (Or across the battery).
3 Start engine and run at mid speed, making note of the meter reading.
4 Reading should be between 14 to 16 volts.
5 If reading is above specs, check for a grounded green wire from the starter/gen.
6 If no rise in voltage, disconnect green wire from starter/generator ** and temporarily ground to frame.
7 If voltage rises within specs, replace voltage regulator.
8 If the voltage does not rise then the generator is defective and the first step would be to check the brushes.

** You must remove the wire from the generator. Grounding the wire when it still connected will potentially damage your generator causing you to rip off you genitals in rage. It is also important to place a thin wrench under the wire to prevent the stud turning and ripping the wire off the stud inside the generator.

Dave

[kantuckian]

Good info

[Nibeck]

That is great info Dave, thanks. I'll tryt and give it a go this week, or maybe this weekend.

_mike

[Nibeck]

Well, I thought I would be able to get back to this problem in a week or two. As it turns out, it's been almost 6 months :-)

recap: It looks like the battery is bulging after running the cart, and it is definitely making a "hissing" sound after you shut it off.

Testing:
- Voltage across battery terminals when NOT running - 12.92v
- Voltage across terminal while running - 18.3 -> 18.8
- Voltage across terminals after shut-off - 13.1 -> 13.2
- Green ground wire from regulator to generator is OK, and is grounded

Not sure where to go from here. Maybe just a new battery? Maybe nothing is wrong?

_mike

[Dave Box]

Mike,
From what I read above you are saying that the green wire is grounded and that is your problem. The green wire controls the regulator and if it is grounded sets the regulator to maximum output, 18 volts. Find out where it is grounded and you have found your fault.

Dave

[Nibeck]

Mystery resolved. As I was investigating the voltage regulator I noticed that one of the red leads (which runs to the Solenoid) was disconnected. Spliced a new end on it, hooked it up, and all is good. Charging voltage just over 14 volts.

Thanks again for the help!

_mike