Battery dies after 1 mile

[roxy32]

2014 precedent Powertron batteries P8000 48V
First 3 read 8.33 last 3 read 8.19 after full charge
After driving about a mile cart starts to hesitate and slow way down
first 3 read 7.34 last 3 read 7.19
Cable between 3 and four gets really hot, I removed it and cleaned everything and replaced tightly. Same problem.
Ordered new cable(haven't got it yet)
What else should I check?
I am new to carts and not very knowledgeable

[Fairtax4me]

Unfortunately those batteries are dead. No way around it, they need to be replaced.
There is probably internal corrosion in that cable, and you should replace ALL of the battery cables when you replace the batteries.

[roxy32]

what would cause that? They are brand new! Date code A0

[handtools]

Unfortunately it sounds like it's time for new batteries. Do you know how old your batteries are? Also charge the batteries until the charger shuts off, wait 12 hours then check voltages, individually and full pack and let us know what you find out. Possibly a charger issue also.

[roxy32]

supposedly brand new
date code A0

[Dragracer_Art]

Crappy/old cables could be causing some issues.

Internal corrosion = higher resistence = added heat = higher resistence, etc...

I would start with upgrading all the cables first.

It's the cheapest fix and should be done anyway, even if the batteries need replaced.

The low voltage in the batteries may be a result of crappy cables not letting them fully charge.
Hopefully you can get them back up... but if not, they are toast.

[roxy32]

I have a little hand held volt meter, can I measure the whole pack with that?
What should they read at full charge?
Do I need to unhook them for accurate reading?

[handtools]

Yes a handheld voltmeter is fine, no you don't have to disconnect anything. Here's a chart to help you.



CartsUnlimitedStateofChargeChart.png

[Fairtax4me]

What charger are you using? Brand? Model number?

If those are brand new they need to be charged big time, because none of them should ever be getting down to 7.1v. If they're that low after only a mile that means they're getting down below 6v when the cart is trying to drive and that means they are totally dead, which is very bad for a new battery.
When the cart is driving the batteries should still be above 8v, and after stopping they should come up close to or above 8.4v.

As battery voltage decreases, the amperage output goes up and they're trying to deliver every bit of amperage they can, which is why the cables are heating up because there is too much amperage trying to move through them.

Did you purchase the batteries? Is this a cart you just bought that the seller said has "new batteries"?

[roxy32]

Charger is Club Car 26580
I bought it from a guy he said batteries brand new, the code above the negative post on all of them is A0 and they look new.

I just replaced the one cable that was getting hot and plugged the charger back in and it charged for about 30 mins and shut off. The first three read 8.52 and last 3 read 8.39.

Should I try a friends charger?