affordable aftermarket charger, buy or not?

[newbie2gonewild]

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

A pack voltage of 38.4V after 24 hours rest is about right, but 6.9V per battery is a bit high and it doesn't add up.

Six time 6.9V equals 41.4V, yet the pack voltage measures 38.4V. There is 3.0V missing someplace!

There are 5 high current cables connecting the six 6V batteries into a 36V battery pack and those cables and/or the connections at each end of them could be where the voltage goes missing.

Using your DVM, measure across each of these cables, from the lead post on one battery to the lead post on the next battery.
You should get -0- (Zero) volts.
If you read any voltage at all, the connections and/or the cable is bad.

Note: Measuring across the cables while battery pack is on charge will make bad cables and connections more obvious. Still should be zero volts across them.

I will check that this afternoon. Thanks

[Rickochet]

Originally Posted by newbie2gonewild

I will check that this afternoon. Thanks

Let us know how it goes. It will be interesting to know if there actually was an issue with the charger. You also might want to try another volt meter. Even with a new battery there could be an issue with the meter. If you don't have two maybe borrow one from a bud.

[bigstik40]

Switching meter scales for taking the individual battery readings may also help. Recording the readings of individual batteries to two decimal places should help to make the sum of the 6 closer to the measured total. - RAY

[newbie2gonewild]

I tested the cables and it appears I am losing .2 on 2 cables. They will be replaced when I do my motor and controller. Thanks again

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by newbie2gonewild

I tested the cables and it appears I am losing .2 on 2 cables. They will be replaced when I do my motor and controller. Thanks again

Do yourself a favor and replace all of them.

There are 13 high current cables on series carts and 10 on PDS carts.

[Xact1]

Scottyb sells a nice DPI charger, any plug style, for a reasonable price.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Xact1

Scottyb sells a nice DPI charger, any plug style, for a reasonable price.

I have replaced 2 of our ranch chargers with them, one 36 and the other a 48v charger.
The DPI is an excellent charger for the price.

[chasenfish16]

Johnnie B I sent you a pm