key switch voltage and current

[Andy4639]

First off a automative remote will only work around 12-18 volts. Anything much over that and it's toast!
You can get around this but it would take a little more process.

Have a 12 volt solenoid hooked to the key sitch wires now on the big terminals that can handle 36 volts and then run new wires from a 12 volt source to the remote then to the small terminals of the 12 solenoid. When you activate the switch it will send power to the 36 volt system. If you do it this way there is no need for the key at all just do away with it but leave the ignition switch in the dash to not tip anyone off it's not functional.
For what it's worth.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by ggabay

I checked the serial number and it turns out it's a 2001 TXT.

well, does it help answering the question?

There are least two types of 2001 TXT carts. What did the website actually say?

Here is a cut & paste of what I get when I enter my cart's Serial Number:
Model Year: 2008 Make/Model: Electric TXT Golf Car (PDS)

If your cart is a PDS like mine, the current flow through the Key Switch (Ignition portion) is several milliamps.
If not, it will be higher since the current it takes to activate the Solenoid flows through the Key Switch ignition contacts.
The voltage in both cases is whatever the Battery Pack voltage is.

If I understand you correctly, you aren't actually trying to "Start" the cart remotely, you are trying to bypass the Key Switch, which is difficult to use, so all you have to do is jump in the cart and hit the pedal to go, but still prevent the local kids from using it.

Perhaps with radio control or a numeric keypad input to the Arduino microcontroller.
My guess is that a Solid State Relay that could handle about 50V and couple pass a couple amps would work,

I understand "Hacking", but just replacing the misbehaving key switch with one that works properly would work also.

[ggabay]

Thanks!

I can use this kind of board that can handle these currents an voltages and control it from my Arduino:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-4-Ro...ht_2890wt_1154

of course I can change the key switch but it will still be annoying and beside that, if I have it changed and control it using a remote control it will be much much much cooler! :-)

I'll check the specific model of my cart and tell you...

[ggabay]

this is what I got from my serial number:
Model Year: 2001 Make/Model: Electric TXT Golf Car (PDS)

which considering what you told me is good for me...

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by ggabay

this is what I got from my serial number:
Model Year: 2001 Make/Model: Electric TXT Golf Car (PDS)

which considering what you told me is good for me...

For future reference: Identify your cart as a 2001 TXT (PDS) when asking questions so people will know exactly what you have.

If you don't have the Owner's, the Service and the Parts manuals for your cart, you can download the in the Stickies at top of Electric EZGO forum (One level up from were we are now)

Here's the one, but check out the others also, good info.
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...g-manuals.html


Good luck with your project.

[sonicj]

personally, i would use a relay. something like this: link

the advantage of the relay over the transistor is isolation. the keyswitch is responsible for very little current. you can measure it with your meter in-line, but i would guess its in the mA range, so almost any 5v relay should work. your arduino can sink/source up to 40mA per pin which is less than many 5v relays require. in this situation, you'll need a small transistor to carry the load. the relay i linked above already has this transistor included. looking forward to updates! cheers!
-sj

[ggabay]

I already ordered this thing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...E:L:OU:US:1123

which can handle 30v and 10A and can free up my arduino for other projects...
considering it's such low current through those wires, it doesnt matter that it's 30v and not 32v (or maybe a little more when the batteries are full), right?

if so, it's kinda very cheap solution, isn't it?

[sonicj]

Originally Posted by ggabay

I already ordered this thing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...E:L:OU:US:1123

which can handle 30v and 10A and can free up my arduino for other projects...
considering it's such low current through those wires, it doesnt matter that it's 30v and not 32v (or maybe a little more when the batteries are full), right?

if so, it's kinda very cheap solution, isn't it?

nice find! you'll be fine at 32V and higher as you are switching very little current.
-sj

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by ggabay

...........which can handle 30v and 10A and can free up my arduino for other projects...
considering it's such low current through those wires, it doesnt matter that it's 30v and not 32v (or maybe a little more when the batteries are full), right?................

Interesting gadget.
Basically, two independent, remote controlled, SPDT relays.
Button "A" on remote controls one relay, button "B" controls the other.
The first push of a button turns the relay it controls "ON", the next push of same button turns the same relay "OFF"

Since the relays toggle from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON with each successive push of the same button, you'll have to rig up some sort of visual indicator to tell you if the key switch is off or on.

On a brighter note, you have a second relay controlled by the remote. You could rig it up to turn on the reverse beeper when you saw some kids playing with your cart.


A fully charged 36V battery pack is 38.2VDC, which should be okay since the relay contacts are also rated at 250VAC.

Let us know how it turns out.
John

[ggabay]

It can handle 250v AC and we're talking about 32-38v (as you mentioned) DC...
this relay can stand 30v DC with 10A but coz it's very low current I believe there will be no problem with 38v DC...

It is a nice find, isn't it?