lets talk chargers

[interstate]

Hi everyone,

I am new to golf carts and just picked up a club car ds electric. I will be buying new batteries and cables today. The restoration is going well.

I don't have a charger yet.

I come from other hobbies that use deep cycle lead acid, or lithium ion, lithium phosphate, nicad, nickle metal.... all using modern chargers that are small, lightweight. Some are even user configurable via a compute and software updates.

I have been told that solid state chargers are a no-no with golf cart batteries. I am learning that dedicated Cart chargers use transormers and this is best.

Why not buy a less expensive on board 36v fully automatic marine charger for 40% of the cost of a name brand cart charger?

Can you explain to me why other chargers are inferior ?

Will you explain why these
chargers for golf carts using 50 year old technology is so dreadfully expensive?

Thanks in advance for you input.

[phnguyk]

Any outcome, been trying to find out myself.

[scottyb]

I do not have the answer to your questions. Just the observation that the modern chargers put out considerably less amperage. Perhaps it is not enough to 'knock the sulfates off of the plates'??? .... I too will be waiting for the answers

[dougmcp]

Originally Posted by interstate

I have been told that solid state chargers are a no-no with golf cart batteries. I am learning that dedicated Cart chargers use transormers and this is best.

Why not buy a less expensive on board 36v fully automatic marine charger for 40% of the cost of a name brand cart charger?

Can you explain to me why other chargers are inferior ?

Will you explain why these
chargers for golf carts using 50 year old technology is so dreadfully expensive?

Solid state chargers are fine to use in a golf cart.
The old ferro resonant chargers that carts come with are truly old technology, in the finishing stage, they basically fry your batteries over a period of time.
A 3 to 6 stage electronic high frequency charger is probably the best you can get today. They tend to control sulphation with the pulsing as opposed to higher voltage which should extend your battery life span. These are manufactured by DeltaQ, Lester and also some Chinese variants.
The 36v marine chargers are confusing to set up but they would work. They actually charge 3x12v banks, not an actual 36v output like a true 36v specific charger. There is very little difference in pricing, a pro marine charger is about the same price as a HF onboard charger.
What marine charger did you have in mind using and what was it's cost?

[timbo2]

if its a 48 volt club you will have to bypass the on board computer i think the power drive charger works fine and the thunderbull nivel #6031 works as good at a better price

[dtkana]

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...d-charger.html

[dougmcp]

The chargers dtkana posted above are for small scooters etc.
There is a comparison page for Ferro resonant, SCR and HF Battery chargers that is pretty accuarate.
Advantages of High Frequency technology and comparison to other charger technologies.
Link: http://www.kinetekcontrols.com/produ...rychargers.asp

[gsf35099]

Here is the charger that I put in my cart during my upgrade to 48v. It does a really great job and I love the fact that all I need now is an extension cord and outlet to charge no matter where I am. Don't have to carry a charger with me.
It is a pretty small unit and light weight.

http://www.delta-q.com/products/quiq.shtml