How to interpret Annalog Volt meter

[Dsouthw524]

I bought an Electric 1990 EZGO Marathon that has a analog Volt meter. I do not know when to worry when using the cart that the cart is getting too low.

I suspect the old battery pack is losing capacity and am worried about how much range.

I am not even sure how to verify that the charger is working properly.

I am a newbie to owning a cart and will appreciate any help.

[Springlake]

to the Forum!!

There are so many pros here that are willing to help. I am sure in no time you will get the hang of it.

Here is a chart (click on the link below) for a digital gauge (that is something you should purchase from our sponsors) that will help.
On the chart Scotty b has marked the 50% battery usage. It is recommended not to drain your pack below that..

Good luck!!







http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...age-meter.html

[kellybell]

Welcome!

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by Dsouthw524

1. I bought an Electric 1990 EZGO Marathon that has a analog Volt meter. I do not know when to worry when using the cart that the cart is getting too low.

2. I suspect the old battery pack is losing capacity and am worried about how much range.

3. I am not even sure how to verify that the charger is working properly.

4. I am a newbie to owning a cart and will appreciate any help.

1. The problem with analog battery meters is that they don't tell you what the voltage is and it is the voltage that tells you what the battery packs SoC (State of Charge) is.

They are reliable and repeatable, so you can "calibrate" them by using a handheld digital voltmeter and marking the face with lines at critical voltage levels. The original artwork on some of them may be correct, but not on others and in any case, you need to verify with a DVM before trusting it.

2. A dash mounted DVM type battery meter will solve that problem.

3. What charger do you have?

4. We all started out as newbies, but you are asking questions about the stuff you aren't familiar with, so you won't be a newbie long.

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by Dsouthw524

I bought an Electric 1990 EZGO Marathon that has a analog Volt meter. I do not know when to worry when using the cart that the cart is getting too low.

I suspect the old battery pack is losing capacity and am worried about how much range.

I am not even sure how to verify that the charger is working properly.

I am a newbie to owning a cart and will appreciate any help.

the VERY BEST thing you could/should do is the get a DIGITAL meter.

http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Digita...ry_Meters.html


oh and btw.....CONGRATS on the 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, wive's, husbands, girlfirends and boyfriends 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!!

[scottyb]

On the old analog meters we used this rule of thumb. Accelerate hard uphill while watching the gauge - if it dips into the red - recharge.
Now this just a rule of thumb - and it gives some indication of the SOC. you might want to calibrate you meter against a handheld DVM and find the 50% charge mark on the meter...

[jakesnake27]

Welcome to BGW!
You could replace the analog with a digital meter like Scotty sells. You could use the same wires...

[Dsouthw524]

Thanks guys. I found a on-line manual for my charger. I am trying to improve my battery life by installing a Battery Desulfator.. I hope it will help prolong the battery pack. Several of the guys here are watching and telling me that I bought the Brooklyn bridge".

[Dsouthw524]

Thanks for the info. I found an on-line manual for the charger. I have already mounted the old analog meter into a custom dash panel.

I have also installed a Battery Desulfator and hoe that helps over some time. I am being watched for improvement by the guys here. They feel I have bought swamp land!

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Dsouthw524

Thanks for the info. I found an on-line manual for the charger. I have already mounted the old analog meter into a custom dash panel.

I have also installed a Battery Desulfator and hoe that helps over some time. I am being watched for improvement by the guys here. They feel I have bought swamp land!

There are a lot of old Ezgo Marathons out there going camping, running errands, and off road everyday. Back in the day, analog meters were all we had and we got along okay.
Today's digital meters give more information that is more accurate. This is a big help in deciding when to recharge which (done properly, regularly) can extend the useful life of your batteries.
My first cart was older than that and didn't have any meter at all! LOL Enjoy the ride.