First cart

[rsuddeth]

Well, my wife went out and bought our first cart. The pictures looked good but upon closer inspection (after she bought it) it has a lot of rust and a lot of 'details' that need to be taken care of. So I guess it is my first golf cart project.

It is an EZGO and the numbers are L298 and 1133565. It appears to be DCS. It has a lift and 23 inch tires. It runs okay but it has no power. I had to get a running start to get it up on the trailer.

The batteries are US Battery 1800XC 208 amp hour. I am not sure about the wise charger. the previous owner said that it would not turn off at full charge, so i am charging batteries individually with a charger that I know works. So far, one charged up to 100% and two will go up to 99% and no further.

I will get a digital voltmeter tomorrow and start the diagnostics recommended on this site, but I wanted to see what y'all had to say about my new toy.

[scottyb]

Good looking project. I like the DCS carts, they make more speed than series carts and more torque than PDS carts. They respond very well to upgrades. Careful running the stock control without the environmental cover or in a cart with big tires.

[rsuddeth]

Thanks Scotty. I beginning to think the batteries are the culprit. It looks like the internal may have been upgraded already. Me and my son opened it up and we have the numbers off of the controller and solenoid:

Controller: G633, 1206 5 pin upgraded, ITS Throttle Input, 36 v 350 amp controller, CUR

Solenoid: W-R/RBM, 70-120224-2 Coil 36vdc Cont

Are these upgrades?

[remac]

I hope you kissed her and hugged her - the wife, not the cart.
Well the cart too if you want....old joke.

Sounds like you have been reading the posts and paying attention.
Do you know how old the batteries are - usually single digit stamped on NEG post.

Also, you might check the connections on each post - sequence matters.
Your battery picture looks like the battery in the lower right corner
has several wires on the post with the high current (large diameter) on top.
Should be the other way around to avoid poor connections and heat.

[rsuddeth]

Re, thanks for the hint. There is a 4 stamped on them. So I am guessing they are doing great for 10 years old, but replacements would make a big difference.

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by rsuddeth

Re, thanks for the hint. There is a 4 stamped on them. So I am guessing they are doing great for 10 years old, but replacements would make a big difference.

WOW, if the batteries are in fact 9/10 years old.....they had a good life but need to be put down! LOL but your wife did GOOD, its a good looking cart.

and if or when you go looking for a new set of batteries, do yourself a favor and get the highest AH batteries you can....this will give your cart some more/extra run time, or at least a little more juice. Which will be handy seeing as how you have larger tires on her and will draw more power to make her go.


oh and btw......CONGRATS on your ride and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to BGW. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, dad's, wive's, husband's, girlfriend's and boyfriend's here don't care....and take it easy.



oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

[rsuddeth]

Thanks Nuke, I really appreciate that. I have a feeling that I will be putting a lot into this cart. Time and money. Does anyone know about this controller? Any good?

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by rsuddeth

1. It appears to be DCS. It has a lift and 23 inch tires. It runs okay but it has no power. I had to get a running start to get it up on the trailer.

2. The batteries are US Battery 1800XC 208 amp hour. I am not sure about the wise charger. the previous owner said that it would not turn off at full charge, so i am charging batteries individually with a charger that I know works. So far, one charged up to 100% and two will go up to 99% and no further.

1. Take a closer look. I'm pretty sure it is a series drive rather than a DCS.
In the first picture, an environmental cover for a controller is setting on the cart's floorboard and a cover for the F/R assembly is on the garage floor next to cart.
The pictures of of the controller in a later post show Two cables on the A2 terminal, the white connector only has 4 wires going to it while a DCS controller has 9 wires and if the F1 & F2 terminals exist on top of controller, I can't see them in any of the pictures.

2. The batteries are most likely beyond there usable lifespan, which may be why charger is not turning off automatically.

Post a picture of the charger's faceplate and I might have a manual for it.

[scottyb]

Good detective work Johnnie, this is definitely Series drive and the 350 control is a minimal upgrade from the stock 275. Solenoid and cables appear stock.

[rsuddeth]

Okay, it has been a while but I am back at it. With a nice new set of US Battery 2200's, it does much better but it still has a very difficult time up the steeper hills. AND; i smell electrical heat going up the hill. What is my next step? Motor maintenace:brushes, etc? I am not sure I am ready to invest in a new controller yet. Ideas?