Load test batteries?

[Dwalls]

What is the best way to load test the batteries in the cart?

I have a cheap harbor freight old style battery tester that has a button on it that you put a load and the meter goes down to a lower level as long as it is engaged.

I also have a hydrometer that I can use.

I have the alltrax installed and can log the voltage during a drive.

Just wondering which test tells the most.

Thank you

[Buggieman18]

To test the pack, hook your voltmeter to the first and last + and -, ride up hill, record voltage drop. Test individual batteries by hooking + and - to the battery you want to test, ride up hill, record voltage drop. Do the same for each battery you want to test.

[Dwalls]

I have done the battery bank and it dropped to around 31 i think on a 36v bank. I will try the individual batteries next.

Thank you

[Buggieman18]

[orangeman6]

Originally Posted by Dwalls

I have done the battery bank and it dropped to around 31 i think on a 36v bank. I will try the individual batteries next.

Thank you

Pretty sure I’ve seen scottyb say that it’s not good if you’re dropping more than 6v in a 36v pack.

How old is your pack? I think the uphill test would be good for each one.

[Dwalls]

Got home and had a surprise delivery today, it was from ScottyB so I got the led meter out and hooked up some jumper wires to it for a quick test and I'm sure that the batteries are pretty much shot but I will let you confirm it for me if you will.
Did a short uphill test with the bank and each battery one at a time.
6 Trojan T605 batteries
Date K4

at rest Uphill
Bank---38.3--------31.7
1--------6.4--------5.4
2--------6.4--------5.3
3--------6.3--------5.3
4--------6.3--------5.4
5--------6.3--------5.2
6--------6.4--------5.4


Thanks for feedback

[ThreeCW]

Each battery is dropping 0.9 to 1.1 volts, which is consistent so you do not have one or more batteries that are dropping out, which is good news. Depending on your application, you might have a "bunch" more life left in this pack.

How old are your batteries?

Are you satisfied with the run time of your cart?

Has the battery pack declined in performance to the point that you want to replace it?

Are you having any other performance issues?

Some performance issues or expectations may be more related to the energy limitations of a 36 volt pack. Perhaps other 36 volts users can comment based on your requirements.

[yurtle]

Concur. I ran mine way longer than most folks might. It was a slug uphill with passengers, but never failed. They served my purposes, so I kept putting off new ones until I just couldn't stand it any more, then I did all the upgrades in my sig at once, with the exception of the motor, which came later.

[ThreeCW]

I just read this on another older post ... and it may be also applicable in your case:

Originally Posted by NoleFan4Ever

I always use my batteries until they will not longer meet my needs. At that point, and only that point, have I ever replaced them.

[Dwalls]

Batteries are dated K4 so i'm guessing that that means Nov 2014
The batteries were all the way down to the point that it wouldn't do anything except click when I got it from my Mothers house.
At least part of it is that I want it to go faster and not go to the slug pace uphill but I guess that is at least part of the problem with the 36v system.
Not sure about the range of the cart yet I have been busy doing upgrades and it's been raining quite a bit on my days off for the last few rotations off.
Will a stock motor handle 48v I have already upgraded the controller and solenoid to the alltrax 500 amp and the 400amp solenoid from Scotty.

Thank you for your input.