DS 4x12v to 6x8v Conversion - Starting Tomorrow

[jbsmith05]

I have a 2006 DS that I'm converting from 4-12v to 6-8v batteries as the 4-12's are shot.

I have the conversion kit, extra battery cabling and the OBC v3.0 as I still have the power drive charger.

Now I'll say I think part of the reason my batteries are dead is due to that charger...there are times were the cart is not driven between the 15 day period. So I'm coming here for 2 things...

1) Any gotcha's on the battery tray conversion and or the OBC replacement? I've seen a guy do this on Youtube, looks pretty simple...and I have a air hammer.

2) Charger...what's recommended, I'm going to be using Trojan wet cell batteries but is there perhaps a trickle charger that would be good at keeping them better conditioned - if so do I still need the OBC?

Thanks in advance.

[jakesnake27]

Since you already have a working Powerdrive charger and new OBC, I would just run them.

But there are better aftermarket standalone chargers out there, such as the Lester Summit II.

[jbsmith05]

Originally Posted by jakesnake27

Since you already have a working Powerdrive charger and new OBC, I would just run them.

But there are better aftermarket standalone chargers out there, such as the Lester Summit II.

Yeah...I was just doing some reading on the Summit II. I'm thinking I might also get that and mount it onboard.

Here's my new question....

If I bypass the OBC for the onboard Summit II do I loose my regenerative charging (and braking)? I assume yes because the OBC controls the charge.

So if I leave the OBC in, and then do the onboard Summit II where it's directly connected to battery pack positive and negative, would the OBC still do the regen?

[jakesnake27]

Actually the OBC has nothing to do with regen braking, the controller is what runs that. So you'd be just fine removing the OBC and running the Summit II.

[NoleFan4Ever]

Yep, and the motor has to be built for regenerative braking. Such as mine, the PQ Executioner, which has all the regen removed (very very little exist). You can roll my cart all you want and it will beep (roll-away alarm) but there is virtually no resistance.

Again, it is designed that way to protect the motor from high RPM damage if the regen were to engage at 6500 rpm's....

[jbsmith05]

Originally Posted by jakesnake27

Actually the OBC has nothing to do with regen braking, the controller is what runs that. So you'd be just fine removing the OBC and running the Summit II.

Decided to bypass the OBC. I’m getting conflicting info when I try to figure out how.

Here’s the back of my charge reception. What wire do I jump to the pack negative?

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[jbsmith05]

Also since I’m in there I just took the whole OBC out. Nothing more to it than just unplugging it all?

[jakesnake27]

You’ll take the 10 gauge black wire coming from the charge receptacle and run it to the main pack negative.

Here is the sticky containing all of the bypassing procedures: http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/showthread.php?t=114227

[NoleFan4Ever]

The way I like to do it is take the two (2) 10g wires at the OBC and cut them away and butt splice them together. This will connect your Negative loop between the charge receptacle and B-. Then on the carts harness side of the OBC connector, jumper the Blue wire and the White wire together. You can also remove them from the connector and butt splice them together. Now your OBC is fully bypassed and ready for a Summit II or your preferred fully automated smart charger!

[Hkspwrsche]

What are the pluses and minuses to 4 12s versus 6 8s? Seems like 4 12s would be cheaper.