Need help with fixing up hunting cart

[sponder50]

Alright. I am new to Golf Carts, especially electric motors. I had a friend give me an old cart that has been sitting outside in the elements for 6+ years. It looks like its in pretty bad shape but, hey it was free! I am guessing the first thing I need to do is make sure the motor still works and hook up new batteries. I was hoping a golf cart shop could check and see if the motor was still good before I throw $700 on new batteries. I was going to let a 3rd party fix the motor, and set up the new batteries if it's still good and I am going to do all the cosmetic work. Pictures are below. My questions are

1) Do you think this is worth trying to fix up or buy a newer one to lift, etc that is in better condition? Cosmetically the only thing really rusted out are some of the battery holders under the seat.

2) What year and model does this look like?

3) Am I headed in the right direction making sure the motor is good first? Anything I am missing and need to make sure is working before I move forward?

4) What is the cost I am looking at for getting this up and running and fixing all cosmetic issues?

Any help, advice, 2 cents, etc will be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks.

[sponder50]

Here are the other 2 photos

[kernal]

In the 4th picture I can see what should be a plate riveted to the body just to the left of where the passengers left foot would be. See if you can read the the numbers off of it and post them. The top numbers would give a clue and the bottom number is a serial number which can be used to see what the cart was when it left the factory.

[kernal]

OK, its a controller cart. Puts it in the early '90s. See if you can read the the stamped code on the negative terminal of the batteries. Should be a letter and a number. May be hard to see. This would tell us the age of the batteries. They actually look pretty good cosmetically. Might be deceiving.

[sponder50]

Serial # 597959
Manufacture code G1390
Some batteries have L2 and some L4

[csport]

I had a GREAT cart that I used for a number of years, ( the only down side, in laws couldn't or wouldn't charge it when done)

The people here are great!! remember there is a lot of info in the stickies at the top of the page- wiring, mechanical diagrams,

how to care for batteries

How to break your batteries in-VERY IMPORTANT!! I thought it was overkill and it is Not- it is the truth!

SPEND MONEY on good wires- better wires, better transfer of energy, without heating up-

Keep your batteries clean and watered,

always charge after use, as soon as possible

and then fill the batteries after charging

The Folks have learned by trial and error

When JohnnieB, ScottyB and crash test dummy talk listen, and take it to the bank
scottyB makes the best wires around
Johnnie B has great battery Knowledge and the coolest hat
CTD crash test dummy always has great info

welcome and good luck, deer, turkey will never hear you coming

[kernal]

Originally Posted by sponder50

Serial # 597959
Manufacture code G1390
Some batteries have L2 and some L4

597959 = 1990 ezgo Marathon. Again, this is a controller cart with a series wound motor. These are tough old carts.

L2 means either Dec 2002 or Dec 2012 and L4 either Dec. 2004 or 2014.

It was me I would check to make sure the water is covering the plates in the batteries. If not put just enough distilled water in to just cover the plates. Make sure the batteries are wired together in series (positive to negative and so on). Follow the wires from the charging receptacle. One will go to a battery positive and the other will go to another battery negative. These connections are the main pack positive and negative. Check the voltage at these connections with a digital multi meter set to the 200v scale. We are looking for somewhere around 36v.

[sponder50]

Thanks a lot. They must be 2002 and 2004. Would you be against, taking it to someone to get it running, making sure all connections are clean, motor ok, etc first?

Thanks again.

[kernal]

Nope, that would be fine. I just assumed you were wanting to do it yourself.

[sponder50]

Thanks kernal. Yes, I mostly do-- I just want to make sure the motor/controller's not bad before I invest any time and money. Maybe I am worrying about something that wont be a problem, if those motors/controllers rarely go bad.