Powerdrive 48V charger problems

[scubabud]

Originally Posted by Danimal

I was afraid of that. How would you recommend I go about charging the batteries? I have several different 6 and 12 volt chargers.

Perfect... just charge each battery one at a time with the cables removed and see if you can bring them up. Some try a couple at a time but...

Let us know the readings of each when you're done.

[scottyb]

Actually scuba you do not need to remove any cable oe secondary wire connections on the cart... The charge power flows between the charger connects and that is it.... So the 12v charger would be best..... set at about 15 amps if you can and about 1 hr on each PAIR should do it.... hope this helps

[scubabud]

Originally Posted by scottyb

Actually scuba you do not need to remove any cable oe secondary wire connections on the cart... The charge power flows between the charger connects and that is it.... So the 12v charger would be best..... set at about 15 amps if you can and about 1 hr on each PAIR should do it.... hope this helps

OK... thanks Scotty

[Fishing Dude]

Or jump out relay and it will charge, as no feedback from cart is required.

[TahoeDawgZ71]

Originally Posted by scubabud

You'll need 30 plus volts for that charger to kick in. Tahoe knows best but I believe it should be 70% of your original pack voltage in order for the OBC to turn on the charger.

This is correct... Here's an easy way to tell if it's got enough juice... The solenoid on the car is nothing but a big 48V relay. If the car wont make it click, it wont make a charger relay click either. Scubabud is right... it's generally somewhere around 30 volts before it'll work.

[TahoeDawgZ71]

Originally Posted by Fishing Dude

Or jump out relay and it will charge, as no feedback from cart is required.

This is true, however if you've got a precedent or 2006+ DS car, the computer will not allow "HOT" charging of the batteries. You've gotta get a separate charger receptacle and wire directly to the battery pack to hot-charge these cars.

[Danimal]

Originally Posted by scottyb

Actually scuba you do not need to remove any cable oe secondary wire connections on the cart... The charge power flows between the charger connects and that is it.... So the 12v charger would be best..... set at about 15 amps if you can and about 1 hr on each PAIR should do it.... hope this helps

How would you guys recommend hooking up the chargers for 8V batteries?

[scottyb]

A 12v charger at 2-5amps can be put on an 8v battery for short monitored periods of time but you have to watch temp and voltage carefully or you can do damage...... not recommended for everybody

[Danimal]

Originally Posted by TahoeDawgZ71

This is correct... Here's an easy way to tell if it's got enough juice... The solenoid on the car is nothing but a big 48V relay. If the car wont make it click, it wont make a charger relay click either. Scubabud is right... it's generally somewhere around 30 volts before it'll work.

I did turn the switch back to "run", the orange battery light started slowly flashing, turned the key on, and listened for the solenoid click with the accelerator depressed ( it did click ). The orange battery light dimmed when I pressed the accelerator, but the cart wouldn't move and the charger still wouldn't turn on when plugged back in.

[TahoeDawgZ71]

Originally Posted by Danimal

I did turn the switch back to "run", the orange battery light started slowly flashing, turned the key on, and listened for the solenoid click with the accelerator depressed ( it did click ). The orange battery light dimmed when I pressed the accelerator, but the cart wouldn't move and the charger still wouldn't turn on when plugged back in.

are you sure you're hearing a solenoid click and not a microswitch click? A bad OBC is always a possibility as well.